May 31, 2009

Here Comes Everybody

"Revolution doesn't happen when society adopts new technology, it happens when society adopts new behaviors." This book describes the behaviors that have changed as a result of the internet and mobile technology. The author presents numerous anecdotes of individuals or small groups who are able to transmit their experiences to millions of people all across the globe simply with simple, even every-day communications. These technologies provide a large, geographically dispersed audience which then acts on behalf of or in concert with the individual or small group, harnessing the power of many people to accomplish a goal. Shirky highlights not only the capabilities that technology provides, but also demonstrates how it is changing what people do and how they do it.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations
Clay Shirky
HM 851 .S5465 2008

May 29, 2009

Bargaining for Eden

Trimble, a lifelong environmentalist, explores the conflicts between personal desire, politics, and the development of public-use land in this work. He chronicles the efforts of the reclusive billionaire who worked tirelessly to acquire public land for development as a ski resort and host site for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. Drawing on extensive information gathered through interviews, Trimble exposes the land-exchange deal that resulted, one of the largest and most controversial in American history. He explains the conflicts and greed involved in political deals such as this one, and bemoans the inneffectiveness of grassroots efforts to put a stop to these political deals. His story becomes personal when he exposes his personal innerconflict about becoming a land owner and developer himself.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Bargaining for Eden: The Fight for the Last Open Spaces in America
Stephen Trimble
HD 209 .T75 2008

Six Sigma for Green Belts and Champions

This book especially designed for Six Sigma green belts is focused around the foundational aspects of this project management method. It provides a rationale for using Six Sigma and provides a framework for its successful implementation. It defines the DMAIC method--define, measure, analyze, improve, and control--and helps users understand and manage the statistics that will result from each phase of the project. This book includes numerous case studies from both manufacturing firms and service organizations, and helps its users to prepare for taking Six Sigma certification exams.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Six Sigma for Green Belts and Champions: Foundations, DMAIC Tools, Cases and Certification
Howard S. Gilowe and David M. Levine
HD 62.15 .G5397 2005

May 28, 2009

Job Description Handbook

Every job can be described. If the description is written well, it can be used to hire new employees, evaluate performance, assess company strategy and growth, and more. However, if the description is poorly written, the employee may be confused about what they are supposed to do, may be unproductive or unmotivated. The company may be using its manpower ineffectively, may be spending time pursuing things unimportant to its strategy, and may even be open to legal trouble. This book uses step-by-step processes and exercises to develop new or modify existing job descriptions. It helps managers to focus on job duties, the requirements and qualifications of candidates for that position, and how the job fits it to teams, departments, and the companies overarching strategies and goals.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Job Description Handbook: Everything You Need to Write Effective Job Descriptions - and Avoid Legal Pitfalls
Margie Mader-Clark
HF 5549.5 .J613 <33 2008

May 26, 2009

World of Trouble

This book chronicles the relationship between the American presidency and policies toward the Middle East from the Eisenhower administration through George W. Bush. Tyler shows how complex the motivations are regarding the area--from geostrategic positioning to negotiating for allies, from interests in oil to support of democracy--and how these decisions are often further muddied by the goals of local leaders, the ambitions of political subordinates and adversaries, and lack of knowledge about the domestic politics and cultures of the countries involved. This book presents are rarely-seen perspective of the president highlighting the human challenges that each man faces in the pursuit of his official duties and ideological goals.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

A World of Trouble: The White House and the Middle East--From the Cold War to the War on Terror
Patrick Tyler
DS 63.2 .U5 T95 2009

Field Guide to Birds

This National Geographic field guide is filled with color illustrations to identify more than 750 birds. Accompanying maps identify the range and habitat of each species. Text provides detailed physical descriptions of the male and female of each bird, both as a juvenile and an adult. The voice and call of each species is described as well.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America
edited by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer
QL 683 .W4 N38 2008

