December 13, 2012

IRC Hours: Winter Break

The Instructional Resource Center will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012 and remain closed through Monday, January 7, 2013.

For additional hours information, please visit the IRC Hours & Updates page on the Instruction Resource Center web site.

We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a safe and joyous holiday season.

December 10, 2012

IRC Hours: After Finals

The Instructional Resource Center will be open 8 am to 5 pm Wednesday, December 12th through Friday, December 14th.  Complete holiday hours are available on the IRC Hours & Updates calendar on the IRC web site.

December 4, 2012

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following book has been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novel

The following book has been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.
  • Drama
    PZ7.7.T454 Dr 2012

AU Circulating: Education

The following books have been added to the library circulating collection. You will find them displayed in the new book area on the library's main floor or in their regular location on the second floor.

November 18, 2012

IRC Hours Update: Thanksgiving Break

Instructional Resource Center (IRC) Hours for Thanksgiving Break are:
  • Tuesday, November 20th - Close 5 pm
  • Wednesday, November 21st - Closed
  • Thursday, November 22st through Saturday, November 24th - Closed
  • Sunday, November 25th - Open 6:00 pm
  • Monday, November 26th - Open 1:00 pm

Regular IRC operating hours resume on Tuesday, November 27th. Please visit the IRC web site for a complete listing of hours updates for Fall 2012.

November 15, 2012

Update: Systems Upgrade Complete

The AU Library systems upgrade is now complete! The library catalog, circulation, my library account,OhioLINK borrowing, and patron authentication are fully functional. If you experience any problems, please contact the circulation desk at ext. 5400.

Thank you for your patience during this transition to Sierra systems platform.

*Information originally published on the AU Library News blog.

Update: Library Catalog Live

The library systems update is partially complete; basic AU Library catalog search and options to view (not renew) my library account are available. OhioLINK requests are not yet fully functional. We anticipate all areas working within the next few hours.

*Information originally published on the AU Library News Blog.

Update: Systems Upgrade

At 11 am today (11/15) AU Library systems will be down for a scheduled upgrade.

We anticipate this outage lasting through the afternoon. During this time there will be no online circulation functions, patron authentication or OhioLINK borrowing available.

  • Off line circulation will be in place; pick-up and check out books as usual.
  • Please use the OhioLINK catalog to locate books and other resources.
  • Library account information will be processed after the upgrade is complete.
  • Contact the AU Library circulation desk if you have questions at x5400. 

Updates will be posted here, on the AU Library Facebook page and via the IRC Twitter feed. Thank you in advance for your patience during this time.

*Post originally published on the AU Library News blog.

November 14, 2012

Library Systems Upgrade

Beginning at 11 am on Thursday (11/15) AU Library systems will be down for a scheduled upgrade. We anticipate this outage lasting through the afternoon. During this time there will be no online circulation functions, patron authentication or OhioLINK borrowing available.

  • Off line circulation will be in place; pick-up and check out books as usual.
  • Please use the OhioLINK catalog to locate books and other resources.
  • Library account information will be processed after the upgrade is complete.
  • Contact the AU Library circulation desk if you have questions at x5400. 
Updates will be posted here, on the AU Library Facebook page and via the IRC Twitter feed. Thank you in advance for your patience during this time.

*This post was originally published on the AU Library News Blog.

November 5, 2012

IRC Update: We are open!

IRC officially open as of 11:00 am this morning (11/5)!
  • Yes, the roll top laminator is once again in working order.
  • Yes, it is possible to color print from the second floor.
  • Yes, all IRC collections are once again available.

Collections have been shelved, equipment checked, and resources returned to their home location.  Some areas are still a bit damp, you will notice a musty odor from the water, but a dehumidifier is in place to combat these elements.

Special thanks to Charity and the AU facilities team for their efforts removing the standing water and helping to get things ready for us to be open again. Thanks to IT for sending a technician to check our computers last week. And thanks for your patience; it takes to recover from ...

November 1, 2012

IRC Open Monday

The Instructional Resource Center will be closed the remainder of this week.  We anticipate reopening on Monday (11/5) afternoon once collections are shelved and furniture/resources restored to their correct locations.

