Monday, August 29, 2011

Starting the new year in the Library at Southwestern Seminary

Classes began August 25. The new semester always begins with a flourish for the librarians. New faculty are introduced to the library and Ph.D. students hear both familiar and new information about the library and its services. New students come to Roberts Library in droves to learn about Blackboard, EndNote, and the e-license test--as well as about the library and its writing center.

This semester, a few of us participated in the Fall Kick-off by representing the library and the writing center at a campus organization 'fair' Friday evening. This was the first time we have done this in recent years and we did not know what to expect, although we hoped that at least 100 students would take one of our handouts describing the Knowledge Portal. Thanks to all who did. Extra copies are still available at the Reference Desk. One slogan for the year is "Don't Google--Portal!  We will be unpacking this catchphrase throughout the semester.

The Writing Center opens September 6. Students can make reservations now. Already we are receiving requests for help with EndNote and formatting.  At its fall training this week, the mentors will meet  Charles (Chuck) Carpenter, Director of the Writing Center and the new Associate Professor of English in the College. Helen Dent continues do most of the work managing the center--something for which Chuck will soon become eternally grateful, as am I.

The School of Theology's Graduate Research Seminar begins today. I will be team teaching again with Dr. Kevin Kennedy. It has been a relief not to have to prepare the syllabus and make the other decisions that go along with setting up the course. I hope to be able to introduce some new approaches to my teaching research. Dr. Kennedy will be emphasizing writing and argumentation.

Other activities include loading and updating the patron files--a time consuming task each time I do it. But now it is done.

Such are the days of the life of an Associate Dean of Libraries at Southwestern Seminary. Future blog entries will be less mundane, I hope.

Grace and peace to all.

Robert Phillips