May 22, 2009

S.K.I.R.T.S. in the Boardroom

Attorney and entrepreneur Evans provides an accessible and motivational guide for women aspiring to leadership roles. Her chapters point out contrasts between male and female approaches to communication, networking, determination, and other leadership traits. Her writing is filled with personal anecdotes, memory aids, and recommendations on how to use the traits and qualities that women have naturally to their personal and professional advantage.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

S.K.I.R.T.S. in the Boardroom: A Woman's Guide to Success in Business & Life
Marshawn Evans
HD 6054.3 .E93 2009

Earth Architecture

This book provides a new perspective on the world's oldest and most widely used building materials--bricks made from mud. The book's brief introduction provides a little historical background on the use of bricks in building as well as laying the foundation for the environmentally conscious building practices that have become increasingly popular. The majority of the book provides examples from around the world of how bricks are integrated into modern, eco-sensitive buildings around the world. Using photographs extensively, this book shows how earth can be formed into a wide variety of shapes and integrated into buildings in many ways with results that span from rustic to ultra-modern.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Earth Architecture
Ronald Rael
TH 1412 .R34 2009

Wounded Warrior Handbook

For many military members and their families, coping with an injury can be overwhelming. This guide provides simple, straightforward information to help this military personnel and their families answer their questions, get the medical help, rehabilitation, and support that they need, and find the documents and forms that they need. The book also helps these individuals transition from the military to civilian life, finding jobs that match the soldier's skills and physical abilities, directing them to organizations that offer advocacy and legal assistance, and providing advice on long-term medical care and counseling. This is a clear, well organized reference packed full of valuable resources and references.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Wounded Warrior Handbook: A Resource Guide for Returning Veterans
Don Philpott and Janelle Hill
UB 363 .P55 2009

May 14, 2009

New Library Space Coming to Headquarters Location

HECSA Library is pleased to announce that it will be establishing a physical library space within the Headquarters building. Located on the 3rd floor, the library space will house a small collection of news materials and research books critical to the work being done by Headquarters personnel. It will also be a permanent customer service point for requesting and returning library materials, as well as asking for research assistance from the library's professional staff. The library also intends to conduct workshops and training sessions to assist people in using library resources more effectively.

Whole New Mind

Author Daniel Pink asserts that right-brained creative thinking will outshine logical and process-oriented thinkers as we move further into the 21st century. Drawing on research and observations from around the world, he states that creative, empathetic, and teaching skills are more often found among individuals who move ahead than those who do not. He identifies six skills that he believes are essential to the creative thinker: design, storytelling, symphony, emoathy, play, and meaning. "Portfolio" exercises at the end of each chapter guide readers through lessons that help them to develop these skills.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future
Daniel H. Pink
BF 408 .P49 2006

Handbook of Project-based Management

This book is a complete guide to managing projects in the 21st century. This third edition makes a major change in focus from previous editions, shifting from production and delivering on corporate objectives to managing projects that are intended to result in strategic change. To do this, chapters on leading people through change have been added to traditional topics of managing and measuring performance and project processes. Project governance is also emphasized here, ranging from ways to develop organizational capability to managing programs and portfolios within the organization. This book is a valuable addition to existing project management literature because of its focus on the softer and more personnel-intense aspects of change.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Handbook of Project-based Management: Leading Strategic Change in Organizations
3rd ed.
J. Rodney Turner
HD 69 .P75 T85 2009

May 13, 2009

Forecast

Since the beginning of the 19th century, the planet has warmed an average of 1.2 degrees, as is predicted to continue warming up to another 10 degrees. This climate change has caused tremendous disruption in habitats. Polar ice is melting causing polar bears to loose their hunting grounds or to drown because too much ice has melted. Deserts are disappearing and some plants in tropical areas are no longer able to thrive. However, formerly barren areas are beginning to become viable farmland. This book discusses the changes that have already occurred around the planet as a result of global warming, but also predicts further change and presents scenarios depicting what the next century may be like around the world.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Forecast: The Consequences of Climate Change, from the Amazon to the Arctic, from Darfur to Napa Valley
Stephan Faris
QC 981.8 .C5 F343 2009