Again, here are a few ideas if you need help with resources and supplies:
  • Supplies: Visit the AU Bookstore for paper supplies such as poster board and construction paper.
  • Color Printing: 200 Patterson has a print quota color printer.
  • Color Printing: IT help desk is able to help if you need support with the 200 Lab color printer.
  • Laminating:  AU Printing services has laminating options of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet lamination for $1 per page and a wide and wide laminator for $5/foot.
  • Laminating: Irwin's Office supply in downtown Ashland has laminating services ($2.50/foot).  Call ahead for their hours 419-289-3400.
Thank you for your continued patience.

October 31, 2012

IRC Update: Closed

The Instructional Resource Center remains closed today (10/31) due to flooding, saturated carpets, and lack of power; laminating, color printing ,the Ellison machine, and IRC resources are unavailable at this time.

  • Supplies: If you need supplies (poster board, construction paper), try the AU Bookstore.
  • Color Printing: If you need to color print, there is a print-quota color printer in 200 Patterson.
  • Color Printing: If the printer in 200 is out of order, tech support recommends you go to the help desk, they can print color for you.
  • Laminating is available at the AU Print shop, they have a small laminator ($1/foot) and wide laminator ($5/foot).
  • Laminating: Irwin's Office supply in downtown Ashland has laminating services ($2.50/foot).  You can call for hours 419-289-3400.

We will continue to update here, on Facebook, and IRC twitter. Thank you for your continued patience.

October 30, 2012

IRC Update: Closed

The Instructional Resource Center is closed today (10/30) due to flooding and lack of power;  laminating, color printing and the Ellison machine are unavailable. Updates will be posted as they become available. 

Thank you for your continued patience.

October 29, 2012

IRC Hours Update: Early Closing

The IRC is closed this evening (10/29) due to flooding. Updates will be posted as they become available. Thanks for your patience.

October 24, 2012

IRC Hours Update

The IRC will open at 1pm Thursday (10/25), Friday (10/26), and Monday (10/29). Regular hours are scheduled to resume on Tuesday (10/30).  A complete listing of IRC hours updates is available on the IRC web site.

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 23, 2012

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novel

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile stacks.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

October 22, 2012

IRC Hours Update: Fall Break

The IRC is open today 8 am to 5 pm, regular hours resume Tuesday, October 23rd. Please note the IRC has scheduled lunchtime closings from 1 pm - 2 pm on Monday (10/22) and Tuesday (10/23). Visit the IRC web site for a complete listing of hours updates.

October 19, 2012

Update: Library Catalog


New catalog functions and displays are now fully operational. Records now feature a tabbed display providing users with information pertaining to individual collection items.

Item Status:  Location, Call number, and current availability (status)
The record displayed above features Lulu Walks the Dog, it's located in AU Juvenile, the call number is PZ7.V816 Luu 2012, and it is currently available.

More Details: Description, Edition, Summary, and ISBN
The record displayed above features a book 144 pages in length that is a first edition; a short summary is detailed, and both a ten and thirteen number ISBN presented.

Find Similar Items: Author information, subject headings, and alternate authors
Lulu Walks the Dog was written by Judith Viorst; subject headings include Cooperativeness - Juvenile fiction, Dogs - juvenile fiction, and Dog walking - juvenile fiction; the alternate author (illustrator) for this book is Lane Smith.

Full Record: All of the information available on the cataloged item.

Book Cover Image: More Information!
If there is a book cover displayed with the record, click on it to view more information about the item;  resources may include summary, excerpt, table of contents, cover image, and reviews.

Thank you for your continued patience as we work implement upgrades and improve the library catalog.

*This post was originally published on the AU Library News blog.

October 18, 2012

IRC Hours Update: Fall Break

IRC Hours during the Ashland University Fall Break are noted below:

Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st: Closed
Monday, October 22nd: Open 8 am to 5 pm

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, October 23rd. Please note the IRC has scheduled lunchtime closings from 1 pm - 2 pm on Monday (10/22) and Tuesday (10/23).

Visit the Instructional Resource Center web site for a complete listing of hours updates.

