The electronic bookplates also provide a means for the Libraries to honor graduating student assistants and feature the Provost Adopt A Book program. This program honors retired faculty members and memorializes deceased faculty members

For more information about the MSU Libraries electronic bookplate program, contact the Libraries, Computing, & Technology Development Office at 517.884.6446 or by emailing.

Friday, September 11 - Newspapers: Read All About It Online!
Presenters: Jon Harrison, Michael Rodriguez & Mike Unsworth

Like to read the paper with your morning coffee? You might want to consider reading it online at the libraries’ Web site! An overview of collections of newspapers available through the MSU Libraries will be given here, including some insights on the migration of newspapers into the digital age. Resources and navigation techniques specific to MSU patrons will be discussed, including examples of finding materials from all periods of U.S. history and locating current articles from overseas publications—none of which can be found using Google. **Registration required.**

Friday, October 9 - Google & Wikipedia: Digging Beneath The Surface
Presenters: Sara Miller & Ben Oberdick

“Just Google it” could easily be the slogan for information seeking in our rapidly changing technological environment. Beyond easy search results and fast information, Google and Wikipedia are very powerful tools for uncovering information and—at the same time—bringing established concepts of authority and reliability into question. We’ll explore how to find books, articles, images, patents, and many other types of information available in Google through both basic and advanced searching. We’ll address how to make the most out of Wikipedia by investigating both its merits and pitfalls. Along with Wikipedia, we’ll also explore evaluating Web sites and their sources of information. We’ll gladly answer any related questions that you have and provide materials to aid in your Web exploration. **Registration required.**

Friday, October 30 - Government Information at Your Fingertips
Presenters: Hui Hua Chua & Hailey Mooney

How safe is your drinking water? What is the air quality like near your home? The EPA has tools for you! Interested in history and literature? Watch presentations from the 2009 National Book Festival, or explore American and world history through historical texts, diaries, audio recordings, maps, photos and videos. Maybe you are a political junkie? Find out how to keep tabs on Congress, its activities, lobbyists and donors. Follow President Obama on Twitter. A science geek? Explore the universe virtually, volunteer with NASA or just keep up with the latest in sci-tech research. Ever wonder if the Internet and free government data can really democratize knowledge? Learn about visualization tools that repackage public data in new and exciting ways. **Registration required.**

Friday, November 13 - Social Networking: Connect Online with Colleagues, Family, and Friends
Presenters: Michelle Allen & Kara Rawlins

Everyone is atwitter about Twitter! What is Twitter? Facebook? LinkedIn? Why would you want to register for an account with one of these free services? What are the benefits? What are the privacy risks? This workshop will offer the answers to these and many other questions about these popular professional and social networking sites. During the last half of the session, MSU librarians will offer assistance to anyone interested in setting up a personal account. **Registration required.**

Friday, December 11 - Finding Health Information on the Internet
Presenters: Susan Kendall & Abe Wheeler

Ever try searching the Internet for a health topic? It can be pretty confusing! This class will teach you how to tell the good from the bad. Find out what free sites have the most reliable, up-to-date, and understandable information about diseases, wellness, prevention, drugs, herbs, and lab tests. Learn how to decipher “doctor-speak” and then delve deeper into medical information using MSU’s resources for health professionals. **Registration required.**

**Classes are limited to a maximum of 24 persons, so those interested are asked to call Alana Miller at the Libraries’ Development offices (517-884-6445) to reserve a place in their desired session. Limited capacity in the Beaumont learning laboratory will require first-come, first-served seating. Please be prepared to share with Alana your university affiliation(s) and any specific online information interests you’d like us to consider including in the presentation.

Time: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Radiology Building

In the dozen years since becoming MSU’s Director of Libraries, Cliff Haka has seen technology transform the way libraries do business. The tools used, collections built and services rendered have all changed dramatically. Despite these changes, the mission remains the same: connecting patrons with information, ideas and each other. Today, MSU Libraries maintain both a physical and virtual presence: Through the web, vast amounts of information – reports, journal articles, e-books, and more – are delivered to users’ desktops wherever they are in the world. Yet on campus, Libraries have never been busier, hosting more than 6,000 visitors to the Main Library every day and 3,000 more to the branches. Cliff will detail many of the changing and challenging dynamics of today’s Library services.

This annual celebration honors faculty whose books, multimedia works, musical scores or recordings were published during the previous year. This year’s Reception will recognize works published in 2008.

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Main Library, W449
Admission: Free
Presented by: Stephen Deng, Assistant Professor of Renaissance/Early Modern Literature, Department of English. This event is cosponsored by the Department of English Early Modern Studies Group.

With a setting inspired by 19th-century Japan, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s lightest and most delightful comedy is a celebration of the enduring power of love in all its many disguises. In this romantic adventure the courtship of Rosalind and Orlando is played out against a backdrop of political rivalry, banishment and exile.

Visitor parking is available in the MSU Stadium parking lot on Red Cedar Road, south of the library. For directions, call 432-6123. Persons with disabilities may request accommodations by calling Birdie Beckwith at 884-6454 by April 16. Requests received after that date will be met when possible. The Main Library is wheelchair accessible.

The Annual MSU Student Book Collection Competition offers students an opportunity to share their enthusiasm for books and their personal interests with others. All topics and genres are welcome. Participants submit a short essay describing the focus and contents of their collection, and an annotated bibliography of its contents or a selection of 50 titles from larger collections. Finalists display their collections in the Main Library for final judging, followed by a reception. The first place collection will be awarded a $500 prize, and the second place collection will be awarded $250. All other finalists will receive a $100 award. The first place collection will also be automatically entered into the Collegiate Book-Collecting Championship, a national competition sponsored by Fine Books & Collections Magazine with a top prize of $2,500.

The Michigan Writers Series recognizes and highlights the literary work of important writers who live and work in Michigan. Hosted by the MSU Libraries, the series features individual Michigan writers for an evening of readings and discussion with their audience. The readings, which are free and open to the public, take place on most Friday evenings during the academic year in the Library.

In coordination with the Library of Michigan, the MSU Libraries welcome author Tom Springer whose collection, Looking for Hickories, was named a 2009 Michigan Notable Book. Looking for Hickories is a masterfully written collection that establishes a new voice for the spirit of the upper Midwest and Michigan and offers a fresh look at the landscape as well as the everyday lives of the people who make up the region’s small communities.

Springer is a senior editor at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan. For the foundation, he wrote the books Blessed with Children and How to Unravel Science Mysteries for Young Minds without Unraveling. Springer has also written about nature and outdoor travel for newspapers and magazines such as Backpacker, Michigan Out-of-Doors, and Notre Dame. His nature-themed commentaries have aired on several National Public Radio programs. Springer holds a master’s degree in environmental journalism from Michigan State University.