Happy Thanksgiving!

All of the Oberlin College Libraries are closed on Thursday, November 25, and will have shorter hours for the Thanksgiving break, beginning on Wednesday. Check our hours page for the details. If you are traveling, we wish you a safe journey, and where ever you celebrate, have a peaceful holiday.

Citation woes? Zotero and RefWorks to the rescue!

Are your sources and citations getting out of control?

One hour of your time learning Zotero or RefWorks can save you hours later and will help you better organize your research and citations.

Sign up for a seat at one of these workshops for students

Zotero: Thurs. Nov 18, 4:30-5:30 (bring your own laptop!)
RefWorks: Mon. Nov 22, 4:30-5:30
Both workshops will be held in the Academic Commons computer classroom (Mudd 113)

**Choose one workshop! The link above will also help you decide which tool better suits the way you do research

Questions? Email reference@oberlin.edu

Don't miss art installation in Mudd

Come view an installation by Jonathan Weisburst 'OC 12 in an Academic Commons group study room on the main level of Mudd. From Tues., Nov. 9 through noon on Thu. Nov. 11, Mudd 101C will be transformed into a 1950s living room, complete with its own nuclear family. "What happens to all that we throw away or discard?" writes Weisburst. "So much is tossed aside these days as we continue to ravenously consume. This art installation is a commentary on this social norm of waste. Through various collection methods, I was able to gather furniture, clothing, newspaper, sheets, and ink that was going to be thrown out, or given away. By re-appropriating these objects for art, I have been able to recycle what otherwise would have been wasted. The 1950s aesthetic is a commentary on both the age in which wasteful consumerism in America was born, as well as an homage to the past use and history of these forgotten THINGS."

Anne Trubek to speak about "A Skeptic's Guide to Writers' Houses"

Anne Trubek, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, will talk about her new book, A Skeptic’s Guide to Writers’ Houses, this Wednesday (Nov 10) at 4:30 pm in Room 113 in the Academic Commons in Mudd.

Big Read Action This Wednesday

Sam Weller, official biographer for Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, will give two talks in Oberlin on Wednesday, November 10:

at 12 noon, Wilder Hall, Oberlin College Campus, Room 101.
Bring your lunch, with book signing in Wilder lobby after Mr. Weller’s talk. Cookies and cider provided.

at 6:30 pm, Oberlin Public Library, Community Room.
Book signing from 6:30-7 pm, talk begins at 7 pm.

The Oberlin Big Read is a college-community-city schools sponsored project
See: http://bigreadoberlin.blogspot.com/

The Big Read is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts: neabigread.org

Go "Gaga" over libraries

Some University of Washington iSchool students and faculty members have made a video that is a parody of Lady Gaga's Pokerface. Check out a sample of the lyrics:

You got a question that is causing you some pain
Typin' keywords into the search engine again.
Look your naive searching just ain't gonna get it done
Cause when it comes to search if it's not tough it isn't fun (fun)...

Watch this and other similar videos on YouTube. And then make a research appointment with a librarian!

Election update

Students floated in and out of Azariah's last night for updates on the mid-term elections. Many followed results on their laptops while listening to commentary from the large-screen TV. Check your favorite news outlet for national results. For statewide results, see the Ohio Secretary of State's website. To see how Lorain Countians voted, and for local election results, visit the Lorain County Board of Elections' website.

Need to jump start your research paper?

Make a 30-minute Research Appointment with a Reference Librarian to plan a strategy and track down sources.

Use the online form to sign up for your appointment.

Don't let your project sneak up and bite you in the rear!