The Friends of Preston Library in concert with the VMI Honors Program will host a program on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 at 5 p.m. in the Turman Room of Preston Library. The guest speaker will be James L. W. West, III. Dr. West is the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English at Pennsylvania State University. He will discuss his book on William Styron, Letters to My Father.
A native of Newport News, author of Sophie’s Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner, Lie Down in Darkness, A Tidewater Morning, and other celebrated works, William Styron will be remembered as one of the most important writers of the 20th century. Last month, Jim West’s book received a front page review by the Times Literary Supplement.
Copies of Letters to My Father will be available for purchase at the program and for the author to sign. Please join us for an educational and engaging talk and discussion by Professor West of this major American writer. Refreshments will be served.
Cadets, it’s the home stretch. Exams start Monday. This means two things: 
1. The library will be open late (see below hours schedule) so you can get in some quality studying.
and…
2. The return of Preston Library’s Coffee Break!
Last December and May you came, you saw, you drank hundreds of cups of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate a night. We’re bringing it back! Put it on your calendar, December 12th, the return of the coffee break.
Coffee will be available at 8 p.m. (2000 military time) every evening beginning Saturday, 12 December through Saturday, 19th December. So grab your books, mugs, and head over to Preston Library for the best study break on Post.
Coffee has been generously donated by Aramark and tea and cocoa by the Friends of Preston Library.
Exam Hours:
Sat, 12/12 0800 – 2300
Sun, 12/13 1300 – 0200
Mon, 12/14 0800 – 0200
Tues, 12/15 0800 – 0200
Wed, 12/16 0800 – 0200
Thurs, 12/17 0800 – 0200
Fri, 12/18 0800 – 2300
Sat, 12/19 0800 – 2300
Sun, 12/20 1300 – 0200
Mon, 12/21 0800 – 1630
Mr. Charles Horner gave an engaging, thought-provoking talk, laced with humor, on China on Thursday, October 29 at 3:00 p.m. in the Turman Room in Preston Library. His presentation was entitled “Rising China and Its Postmodern Fate,” based on his new book, Rising China and its Postmodern Fate: Memories of Empire in a New Global Context. Mr. Horner provided insights into China’s history and referenced a number of associations with China from the local area (e.g. Mary Price Coulling whose father, Francis Wilson Price, was a missionary to China and sinologist). A sizable number of faculty, cadets, and members of the community enjoyed the talk which was followed by engaging questions and discussions.
Mr. Horner is Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute in Washington, DC. He is a China scholar who pays special attention to how China’s evolving views of its 
modern historical experience and its intellectual and cultural traditions influence contemporary developments.
From 1980 to 1982, Mr. Horner was Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and an associate of its Landegger Program in International Business Diplomacy. During the 1970s, Horner served on the staff of the late Senator Henry M. Jackson and then as Senior Legislative Assistant for Foreign Affairs and National Security policy to the late Senator Daniel P. Moynihan.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he did graduate work in Chinese history at the University of Chicago and, overseas, from 1967 to 1970, at National Taiwan University and Tokyo University.
We are delighted to welcome Maj. Accacia Flanagan to Preston Library. She joins our Reference Department along with Lt. Col. Janet Holly. Maj. Flanagan recently received her master’s degree in library science from Simmons College. Her B.A. degree is from Smith College. Prior to coming to VMI she worked at the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University. Please join us in welcoming Maj. Flanagan. We look forward to working with her.
Circulation–Generous loan policies facilitate your academic endeavors. For details, see Circulation Information for Faculty or contact Lt. Col. Susan Hastings at 464-7607.
Course Reserves–Course Reserves includes print, audio-visual, and electronic materials, selected by faculty for use in their classes. See detailed information about Submitting Materials for Course Reserves or contact Lt. Col. Susan Hastings at 464-7607.
Interlibrary Loan–If we do not own an item you need, we can quickly obtain it from another library. There are no limits and no fees for this service. Logging on to the Interlibrary Loan system lets you place requests, check their status, and access documents received electronically. For more information, contact Dr. Megan Newman at 464-7570.
Library Hours–This link gives information about regular hours, as well as reduced hours during academic breaks and FTX.
Media Services–Media Services offers faculty training and consultation in the selection and use of multimedia software and hardware. Media equipment is also available for short-term loans for presentations. For more information, visit the Media Services page or contact Ms. Cathy Wells at 464-7567, or Maj. Michael Brickler at 464-7655.
Meeting Rooms–To reserve a room, please contact Ms. Brianna Page at 464-7228.
Off-Post Access–Allows you to use Preston Library’s subscription databases and other electronic resources from off-Post.
Ordering Materials–Each academic department is allocated a budget to order library materials, and we welcome your purchase requests. The Book Order Request Form and the Serials Request Form are available online. Also, each department receives Choice cards with reviews of new scholarly titles. Contact your department head to learn how Choice cards are managed in your department. For details, see our Collection Development Policy, or contact Ms. Linda Covington at 464-7574.
Reference and Instruction–Reference librarians offer one-on-one consultation to individuals and library instruction tailored to the needs of your classes. They are available to answer research and general questions as well as to demonstrate the use of print and online resources. Ask a Librarian provides reference assistance via Instant Messaging. For more information, contact Lt. Col. Janet Holly at 464-7571.
VIVA–Virtual Library of Virginia is a consortium of academic libraries in Virginia which purchases major electronic resources cooperatively and works to improve Interlibrary Loan between its members.
Below are the library hours during exams for Summer Session 2. We’re open late so drop in and study.
Wed – 22 July: 0800 – 0200
Thurs – 23 July: 0800 – 0200
Fri – 24 July: 0800 – 1630
Good luck on your tests!
Preston Library has an active Friends group which supports library resources, services, and facilities. Each year, Friends organizes and hosts engaging programs at Preston Library for VMI and the local community. Membership is open to the public. Interested individuals are invited to join the Friends by submitting a Friends of Preston Library Membership Form or by giving online (be sure to select Friends of Preston Library from the drop down menu).
Contributions to Friends support library needs and make significant enhancements to VMI’s academic program. For more information about the Friends of the Preston Library, contact Preston Library at (540) 464-7228.