Explore the Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America

Another reference resource recognized as an Outstanding Academic Title in 2007 by Choice, the American Library Association's chief academic book and electronic resource review publication, is the Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America. This publication also received the prestigious American Historical Association's 2006 Waldo G. Leland Prize, which has only been awarded to one publication every five years since 1981.

The Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America was edited by Rosemary Skinner Keller and Rosemary Radford Ruether with associate editor Marie Cantlon and was published by Indiana University Press. In print, the publication is 3 volumes and totals to 1,296 pages. However, it is available anytime, anyday to the St. Mary's University community through the Gale Virtual Reference Library. The encyclopedia is interreligious, interracial, and multicultural and features more than 145 longer essays. The articles focus on institutions, movements, and ideas. More than 150 authors contributed to this work, weaving biographical sketches into their articles to give them a more personal and humanizing quality, and to recognize the women responsible for the gains made over the centuries. The work contains 150 black and white photos. Explore this online reference work during National Women's History Month!

Access the Dictionary of Women Worldwide Anytime, Anywhere

March is National Women's History Month, and this month we are profiling online reference sources about women that the St. Mary's University community can access through the Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Noted by the American Library Association's chief academic book and electronic resource review publication, Choice recognized the Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages as an Outstanding Academic Title in 2007. A synopsis of each woman's life and her accomplishments or historical importance is included with each entry, often followed by bibliographic information. Also included are 85 genealogical charts, and chronological, geographical, and occupational indexes. The dictionary includes many women outside the United States.

Explore current controversial issues through CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher Online is a wonderful resource for providing background and multiple perspectives on current controversial topics, particularly for lower level undergraduate courses. Recent reports have covered the immigration debate, student aid and the cost of higher education, consumer safety, racial diversity in public schools, domestic poverty, wounded veterans, and more.

Each report provides an overview, background, chronology, current situation, statements from opposing positions, and bibliography. This product contains engaging, insightful, unbiased analyses of the most pressing issues in the news. Features include Citenow! which generates citations in multiple formats, and helpful tools are provided such as “Next Step” and bibliographies that guide students to sources for further research. CQ Researcher Online has been recognized for editorial excellence, and is produced by Congressional Quarterly Press.

CQ Researcher Online is available through the Blume Library home page, where it's located under Databases Listed Alphabetically.

Register now to vote in the Texas primaries

If you want to vote in the March 4 Texas presidential primaries, and you're not already registered, you'd better get busy! You must be registered 30 days before an election, and our primary is on March 4. That makes this Monday the deadline for registration. Get a voter registration form from the Texas Secretary of State's website. Then, if you're a Bexar County resident, follow the directions on their elections website. If you want to register in another Texas county, follow these directions on the Texas Secretary of State website.

Have another state as your residence? You can find out how to register there and what the dates are for your primaries at this website.

Once you're registered, you want to be sure you can cast an informed vote. You can get good information on the candidates at Project Vote-Smart. The University of Michigan also has a comprehensive collection of links related to the elections and the candidates. The local League of Women Voters has good, non-partisan information on local candidates and issues.

More information about registering, voting, and being an informed local citizen, can be found on this Local Government and Politics page.

With both the Democratic and Republican presidential fields still relatively wide-open, Texas' primary might actually be important this year! Make your voice count, and vote.

Undergraduate Research Award 2008

Are you entering a project in the Undergraduate Research Symposium?

Consider applying for the
Second Annual Louis J. Blume Library Undergraduate Research Award

First Prize: $200
Second Prize: $100

The Award recognizes student researchers who demonstrate skill and originality in the application of library and other information sources in a research project.

You must enter the Undergraduate Research Symposium (deadline Friday, March 7, 2008) to be eligible for this Award.

Research Award application deadline: Monday, March 17, 2008

Photo of 2007 Louis J. Blume Library Undergraduate Research Award winning project posters.

National Intelligence Report on Iran

The unclassified part of the National Intelligence estimate that has been in the news lately, dealing with Iran's nuclear weapons intentions and capabilities, can be found here. It is a nine-page summary of the reports conclusions. (If you have trouble with this link, try the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's home page. The full title of the report is "National Intelligence Estimate Key Judgments.")

Other important intelligence and assessment reports on Iraq were discussed in previous In Blume posts: see them below.

Celebrate American Indian Heritage Month at the Blume Library!

Join us in celebrating American Indian Heritage Month this November. The Blume Library, in partnership with the St. Mary’s University Native American Student Association, is displaying Native North American artifacts this month. The display includes decorative, ceremonial, and other items from several Native American tribes. I encourage you to visit the library during November to see these fascinating artifacts!



The display also includes books of history, anthropology, and current events relating to the indigenous peoples of North and South America. When you visit the library, think about checking out one of these titles. You can also read online over 500 books on Native North Americans and many books on indigenous peoples of South American and Central America via the library's netLibrary database.

Finally, for a unique experience with Native American culture, check out the upcoming powwow sponsored by the StMU Native American Student Association. The powwow will be held this Saturday, November 17th from 10am-4pm in the Pecan Grove. Check out the St. Mary’s online calendar for more information.