Ralph W. Steen Library

Please stop by the Steen Library's exhibit for Black History Month in the lobby next to the Makerspace. You can check out any of the books on display, as well as put together the jigsaw puzzles. Please ask us if you have any questions or if you'd like to find more resources!

Public Domain Day 2026

On January 1, many books that were published and copyrighted in 1930 (as well as sound recordings that were published in 1925) entered the public domain, which the Duke University Law Center defines as "the realm of material — ideas, images, sounds, discoveries, facts, texts — that is unprotected by intellectual property rights and free for all to use or build upon. It includes our collective cultural and scientific heritage, and the raw materials for future expression, research, democratic dialogue and education."

Noteworthy titles that entered the public domain include novels and poetry; mysteries (such as Agatha Christie's "Murder at the Vicarage"); and young adult & children's books (such as Nancy Drew). The songs, comics, cartoons, and films that entered the public domain include "I Got Rhythm" (George & Ira Gershwin); "Animal Crackers" (The Marx Brothers); Betty Boop; and Blondie and Dagwood.

More information about these titles, as well as the nature of public domain, is available at Duke University's Center for the Studies of Public Domain:

https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2026/

Readers can also access the texts of public domain titles through Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/

Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg is a library of free eBooks.

The Steen Library is celebrating Banned Books Week October 6-10.

Please stop by the display in the lobby next to the makerspace. We have placed several books that were banned/challenged in the past in the display, including: (1) Bless Me, Ultima; (2) The Chocolate War; (3) Fallen Angels; (4) Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic; (5) A Stolen Life: A Memoir; (6) Th1rteen R3asons Why; (7) What My Mother Doesn't Know; and (8) The Witch of Blackbird Pond.

Patrons may check out any of these books at the Library Services Desk or the Self-Checkout kiosk.

We will also be placing some jigsaw puzzles at the display, and we challenge you to put them together! If they're finished, please feel free to start them over.

We also encourage everyone to learn more about Banned Books Week (https://bannedbooksweek.org/).

The Steen Library is celebrating Constitution Day, which observes the signing of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. An exhibit is available in the lobby next to the Makerspace.

Patrons are welcome to pick up a free pocket guide to the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence (while supplies last).

More information about the U.S. Constitution is available from the National Archives web site: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution

To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, the Steen Library is giving away free copies of "Hispanic Texans: Journey from Empire to Democracy: A Guide for Heritage Travelers."

The guide, published by the Texas Historical Commission, is available in the lobby (next to The Makerspace). Pick up a copy and plan your next road trip!

You can also download a digital copy from the THC web site:

https://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/publications/hispanic-heritage-travel-guide-2021.pdf

The Steen Library is celebrating National Poetry Month! Please check out the display on the first floor next to the Makerspace. We encourage you to create your own poems with the word magnets and the "Haikubes." You can play other word games such as Banagrams, Pictionary and Scrabble. Please bring the games back to the table when you have finished. Enjoy!

Feeling overwhelmed? Relax with a good cookbook! Check out the exhibit of new cookbooks that the library has added to the collection. The exhibit is located in the lobby next to the Makerspace. You can check out any of these titles at the Library Services Desk.

Please check out the book exhibit at the Ralph W. Steen Library to celebrate Black History Month. The exhibit is located in the atrium/lobby area next to the Makerspace.

You may check out any of the books on display by taking to the Library Services Desk (which is just around the corner). If you have questions about finding books or other resources, please contact us by clicking on the link for Ask-a-Librarian:

https://sfasu.libanswers.com/widget_standalone.php?la_widget_id=9548

We also have free copies of the Texas Historical Commission's "African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy" next to the display.

Copies of "African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy" are going fast. You can download a digital copy of the brochure from the Texas Historical Commission's website: https://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/African-Americans-in-Texas-2021.pdf

This week, the Steen Library is observing Banned Books Week (yes, we’re a week late, but better late than never!). Please stop by the exhibit in the lobby that will feature 8-10 banned/challenged books each day. You can browse the books or check them out.

Monday’s titles include: Narsareen’s Secret School; A Day No Pigs Would Die; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Crazy Lady!; The Face on the Milk Carton; and Fat Kid Rules the World.

More information is available from the American Library Association (https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned) or from the Banned Books Week web site (https://bannedbooksweek.org/).

Please stop by the Steen Library’s Constitution Day exhibit in the lobby, which celebrates the approval of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. We are giving away free pocket guides to the Constitution and other items (while supplies last). If you cannot stop by the exhibit, you can also view the Steen Library’s Resource Guide on the U.S. Constitution at: https://sfasu.libguides.com/c.php?g=1416563

New books available! Check out these books available to all students, staff, and faculty. Thank you Nacogdoches Public Library for these titles.

Extended Hours!

Here are the extended hours for Sunday, Dec. 3rd - Friday, Dec. 15th for Pre-Finals and Finals Week. Good luck to everyone!