What’s New at the GSU Zach S. Henderson Library

2 recent government documents of interest:

CACI International Inc (CACI) and the National Defense University (NDU) have released a report entitled “Dealing With Today’s Asymmetric Threat to U.S. and Global Security: The Need for an Integrated National
Asymmetric Threat Strategy.” The report is an executive summary of a May 2008 symposium. It is hoped
the report will stimulate conversation about the need to develop a new national defense and homeland security strategy which will address the threats related to everything from Islamic extremism to natural
disaster.

It is interesting to note the disclaimeron this one: “This document is intended only as a summary of the personal remarks made by participants at the May 2008 symposium, ‘Dealing with Today’s Asymmetric Threat to U.S. and Global Security’, co-sponsored by CACI International Inc (CACI) and the National Defense University (NDU). It does not necessarily reflect the views of CACI, NDU, or their officers and employees.” Doesn’t it make you want to read it and see why the compilers included it?

The report can be found at http://www.caci.com/announcement/CACI_Asymmetric_Threat_paper.pdf

The latest Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Quarterly Report to the United States Congress (October 30, 2008) has been released and is available at
http://www.sigir.mil/reports/quarterlyreports/Oct08/pdf/Report_-_October_2008.pdf

Their website blurb says “This penultimate quarter of the Year of Transfer witnessed the emergence of nascent normalcy in Iraq. As U.S. reconstruction assistance continued to target civil and military capacity building, Iraq achieved progress on the security, political, and economic fronts. Violent incidents dropped to their lowest levels since 2004; the long-awaited Provincial Election Law finally passed; and commercial activity, spurred by Iraq’s oil-revenue windfall, continued to increase. But, as General Ray Odierno, the new Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I), recently noted, Iraq “was a failed state [in 2006]. In 2008, it’s a fragile state. We’ve got to move it to a stable state.” To sustain progress in this direction, Iraq must improve its provision of security and essential services, such as electricity, potable water, sewage systems, and health care services.”

Previous reports can be found at http://www.sigir.mil/reports/quarterlyreports/default.aspx

These electronic government documents were brought to our attention by:
Greta E. Marlatt, Information Services Manager &
Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager
Dudley Knox Library, Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA  93943

and will be available from our library catalog soon.

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Brought to you by Lori Lester, your very own Government Documents Librarian, and winner of the 2008 McJenkin-Rheay Award, which is given each year to a young librarian who has made outstanding contributions to the Georgia Library Association.  Congratulations, Lori!

Chris Booth, Constitution crossword contest winner, and Lori Lester, Government Documents Librarian, sponsor of the contest

The winner of the Henderson Library Constitution Day crossword puzzle is Mr. Chris Booth, a junior history major at Georgia Southern. As a Constitution buff and crossword fan, Chris successfully answered all questions on the crossword sponsored by the Government Documents Department of the Library as part of the festivities sponsored by Henderson Library, Financial Aid, Student Media, Student Government Association and Dean of Students on Wednesday, September 17th. His prize is a $30 gas card. Congratulations, Chris!!!

The Cost of Government Financial Interventions, Past and Present, and Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability have been written in response to the financial turmoil occurring in the United States financial markets.

Although the documents are short – each is six pages long – they contain important information that will help readers understand the severe stress under which the United States financial markets have been operating. They should be standard reading for anyone interested in the subprime mortgage debacle and the ongoing financial crisis.

The Cost of Financial Interventions, Past and Present attempts to answer questions about the recent financial interventions by the government in the business of private corporations. Sources of funding and the costs to the taxpayer are discussed. The AIG, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, and Bear Stearns cases are used as examples. A table of a Summary of Current and Historical Financial Interventions by the Federal Government is also supplied. http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS22965_09232008.pdf

Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability explains Treasury Secretary Paulsen’s [draft of 9/21/2008] plan for legislative authorization to allow direct intervention in the economy. This report analyzes the proposals by answering frequently asked questions. http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS22957_09222008.pdf

Brought to you by Lori Lester, your very own Government Documents Librarian!

Here’s a handy guide for you!  This is the information from the signs we’ve posted around the building.  When in doubt, please ask!  The main places to get help are on the 2nd floor, at the Learning Commons desk (near the computers; ask here for help with research or computing, or chat with a librarian here) or the Circulation/Reserves desk (near the Learning Commons Desk; come here to check out books and reserve items, and to pick up items from the ARC or interlibrary loan).

ZACH S. HENDERSON LIBRARY DIRECTORY

Public computers are available on all floors except fourth, and wireless connectivity is available on all floors.