Library Catalog

Library systems are being prepared for an upgrade scheduled to take place over Thanksgiving break. As a result, you may notice some irregularities in catalog records (display, links, details) during the next few weeks.  We apologize for the inconvenience and will post updates here and on the AU Library facebook page as needed.

October 10, 2012

What's New? Juvenile Collection


We've been working to increase the overall footprint of the juvenile collection on the library second floor, outside of the Instructional Resource Center. This video highlights some of the changes that have taken place including moving and expanding the Caldecott and Newbery award book area, creating a new oversized section for juvenile (no more books sticking out!), incorporating the big book and book kit collections into the juvenile area, changing out existing shelving for wider shelves (handling wider picture book titles), and adjusting placement of the collection for growth and use.

All of the signage has been updated and catalog location codes reflect placement of all titles. Additional photographs of the juvenile collection are available on the IRC Pinterest page.

October 5, 2012

Off campus access restored

Access to library databases from off campus has been restored. Be sure to access and authenticate library databases via the AU Library web site. Thanks for your patience during this update.

Catalog Working: Off campus access pending

Server updates are complete and the Library catalog is once again available for use.  Database access from off campus is pending, we are working with OhioLINK to remedy the problem.

*Originally posted on the AU Library News & Information Blog

Library Server: Updates

Library servers are currently off-line for updates.  In addition to the catalog and online renewal, access to library databases - authentication - from off campus is unavailable during this process.

Thank you for your patience. We hope to be back online and fully operational soon.

* Originally published on the AU Library News Blog.

October 4, 2012

Library Catalog & Server Updates

Beginning at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 5th, Library servers will be offline for updating. As a result, the AU Library catalog, renewing books with my library account, and online circulation will be unavailable. We recommend using the OhioLINK catalog during this time.

Updates will be posted here, on the AU Library Facebook page, and the IRC Twitter account. Thank you for your patience during this update.

* Originally posted on the AU Library News & Information Blog.

October 2, 2012

Bill Moyers: The Bane of Banned Books



"In honor of the 30th anniversary of the American Library Association’s “Banned Books Week,” Bill talks about the impact libraries have had on his youth, his dismay over book challenges in modern times, and why censorship is the biggest enemy of truth." -- Bill Moyers, The Bane of Banned Books, 9/25/12

September 30, 2012

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is September 30 - October 6, 2012.
"Bookmans, www.bookmans.com, an independent bookstore with six locations in Arizona, created this video for the 2012 Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out, www.bannedbooksweek.org/virtualreadout" -- Bookmans Does Banned Books Virtual Readout


Visit the Banned Books Week Virtual Read Out YouTube Channel for more video resources.

September 24, 2012

"What Banned Book Are You Reading?"


"In honor of Banned Books Week, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) asked highly acclaimed authors what banned book they are reading. Authors include (in order of appearance):  Deborah Harness, Lisa Genova, William Joyce, Jen Lancaster, James Meek, Adriana Trigiani, Molly Ringwald, Kitty Kelley, Catherynne Valente, James Patterson, John Green, Jenny Han, Junot Diaz." -- Banned Books Week, What Banned Book are You Reading, 9/20/12

September 20, 2012

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Non-fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

September 19, 2012

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novel

The following book has been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in the regular location within the juvenile collection.

AU Circulating: Education & Technology

The following books have been added to the library circulating collection. You will find them displayed in the new book area on the library's main floor or in their regular location on the second floor.

September 18, 2012

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following book has been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find it shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in its regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

IRC News: Curriculum Textbooks

It's that time again! Annual weeding of the curriculum textbook area is complete. A selection of materials are now available on the free books cart directly outside of the IRC, library second floor.  Please feel free to peruse the cart, all items have been withdrawn and are ready for a new home.

New curriculum signage is in place reflecting subject adjustments. Feel free to stop in the IRC if you need help finding a title.

September 17, 2012

IRC News: Copy Machine

There is a new copy machine on the library second floor, it replaces the old venda-card compliant machine. Located directly outside the IRC, the copier is available to COE students during field experiences.

Instructors will notify students regarding number of copies available. Students are responsible for knowing their user name and ID number; number of copies assigned and remaining; and for logging out of the copy machine when finished.

