• 30Apr

    Categories: Databases, History, Humanities, Periodicals, Research, Web Resources Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lisa Laughy - Library Web Services
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    Lisa Laughy - Archives Assistant

    Just in time for the Fifth Form Humanities research paper assignments, Ohrstrom Library staff members have prepared an online research guide to help you through the process. The Fifth Form Paper Research Guide has been added to the Ohrstrom Blog and contains key information, such as:

    • A list of reference books in the library that can help you find a topic
    • Step-by-Step guide to the research process
    • Search strategies for finding periodical articles in magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, reports, and more
    • A list of librarian approved web resources for accessing photos, artwork, video and other documents and primary sources
    • A link to our Delicious account where you can access more, newly added librarian approved web resources

    You can access this research guide by clicking HERE. There are also permanent links in the blog sidebar under the “Research Guides” list heading, a link in the fly-out menu of the Ohrstrom Library website under “Research > Research Guides”, and a link on the Ohrstrom Library main page in Blackboard (Click on “Ohrstrom Library” in your course list).

    This research guide will be your best friend over the next few weeks, so be sure to bookmark it and visit it often throughout the research phase of the assignment. For additional research assistance contact Ms. Sanborn or any of the Ohrstrom Library Staff.

  • 28Apr

    Categories: History, Humanities, Research, Social Sciences Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lura Sanborn - Reference Librarian
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    Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

    Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture edited by Carole Boyce Davies, ABC-Clio, 2008.

    Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 305.896 B69

    From the introduction:

    “The term African Diaspora refers to the dispersal of African peoples all over the world” (xxxiii).

    Use this set to learn about the movement, forced and voluntary, of African people throughout several centuries.

    Entries include: Afro-Cuban Literature; Feminism: Black Feminist Movement in the United States and Netherlands; East Indies: African Soldiers.

    Helpful for: Humanities, History, Religious & Social Studies.

  • 22Apr

    Categories: Library News, Natural Sciences Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lisa Laughy - Library Web Services
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    Kevin Barry – Library Director

    Earth Day activities moved indoors due to rainy conditions, but that didn’t interfere with plans to make banners for Ohrstrom Library.  Students who signed up for the “Great Books” project were given the challenge of choosing environmentally themed books from Ohrstrom’s collection and then designing a large-scale painted canvas banner to express that book’s message.  The results of this combined effort are the four magnificent 10’ x 3’ Earth Day bookmark/banners now hanging proudly  from the second floor balcony down into the Baker Reading Room in Ohrstrom Library.   These works are nothing short of dazzling.

    On your next walk across school grounds stop by Ohrstrom and marvel at what  the “Great Books” team created in just a few short hours during the Earth Day celebration at SPS.   Here are some pictures of the finished banners hanging in the library.  Please come by and see them in person – You won’t believe your eyes!

    Very special thanks to the following students for their enthusiasm for the “Great Books” project:

    In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. By Michael Pollan.
    Students: Adele Xu, Stephanie O’Connell, Michelle Lee, Billy Kim, Emily Laackman

    The Human, the Orchid, and the Octopus: Exploring and Conserving Our Natural World. By Jacques Cousteau and Susan Schiefelbein.
    Students: Claire Branch, Olivia Moore, Lucy Bass

    Walden. By Henry David Thoreau.
    Students: Ga Hye (Caroline)  Kim, Elsa M. Henderson, Sarah Brockett

    The Lorax. By Dr. Seuss.
    Students: Caroline Yost, Claire Stanton, Katherine Robinson

    Special Note of Thanks to Adult Participants: Ms. Laughy, Mrs. Reider and Mrs. Wardrop.

  • 21Apr

    Categories: Natural Sciences, Research, Social Sciences Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Deb Baker - Interim Reference Librarian
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    Here are two new reference books in Ohrstrom Library’s collection with special significance for Earth Day:

    Human Development Report 2007/2008 Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), director and lead author Kevin Watkins, 2007.

