Happy Pi Day!

It’s Pi Day! Pi Day is celebrated every year on March 14 on the days that correspond with the first three digits of Pi (3-14). In some places, the day is celebrated with Pi recitation contests and in others by eating all manner of pie. In 2019, UNESCO named Pi Day the International Day of Mathematics. We’ve highlighted some of the math resources we have available through the Library as well as a couple of bonus books to help you bake a pie in honor of this very special day.

Available through the UAA/APU Consortium Library:

  • arXiv (from Cornell University)
    E-print archive of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and other related topics.
  • Wolfram MathWorld
    Free access to the web’s most extensive mathematics resource from Wolfram Research, makers of Mathematica.
  • Compendex
    A comprehensive database covering all fields of engineering and related subjects such as math, statistics, and computer science back to 1884.
  • Find more resources here!

Available for anyone to use for free:

  • Khan Academy
    What started as a tutoring website for mathematics (from Pre-K to Calculus) has now expanded to include resources on a variety of topics ranging from science to history to economics. It also includes test prep resources for the LSAT, Praxis Core, and MCAT.

*BONUS* Books about pie:

Disability Support Services Available at the Library

The UAA Consortium library strives to provide equitable access and services to all UAA and APU students, including those who may be experiencing a disability.

Currently, there is one adjustable computer workstation equipped with assistive technology and specialized software available for students to use. Priority is given to students using this computer for academic purposes, and it is first come, first serve. Some of the accessible features include:

  • Screen reader narration
  • Display and vision settings
  • Color control settings
  • Color filters to accommodate color blindness
  • Voice access for hands-free control and typing
  • Live captions

Here is a link to the LibGuide that addresses library services and accommodations available for people experiencing disabilities: https://libguides.consortiumlibrary.org/disabilities

For more information concerning disability support services, please check out UAA and APU’s Disability Support Services Links:
UAA:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/disability-support-services/
APU:
https://www.alaskapacific.edu/disability-support-services/

The Research Help Desk is available to answer any questions or concerns and will prioritize directing you in the right direction. Do not hesitate to ASK US, in person, via phone, online chat or email.

Learn about Fur Rondy at the Library

The Fur Rondezvous winter festival kicks off tomorrow, Friday, February 23, with 10 days of
activities and entertainment. There’s something for everyone, including the Iditarod ceremonial
start on Saturday, March 2.

Perhaps you’re curious about the history of dog mushing in Alaska or want to know more about
sled dog racing. The Consortium Library provides access to excellent resources that can be used
to research many aspects of dog mushing. From our homepage, use QuickSearch or link to any
of our databases to find information. The Newsbank database is a great starting point for both
current and historical news coverage. If you want historical footage, make sure to also explore
Alaska’s Digital Archives for archival images of sled dogs and dog mushing.

Check out this link for a picture of Balto, famous for helping deliver the diphtheria medicine to Nome in 1925.

Celia Hartz

February 15, 2024

So, what Is the Testing Center? The UAA Testing Center is where you can take professionally administered exams and tests. They can help you with the big ones like the ACT, GED, and SAT or something a little different like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The Testing Center is a member of the National College Testing Association whose goal is to offer exams that assist with academic and professional advancement. 

Great! Who can use it? The UAA Testing Center is available to students and the larger community. There is a wide variety of exams available such as the TOEFL and FAA exams or even general proctoring services! A full list of the 20+ available exams is on their site!

How do I schedule an appointment? If you are looking to take an exam at the UAA Testing Center you would schedule an appointment here – fill it out and get ready for exam day! The UAA Testing Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, with slightly different hours per day to accommodate some early evening schedules! Check here to find hours that work for you.

Ok! So how do I get there and what do I need to bring? Finding the UAA Testing Center can be a bit tricky. The main goal is to make your way to the main stairwell by the Foucault Pendulum and then follow the signs to the second floor and Suite 215 from there. You also need to be sure to bring a current ID – some exams require two forms of ID or a testing exam ticket, be sure to check what your specific exam requires before heading out.

If you have other questions you can give them a call or drop by, there are tons of resources outside of the UAA Testing Center. Good luck!

Learn more about Black History with these resources

This month (and every month) you can dive deeper into Black History using these resources.

HistoryMakers is a collection of oral interviews with Black Americans from around the country. It features the stories of over 2,000 individuals! You can search through the collection by topic, the state they lived in, or browse the History Makers by name. This database is available through the Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED).

We love looking through the Library of Congress collection of photographs. There are some really incredible images there! There are also primary documents that you can explore. While items can be searched, they’re also often grouped in thematic categories. You can explore the African American History section here.

If you want to explore contemporary stories of Black Alaskans, Black in Alaska is a wonderful photo and interview project featuring individuals from around the state.

Also locally focused, the book Black Lives in Alaska by UAA Professor Dr. Ian Hartman explores the historical legacy of Black Alaskans which spans before statehood. This is the second of Dr. Hartman’s book. You can find it here at the Consortium Library or at your local public library branch.

A couple of other highlights in our collection include Black Art: A Cultural History, which explores the artistic achievements of the African diaspora throughout history and it has been updated to include the first two decades of the twenty-first century; and America on Fire: the untold history of police violence and Black rebellion since the 1960s, which examines the history of policing and protest from the civil rights era to today.

These resources just scratch the surface! We hope you continue to explore Black history all year round and reach out to us if you need any help finding particular resources!