Summer is here!

Before summer classes begin, take a few moments to peruse our newest additions to the collection. Here are a few stunners.

Do you really know how technology affects your life? Maybe not...
I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy by Lori B. Andrews
The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything by Michael Saylor

And definitely check out Maya Angelou's new book, Mom & Me & Mom.

The stories behind the fashion can be as intriguing as the catwalk.
Balenciaga: Cristobal Balenciaga Museoa by Pierre Arizzoli-Clementel
House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder and Survival by Deborah Ball
The Master of Us All: Balenciaga, His Workrooms, His World by Mary Blume
Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style by Susan Brown
Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture by Simon Castets
Fashion, 150 Years: Couturiers, Designers, Labels by Charlotte Seeling
Christian Dior: The Biography by Marie France Pochna
What People Wore When: A Complete Illustrated History of Costume from Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century for Every Level of Society by Melissa Leventon

Looking for less academic diversions, try:
Life after Life: A Novel by Kate Atkinson
The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family and Ducks Created a Dynasty by Willie Robertston
Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan (of Waiting to Exhale fame)

It's okay to be wrong; sometimes it can be helpful according to Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error by Kathryn Schulz.

Do you know why we say "thank you" or shake hands? No? Then try An Uncommon History of Common Courtesy: How Manners Shaped the World by Bethanne Kelly Patrick.

For the history lover--
Libya: The Rise and Fall of Qaddafi by Alison Pargeter
Napalm: An American Biography by Robert M. Neer
A People's History of Baseball by Mitchell Nathanson

Being vegan has never been so popular. Take a look at Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz.

I could go on and on, like usual, but instead, try the catalog for additional reads or take a look at the new books list. Have a great summer!

Library hours

The library will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning May 9. Summer hours will begin on Monday, May 20. We will also close at 4:30 on Friday, May 10 for graduation.

If we don't see you beforehand, have a great break!

Group Study Rooms

Please be considerate of others in the coming week when signing up for a group study room and limit yourself to one three-hour block, no more. And remember, the demand far exceeds the number of rooms available, so plan ahead.

If you sign up for more than three hours, we will correct this in the sign-up binder and allow you to sign up for the first three hours you requested. We will be enforcing this, so be aware.

Also, don't forget, that you forfeit a room if you do not show up after 20 minutes. Individuals may use the rooms if they are not already taken, but do not need to sign up.

Please work together to create an environment conducive to quiet and collaborative study. We appreciate your help!

Jonathan Coleman

Local author and journalist, Jonathan Coleman, will be discussing his book, West by West: My Charmed and Tormented Life. Please join the PVCC Creative Writing Club and the PVCC Book Club on Wednesday, April 17^th, at 12:15 p.m., North Mall Meeting Room, Main Building, for a lively discussion of his book.

Coleman is an author, CBS producer/correspondent, editor, and University of Virginia teacher of non-fiction writing. As a journalist, he wrote for The New York Times, Newsweek, Washington, Post, Chicago Tribune, Sports Illustrated, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and The Texas Observer.

STEM-H ebooks now available

The library is pleased to announce the acquisition of two new ebook collections from Springer (a well-known and respected global scientific publisher) and Elsevier (a leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services). Both of these collections were generously funded by the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) and support the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health (STEM-H).

The Springer collection consists of four subject areas--behavioral science, biomedical and life science, computer science, and earth and environmental science--and will provide access to over 2,000 newly-published frontlist titles.

Elsevier's SciVerse ScienceDirect ebook collection offers approximately 700 books published (or soon-to-be published) in 2013. This collection consists of titles appropriate for a variety of science, technology and health courses.

Both of these collections are accessible via the catalog, as well as directly through the vendor's platform. Links are available below.

If you have questions about these great resources such as how to link to them in Blackboard or how to search, please let us know. You may call 434.961.5308 or email reference@pvcc.edu. We would be glad to help in any way possible.

Elsevier SciVerse ScienceDirect

Springer eBook Collection

Do some reading over spring break!

Before you leave for spring break, stock up on some great new reads! If you're working on your papers and doing some catch-up, remember we'll be open next week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The whole College will be closed on Friday, March 15.

Here are a few of our suggestions before you go:

Are you a foodie and a history buff, then try Douglas Neel's The Food and Feasts of Jesus: Inside the World of First-Century Food, with Menus and Recipes.

Speaking of history...there's nothing more interesting, at least to me, than books on the Tudors. Here are a couple on Elizabeth that might be of interest: The Watchers: A Secret History of the Reign of Elizabeth I by Stephen Alford and Heretic Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and the Wars of Religion by Susan Ronald. 

Calling all dancers! Take a look at The Meaning of Tango: the Story of Argentinian Dance by Christine Denniston and Tango: the Art History of Love by Robert Farris Thompson.

Ever wondered why is Apple so successful? Take a look at Inside Apple: How America's Most Admired and Secretive Company Really Works by Adam Lashinsky or Carmine Gallo's The Apple Experience: the Secrets of Delivering Insanely Great Customer Service.

Facebook and Google are so prevalent in our everyday lives, so if you're interested in finding out more, then take a look at The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World by David Kirkpatrick or In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works and Shapes Our Lives by Steven Levy.

Here's a new take on our formative history, Founding Finance: How Debt, Speculation, Foreclosures, Protests and Crackdowns Made Us a Nation by William Hogeland.

Are you not quite ready to take on the responsibilities of adulthood? That's a good thing according to Richard A. Settersten's Not Quite Adults: Why 20-somethings Are Choosing a Slower Path to Adulthood, and Why It's Good for Everyone.

Are you a budding artist? Then Brainard Carey's New Markets for Artists: How to Sell, Fund Projects, and Exhibit Using Social Media, DIY Pop-ups, eBay, Kickstarter, and Much More might be just what you need.

For anyone in the midst of writing a paper, check out The Big Ten of Grammar: Identifying and Fixing the Ten Most Frequent Grammatical Errors by William B. Bradshaw and Editing Made Easy: Simple Rules for Effective Writing by Bruce Kaplan.

I'm going to stop now, but I could go on and on. All these new books get me excited! If you want more, take a look at our new books list or search in the catalog. Have a great spring break!