Angela Black

Attention Content Creators!

Posted on January 13, 2025 Written by Angela Black

Are you looking to create higher quality videos, photographs, or sound? Look no further than the Ross Pendergraft Library Media Production Labs.

This unique service offers the spaces, the equipment, the software, and the expertise needed to elevate your creative output, regardless of major or academic discipline. If you are working on a school project or a fun project, all students are welcome to use the labs.

The Media Production Labs include three distinct areas on the second floor of the library to record, create, and learn: the Media Lab, Audio Lab, and Video Lab.

Media Lab

This is an open service area staffed with expert assistance to answer your questions about media production. It features 18 PC computers and other devices to enable you to compose music, digitize analog recordings, create marching band drills, and watch DVDs or BluRay videos. The Media Lab also houses the library’s CD and LP collection, some of the documentary film DVDs, as well as equipment to check-out for home or in-house library use. This includes mics, stands, cables, cameras, umbrella lighting kit, tripods, and a pop-up greenscreen. A full list of equipment, including video tutorials, is located at this Video Production Guide: https://libguides.atu.edu/videoproduction.

The Audio Lab

A reservable audio recording studio that students can reserve to record, edit, and mix sound. It includes some sound-absorption panels, an iMac digital work station featuring the latest in sound mixing and sound editing software, and numerous professional audio production tools. Drop some beats, make a podcast, or professionally record a narration over video or Powerpoint. Reserve time in the Audio Lab by signing in to this page: https://bookit.atu.edu/spaces?lid=15585&gid=32830

The Video Lab

A reservable video recording studio that functions as a maker-space for video capture, still photography, chroma-keying, post-production, and virtual/mixed reality. It features a wall-sized green screen, photography lighting, a PC with three monitors and an expansive suite of video editing software, a 4K video camera, and VR headsets and gloves. Explore greenscreen and VR technologies with expert assistance and professional tools. Reserve time in the Video Lab by signing in to this page: https://bookit.atu.edu/spaces?lid=15612

Each of these labs come equipped with professional software like the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Ableton Live, Audacity, GarageBand, Logic Pro X, Vegas Pro 19, OBS Studio, and others.

Access to the Audio Lab and Video Lab are limited to currently registered students working on multimedia projects. Students can also check-out selected equipment for home use for limited durations by visiting the Media Lab.

In addition to spaces, equipment, and software, the Media Librarian, Dr. Lowell Lybarger, has prepared several online research guides to help level up your skills on content creation:

Audio for Podcasting – The basics on starting your own podcast and how to use the equipment and software of the Audio Lab to make your dream a reality.
Video Production – Everything you need to get started on your next video project, including information about the equipment from the library, how to use video production software, and tips for sound design for videos.
Free Media for Content Creation – A valuable collection of web sources for video, images, photographs, sound effects, music and more freely available, adaptable, or usable in your own multimedia project.
Multimodal Literacy – A resource guide for creating stories through multiple media avenues beyond the written word. Includes a resource toolkit and information on copyright.
VR Guides @ATU – A step-by-step guide for using for using the HTC Vive or Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality systems the Video Production Lab.

If you’ve always wanted to be a creator instead of just a consumer of music, video, or other media content, the Library’s got you covered. Stay up-to-date on events, news, and contests from the Media Production Labs by following them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.

Inclement Weather Hours

Posted on January 10, 2025 Written by Angela Black

The Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center will be closed from noon on January 9^th until Monday morning, January 13^th, at 7:00 AM. Virtual research help services will still be available on our ASK US page during normal business hours, Thursday and Friday, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. You have the option to chat, text, call, or email your research questions and/or your snowman photos.

Looking for something to do during the snow days? The Library has a variety of online books, audiobooks, and streaming video to help pass the time. Check out these two collections in particular:

Ebooks and Audiobooks via Libby (Overdrive) — Enjoy your favorite thriller, biography, or fantasy novel from the comfort of your own phone, tablet, or Kindle. Download the Libby app on your device to get started and make sure you choose “Arkansas Tech University” as your library.

Streaming movies via Swank – Watch Hollywood blockbusters, independent masterpieces, or cinema classics on one of the library’s streaming video services, Swank. Select from fifty films that you can watch freely online from your laptop or phone. Cozy up with some hot chocolate and a good movie—all from your library!

If you need help with any of those services or more, don’t hesitate to Ask Us.

