Harold B. Lee Library News

A few years ago we were all about bragging how the library was wireless. You could access our databases and digital collections anywhere in the building and you didn’t need one of those ethernet cables to do it (those were so 20th century). Now we are going on about our wires as though they are the latest and greatest thing since single speed bikes and Pinterest. What gives? Well, so many people enjoy studying online in the library that we ran out of power outlets. At the request of our student patrons we are in the process of installing hundreds of new power outlets near the study carrells on level 2. By the time we finish with all the new outlets in the building there should be almost a thousand new places to plug in and check out.

The Harold B. Lee Library has just opened a new exhibition that shows off our amazing collection of geospatial technologies. The library has had a great map library for some time. We have one of the best collections of printed maps in the area, but our new exhibition, “Geospatial Technologies Connect You to the World,” illustrates the many ways mapping technology is having an impact on our lives today.

Visitors can interact with the exhibit by choosing videos and maps using display control panels. Once you’ve picked a map you can digitally pull back the layers to discover all the information it contains. There is also a history of GPS systems that created the geospatial revolution we enjoy today. Everything from highway construction to package delivery and even finding your way to a party now relies on geospatial systems.

Students will be able to enter a geography contest to test their geospatial knowledge.

Advances in instrumentation, computing power and mobile devices have led to an explosion of spatial data that pertains to our physical and biological world.  These same technologic advances have also brought about ways to manage these huge datasets, to conduct spatial analysis, generate visualizations, methods of communicating and using these data to support critical decisions.  The Harold B. Lee Library  provides access to many important datasets, such as U.S. Census Data from 1790 to 2010 easily accessible through an interactive map interface.   Students and faculty at BYU can also access online visualization and analysis tools through the library’s website.   These data and tools may be coupled with extensive business and demographic databases that can be used alone or with additional data collected in the course of their research and study.  Global Positioning System receivers are also available for students and faculty to use in their courses and research.  The goal is to connect students and faculty to local, regional, and global issues and problems and give them the ability to help solve them in ways that are truly sustainable physically and culturally.

The exhibition is located on the main level of the library and is open during all regular library hours.

The public is welcome and admission is free.

Welcome to the rundown for Love Your Library Week. This is the week where we thank all our friends who visit us. It is also a great time to explore the library if you have been putting it off since you were accepted to school. We’re having several drawings for $50.00 gift cards. We’re offering treats to everyone who tries our library challenges. And on Thursday we’re going to host the first ever library hug! The first 400 students who join us to circle the library will get a free t-shirt.

On MONDAY, there will be an open house in Special Collections (HBLL 1130) from 1-3 pm.  Six of the curators will bring out original materials and will be available to talk with students.  Students who visit all the curators will receive a delicious sugar cookie.  Also on Monday, students can pick up a Special Collections Website scavenger hunt card at the Love Your Library booth on level 3 and explore the website on their own.   Completed cards are eligible for a drawing for a $50 gift card.

On TUESDAY, students stopping at the Love Your Library booth on level 3 can play a quick game which helps them get to know some of the subject librarians.  They can also pick up the daily challenge card which requires them to visit five different help desks to get the answer to a specific question.  Those who turn in their cards by 4 pm are eligible for the daily drawing for a $50 gift card.

On WEDNESDAY, students stopping at the Love Your Library booth can play a quick game of “Pin the Tail on the Call Number.” They can also participate in the daily challenge which guides them to various call numbers throughout the building to get clues.  There will be a daily drawing for cards turned in by 4 pm.

On THURSDAY, the daily challenge is a photo scavenger hunt.  Students are required to take a photo of five different locations in the building, bring those back to Love Your Library booth and show them (on their phone or digital camera) to the employee there, and then are eligible for the daily drawing.  Our BIG FINISH is a Library Hug (because students love the library) at 11:11 am.  We hope to have enough students participate to join hands around the outside of the library, essentially giving the building itself a “hug.”  The first 400 students who participate will receive a t-shirt designed just for this event and which is not available any other way. http://www.facebook.com/events/319374531447459/

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on Love Your Library Week. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Harold-B-Lee-Library/31458233565