Happy Holidays!

We'll be closed starting Friday the 22nd (in the late afternoon) through January 1st. Check out our Winter Term Hours, but if you just can't keep yourself from researching while we're closed take note of our instructions for connecting to library resources from off-campus. See you in 2007!

TO RENEW OR NOT TO RENEW?

Are you wondering whether you need to renew your books before the December 19th due date?

Here's my advice:

• If you just need to complete work during finals, please just keep your books and return them when you're done with them. [Now this doesn't mean to ignore due dates for items that get fines, like periodicals or OhioLINKs or reserves or videos or recalled books].

• If you're planning ahead, and you need your books for Winter Term or spring semester, please do renew them. We will hold your enrollment for second semester if you don't return or renew the materials that you have checked out and that are due before the end of the semester. And if you will be off-campus for ANY PART of Winter Term, please complete a Winter Term address form so we can send your mail to the right address.

• If you are working in a Main Library carrel or scholar study during Winter Term and leaving your books there, all of the green in-house use slips must be date-stamped at the circulation desk to indicate that they've been renewed for second semester. Please bring your books down at your convenience.

Do you want to check on what you currently have checked out and when it's due? Just access your account at http://obis.oberlin.edu/patroninfo/
While you're there, try out the online renewal feature. Any renewals that are denied will have to be brought to the circulation desk for processing.

Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions about your library account or our policies! Best of luck in the final days of the semester!


Allison Gallaher
Head of Circulation

Top 10 Ways to STAY SANE during Reading Period and Exams!

#10: Bond. James Bond. Casino Royale at the Apollo. 6:50 and 9:30 pm.

#9: Fit a couple pieces into the Escher puzzle in Mudd main lobby (hello?? other side of your brain??).

#8: Fresh air. A walk in the arb, a lap around Mudd.

#7: Shop locally for those holiday gifts! Great books at Mindfair. Fun jewelry at Ginko Gallery. Cool stuff at Bead Paradise. Awesome goods at Dave’s.

#6: “Facing America” and “New Frontier” exhibits at the Allen Art Museum – quick, before they’re gone!

#5: Check out something from the truly stunning collection of videos in Mudd’s AV Dept.

#4: Read today’s headlines in your favorite foreign language. Factiva, brought to you by the Library (who else?). [Click on “News Pages” in the green bar, then pick a country from the top pull-down menu.]

#3: Grab a wink (or take a spin) in a womb chair. No better napping on campus.

#2: Grab a(nother) cuppa joe with a pal. Java Zone, Gibson’s, De Café, you know the spots.

#1: Start packing – a reminder that you’ll be free SOON!

Questions that never die: Oxygen Deprivation

Studies show there is no evidence that the air in Mudd causes sleepiness. For a full explanation of the results see our RAE Board archives.

Therefore it is completely safe to study in any of the campus libraries, which have extended their hours for reading period and exams. Check out the times on our hours page.

In the mood for some light reading? Try the Iraq Study Group Report

You can have your very own PDF copy, courtesy of the United States Institute of Peace, which facilitated the work of the Iraq Study Group (ISG).

Help us help you -- and earn $5!

We're conducting focus groups to learn more about how students do research. Spend 30-45 minutes sharing your experiences and opinions and earn $5 in cash (or a Reading Girl mug).

Two sessions are scheduled: one for Tuesday, December 5th at 7pm and one for Wednesday, December 6th at 4:30pm.

Email megan.mitchell@oberlin.edu if you would like to participate. Spaces will be filled on a first come-first served basis. You will receive a confirmation message via email.

Thanks!