Copier Access FAQs:
  • Students will be notified by their course instructors regarding a start date for copy machine access.
  • Username is your Ashland University email ID (without the @ashland.edu). 
  • ID number / password is your seven digit Ashland University ID (do not use au- in front of the number). 
  • Number of copies used and available will display on the bottom left corner of the main screen after each successful login (i.e. 52/200 means 52 of allotted 200 copies have been used). 
  • Students are required to log out of the copier at the end of every session. 
  • When quota is exhausted, students will not receive additional copies. 
  • All user accounts will be disabled two weeks after the end of each semester.

Instructional posters are available with the copy machine providing quick tips for usage and usage FAQs.  Additional information is available on the IRC Services & Price List web page.

September 14, 2012

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is September 30 - October 6, 2012.
"Bookmans, www.bookmans.com, an independent bookstore with six locations in Arizona, created this video for the 2012 Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out, www.bannedbooksweek.org/virtualreadout" -- Bookmans Does Banned Books Virtual Readout

Visit the Banned Books Week Virtual Read Out YouTube Channel for more video resources.

September 7, 2012

IRC Technology Update

IRC and second floor computers have been successfully updated to Windows 7! New scanners have been installed on fours computers outside the IRC and three computers inside the IRC; they will quickly scan items as images or PDF, instructions are located with each scanner.

Also, Adobe professional software has been upgraded and installed on all second floor computers. Thanks for your patience during this process!

August 29, 2012

IRC Hours Update: Labor Day

Instructional Resource Center hours for the Labor Day Holiday weekend are:
  • Saturday, September 1 - Closed
  • Sunday, September 2 - Closed
  • Monday, September 3 - Open 6pm to 10 pm

IRC regular hours resume on Tuesday, September 4th. A complete list of IRC hours updates is available on the IRC web site. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

August 24, 2012

IRC Reference

The following books have been added to the IRC reference collection. You will find them shelved directly inside the Instructional Resource Center, library second floor, in the IRC reference section.

August 20, 2012

IRC Hours: Fall 2012

Welcome to the Instructional Resource Center! IRC hours are posted on the IRC web siteblog, and on the IRC door (AU Library, second floor). Updates and exceptions to regular operating hours are noted on the IRC hours page, this blog, via the IRC Twitter account and in the IRC.

You will also see updates to IRC hours on the library's digital sign on the main floor and on the IRC Pinterest board AU Library Digital Sign.

AU Library Hours: Fall 2012

Ashland University Library fall hours begin on Monday, August 20th.  Updates and exceptions to regular operating hours are posted on the AU Library web site Hours & Updates page and will be posted to this blog.

Ashland Theological Seminary (ATS) Library hours are posted on the ATS library web site.

Welcome to Ashland University Library!

August 9, 2012

IRC Circulating: Kits

The following kits have been added to the Instructional Resource Center circulating collection. Materials kits are located inside of the IRC, on right side/east wall, and shelved numerically; for ease of use, shelves in the IRC are labeled.

AU Circulating: Education

The following books have been added to the library circulating collection. You will find them displayed in the new book area on the library's main floor or in their regular location on the second floor.

August 8, 2012

AU Circulating: Education & Technology

The following books have been added to the library circulating collection. You will find them displayed in the new book area on the library's main floor or in their regular location on the second floor.

IRC Reference

The following books have been added to the IRC reference collection. You will find them shelved directly inside the Instructional Resource Center, library second floor, in the IRC reference section.

AU Circulating: Education

The following books have been added to the library circulating collection. You will find them displayed in the new book area on the library's main floor or in their regular location.

August 7, 2012

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

AU Circulating: Praxis

The following books have been added to the library circulating collection. You will find them displayed in the new book area on the library's main floor or in their regular location on the second floor.
Praxis titles are also available at the reserves desk, library main floor.  All Praxis reserve titles have a three hour in-library circulation designation.

Praxis titles are no longer part of the IRC reference collection.

IRC Circulating: Activity Books

The following activity books have been added to the circulating curriculum collection. Activity books are located in the textbook annex on the library second floor, directly outside of the Instructional Resource Center (IRC).

