RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

GCRL Passport Site at Gunter Library



In November, Gunter Library became an official “passport” stop fat GCRL for the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area passport program. There are over 30 sites along the Gulf Coast where people who have a Passport to Your National Parks® booklet can get stamped. At Gunter Library, passport holders get stamped and receive a gift bag compliments of Gunter Library.



On Monday, November 10, Joe Petronie of Dallas, TX, stopped by the service desk at Gunter Library and became our first visitor wanting his Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area passport stamped. He is shown here with librarian, Joyce Shaw. He was traveling to Florida to celebrate his father’s 97^th birthday.  

COPYRIGHT CORNER

Fair Use

Under 107, the exclusive rights of the copyright owner are subject to limitation by the doctrine of fair use. To determine whether a particular use qualifies as fair use, the factors to be considered shall include:

1)     The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

2)     the nature of the copyrighted work;

3)     the amount used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole;

4)     the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. 

NEW BOOKS RECEIVED

Gupta, S. (et al.) 2022. The Tableau Workshop: A Practical Guide to the Art of Data Visualization with Tableau.

Learning Tableau has never been easier, thanks to this practical introduction to storytelling with data. The Tableau Workshop breaks down the analytical process into five steps: data preparation, data exploration, data analysis, interactivity, and distribution of dashboards. Each stage is addressed with a clear walkthrough of the key tools and techniques you'll need, as well as engaging real-world examples, meaningful data, and practical exercises to give you valuable hands-on experience. (description provided by the publisher)

Carrier, J. C. (et al.) 2022. Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, 3^rd edition.

Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives is an award-winning exploration of the fundamental elements of the taxonomy, systematics, physiology, and ecology of sharks, skates, rays, and chimera. This edition presents current research as well as traditional models, with two new editors and 90 contributors from around the world." (description provided by the publisher)

COMMON READ

Part biography, part memoir, and part scientific adventure, Why Fish Don’t Exist is a wondrous fable about how to persevere in a world where chaos will always prevail. Named a Best Book of 2020 by The Washington Post, * NPR, * Chicago Tribune, and * Smithsonian. The 2025 Common Read brown bag lunch and book discussion is Thursday, December 18, noon to 1 pm at Gunter Library. Bring your lunch and book! Gunter Library will provide chips, cookies, and drinks.

GEOSCIENCE WEBINAR TRAINING

On October 28 and 29, 2025, the Geoscience Information Society (GSI) held 
its annual Geoscience Librarianship 101 (GL 101) webinar training. The Geoscience Information Society annual free two-day virtual workshop introduces library/information science students, new librarians, and information professionals to some areas of geoscience librarianship, earth science information resources, and their organization. Joyce Shaw served on the planning committee for the training.



MISSISSIPPI LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Joyce Shaw, Megan Le, and Brennan Collins presented posters at the Mississippi Library Association Conference in Hattiesburg, MS on October 16^th. One poster was a collaboration with the Marine Education Center (MEC) featuring a “Deep Water Ecology” bibliography for teenagers to young adults. The other poster featured a university library’s assistance for people with disabilities.

WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEES!

Jennifer Sanders – GCRL Accounting Specialist – GCRL Finance Dept –

Nicholas Young – Maintenance Mechanic II – GCRL Physical Plant –

Heather King – Aquaculture Biologist II-Oysters – TCMAC –

Connor McKee – Aquaculture Technician II – TCMAC –

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the library is accepting donations for Thanksgiving baskets for GCRL employees in need of a little assistance this Thanksgiving.

Any donation is appreciated.

All proceeds go to the purchase of the Thanksgiving meals.

A box will be attached to the Food pantry for cash donations. Venmo is acceptable @ Martha-Brown-64388.

Donations will be accepted till end of day, Friday, Nov 21st. Baskets will be made available for pickup in the library on Monday, Nov. 24th. If your household is in need of one of these meals reach out to Joyce Shaw (joyce.shaw@usm.edu) or Martha Brown (martha.brown@usm.edu) via email.

NEW TO EAGLETS PANTRY

On November 14, the Eaglet Pantry at Gunter Library received a generous donation of 6 two-person and 14 four-person “Meals in a Bag.” These are bags of nonperishable canned and boxed foods that include all that is needed to prepare a meal. Each bag includes a recipe to accompany the food. They are available on a first come/first served basis until all have been taken. We thank Kaycee Zarske, mother of COA graduate student Michael Zarske, for this very kind and generous gift to our food pantry. Mrs. Zarske also donated four bags of feminine hygiene products.

GUNTER LIBRARY'S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

EVENTS CALENDER

• Ocean Springs Environmental Alliance Lecture, Robert Smith, Wildlife Mississippi's, Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center (Ocean Springs), Thursday, November 20, 2025, 6 pm (free) https://www.facebook.com/OceanSpringsEnvironmentalAlliance

• North Bay Civitan Club 16th annual “Gobble Wobble” fun run and food drive. Ocean Springs side of the Bay Bridge, Saturday, November 22, 3 pm (free with nonperishable food donation)

• GCRL Science Café, Caylor 104, Monday, November 24, 6 pm to 7 pm (free) https://www.usm.edu/gulf-coast-research-laboratory/gcrl-science-cafe.php

• Thanksgiving Holiday, Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28, Gunter Library and GCRL closed https://lib.usm.edu/gunter/

• GCRL Holiday Party, Dining Hall, Friday, December 5, 5 pm to 9 pm

• Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Biloxi, Friday, December 5, 7 pm https://messiahchorus.org/ (free)

• Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus, Burton United Methodist Church, Gulfport, Saturday December 6, 7 pm http://messiahchorus.org (free)

• Christmas Boat Parade and fireworks, Biloxi Lighthouse to Point Cadet, Saturday, December 6, (free) https://www.christmasonthewaterbiloxi.com/

• Christmas parade in Ocean Springs, Sunday, December 7, 2 pm (free) https://www.discoverchristmasparade.org/

• USM Graduation ceremonies, Graduate student commencement, Thursday, December 11, Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, 5 pm

• Gunter Library Holiday Open House, 112 Caylor Building, Monday, December 15, 9 am to noon, potluck (bring a dish to share)

• Last day to work—Monday, December 22. – Holiday break begins on Tuesday, December 23

Save the Date

Monday, November 24 - 6 pm to 7 pm (free)

Presenter: Uchechukwu Ohajiudu

Caylor 104

Sponsored by Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant Consortium

"Like" the GCRL Science Cafe Facebook page for more information about upcoming Science Cafe events.

If you missed any of our virtual GCRL Science Cafes visit our Marine Education Center’s (MEC) Facebook page at the link below.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

703 East Beach Drive

Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Joyce Shaw, Librarian & Professor

  Brennan Collins, Library Assistant

 Marjie Williams, Library Assistant