Library Displays: September
September’s display features an array of work from JSU art students. Included among the pieces are cyanotypes, graphic designs, and printmaking.
Cyanotype, I discovered, is a photographic printing process. For an explanation and history of cyanotypes, see Mike Ware’s Alternative Photography Web site. Also, see this YouTube video by Anthony Maddaloni on how to make cyanotype prints.
For the circulation entrance, library staff created a display on JSU history and facts. Check out the library’s digital collections page to access past issues of the student newspaper, The First 100 Years: The History of Jacksonville State University, 1883-1983 by Effie Sawyer, the Life and Times of Houston Cole (for whom the library is named), and other resources such as the “Oral History Collection” conducted by students in an American History class.
Library Coffee Shop in Full Swing!
Ah! How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine! -”Coffee Cantata”, J.S. Bach
The coffee shop appears to be a big hit with students, faculty, staff, and ME! I love Jazzman’s Cafe & Bakery, the new coffee shop in the Houston Cole Library. Karen, the lady in charge of setting up shop in the morning and my new favorite friend when I’m ready for my coffee, told me that business was really starting to take off.
As I came in to work this morning, I thought I would stop and get a cup of coffee real quick, but there was a huge line of students. Later, I came down and got my usual (I already have a usual); a supreme-sized hazelnut coffee. It smells and tastes great. I have tried their blueberry and mocha cappuccino muffins which were to die for. Today, I might try one of their sandwiches or salads for lunch.
It’s great to see students discussing their classwork or working on their laptops over cups of coffee and hot chocolate. Since the coffee shop and bakery are in the lobby, the first thing our patrons now encounter is a pleasant, inviting smell. Who doesn’t like the smell of coffee and pastries? Personally, I think coffee and research belong together.



Welcome Back: Fall Semester 2009!
Welcome back students and faculty! As you walk into the lobby of the library, you will now enjoy the smell of coffee and pastries. The library’s new coffee shop, Jazzman’s, will be up and running just in in time for the new semester. This will be a great place to study, meet up with classmates or colleagues, and enjoy a snack or lunch. See you at the library! 

Library Coffee Shop Progress: Week 5
Coffee falls into the stomach … ideas begin to move,
things remembered arrive at full gallop … the shafts
of wit start up like sharp-shooters, similies arise,
the paper is covered with ink … - Honore de Balzac
Houston Cole Library’s new coffee shop is coming along. They’ve started setting up the main counter and bringing in cute little tables and bar stools. The tile floor has been installed on one side of the lobby and will soon be installed on the other side (see picture). Click here to access Jazzman’s Cafe & Bakery’s Web site and check out the menu. 

Weaver’s First Baptist Church Members Visit the Houston Cole Library
Members of Weaver’s First Baptist Church came to the Houston Cole Library with Dr. Jordan Barkley today for a field trip. For many of the members, JSU is their Alma Mater and they enjoyed reminiscing about their good ole’ college days. 
One member told us how, as a freshman, she was forced to wear a red hat and pajamas and run down to the Jacksonville Square. Incoming students- you better feel lucky that times have changed! Another alumna complained that JSU didn’t gain university status until the year AFTER she graduated. I discovered that JSU’s status changed from “college” to “university” when we started offering our first master’s degree in elementary education. Mrs. Easterwood (I hope I got that right) was delighted to find her son in a copy of the Mimosa Yearbook. 
Other members remembered going to drive-in movie theaters (there were at least two nearby) and eating at the Rocket, Cecils, and a hot dog place of some sort. One of the members remembers using the library at Ramona Woods. I really enjoyed showing the group around and they were very gracious as I am an awful tour guide. 
The group had several good questions for Library Dean John Graham. One member asked him why he didn’t have grey hair since most Dean’s tend to look…well…you know. The Dean seemed flattered but assured the group that he did have at least one grey hair. The Dean also wanted the members to know that the library is also a part of their community and that they are welcome to use our resources and encouraged them to become “Friends of the Library,” which, among other privileges, allows one who joins to check out books. Mrs. Renea Chapman, we are proud to announce, became a Friends of the Houston Cole Library Member right on the spot! 
Although a little rowdy at first, they behaved well out on the 12th floor balcony. We hope the members of Weaver’s First Baptist Church will bless us with their presence again soon, especially when we get our coffee shop up and running!




Library Coffee Shop Progress: Weeks 3 & 4
The carpet was completely removed, a wall was constructed near the snack area, the water fountain was knocked out, and it looks as though the tiles are starting to be put down. Otherwise, not much to report. Click here to access information about Jazzman’s Cafe & Bakery and check out the menu. I can’t wait until it’s finally here!
Coming Soon to the Houston Cole Library: Coffee Shop Progress Week 2
Panoramic View from the 12th Floor Balcony of the HCL Library
A circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge! It blossoms through the year!
~Richard Brainsley Sheridan
Enjoy more sunny pictures I took today from the 12th floor balcony of the Houston Cole Library. We once had a fundraiser “Red Wine & Chocolate” up here to raise money for the American Heart Association. It was so nice to enjoy the breeze out on the balcony and look at the stars at night. I hope we do it again! The view of Jacksonville is truly amazing on all sides. It sort of reminds me of Athens in Greece. 











































Coming Soon to the Houston Cole Library: A Coffee Shop/ Cafe!
There’s nothing like a cup of coffee as motivation while doing scholarly research. Coffee, books, and research just seem to go together. Much to our excitement, students and faculty will soon (the estimated date of operation is fall semester) enjoy a full coffee shop/ cafe in the lobby of the Houston Cole Library. I’ve sort of seen a rough draft of the layout of the coffee shop and it’s going to be a great place to come for lunch, read, meet with your study partners, fellow faculty & staff members, and enjoy coffee, desserts, and sandwhiches. I will be taking weekly pictures of the progress this summer and posting them on the blog. This week they removed most of the furniture from the lobby (see below). The carpet will also be removed for tile flooring. 









































Greetings from the 5th floor of the Houston Cole Library at Jacksonville State University! As the Education, Physical Education, Sports, and Children’s Literature Librarian, I encourage you to visit this page often for updates on new library resources, such as books, databases, journals, and relevant quality Web sites. Also, check back for information on library events and thoughts on current issues in the field of education, physical education, sports, and children’s books.