Biola Library Goes Mobile

Biola Library has just launched a mobile version of the library website. It includes mobile-friendly interfaces for some of the library’s most used resources, including the library catalog, your library account, Ask a Librarian, and LibGuides. Over a third of the library’s databases can now be searched via a mobile-friendly interface. You can also see what mobile apps are currently available for any of our databases. Additional features of the website include the ability to viewed checked out items, view fines, renew items, and place holds. You can also view library contact information, current week and semester hours, library FAQs, and even computer availability within the library (122 PCs & 58 Macs spread throughout seven areas). The mobile website provides immediate access to many of the library’s research tools, including WorldCat Local, LINK+, Journals A to Z, E-Books A to Z, and Course Reserves.

The website is optimized for viewing on a wide range of mobile devices including most smartphones. You can view it at the following URL - http://library.biola.edu/m. On your smartphone you can access it by navigating to the library’s full website where you will automatically be redirected. Be sure to visit the mobile website and take our short survey (via Feedback button at the bottom) to let us know what you think. It will be an ongoing development to ensure that the website meets your needs, and your feedback will help us.

Biola Seeks New Dean of the Library

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:

Dean of the Library

Biola University was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and is a Protestant, theologically conservative, private Christian university located in Southern California. Biola University’s mission is to provide biblically centered education, scholarship and service-equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. Biola is a community where all faculty, staff, and students are professing Christians committed to the integration of faith with learning. Biola University is comprised of six schools and offers more than145 academic programs with degrees ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. As the only library for the university, the library serves over 6,200 graduate and undergraduate students as well as approximately 480 faculty members and other university staff.

Biola University is favorably located in the greater metropolitan Los Angeles area, a region of immense ethnic, cultural, and international diversity. Biola University’s vision to be a global center for Christian thought is evident in its intentional effort to reconnect to the City of Los Angeles and the surrounding vicinities; in the establishment of three educational centers in Manhattan, New York; Kiev, Ukraine; and Chiang Mai, Thailand; and in the expansion of distance education and online learning.

Biola University is institutionally strong and financially viable, and the undergraduate enrollment (over 4,200 students) is at an all-time high with fifth-year President Barry H. Corey. Provost and Senior Vice President, Dr. David Nystrom, assumed his post in 2010, and he is effectively positioning Biola for intellectual leadership through integrative and interdisciplinary study and whole-person education within a distinctively Christian liberal arts context.

The attractive 98,000 square foot library building was opened in the fall of 2001 and is strategically located in the heart of the Biola campus.  The library has an annual operating budget of approximately $2.9 million and employs 9 librarians and 12 support staff as well as numerous student workers.

The Dean of the Library leads the library in its mission, vision, goals, and objectives to meet the information, study, and research needs of the university. Leadership will be demonstrated through strategic planning and strong collaborative relationships with the Provost, Vice Provosts, academic deans, and other administrative leaders. Under the administrative direction of the Vice Provost for Faculty Development & Academic Effectiveness, the Dean of the Library will be a voice for the future and will utilize current and future technologies to develop relevant programs that support the mission of Biola.

Application Information

The full job description, salary information, and the application for employment can be found here.

LibGuides Can Help You With Research

The library has a number of online research guides that include video tutorials and resources specific to your major. These "LibGuides" can help you navigate the resources of the library like a pro. You can access LibGuides from the Help menu of the library website or access them here. If you have a suggestion for a LibGuide, contact Juliana Morley at ext. 5620.

Learn a Language with Mango

The library has a new online language learning tool called "Mango Languages," which provides online conversational and ESL instruction in over 35 languages. Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that integrates components of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and culture.

Museum of Biblical and Sacred Writings

The Museum of Biblical and Sacred Writings was established several years ago in Irvine, Calif., by Dr. George Giacumakis and has recently moved to the Biola University campus. Part of the collection can been seen on the Lower Level of the Library. The Library exhibit is now open to the Biola community until the middle of May 2012.

The following items are on display:

• The Habakkuk Commentary Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls in facsimile
• The Testimonia Fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls in facsimile
• The Copper Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls in facsimile (three framed mountings on the wall)
• Archaeological charts and equipment from the Dead Sea Qumran archaeological dig directed by Roland de Vaux in the early 1950’s
• Archaeological artifacts from various Near Eastern sites
• A Hebrew Torah Scroll from the late 19th century (105.5 feet wide, with 172 columns on 54 panels) that survived the Holocaust
• Near Eastern Grinding Mill from ancient Lebanon
• Copies of archaeological artifacts that can be handled by students in classes which focus on these items

The Nautical & Theological Paintings of Marcus Paulsen

Paintings by Natalie Alvarez

Biola University Library, Upper Level

"In my senior show, one of my main goals was to showcase the bonds and friendships I had been involved in throughout my entire college career. Drawing someone this size creates an intimacy between the artist and the subject, and I thought it would be a perfect way to present these people who have touched my life. I used oils on the eyes and clothes of my subjects to create a richness in color and the illusion of warmth and life. Each large portrait came with a smaller portrait of the same person in a different position that they each kept after the show was over. I am very happy with the result and feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to share my gift of drawing with the people who I love the most." - Natalie Alvarez

George and I have had a comical and deep friendship all 4 years of college. He has been a good friend to talk to and to get advice from. One of his favorite possessions was his iPhone. He would have it out with him everywhere he was and so I wanted to include it in his portrait. Him holding his iPhone to his face, like in the portrait, was actually a normal gesture he would do when talking to him or when at work and that is what I wanted to capture. I noticed that Ryan had a very good work ethic and I decided to portray him doing something he loved. After taking many pictures of him working in his office, I found one that had a quietness and focus about it that I decided to go with for my drawing of him. I'm very fond of the jacket he wore as well because the tones are muted enough to show off the tie he wears.

Thomas Macklin Bible

Middle Level

The Thomas Macklin Bible is considered to be the largest Bible ever printed in English. This collection of seven illustrated volumes was donated by Mrs. Marjorie Fluor Moore. Published in 1800, it contains 71 full-page illustrations and many smaller vignettes created by renowned English artists of the period. The illustration in the exhibit changes about every two months.

Paintings by Hyatt Moore

The Feeding of the Three-thousand
This painting depicts Jesus as the miracle worker. The "bread" in the baskets is Scripture, the distributors are missionaries (of various races), and in the crowd are pockets of new readers (of different ethnic groups). The "three-thousand" is the number of the world's languages still without written form - or Scriptures. It's a perfect reminder of the challenge of our times, and both the practical and spiritual aspects of the solution. For further information about Hyatt Moore and his art, please visit his website at www.hyattmoore.com.

Thomas Kinkade, the "Painter of Light"

In keeping with the Biola University Library's theme of "Light," there are two paintings by Thomas Kinkade:

The Fisherman

Middle Level

This bronze statue was donated to the Biola Library by Mrs. Lyman Stewart. It is a reminder of The Fisherman's Club, an important part of Biola's early history.

The History of America Copper Panels

Upper Level

Created by Rudolph Haynal, this series of six hammered-copper panels depicts symbolized historical subjects: The First Settlers, Independence War, The Civil War, Industrial Revolution, World War II, and the Age of Technology.