Talking in the Library

RefWorks unavailable on January 2, 2010

Due to maintenance, RefWorks will be unavailable on January 2, 2010. They are updating their servers and getting a new IP address (that means something to somebody, I'm sure).

Right now, we're anticipating that this will go smoothly. 

However, if you'd rather be safe than sorry, you may wish to backup your RefWorks account. Here's a tutorial showing you how to do so.

Please let us know if you have problems connecting to RefWorks after the 2nd--if you don't tell us, it's likely we won't know it needs fixing. Ask a Librarian will be the best way to let us know as Sara K. Kearns, K-State's RefWorks Guru, will be out of the office (the folks at RefWorks did not clear this with her schedule.)

Remember, if you have any questions about using RefWorks, a good starting point for answers is our RefWorks Help Center.

Due to maintenance, RefWorks will be unavailable on January 2, 2010. They are updating their servers and getting a new IP address (that means something to somebody, I'm sure).

Right now, we're anticipating that this will go smoothly. 

However, if you'd rather be safe than sorry, you may wish to backup your RefWorks account. Here's a tutorial showing you how to do so.

Please let us know if you have problems connecting to RefWorks after the 2nd--if you don't tell us, it's likely we won't know it needs fixing. Ask a Librarian will be the best way to let us know as Sara K. Kearns, K-State's RefWorks Guru, will be out of the office (the folks at RefWorks did not clear this with her schedule.)

Remember, if you have any questions about using RefWorks, a good starting point for answers is our RefWorks Help Center.

The sun is back

Somewhere, far above the clouds dumping snow on us in Kansas, is the sun. Hello, Sun! After showering its love on the southern hemisphere for six months, we in the northern hemisphere have begun the slow tilt back into its beams. Sun, as much as I'll regret saying this in July, it's good to have you back again.

TMBG - Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas) from They Might Be Giants on Vimeo.

Image credit:Sun by jalalspages,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jalalspages/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Psychology Study Break

For all of those poor souls still studying hard for psychology, use your mnemonics!

Or, the Animaniacs

Ah, Phineas Gage! Fond memories....

And finally, let's test your awareness (no worries, you will not be graded on this test):

Taking a study break from the maths...belatedly

Mea culpa. Someone over in Cardwell was anxiously awaiting a math study break, and I didn't get this posted in time.  However, if you want a good ole fit of nostalgia over pi and other math stuff, here you go!

Trying to remember pi? Give a listen to Mathematical Pi. If you are a visual learner, there's a video, too.

Trying to figure out the base-12 system? School House Rocks and Chavez are here for you:

Little 12 Toes - Chavez

Bart Simpson, however, is of no use:

Fortunately, we always have xkcd:

Donde esta la biblioteca? Espanol rotura del estudio

Buena suerte!

Let us have cake to celebrate!

If Jane Austen were alive today, she would be celebrating her 234th birthday--or a zombie. Either way, I'd go to her birthday party.

I might even bake a cake. My favorite is boca negra, but if Miss Jane is a zombie, we might want to be sure to have brain cupcakes on hand.

We could even invite Steven Colbert (the Jane Austen bit is 1:45 in, past the Pope.)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Tip/Wag - Marvel Comics
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

Image credit: Brain cake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nerdabout/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Talk to the author of "Fourth Star"

Need a study break? Too cold to go out? Gregg Jaffee, military reporter for the Washington Post and co-author of the recently-released book “The Fourth Star” will be appearing via teleconference at the meeting of the K-State Libraries / Ft. Riley Professional Reading Group. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM, Monday December 14th in Room 123 Hale Library, and everyone is welcome.

Short Cuts: Tips for Finals

Finals are here! I don't know about you, but I learn best when things are put to music. Here are a few things that may earn you a few extra points.

Always important to know your states and capitals:

Been having troubles with that quadratic formula?

Bad grammar suxz

Have trouble remembering what that dude Macbeth did? (FYI-this was so awesome I looked for my book of Shakespeare. Sadly, I realized I never owned one)

How many elements are there again?

Hope this helps. Good luck on finals!

-T.L. Coleman

Short Cuts is a series from K-State Libraries' Instruction Team providing library and research tips and tricks for undergraduates. Please feel free to share our articles and ideas with classes and colleagues - just give us credit!

Chemistry Study Break

For everyone studying for tonight's chem final: good luck, and a study break:

Free Coffee at Hale Library Sun-Tue night

We know you've been working hard, studying for finals. If you are studying in Hale Library Sunday through Tuesday 10 pm - 12 am, be sure to stop by the 5th floor for some coffee. If you're not a coffee fan, we'll also have tea, cinder, and chocolate. If you need a break, feel free to play a little Wii. Sometimes that helps your brain retain information better. I'm sure I read that somewhere...

Don't worry about forgetting, we'll make an announcement when we're ready to serve it up.

Good luck on finals!