    Find it in Ohrstrom at: Ref. 303.44 Un3 2007/2008

    Human Development Report 2007/2008

    UNDP’s annual report measures the health, welfare, economic and physical security and well being of people in 175 UN member nations plus Hong Kong and the Palestinian Territories, as well as the status of international treaties on human rights, the environment, and labor. Each year, the report opens with an extensive analysis of a key international development issue, and this year’s focus is climate change and the responses, projected outcomes, and potential impact on human development around the world. Both cautionary and hopeful, this is a useful and fascinating read.

    HELPFUL FOR: Leadership for Social Justice, Topics in Global Events

    FUN FOR: global citizens, Eco-Action members, debaters, future pundits and policy wonks, tree huggers, activists, voters

    Deb Baker – Interim Reference Librarian


    The Facts on File Dictionary of Environmental Science by Bruce C. Wyman and L. Harold Stevenson, Facts On File, 3rd ed., 2007.

    Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF REF 363.7 W98

    Over 4,000 terms are defined, including: nuclear winter, silviculture, and ethanol.

    Several appendixes conclude the volume, including: environmental acronyms, plastic recycling codes & earth, atmosphere and water statistics.

    Helpful for: Ecology, Eco-Action, Earth Day.

    Lura Sanborn- Reference Librarian

  • 20Apr

    Categories: Natural Sciences, Periodicals, Social Sciences Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lisa Laughy - Library Web Services
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    Patti Lynn - Library Assistant, Periodicals

    In honor of the upcoming Earth Day Celebration Ohrstrom Library would like to highlight two environmental magazines in the periodicals collection.  First up is The Ecologist, a magazine that proclaims itself to be “The world’s leading environmental magazine”.   The Ecologist is published in London, but it features articles that are universally relevant.  In the April issue, “Sick as a pig” focuses on the rise in antibiotic resistance that is being transferred from farm animals to humans.  Another article, “Possum or polar bear” cautions that polar bears are not the only species facing threats from global warming.  In fact, there are many tropical species suffering from rising global temperatures.  The Ecologist is published ten times a year, and an online version is available at www.theecologist.org.

    Wildlife Conservation published by the Wildlife Conservation Society is another interesting environmental magazine available in the Library.  Published six times a year, it features articles detailing on-going research and conservation efforts worldwide.  Articles from the most recent issue include “The Great Barranquero City of El Condor”  which details efforts to save the nesting area of the world’s largest parrot colony along the South Atlantic shore in Argentina.  In “The secret family life of cougars” you can read about scientists who are using GPS technology and DNA analysis to track the movements of cougar “families”.

    Take a moment and browse the back issues of these two journals.  Both are filled with thought provoking articles and stunning photography.

  • 13Apr

    Categories: Library News Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lisa Laughy - Library Web Services
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    In line with the Global Awareness thread of the St. Paul’s School’s Strategic Plan,  Ohrstrom Library in concert with the rest of St. Paul’s School is showcasing many print and visual materials* in the Baker Reading Room that are bound to stir the curiosity of students, faculty and staff about this fascinating country.  As the world’s most populous democracy and emerging economic powerhouse, India is a critical player on the world stage.  The Library display only hints at the various cultural, political, religious and socioeconomic factors and historical complexities that form a rich tapestry of stories well worth exploring.

    In addition to dozens of works of fiction and non-fiction covering a wide array of Indian themes,  several photographic works by Tamara Farnetani are also exhibited.  Farnetani , a photographer whose images are also on display in the Schoolhouse,  the Upper, and the Athletic Fitness Center,  specializes in portraits and works in India and Italy.  Her powerful display is entitled Vrindavan – City of Widows.  For more detail and a view of her photographs,  please see her website HERE.

    * Many of the books on display during India Week were acquired through a gift fund created by Dr. and Mrs. Surinder Saini whose generosity helps strengthen and develop Ohrstrom Library’s holdings in India Studies with particular attention to the Punjab Region and Sikh culture. We express our deepest gratitude.

    Photo by Tamera Farnetani -  used with permission. © 2008 Waiting for Eternity by Tamara Farnetani.

