It’s great to have faculty and students back on campus and busy with teaching and learning.  Let me give you some updates, as well as reminders of the services at Mervyn Sterne Library.

Coffee – a big concern for many of us.  Late nights studying at the library or mornings at the library, in need of that caffeine kick.  Well, it will be here sometime this semester.  To what am I referring?  The Starbucks, of course.  Construction began in late December and is slated to be completed by March or April. 

Reference Books – Where did they go?  In preparation for the eventual renovation of the entire first floor, the majority of the first floor resources have been moved to second floor.  If you can’t find something, just ask for help.  There will be a staff person at the second floor desk, or feel free to talk to someone at the Reference/Information desk on first floor.  When looking at the item record for a resource in Sterne Library catalog, observe carefully the listed location of the item.  These are the locations for reference materials:

• “Sterne Reference Collection temporarily located on 2nd floor”
• “Sterne Reference Storage (Ask at Reference Desk)” – These are stored in the basement and will be retrieved by the staff at the reference desk.  These are typically older editions or duplicates.
• “Sterne Retired Reference (Ask at Reference Desk)” – These are stored in ETS and will be retrieved by the staff at the reference desk. These are typically older/less used items.

Research and Citation Clinics - if you need help with your research, such as finding books on your topic, or searching the databases for journal articles, you may set up a one-on-one session with a reference librarian.  We can also give you guidance on using citation styles such as APA or MLA.  If your topic is an education related topic, feel free to contact me directly: Imelda Vetter, 934-6364, ivetter@uab.edu.  Or use the email forms (Research Clinic, Citation Clinic) on the Sterne Library website to request the clinic.

Copying and Printing – Vendacards have come to an end.  BlazerBucks may be added to your UAB campus card at the Value Transfer station located next to the circulation desk.  If you are not a student at UAB, you may purchase a BlazerBucks guest card.  You may use cash, debit card, or credit card to purchase BlazerBucks.  Complete details

Research Guides – You will find a list of research guides on a variety of topics on the Sterne Library website.  Here is a partial list of research guides related to education topics:

• Caldecott and Newbery Medal Award Books
• Coretta Scott King Book Award
• Citing Your Sources (includes links to online guides for using various methods of citation, such as the APA style.
• Graduate and Professional Programs and Financial Aid
• International Latino Book Awards
• Multicultural and Bilingual Children’s Literature
• Pura Belpre Award Winners
• Research Worksheet
• Persistent URL