Library Services

Library Services

Your New Year’s Resolutions: How the Library Can Help

Your New Year’s Resolutions: How the Library Can Help

The ball has dropped, kisses exchanged, and confetti thrown: 2012 is finally here. I’m always curious to see how people want to improve their lives in the new year. At the top of my list is becoming better at soccer. While the library sadly can’t transform me into an athlete, here are several ways that we can help you achieve your resolutions.  1. Find a job or internship.  From Craigslist to LinkedIn, it seems like there are a billion job sites out there. Where do you even begin? Well, check out our LibGuide first! We’ve compiled resources on everything from scouring job listings to crafting the perfect resume. If you’re not sure what you can do with your major, don’t … Continued
Last Minute Research

Last Minute Research

This time of year, with everything we have to do, a lot seems to get pushed to the last minute.  Last minute shopping, last minute decorating, last minute cooking, last minute cleaning… and last minute research.  We’ve all been there.  A big assignment, and it’s coming due… but we haven’t had time to do the research yet. It isn’t an ideal situation.  And just like last minute shoppers have to deal with picked-over stores, your options will be a bit more limited.  But fear not – you can still do great research and turn in a great project. Obviously, if your assignment is due tomorrow, using Interlibrary Loan won’t help.  So you’re limited to resources available right now.  But there’s … Continued
Intentional Spaces

Intentional Spaces

This year, while attending the annual American Library Association conference, graduate intern Sarah Gilchrist presented on “The Library Living Room: Creating Learning Relationships” (you can see her poster behind her in the picture).  Thousands of librarians from all over the country attend the ALA annual conference, and Sarah’s presentation gave us a chance to share with others the success of that unique learning environment, even as she learned about their new ideas.   The Library Living Room is a great space, and an excellent study or hang-out area for students (when classes aren’t running there!).  But it is just one of many intentional spaces in the library.  We’ve changed a lot of rooms in the library to better suit student … Continued
Oriented for Success

Oriented for Success

Nice to meet you!  Library staff is always happy to participate in the campus-wide orientations for new students. This year, our information table features a bean bag toss game to enhance students’ awareness of library resources and services. For example, do you know the names of our main e-book vendors?  How about what a Libguide is?  And perhaps most importantly, how can you ask us a question?  (If you’re stumped, check the answers at the bottom!) The freebies we give students — book bag, campus map, and bookmarks – are simple reminders to stop by in person or contact us virtually for any and all academic assistance. We don’t know all the answers…but we sure do know how to help … Continued
New Software in the Library

New Software in the Library

If you’re a regular to the library, you know about our study rooms — a great place to watch a video or work on a group project.  And now there are even more possibilities. Room 145 has been equipped with the Dragon Naturally Speaking software, a speech-recognition tool, courtesy of our friends in Student Support Services.  If typing a paper is difficult or uncomfortable for you, Dragon can ease the problem.  You speak into the program naturally, and it figures out word spacing and the commands you give it, translating them into text.  The program has a brief setup phase where it acclimates itself to your unique voice – and that profile grows and strengthens as you continue to use … Continued