Alkek Library News

Alkek Closed for Holiday Break December 19, 2009 - January 3, 2010

Finals are over, students have returned home, and Alkek Library is closed for the holiday break. The library will re-open on January 4, 2010.  We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Remember it is still possible to access many of the library resources remotely.  Most of the research databases are accessible online with much of the information available full-text. The library catalog indexes many e-books. E-books can be found by searching the catalog by title or keyword and limiting your search by e-books.  You can also browse e-book collections by viewing this webpage.  Interested in viewing streaming media? Alkek has a limited collection of streaming video available too as part of the Counseling and Therapy in Video from Alexander Street Press.

The Ask-a-Librarian service is also closed, but you can send an email question to us. The email questions will be monitored and you will receive an answer to your question within a couple of days. 

On behalf of Alkek Library, have a Happy Holiday break!

Internet Archive and The Librarian

I haven't been to the Internet Archive website for a while and didn't realize how much has been added in the past years. The Internet Archive Wayback Machine is still an interesting tool to see the evolution of websites, some as far back as 1996. Alkek Library's evolution goes back to 2003 under the Texas State name, and under SWT.edu you can see our very first website. Usually the pages aren't complete due to images no longer existing and the links sometimes don't work, but it is interesting to see what has changed and what is still the same. Enter a URL into the search box to be taken back to the archived internet pages.

What brought me to the Internet Archive most recently is a colleague sent a link to the video that's included in this post. The Internet Archive is actally a digital library and since it began in 2002 has grown to include moving images (147,000+ movies), live music archives (over 62,000 with a Grateful Dead Collection), audio (322,480 recordings) and texts (well over a million texts including many historical and literary favorites.)

The National Film Registry Picks includes favorites such as the Fall of the House of Usher (1928), The Phantom of the Opera(1925) and many more.

The Librarian is part of The Prelinger Archives which includes many educational, advertising and industrial films. I loved The Librarian which was a vocational guidance film. It shows the work of library personnel circa 1947. Its amazing how so much has changed, yet so much is the same.

Renew or Check out Materials Over the Semester Break December 16th

If you want to check out materials over the semester/holiday break you can do so beginning December 16, 2008.  The catalog system is set to recall all books, videos, etc. on December 16th, but if you need the item over the break, just call the Circulation desk 245-3681 or renew online using My Account next Tuesday.

After your finals, you  might want to search the large DVD & VHS collection for your favorite movie or documentary.  The library also has many academy award winning films. The check-out period will be the same for the particular movie you check-out, but you can always renew online if the library is closed.  Also, if the item is due back over the break, fees will be waived.

If you have a long drive home, there are many books on CD available too. If you want a book by a particular author click on the author tab in the library catalog and limit your search to "Audio Books" to see what is available.

Another thing to keep in mind, while you are away from campus, you can still access MANY of the library's resources remotely.  Use the Periodical List to search for a particular magazine or newspaper to read the latest issues. For example, enter a title such as PC Magazine, Rolling Stone or New York Times and the results will show you the dates of availability and the databases with the full-text online.  Be sure to choose the link that says "to present" without an embargo listed.

Enjoy your upcoming break, and remember the library isn't all work and no play!