In the meantime, follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more news and updates about the library. Stay Warm!

Filed Under: Library

Open 24+ Hours Thursday-Friday

Posted on December 3, 2024 Written by Angela Black

Cramming for your finals? Writing last minute papers? Group projects finally due? The Ross Pendergraft Library has your back this week by staying open late during finals. In addition to our normal late hours, beginning Thursday, Dec. 5^th, at 7:00 AM, we will remain open until Friday night at 9:00 PM. If you’ve always wondered what the sunrise looks like from the 3^rd floor library balcony, here’s your chance:

Photograph of the sun rising from the third floor balcony on a cold Dec. day.

As always, we are going to offer the caffeine and snacks to fuel your study sessions on the 3^rd floor in RPL 300A beginning around 11:00 PM. We also have a variety of coloring books, puzzles, board games, and lo-fi study beats to chill out and distract yourself from the 10-page paper you should have written days ago.

In addition to all-night access to arguably the best study space on campus, you can still check out materials like laptops, dry-erase markers, calculators, and office supplies to help you make the grade and finish the semester right. We also have professional librarians standing by to help you find last minute research, provide citation guidance, or shush those who are talking too loudly. Late night librarians are here for you either in person at a service desk or via chat or text. Follow us on Instagram for updates, photos, and more @ATULibrary.

Good luck on your finals and be sure to stop by the library this week! We’ll leave the light on.

Photograph of the table set up for coffee and snacks.

Filed Under: Library

Spooky Trivia on Tuesday, Oct. 29th

Posted on October 25, 2024 Written by Angela Black

Think you are the nerdiest bat in the belfry? The geekiest ghoul in school? Gather your freaky friends and test your supernatural abilities against others at the Library’s Spooky Trivia Night on Tuesday, October 29^th, at 7:00 PM at RPL 300A.

Teams of 2-6 people are welcome to sign up ahead of time using this link: https://atu.libwizard.com/f/trivia.

Get your team spot reserved soon as space may run out! Walk-in teams are welcome if there are enough tables.

Fabulous prizes will be awarded and snacks will be served.

So find your BRAINSSS, come up with a creepy team name, and we’ll see you at Trivia this Tuesday. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook and check out our Calendar of Events for more scary events.

An illustration of the outline of a building, draped in cobwebs, with creepy zombie hand coming out of the roof.

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Trivia

RPL Author Series Returns Thursday, Oct. 24th

Posted on October 22, 2024 Written by Angela Black

The Ross Pendergraft Library at Arkansas Tech University is honored to have local author, Agalia Baker, as the featured speaker for the RPL Author Series on Thursday, October 24^th at 6:00 p.m. in RPL 300B. This event is free and open to the public.

In her recent book, If Cancer is a Gift, Can I Return It? From Grief to Healing, Agalia Baker describes her emotional journey through her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and failed reconstructive surgery. Agalia Baker is an Arkansas Tech alumnus and retired advanced practice nurse with over forty years of experience, but even she was unprepared for her diagnosis. In her book, she details how the losses she endured from breast cancer are intricately tied to the grieving process. You can read more about Agalia Baker and her book at Arkansas Tech News.

For copies of her book, you can check one out from your local library. The Library will also give away one FREE signed copy of her book as a door prize at the presentation.

For news of future events and speakers, follow the Ross Pendergraft Library on Instagram or Facebook. You can also check out our Calendar of Events for the jam-packed month of October. Mark your calendars for more events:

October 29^th – Spooky Trivia Night. 7:00 PM in RPL 300A
October 30^th – Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center. 3:00 PM in RPL 300A

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Author Series, Nursing, Presentations

Know the Issues—Ballot Issues.

Posted on October 10, 2024 Written by Angela Black

Before you step into the voting booth on Nov. 5^th, you may want to know more about some of the other questions on your ballot beyond the U.S. President. Get informed on Tuesday, October 15^th as we host Pamela Luker, Pope County Cooperative Extension Agent, who will talk about the proposed amendments to the Arkansas constitution. The talk will be held at 6:00 PM in Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center in room 300B. The event is free and all are welcome.

This election year, you will be asked to cast your vote on three issues related to the state of Arkansas:

Allowing state lottery proceeds to fund scholarships at private and public vocational-technical schools and technical institutions
Repealing the Pope County casino license and requiring local elections for future casino licenses;
Expanding the Arkansas medical marijuana program.

