Website down over the weekend

A server failure caused us to lose access to our Library website over the Thanksgiving holiday. This was a huge inconvenience to many of our users -- and to us as well!! We couldn't even update this blog to let you know what was happening. We sincerely apologize for this failure. It is our understanding that the server on which our site resides is due to be replaced, and we all hope this will happen soon.

Please remember that even when our homepage is down, you may still be able to use the Library catalog. To do that, go directly to the catalog's own URL :

http://morton.upsem.edu:8991/F

This should work whether you are inside the Library or at home (off our network). If you are here in the Library, you can also get to our online databases using the link that is within our catalog -- ask one of us if you can't find it. But that link will not work from an off-campus location.

Paula

Special hours this week

We want to apologize again for our unexpected closing last Friday. There was a particularly virulent virus going around our campus, and six staffers were sick that day! That included our student workers for the Circulation Desk. The Seminary administrators thought it wise to close the campus for a day and try to stem the spread of the illness.

A Library is only as good as its staff, you know! The collection is created, maintained and made available for use by our dedicated and highly-trained professional staff, with the assistance of many clerical workers and helpers. This Thanksgiving holiday might be a good time to reflect on the huge blessing we have in this excellent Library and all of the people who commit themselves to making it work for you.

During this holiday week, we will remain open on limited hours :
Monday, 22 Nov : 8 am - 5 pm
Tuesday, 23 Nov : 8 am - 5 pm
Wednesday, 24 Nov : 8 am - noon
Thursday-Sunday : closed

Come on in and borrow or photocopy anything you might need over the holiday.

Paula

OPEN SAT & SUN

We've been notified that the Library is going to be open on Saturday and Sunday, during our usual open hours. I hope we will have enough staff to open!

Paula

SPECIAL CLOSING

We've been told that all Seminary classes are cancelled for today (Friday, Nov. 19th) and all offices have been told to close, including the Library.

We are very sorry for this unexpected closing.

We have not yet determined whether we can open over the weekend. As we get more news, we will post it here.

Paula

Thanksgiving Hours

Please note our abbreviated Thanksgiving Holiday hours:



Saturday, Nov. 20: 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Sunday, Nov. 21: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Mon - Tues, Nov. 22 - 23: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wed, Nov. 24: 8:00am - Noon
Thurs - Sun, Nov. 25 - 28: CLOSED



Happy Thanksgiving!

Rachel

Harriet and Her Squirrel

"It was Sabbath eve, when at a friend's house, we were all sitting in the piazza conversing about the exertions now making for the heathen ... 'Father,' said little Harriet, after listening a long time to our conversation, 'Father, do these little heathen children wish to learn to read the Testament? Will half a dollar buy one Testament, for one little heathen girl?'"

Find out the answer to Harriet's question. Will she find a way to provide a Bible to a needy child? And what does a squirrel have to do with it?

Come and read the charming little short story, "Harriet and Her Squirrel," which was published in The Family Visitor in 1822. It's part of our current exhibit of 19th-century Sunday School materials and periodicals for children and families. You'll find it in the flat glass display case near the Circulation Desk.

Paula

What is the ARDA?

It's the Association of Religion Data Archives. This site (funded by the Lilly Endowment, the Templeton Fund and Penn State University) is an amazing source, just packed with statistical information of all kinds :

• Find membership data for every county, state, and urban area in the United States, based on the Religious Congregations and Membership Study collected by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, the most complete census available on religious congregations and their members.
  
  
• Access the latest in religion research, national surveys, demographic patterns, and changes over time. Obtain detailed information and family trees for over 400 U.S. religious denominations.
  
  
• View maps of the social, economic, demographic, and religious landscape of the United States, all the way down to the neighborhood level. You can even generate a summary report using a variety of options.

And much more! I often get statistical or demographic questions at the Ref Desk, and I tell people, "If you can't find it on ARDA, you probably won't find it at all." Check it out!

http://www.thearda.com/

Paula

Theological Libraries Month

Sadly, we have come to the formal end of Theological Libraries Month, which is observed by ATLA member libraries in October of every year. I know it was a thrill, and I'm sorry!

However, the wonderful special exhibit of 19th-century Sunday School materials will remain in place till Dec. 7. Please take the time to see these charming rare books and periodicals, in the glass cases near the Library entrance and in the flat glass display case near the Circ Desk. Be sure to read the carefully-written quotes, labels and explanations of the significance of these materials, prepared by our Rare Books cataloger Ted Winter.

It may be a long time before these fragile items are displayed again, so come see them now!

Paula

Leak in Reading Reserve Room

There was a leak in the Reading Reserve room over the weekend. You will notice large fans and other equipment in that room. The Reading Reserve room is open and ready for you to use, but please be aware of the large equipment and cords.

Technicians will be in and out of the building today working on repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.


Rachel