FIRST FLOOR

Center for Excellence in Teaching

Classrooms 1300, 1302, 1308

Group Study Rooms

Government Documents Collection – Assistance available 2^nd floor

Microform Reader/Printers

Magazines, Journals & Periodicals from 2000 to the present

Photocopiers

Presentation Practice Room

SECOND FLOOR

ADA Adaptive Technology

Microform Reader/Printers

New Books and Leisure Reading Collection

Newspapers

Photocopiers

Zach’s Brews Coffee Shop

Circulation and Reserve Desk: Check out or return books, laptop computers,

reserve readings

Information Technology Services Help Desk

Reference and Learning Commons Desk: Computers; multimedia production

Equipment; reference materials; Government Documents, research and production assistance; scanners and Scantron readers

Department Offices:

Access Services – Circulation, Reserves, Interlibrary Loan, Shelving

Collection and Resources Services – Ordering, Cataloging, Materials

Processing

Information Services – Reference, Government Documents

Information Technology Services Help Desk Personnel

Systems – Computer Maintenance

THIRD FLOOR

Quiet Study Only: No group studying or cell phone use except in group study rooms

Circulating Books: K-Z call numbers

Group Study Rooms

Library Administration

FOURTH FLOOR

Quiet Study Only: No group studying or cell phone use except in group study rooms

Circulating Books: A-J call numbers

George Burford Lorimer Reading Room

Group Study Rooms

Special Collections

In the interest of your safety, security cameras survey public areas and emergency intercoms are located near the public elevators.

Henderson Library, Financial Aid, Student Media,

the Student Government Association and the Dean of Students

have teamed up this year for an exciting and informative celebration of Constitution Day

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

2:00-4:00 p.m.

In the Russell Union Commons

Join patriotic Americans around the country as we celebrate our Constitutional rights. Read the Preamble to the Constitution at 2pm, as others around the country congregate to do the same thing. Get your own Pocket Guide to the Constitution, as a handy reminder of those rights. Get prepared for the November election with information about registering to vote and voting from Bulloch County’s Deputy Registrar, Shontay Jones. If you haven’t registered already, now is the time! We will have a voter registration drive and you can ask questions of the Deputy Registrar. Join us in a discussion of the issues surrounding the creation of the Presidency with Dr. Patrick Novotny. See the winners of the “What Does the Constitution Mean to You?” contest and turn in your correct and complete George Anne crossword puzzle for a chance to win a $30 gas card.

To view the pdf announcement of events taking place in The Russell Union Commons, click here.

Your recognized student organization can compete in a contest for great prizes, including $600 and a full page ad in the George Anne Daily for first place by submitting an expression of what the Constitution means to you. Submissions are due September 15^th, so enter your organization today! Winners will be announced during the festivities on September 17^th, between 2 and 4. Click here for application and full details.

One lucky individual will win a $30 gas card in a drawing of correctly answered crossword puzzles found in the George Anne Daily on Constitution Day, September 17^th. Get complete details for this contest here.

Come out and enter to win free gas, support your friends who entered the student organization contest, and get answers to those questions you’ve been wanting to ask about voting, the Presidency, or one of our oldest Government Documents, the Constitution of the United States!

This event is being held in compliance with the 2005 federal mandate regarding institutions receiving state funds. Read the text in the Federal Register here.

The National War Powers Commission, co-chaired by Secretaries of State
Baker and Christopher, released a report yesterday. This commission report
recommends that Congress repeal the 1973 War Powers Resolution and
“substitute a new statute that would provide for more meaningful
consultation between the President and Congress. In its final report,
the Commission has recommended that Congress pass a new statute, the War
Powers Consultation Act of 2009, establishing a clear process on
decisions to go to war.”

The main website is
http://millercenter.org/policy/commissions/warpowers/

The final report can be found through the link above or directly at http://tinyurl.com/5lkejj

And the appendices to the report can be found at
http://millercenter.org/policy/commissions/warpowers/appendices

*This information was provided to Lori Lester, the Government Documents Librarian, by Greta E. Marlatt,
Information Services Manager & Homeland Security Digital Library Content Manager at Dudley Knox Library
Naval Postgraduate School, via GOVDOC-L.

Take a look at this wonderful atlas produced by the Census Bureau! When is the last time you saw one of these? The Census Bureau last produced a complete population and housing atlas like this in the 1920’s. This oversized hardbound atlas is filled with colorful depictions of detailed current and historical demographics for the United States, and will be helpful to a wide range of researchers. It is also delightful to browse. This government document is shelved in our Documents Reference collection on the 3^rd floor of Henderson Library, at GOV DOCS REF C 3.205/8-3:29. If you prefer, there is also a PDF here. Read the news release here.

Brought to you by Lori Lester, your very own Government Documents Librarian!

“Protecting the Constitutional Right to Vote for All Americans”: Jonah H Goldman testifies before Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Jonah H Goldman, Director of the National Campaign for Fair Elections and Legal Leader of the Election Protection Coalition, testified before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday May 20, 2008. At issue is disfranchisement due to voter ID requirements, military voting problems, technological malfunctions, inaccurate registration lists and poorly trained or poorly provisioned poll workers.

Read his testimony, along with the Election Protection 2008 Primary Report: Looking Ahead to November, here.

Brought to you by Lori Lester, your very own Government Documents Librarian!

Welcome to the inaugural “Hot Docs” post, by your very own Government Documents Librarian, Lori Lester.  She will contribute these items to our blog on a regular basis. Thanks, Lori!

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Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) Releases Report on Security for Mass Gatherings
On May 13, 2008, the Majority Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, released “Public Health, Safety, and Security for Mass Gatherings”, a comprehensive report addressing challenges and offering recommendations for ensuring public security in the event of a terrorist act. The report provides 30 recommendations for action by all levels of government and the private sector in situations such as biological terrorism, and also gives advice on planning for emergencies and guidelines for information and resource coordination..

Read the press release.

Read the report.