2014 One Book One Nebraska

One Book One Nebraska is a statewide reading program that features one book either about Nebraska or by a Nebraska author. 

This year, the book is Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene. 

In search of "the best America there ever was," bestselling author and syndicated columnist Bob Greene finds it in a small Nebraska town few people pass through today -- a town where Greene discovers the echoes of the most touching love story imaginable: a love story between a country and its sons.North Platte, Nebraska, is as isolated as a small town can be, a solitary outpost in the vast midwestern plains, hours from the state's urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln. But from Christmas Day 1941 to the end of World War II, a miracle happened there.During the war, American soldiers from every city and walk of life rolled through North Platte on troop trains, en route to their ultimate destinations in Europe and the Pacific. The tiny town, wanting to offer the servicemen warmth and support, transformed its modest railroad depot into the North Platte Canteen -- a place where soldiers could enjoy coffee, music, home-cooked food, magazines, and convivial, friendly conversation during a stopover that lasted only a few minutes. It was a haven for a never-ending stream of weary, homesick military personnel that provided them with the encouragement they needed to help them through the difficult times ahead.Every day of the year, every day of the war, the Canteen -- staffed and funded entirely by local volunteers -- was open from 5 A.M. until the last troop train of the day pulled away after midnight. Astonishingly, this remote plains community of only twelve thousand people provided welcoming words, friendship, and baskets of food and treats to more than six million GIs by the time the war ended.

The MPCC Campus libraries have copies of the 2014 One Book One Nebraska, Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene.  Stop by and check it out today!

Welcome Spring

We hope you had a wonderful Spring Break!  It's time to get back into the swing of things! Although the weather wasn't too harsh this winter, I think everyone is welcoming Spring with open arms.

It's time and we're ready! 

It's a lucky thing to come back from Spring Break on St. Patrick's Day.  Eight weeks left until the end of the semester, finish them off strong.  Remember your library is available to help if you need it!

Blind Date with a Book

It’s Library Lovers’ Month and this month we invite you to go on a Blind Date with a Book!

Stop by the LRC in North Platte and check out a wrapped book. Each book has a “dating profile” but you won’t know what it is until you get home. If you enjoy the book, we’d love to hear about it! If you don’t enjoy the book, simply bring it back with no awkward questions asked (unlike some actual blind dates).

Meet the Library Staff

Every couple of weeks we will feature a library staff member.  They will answer a couple of questions so you can get to know them better.  Feel free to stop in and say hi!

This week we're featuring our Area Director of Learning Resources, Tina Walker.  Tina has offices in McCook and North Platte.  While primarily housed in McCook, Tina can be found in North Platte on Wednesdays. 

Personal info:   I am married with one cat (she is our child).  I have been in school way too long.  I have a Bachelors in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science.  It was hard to finish up that last degree but it was worth it!

How long have you been with MPCC?  2 ½ years

What is the best thing about your MPCC library?  It is small and we are on first name basis with students.  Feels like home.

What’s your favorite part of the job?  Interacting with students and faculty daily.  Sharing my knowledge with others.

What do you like do in your free time?  Read.  Imagine that.

What’s your favorite book?  Any Dean Koontz book.

What’s your favorite word?  Omniscient

What’s your least favorite word?  Fine – it is not an answer.  Too vague.

If you weren’t in the library profession, what would you be doing?  Professor or Human Resource Manager

 

Study Tips for a Successful Semester

 

Whew!  You made it through the first week of classes!  Now what?  Use the following study tips to continue on with your successful semester.

Study Groups - Get together with a couple of students from class to go over class materials once or twice a week.  Not only is it a great way to meet new friends, but you can go over work with peers to better comprehend or feel confident about the class.  

Time Management- Your time is precious. It's best to find a schedule that works for you and stick to it.  Try to study at the same time every day, pretty soon it will be a habit.  Avoid cramming for tests the night before.  By studying every day, you'll be well rested because you didn't have to pull an all-nighter.  

Attend Class - Be on time, sit up front and actively participate.  You'll retain information and be ready for assignments and exams. 

Ask Questions - Your instructors list their office hours in the syllabus.  If you have a question, don't hesitate to stop by their office and ask.  

Visit the Library - Your MPCC libraries offer a wealth of information!  Study at any of the tables or in one of the comfortable seating areas.  Your librarians are happy to proof-read any papers and look at your citations for formatting.  Don't forget, if your library doesn't have it they can get it from another library within a week!

Live Life - Don't forget to take some time out of your day for me time.  Whether it's only a 15 minute brisk walk, it's just enough to clear your head and start in on the next task. 

Keep in mind that everyone is different. Find what works for you to make the most out of your education!

Spring 2014 Semester

Whether you are a returning student or just starting out, welcome!  Some quick facts about your library:

• Libraries are open from 7:30am-9:30pm M-Th, 7:30am-4:00pm F and 5:00pm-9:30pm Sunday eve. 
• We offer coffee every day!
• We have local newspapers and a selection of magazines to view.
• Use our study table of comfy seating to study or just relax before class.
• The libraries have laptops available for use.  Print or scan course materials.  Make copies (for a small fee).  
• Library staff are happy to give 1 on 1 library instruction, just ask!
• The library is the only place on campus to get your Student ID. 

We're always happy to help, if you have any questions just ask!
 

Wrapping the Fall 2013 Semester

As another successful semester winds down, the MPCC libraries will have limited operational hours  through the beginning of Spring semester 2014.

We will be open on December 23rd from 8:00am - 4:00pm and on Christmas Eve, December 24th from 8:00am - 3:00pm.

Both campuses will be closed from December 25th through January 1st.  We will reopen on January 2nd and remain open with limited hours (8:00-4:00, Monday - Friday) until the semester begins on January 13th.