Pamela Luker will discuss these important ballot issues from a nonpartisan perspective, giving you the background on each issue, explaining how ballot issues are created, and summarizing the arguments both for and against each ballot.

For more information about Arkansas ballot issues, see the research-based, unbiased and informative Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide, prepared by the Arkansas Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture.

For news of future events and speakers, follow the Ross Pendergraft Library on Instagram or Facebook. You can also check out our Calendar of Events for the jam-packed month of October. Mark your calendars for more events:

October 16^th – English & World Languages Department visiting author: S.A. Cosby. 6:00 PM RPL 300A
October 24^th – Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center’s local author series: Agalia Baker. 6:00 PM in RPL 300B
October 29^th – Spooky Trivia Night. 7:00 PM in RPL 300A
October 30^th – 25^th Anniversary Celebration of the Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center. 3:00 PM in RPL 300A

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Events, Presentations, Voter Education

Voter Registration Forms At The Library

Posted on September 18, 2024 Written by Angela Black

The 2024 elections in the United States will be held on November 5th, and if you are not yet registered to vote or updated your voter registration, the Ross Pendergraft Library can help. We have voter registration forms available on the first floor, at the RESEARCH HELP DESK.

Photograph of a box of Voter Registration applications, an FAQ of voter registrations, and a QR code to the website Arkansas Voter View

To get registered and ready to perform your civic duty, simply grab a form, fill it out, slap a stamp on it, and drop it off at the nearest post office. The campus post office is located across from Tucker Coliseum, next to Doc Bryan. You can also turn it in directly to the County Clerk’s office at the Pope County courthouse.

Your voter registration must be turned in or postmarked by October 7th. If you are just changing your current registration to a new address, it must be received no later than 4 days prior to the next election.

If you are a college student and registered in your hometown in another county or state, you can transfer your registration to your college address. Just fill out the voter registration form with your campus current address and fill out the portion at the bottom indicating your former address. You must keep your address CURRENT on your registration, so don’t forget to fill out another voter registration form if you reside in another county or state after graduation. You can also vote absentee for your home state or county.

Remember, filling out the form and mailing it off does not mean you are automatically registered. Before considering yourself a registered voter, you must receive an acknowledgment of your registration from the county clerk–usually this arrives in the mail as a card a few weeks after you have mailed or dropped off the form.

Not sure if you are registered? Can’t remember your polling place? Want to know what’s on the ballot in YOUR local elections? You can find your registration status, voting locations, and sample ballots at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview/.

Who can register to vote? Any U.S. citizen who is 18 years old or will turn 18 on or before the next Election Day can register. You must also not be a convicted felony with an undischarged/pardoned sentence or a person judged mentally incompetent by a court.

If you are interested in voting, but not sure about the candidates or issues, here’s a list of sites and resources providing nonpartisan information on Arkansas and National elections on November 5th:

Arkansas Ballot Issues – A project of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service to provide nonpartisan fact sheets and education information about proposed amendments to the Arkansas Constitution. They also publish an easy-to-read guide for voter education in Arkansas.
Arkansas elections, 2024 Ballotpedia — A free, searchable site for candidates, offices, ballot measures for Arkansas.
Candidate Information from Secretary of State – The Secretary of State’s interactive search for all candidates who filed as a candidate for the current election. You can search by candidate, contest, location, as well as past election results.
Vote Smart – A non-profit, non-partisan site devoted to providing information primarily about candidates including positions, voting history, campaign finances, interest group rates, speeches, and public statements.
Arkansas Secretary of State Elections — State website featuring information on voting, elections, filing for office, and past election results.

For more information on voter registration, voting instructions, or great book recommendations on American civics, ask us at: askus@atu.libanswers.com. Remember, sometimes the path to changing the world often begins by filling out a form.

Illustration depicting someone putting a piece of paper with the word "VOTE" into a box with stars. It says on the poster: "Register Today for a better tomorrow.

Designed by John Hornsby for the AIGA Get Out the Vote Campaign 2024. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Voter Registration

Somebody’s Knocking at RPL Tonight

Posted on September 17, 2024 Written by Angela Black

Join us at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center for author and former KATV reporter, Jason Pederson, at 6:00 PM in RPL 300B. This event is free and open to the public.

Pederson is the author of Somebody’s Knocking: Lessons Learned from a Quarter Century of TV Reporting. The book recounts his work as KATV’s “7 on Your Side” reporter from 1999-2019. It was a role that allowed Pederson to investigate alleged bad actors and advocate for Arkansans who felt they had been wronged.