August 6, 2012

Text a librarian

Text service is now available from AU Library.  You can text a reference librarian at 419-768-6106. If a reference librarian is not available (they'll BRB), a response will be sent whenever the next reference librarian is on duty.

July 27, 2012

IRC Hours Update

The Instructional Resource Center will be closed Monday, July 30th, through Friday, August 3rd.  A complete list of updates for July and August are located on the IRC web site.

July 26, 2012

Juvenile Books: Picture Books

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

July 25, 2012

Juvenile Books: YA Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Fiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

July 24, 2012

Juvenile Books: Graphic Novels

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

Juvenile Books: Nonfiction

The following books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved in the new books display on the second floor, directly outside of the IRC, or in their regular location within the juvenile collection.

July 9, 2012

Horn Book: 2012 Mind the Gap Awards

Horn Book Magazine released their annual "Mind the Gap Awards" featuring books that didn't win any major ALA awards (and maybe should have!). Here are a few highlights from the list; links will take you to the AU Library catalog ... enjoy.

Most Likely to haunt award committees
Tragic and tragically overlooked
Science made simple (youngest)
Science made simple (oldest)
Horn Book Magazine is part of AU Library's serials collection (library main floor); it is also available via the library database Education Research Complete (login required for viewing from off campus).

July 5, 2012

Juvenile Big Books

The following big books have been added to the juvenile circulating collection. You will find them shelved / hanging directly behind the curriculum textbook collection on the library second floor outside of the Instructional Resource Center (IRC). Big books are presented in large hanging bags, both book and bag circulate.

June 30, 2012

IRC Hours Update: July 4th

The IRC will be closed Wednesday, July 4th in observance of the holiday. Regular summer hours resume Thursday, July 5th. A complete listing of IRC hours updates is posted on the IRC Hours & Updates web page.

June 21, 2012

IRC on Pinterest

Are you using Pinterest, the online pinboard?  Are you an avid pinner?  If so, you should be following the IRC Pinterest page!  We have several interesting new boards available and existing board are regularly updated.

What we're reading
The IRC has "New Books" bulletin boards for picture books and non-fiction, graphic novel bulletin boards for juvenile and YA readers (with reviews), and even a YA fiction bulletin board (again, with reviews). People routinely ask ... "What are you reading?" ... So, here's what we are reading. Pin descriptions include a catalog summary & link to the library catalog.



IRC & LibGuides
LibGuides are AU Library's web 2.0 content management system. What does that mean? AU Libraians have created a variety of multimedia research guides for library instruction sessions, course support, and general library research information. LibGuides are available from the library web site, IRC web site and directly @ http://libguides.ashland.edu



Library & Book Fun
A bit of library (and book) humor, along with a few other fun pins, from boards we follow on Pinterest.

June 15, 2012

IRC & Library Hours Update

AU Library - and the IRC - will close at noon today (6/15) due to the campus power failure. Visit us online, the library web site, catalog, and databases remain available for use.

June 7, 2012

2012 Boston Globe Horn-Book Awards

"Since 1967, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards have honored excellence in writing and illustrating books for young people." -- The Horn Book
The 2012 Boston Globe Horn-Book Awards were announced at BookExpo America today. For more information, titles owned by AU Library link from this post to the library catalog.

Picture Book Winner
Extra Yarn  -  Mac Barnett; illustrator Jon Klassen

     Honor Books
     And Then It's Spring - Julie Fogliano; illustrator Erin E. Stead
     And the Soldier Sang - J. Patrick Lewis; illustrator Gary Kelley

Fiction Winner
No Crystal Stair - Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrator R. Gregory

     Honor Books
     Life: An Exploded Diagram -  Mal Peet
     Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein

Non-fiction Winner
Chuck Close, Face Book - Chuck Close

     Honor Books
     Georgia in Hawaii - Amy Novesky; illustrator Yuyi Morales
     The Elephant Scientist
- Caitlin O’Connell & Donna M. Jackson

June 4, 2012

IRC Hours Update

The IRC is closed today, June 4th, regular summer hours resume on Tuesday, June 5th. A complete listing of IRC hours updates is posted on the IRC Hours & Updates web page.