Warm up with a Good Book

Winter break starts in just a few days.  Enjoy your time off, and don't forget to borrow a book to read over the break!

Check out some of our new books in the browsing and paperback sections of the library:

Remembering John F. Kennedy '35

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a 1935 graduate of the Choate School.

The library is home to several different types of material about Kennedy.  The Archives was actually founded 50 years ago as an effort to collect materials related to his assassination.  Watch Ms. Donald, the school's Archivist, on WFSB Channel 3 Connecticut's Face the State, discuss the history of the Archives and Kennedy's time at Choate.

Looking for a place to study?  Visit the Kennedy Study Room, in the basement, and check out one of the hundreds of books about his life.

Enjoy watching films?  Search American History in Video or World History in Video for footage of JFK.

Want to learn more about Kennedy online?  Visit the iPad in the Reference Room, which has the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum bookmarked and an app detailing the day of his assassination.

Stop by the Reading and Reference Rooms to view some displays to help us remember Kennedy.

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

The saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," is one that most of us have heard several times throughout our lives.  It rings true for so many different scenarios.  We shouldn't judge someone because of the clothes that person wears.  We shouldn't create stereotypes because of the jersey someone wears.  We shouldn't assume the outward appearance for anyone reflects that person's inner self.

The same is true for books.  It's often easy to browse for a book to read and pick up one with interesting artwork on the cover.  Titles are often catchy and make us wonder what the plot or characters are about.  How many good books do we leave unread because our eyes are biased?  Come to the Reference Room to challenge yourself to pick out a book in a new way.  If the descriptions interest you, check one out!  And remember, "don't judge a book by its cover."

Service Day and Community Weekend

This Friday is Service Day.  To prepare ourselves for helping Kids Against Hunger, come to the Reading Room to check out a book to learn more about hunger throughout the world.

In addition to Service Day on Friday, Community Weekend is coming up.  Stop by the Reference Room to borrow one of the library's new books written by members of the community—our alumni!

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week was first celebrated 31 years ago in 1982.  This week celebrates our freedom to read.  Throughout history, many books have been challenged by readers and banned in certain locations.  Even award-winning books have been banned because of their content.  Stop by the Reference Room to see some of our banned books.  Celebrate your freedom to read by checking out a frequently banned book!

Summer Reading

Stop by the Reference Room to browse some of this year's summer reading titles to see what you'd like to read over the summer.  

Don't limit yourself to what's required.  Expand your knowledge and literary repertoire and read a new genre, listen to an audio book, read a new author, etc.

Remember to visit your local library during the summer to see what new books you might want to read.

DIY (Do It Yourself) at Choate

DIY, or do it yourself, projects, are very popular.  Students at Choate have been active in this trend as well.  One example is currently on display in the Reference Room.  As mentioned in The News, one student on campus has been making an effort to use all-natural products in her daily life.  Come to the Reference Room to see the home-made soap and check out a book about how you can create some DIY soap too!

Earth Day 2013

The library recently purchased the book, Plastic-free: How I kicked the plastic habit and you can too by Beth Terry.  You can find this book on display in the Reference Room right now, or later with call number TD196.P85 T47 2012.

While plastic products certainly have some benefits, such as in the medical field, too much plastic in our everyday lives is also dangerous to the planet.

Plastic has become something that is used for packaging, storing, transporting, etc. that we have to learn to use as little as possible and recycle as much as possible so that the plastic doesn't end up as garbage in our oceans and landfills.

On campus, you can recycle clean plastic #1-7.

Do you think you can become plastic free?  Leave a comment to share your ideas for using less and recycling more.

Spring into the New Term With Good Research Habits!

We hope that you are ready to spring into the new term with good research habits.  Research projects are filled with important lessons that don't end after you hand in your final paper.

Plagiarism is a serious crime that has serious consequences.  These consequences aren't just while in school either.  Here are just a few real-life cases:

• Scientific research studies have been stopped because research was taken without permission from other sources.  
• Books have been removed from bookstores because information was false.  
• Journalists have been suspended and and have resigned because of plagiarism.

Citing your sources isn't an easy task, but it's one that's necessary.  We want you to learn these skills now, so that you don't run into any trouble now or later in life.  To help you get started on your research and help keep you away from trouble, the library is home to some helpful research tools for you, including:

• Academic Integrity Guide
• Citation Manuals 
• Subscription to NoodleTools (noodletools.com)

Remember, don't plagiarize; ask for help!

Spring Break Reading

Spring Break is just around the corner!  Don't forget to borrow a book from the library before you leave campus.

Here are some of our new paperbacks:

 

 

 

 

President's Day

With the inauguration of President Obama having just happened, our own headmaster calling January 25 the school's "President's Day," and the national celebration of President's Day in February, the library has created a display to remember some of our nation's presidents.

Stop by the Reference Room to see some of the books on display and don't forget to search the library's catalog for more information.

The Diversity Education Committee's Conversation About Racism

At today's school meeting, the Diversity Education Committee (DEC) started a conversation about diversity, race relations, and racism.  Throughout history, a number of authors have brought their attention to racial tensions.  On display in the Reading Room are some novels to help you start some of your conversations.

Choate Rosemary Hall Community in the Library

The Choate Rosemary Hall community is very diverse and the library is home to publications by many members of our community.  We have a special alumni author collection of books written by graduates of the Choate School, Rosemary Hall, and Choate Rosemary Hall.  In addition, we have items written by or about former and present headmasters, faculty members, and members of the board of trustees.

What is unique right now is that we have books by 3 of our current students!  Our most recent edition is The Writer, a book written by Emily Sun Li.  Below is a picture of Emily signing her book.  We hope to have our other students stop by to sign their publications as well!

Stop by the display in the Reference Room's display to see some of our community member's books!