  • 13Apr

    Categories: Literature, Research Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lura Sanborn - Reference Librarian
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    Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

    Student’s Encyclopedia of American Literary Characters edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli and Judith S Baughman, Facts on File, 2008.

    Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 810.9 B83S

    Read about your favorite characters in classic American fiction.

    Consider the use of music by Sherman Alexie’s Thomas-Builds-The-Fire from Reservation Blues.  Was L. Frank Baum’s Dorothy Gale an example of “western practicality”?   Compare Esme, from “For Esme-With Love and Squalor” with Salinger’s other child characters.

    Helpful for: Humanities, Literary Research, Browsing.

  • 09Apr

    Categories: History, Religion, Research, Social Sciences Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lisa Laughy - Library Web Services
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    Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

    Encyclopedia JudaicaEncyclopaedia Judaica edited by Fred Skolnik, Thomson Gale, 2nd ed., 2007.

    Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 296 Sk5

    This revered set, first published in 1972, was recently updated and released in its second edition.  Considered the standard reference material for Jewish history, culture and life, this new edition features updates to 11,000 entries as well as an additional 2,600 new entries.

    A sampling of entries from its 22 volumes:  Yom Kippur War, Copper Serpent, Holiness Code, Talmud – Musical Rendition, and Passover – Origin.

    The original 1972 edition is still available, housed in the Faculty Lounge Library.  Its English-language predecessor, Jewish Encyclopedia, (1906) is now in the public domain online HERE.

    Helpful for: Humanities, Religious Studies, Women’s Studies, Jewish Studies

  • 07Apr

    Categories: History, Humanities, Library News, Literature, Research, Social Sciences, Web Resources Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lisa Laughy - Library Web Services
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    Ohrstrom Library is now collecting links to high-quality web sites and storing them in our own Delicious account. For those of you unfamiliar with Delicious, it is the leading social bookmarking website where users store, share and discover bookmarked websites.  The links stored in the “OhrstromLibrary” Delicious account are selected based on quality, stability, relevance to SPS curriculum, authority and currency of information.

    Students will find this collection of links very useful when pursuing a wide range of research projects.  Working on your Humanities V paper topic?  Click on the “Humanities5″ tag and see all the links helpful for starting your research.  Looking for those seemingly elusive primary sources?  Now you can click a tag and have access to a number of great websites chock full of primary sources.  Library staff have pre-selected only the best online sites, and organized them in a way that makes them immediately useful for students. “Tagging” organizes the links into useful subgroups, allowing easy access to web resources without a lot of browsing.  New links are being added all the time, so the collection, while selective, will continue to grow.

    For quick access to the latest links, a page has been added to the Ohrstrom Blog sidebar to the left.  Look for the “Selected Websites” link under the Research Guides heading.

  • 02Apr

    Categories: History, Research Click Here To Comment: 0 Comments

    By Lura Sanborn - Reference Librarian
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    Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

    Statistical Encyclopedia of North American Professional Sports: All Major League Teams and Major Non-Team Events Year by Year, 1876 through 2006 2nd ed. Edited by K. Michael Gaschnitz. McFarland, 2008.

    Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 796 G21S

    Use this set to locate statistics related to Major League team sports of the U.S. and Canada including: baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer and football.   Browse or search by date or team.

    Use this set to determine the number of wins by the Boston Red Caps in 1876 (39); to find  that in 1959 Jean Beliveau lead the National Hockey League with 45 goals; and discover that in 1998 the Women’s National Basketball Association named Suzie McConnell Serio of the Cleveland Rockers the Newcomer of the Year.

    Helpful for: Sports Fans, North American History.

    Ohrstrom Library staff wishes best of luck to our spring SPS sports teams as they begin the new season: baseball, crew, lacrosse, softball, tennis and track!

    Image above: Bennett, James E. Baseball Catcher. Patent 755,209. 22 Mar. 1904. United States Patent and Trademark Office. 14 Feb. 2009 <http://patft.uspto.gov/>.