Get inspired: Neil Gaiman on doing the impossible

Commencement 2013 happens this weekend. If you are a student, you are busy writing papers and taking final exams. If you are a teacher, you are busy grading and advising. Everybody is busy.

As you finish up your semester, keep this in mind: commencement means a beginning or start.You aren't just finishing a semester, a degree or a diploma. You are starting a new part of your life.

Think of this as week one of your new life.

Scary, huh? Don't get freaked out.

Neil Gaiman, bestselling author of the Sandman comics and other great books, never graduated college, but he offers great advice to graduates. Do things that people believe are impossible. Figure out what contribution you want to make and do that thing. Don't wait until you have it all figured out. Just start doing it. You will figure it out along the way.

Here's Gailman's 2012 Commencement speech to the University of the Arts:

Kingston Public Library book discussion with John Muir biography author

Kingston Public Library will host a discussion with Dr. John B. Hunt, the author of Restless Fires: Young John Muir’s Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf in 1867-68 (find it near you) at 6pm on Thursday, April 25.

Restless Fires provides a detailed rendering of John Muir’s thousand-mile walk to the Gulf based on both manuscript and published accounts. Hunt particularly examines the development of Muir’s environmental thought as a young adult as he experienced delight in seeing nature anew after recovering from partial blindness due to a factory accident. Muir witnessed the Civil War’s devastating impacts and efforts towards Reconstruction on towns, villages, and people. This is one of the first books on John Muir’s thousand-mile walk that places his journey in the context of the Civil War and Reconstruction, to which Muir gave

only passing witness.

Dr. Hunt spent a number of days at the Kingston Public Library and the Roane County Historical Society’s Archives while conducting research for his book.  Dr. Hunt was so impressed with the people of Kingston and Roane County that he wanted to do a program at the Kingston Public Library. 

Dr. Hunt will have copies of his book for sale. Proceeds of all book sales will go to the Kingston Public Library.  The program is being sponsored by the Kingston Public Library, its Foundation, and the Roane Writer’s Group. If you have any questions concerning the event, please contact Steve Jacks at 865.376.9905 or at directorkpl@comcast.net

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Learning Express Library

Are you looking for free test prep questions? Do you know about LearningExpress Library? It’s a great service database that allows you to take online practice exams.

The Learning Express Library provides over 700 online interactive practice exams and course series, as well as over 130 eBooks.

This includes NCLEX-RN Practice Tests ; Praxis I and Praxis II Practice Tests.

• Online practice tests that are true previews of the official exams.
•  Instant scoring and individual analysis to help improve your test score.
• Explanations of both right and wrong answers to promote understanding and retention.
• The ability to proceed at your own pace and on your own schedule.
• Unlimited access – repeat exams as many times as you need to

If this is your first time visiting the Learning Express Library, you will need to create a user profile. From the main page, click the blue "Register" button on the bottom right side of the screen.

Enter a username and password of your choosing. 

Career Transition Workshop

Looking for a job?

Need a Resume?

Want to check out a new major?

Career Transition Workshop

Coffey Library

Computer Lab

April 10 at 2:00

Contact: Ollie Nolan 2265

Language Learning with Power Speak

Now available Gale’s Power Speak Languages. This online language learning program includes audio, video, and interactive activities. The courses are designed to meet the National Standards outlined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and cover the following languages:
• Spanish
• French
• German
• Italian
• Korean
• Japanese
• Russian
• Mandarin
• ESL (for Spanish speakers)
• ESL (for Mandarin speakers)

 Try it out! RSCC’s Power Speak Languages

Research Hospital Can Revive Your Paper -- April 1-2 @ Harriman Library/Learning Center

Is your research paper lifeless and unresponsive? Are your sources aenemic? Ready to call a Code Blue? Get to the Research Hosptial quick!

Roane State Library and Learning Center are offering a free research hospital at the Harriman campus on April 1 and 2 (8am to 4:30pm).

No insurance necessary.