After a 26-year career in television, Pederson left KATV in 2019 to work for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. He is the agency’s deputy chief of community engagement and works to ensure that Arkansans are aware of services that exist for their benefit.

A native of Wisconsin, Pederson won an Emmy award, two Edward R. Murrow awards, several Arkansas Associated Press awards and was named the 2002 Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association Citizen of the Year.

One lucky attendee will win a FREE autographed copy of his book, Somebody’s Knocking.

If you have any questions about the event or would like to know more information about the RPL Author Series. contact Luke Heffley, Special Projects Coordinator for the Ross Pendergraft Library, at (479) 964-0546.

Follow the Ross Pendergraft Library on Instagram or Facebook for news of future events and speakers.

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Author Series, Events, Presentations

Hold It!

Posted on August 28, 2024 Written by Angela Black

The Ross Pendergraft Library has enabled a new service designed to help students, faculty, and staff to reserve our items from the comfort of their cozy pants and couch.

As you search our vast database of books, videos, sound recordings, and skeletons, you may notice a new button popping as you click on the titles of our physical items in the library:

Picture our website with a green "Place Hold" in the center.

The “Place Hold” button allows our users to reserve physical copies in our various collections at the Research Help Desk of the Ross Pendergraft Library or the Circulation Desk of the Ozark Campus Library. The books or items will be retrieved from the shelves and set aside for your convenience—all at the push of a button.

Once you find a title in our Find It database, click the hyperlinked title:

This will reveal access options to the right. Click the PLACE HOLD button to initiate the Hold Request.

You will be prompted to login using your ATU username and password. After you sign in, select a copy (if, for example, you need a specific volume of a multi-volume set).

Do you want to pick it up at the Ross Pendergraft Library? If you are a Russellville campus student, that option is selected by default. But if you are reading from the Ozark campus, you can always choose to have it delivered there by selecting Ozark Campus as the Pick-Up location.

Finally, set any specific time-needed dates and add notes if you want. Click SUBMIT when you are ready. You can view your requests (and check-outs, fines, and more) at any time by click “My Account”, located at the top right menu:

The Requests menu will list the item(s) you requested and the status of each request.

Screenshot showing the Requests menu in "My Account". It displays the item on request and status "Not ready for pickup".

After submitting the request, a librarian will retrieve the item from the shelves, and you will receive an email letting you know to pick it up at the designated pick-up location. If you wanted to pick it up from the Russellville campus, that would be the first floor Research Help Desk.

Photograph of the Ross Pendergraft Library's First floor Research Help Desk.

Since the Hold Request for available items may take at least 24 hours to complete, if you are in the library and in a hurry, you can always retrieve and check-out the item yourself. Ask for help if you are unsure where the item is located.

In the past, Hold Requests were usually only available when an item was borrowed by another user or “On Order.” This option is still available, but this fall, we’ve expanded the option for most of our available items.

It is NOT available for our course reserves, short-term loan items, or laptops. Those are still available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For most other items, however, it can be a great way to save time for commuter students, busy faculty and staff, or for making sure those popular items don’t get checked out before you have the chance to come to the library. Hold requests are very similar to our very popular Interlibrary Loan Service that allows you to borrow books, articles, and other materials we don’t own from another library. For more on this service, check out our video or website.

Give the new service a try today by browsing our newest books or search for something specific: http://findit.atu.edu

Hold us closely in your socials through Instagram or Facebook, ask us more about this service through our Ask Us page.

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Hold Requests, NEW!

I Know What We Did Last Summer

Posted on August 13, 2024 Written by Angela Black

Welcome back to another semester at Arkansas Tech University! The Library has recently added new changes to our collections, services, and spaces to get you ready to face a new academic year. Here is what we did last summer while you were away:

We Added New Databases!

