DISCUS needs your input.

DISCUS - Digital Information for South Carolina USers
Provides free access to an electronic library that’s available 24/7.

DISCUS, South Carolina’s Virtual Library is the “information place” for all South Carolinians. You have most likely benefited from this service while accessing Coker's databases for research.

Currently, DISCUS is in the process of negotiating their database license renewals for the 2010 calendar year. In doing so, they have been evaluating the separate database components included within SIRS Knowledge Source. After discussions with Proquest representatives, they've determined that there may be a bundling of resources that would be a "better fit" for DISCUS.

DISCUS has asked for input from staff and students in order to make a decision that best accommodates the patrons.

ProQuest has set up a trial page to assist in gathering opinions into the
selection process of two possible packages.

• Option A: The two most heavily used databases within the current package, plus CultureGrams. CultureGrams has traditionally been one of ProQuest's most popular products.

• Option B: The existing subscription resources.

DISCUS and the LITC invites you to explore the products and VOTE on which package - Option A or Option B - you think would best meet the needs of our users.

Here is a link to a SHORT, three question survey - http://www.proquestk12.com/go/discus

The deadline for reviewing these two packages and completing the survey is Monday, December 14th, 2009.

BETTER WORLD BOOKS BOX... say that three times fast.

Curious about that big box near the front doors of the LITC?

Coker's resident Literary Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta, is gathering books for BetterWorldBooks, an online bookstore which collects and sells books to fund literacy initiatives worldwide.

Though the library will still be accepting book donations while the box is up, we encourage patrons to give to a charity helping to promote global literacy.

For more information about Better World Books and how they are enriching the lives of readers all over the world, please visit - www.betterworldbooks.com/

Special Saturday Hours

The Library will be opened Saturday November 14 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Come early and avoid the rush.

Introducing Visiting Patron

Have you ever wanted to walk into one of South Carolina's academic libraries and check out a book, even though you were not a student or employee of that school? With the PASCAL Delivers Visiting Patron service*, your bibliophilic dreams can come true!

It's this simple: Walk into the SC academic library of your choice. Find the item(s) of personal interest. Take item(s) to the circulation desk or kiosk. Smiling pleasantly, present your current Coker identification card. Take the item(s) home with you! And when you are finished with these item(s), you can return them to the Coker Library -- we will make sure the items get back to their proper home.

You can check out three (3) books at a time using this method, and these items count towards the 25 book PASCAL-Delivers limit per patron.

For more information and some restrictions, check out this PASCAL-Delivers Visiting Patron link.

*Side effects may include euphoria, eye-strain induced headaches, better time management with increased free time, and shortness of breath.

EXHIBITS

There are local and college history exhibits at the library:


Who was Amy Spain?

In March 1865, Amy Spain was sentenced to death by a Confederate Military Tribunal and hung in front of the Darlington County courthouse. Amy Spain was lynched as a slave. The display case on the first floor by the Circulation Desk features a published account of her death in a issue of Harper's Magazine dating back to September 30th, 1865. The exhibit also displays written testimonials and responses to the event, published in local periodicals like the Hartsville Messenger and The New Era. Though the circumstances surrounding her death are speculative, Spain's execution remains a violent chapter worthy of further exploration.

Coker College, the Early Days.

The display case on the second floor of the library features pictures of early dorm rooms, campus, and students, from the college's days as a girl's school. The exhibit also features residence life documents like the student handbook. Think being in college is hard, checkout some of the rules the first Coker students had to abide by - no walking on Main Street, no leaving campus on the weekends, and uniform requirements for trips outside of Campus - Yikes.

But What About Us?

Student photos from schools featured in the Corridor of Shame are now on exhibit in the LITC. These are powerful images taken by those most affected by South Carolina's standard of a minimally adequate education for the children of this state. For more information check out the web site. But What About Us?

Fall Break is upon us! The staff of the LITC wishes everyone a safe and restful weekend.

Those of you still in Hartsville, we will be open until 5PM today.

We will also be open Thursday and Friday from 8:30-5PM. Normal operating hours return Saturday and Sunday.