America’s News

Finally, we now have access to local Arkansas newspapers in full text and—depending on the coverage—with images and photographs. America’s News includes access to the current years of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as well as other local state newspapers. To learn more about this database, see our blog post from the trial, a video tutorial, or check it out yourself at: https://libguides.atu.edu/az/americas-news

Proquest One Business

This one-stop-shop for all kinds of business resources includes articles, industry reports, market research, company profiles, periodicals (like The Economist, or Arkansas Business), videos, ebooks, case studies and much more. This brings together ABI/INFORM, Hoover’s Company Profiles, and some of the smaller Proquest business resources under one umbrella. Invest some time checking it out: https://libguides.atu.edu/az/proquest-one-business

Pronunciator

Habla español? You could be doing it better with Pronunciator. This replaces Mango Languages as the campus’s language learning platform. It offers step-by-step lesson plans for 163 languages, ESL courses for 146 native languages, and American Sign Language courses. Users have to create an individual profile using ATU email. Phone apps are also supported. Ditch the Duolingo and start learning other languages with Pronunciator: https://libguides.atu.edu/az/pronunciator

We Moved Some Stuff Around!

The Reference Collection (1st Floor)

COMING SOON! We have reconfigured the Reference Collection for a new quiet study space. Located near the Research Help Desk, this collection consists of bibliographies, indexes, encyclopedias, and handy handbooks–elegant weapons from a more civilized age. In early September, new furniture, including cozy study carrels and comfy booths, will arrive to transform this under-utilized space into a more comfortable place to study.

The Current Periodicals Collection (1st Floor)

All of the current issues of our remaining print periodicals are now available at the beginning of the Reference Collection. Those giant shelving racks for current periodicals are gone, and a large conference-style table now fills the space it once occupied. If our current collection on the shelves doesn’t cut it, don’t forget our massive magazine collection online in Libby.

Documentary DVDs

Most of this collection has joined the rest of the DVDs in the lower shelves at the end of television series and televised plays. Documentary films about art and music are now located in the 2^nd Floor Media Lab. More documentary films are available streaming online at Academic Video Online.

We Added New Services!

Check out stuff from the 3^rd Floor Help Desk

Starting this fall, you will now be able to check out batteries for device charging, calculators, dry-erase markers, and headphones from the third floor help desk. You will still need to use your ID to check these materials out, and items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. But no more trips downstairs for those late-night study accessories.

Docking Stations On Every Floor

Bring your laptop and plug-in on every floor this semester with our docking stations. Enjoy the comfort of your own laptop with dual monitors, a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, and instant access to the printers. Each docking station is plug and play so you can quickly resume whatever you were working on at home within close proximity to our printers.

Request a Hold on Library Books

Starting on August 21st, we will begin expanding the ability to create Hold requests on physical items. Do you just need to pick up a few books on the way home? Do you want to be the first to snag that best-seller when it arrives? Use the “Place Hold” button in Find It to select a book to put on reserve for you:

While this service has normally only been available for items which are checked out or on order, you will soon be able to place Hold requests on any item held at our library or at the Ozark campus library. Once you find an item to “Hold” from our online database, Find It, click the “PLACE HOLD” button to complete the request. We will pull the book off the shelf and keep it at the Research Desk on the First Floor when you come in to pick it up at your earliest convenience. You will receive an email when the item is ready to pick up. *Note: Holds are unavailable for course reserves, laptops, or other items on short-term loans.

Stay on top of future news from your library by following us on Instagram or Facebook. Or come say “Hi!” to the table of librarians at Involvement Fair on August 19^th at Tucker Coliseum.

Filed Under: Library Tagged: Arkansas, Business, Find it, Foreign Languages, Library Collection, NEW!, spaces

Attention Content Creators!

Media Lab

The Audio Lab

The Video Lab

Inclement Weather Hours

Open 24+ Hours Thursday-Friday

Spooky Trivia on Tuesday, Oct. 29th

RPL Author Series Returns Thursday, Oct. 24th

October 29^th – Spooky Trivia Night. 7:00 PM in RPL 300A

October 30^th – Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center. 3:00 PM in RPL 300A

Know the Issues—Ballot Issues.

Allowing state lottery proceeds to fund scholarships at private and public vocational-technical schools and technical institutions

Repealing the Pope County casino license and requiring local elections for future casino licenses;

Expanding the Arkansas medical marijuana program.

October 16^th – English & World Languages Department visiting author: S.A. Cosby. 6:00 PM RPL 300A

October 24^th – Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center’s local author series: Agalia Baker. 6:00 PM in RPL 300B

October 29^th – Spooky Trivia Night. 7:00 PM in RPL 300A

October 30^th – 25^th Anniversary Celebration of the Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center. 3:00 PM in RPL 300A

Voter Registration Forms At The Library

Somebody’s Knocking at RPL Tonight

Hold It!