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Showing posts from 2016

Give Yourself the Gift of A New Book

School's out!  (Unless you have Monday finals, and then in that case, I'm sorry. Your freedom is coming.) But don't flee the premises just yet, because new books are in . We have just the book to top off your TBR pile over winter break, so come browse our selection. Need a few suggestions to get you started? Check out the books below: Peek into other lives in these memoirs and confessionals: Lisa Kotin tells the story of sugar addiction in My Confection: Odyssey of a Sugar Addict . Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer brings caustic humor to everything from one night stands and introversion to stem cells and Hollywood in her bestselling essay collection The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo . Margo Jefferson discusses life among the black elite during some of the most revolutionary times of racial, sexual, and cultural change in the 20th and 21st centuries in Negroland . Ruth Wariner chronicles her upbringing in, and escape from, a polygamist family in The Sound of Gravel . And

Sweet Study Break

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It's finals week, and it's time to indulge your sweet tooth! Stop by the circulation desk Tuesday the 13th to Monday the 19th , where we'll be treating everyone -- students, faculty, and staff -- to free cookies and coffee. Good luck this week!

Countdown to Finals

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Now here are seven glorious words we've all been waiting to hear: it's (almost) the end of the semester! Classes end Monday, December 12, and finals week goes from Tuesday, December 13 through Monday, December 19. We know you're gearing up for exams (we see you, lurking in the back of the library past 9:30pm) and would like to offer a few reminders: The library is a popular place this time of year. Please keep in mind that your fellow students are as gut-churningly stressed out as you are, so please remember not to talk in the quiet areas, to keep your voice lowered in the group study rooms, and to take your in-person conversations up front.   Need some help with research? Fretting about those in-text citations? We can help! Our reference librarians are ready to help you with any research or citation questions you may have.   Need a laptop for next semester? Our G.O.A.L. program, in which eligible students can borrow a laptop for the entire spring 2017 semester, is stil

Fall 2016 One Book Contest and Raffle Winners

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The votes are in, and the winners of the Fall 2016 One Book raffle and multimedia contest have been chosen. They are: Multimedia Contest First place, Trevor Pietsch , winner of a free three-credit class. Listen to a recording of his song here . Second place, Arthur Wood , winner of a Kindle Fire © 2016 Arthur Wood Third place, Serena Meintzschel , winner of a $150 gift certificate to the bookstore © 2016 Serena Meintzschel Honorable mentions: Karen Siegrist, Kathleen Cuminsky, Erin Beers Congratulations, everyone! And wonderful work to everyone who entered. Raffle Alicia Anderson , winner of the raffle contest and a Kindle Fire! The One Book Program Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in this semester's events. Thanks so much for all your enthusiasm. We hope to see you again next year!

Give Thanks for New Books

November has been a long, exhausting ride from day one, and it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving -- and a five-day weekend, academically bestowed -- is next week. If you're looking for a good book to curl up with over the holiday (and/or need something to serve as a buffer between you and relatives you only see once a year for good reason), drop by to check out our selection of new books. Practice self-care through yoga. 2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses by Daniel Lacerda is a beautifully photographed collection that guides you through poses that range from easy to challenging, allowing you to practice and improve at your own pace. Writing a novel in a month? While you're probably still at that stage where the only thing that matters is getting the first draft down, come plot holes or bad dialogue, it never hurts to put Lucile Payne's 1969 book, The Lively Art of Writing , on your To Be Read list for December. While Payne's book isn't specifically tar

Dave Eggers vs. Reality Round Up

The fireworks flew on Wednesday, November 2, when our second One Book speaker, Waldo Jaquith, discussed The Circle and its approach to online privacy and transparency. His conclusion? Dave Eggers' dystopia is entertaining, but it's also one we don't need to fear. Covering everything from the reasons why people troll to the consequences of forced transparency to why you should never, ever read the comments, Jaquith's talk was fun and enlightening. Weren't able to make it? Interested in listening to the talk again? You can view the recording on PVCC's YouTube channel here . The One Book Program would like to extend a warm thank you to Mr. Jaquith for his talk!

Charge on the Go

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Is your phone dead? Your charger safely ensconced at home? Has every friend, acquaintance, and random stranger you've turned to for help turned up empty-handed? (Or handed you an Apple charger when you needed one for Android and assured you it would probably fit? Shun these people; they are not of this world.) There's good news: the library is here to help. We heard your mournful cries, and we now lend phone chargers! Don't worry - we have more than two We have chargers for both Android and Apple, all of which are in-library use only. All we need to check it out to you is a student ID. So whether you're in emergency mode or want to top off your battery while you study, we've got you covered.

Dave Eggers vs. Reality: A One Book Discussion

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Guess what, One Book readers: we have another speaker lined up! Join us in welcoming Waldo Jaquith (JAKE-with) -- technologist, thought follower, working dad, Champion for Change, former Rolling Stones roadie, and rescuer of Al Gore's life -- to the stage on Wednesday, November 2 at College Hour (noon) in the auditorium (M229). His topic is "Dave Eggers vs. Reality": "The Circle" paints a fun picture of a near-future transparency dystopia, but the reality of both government and technology is more convoluted and more interesting than Eggers knows. Learn why politicians "going transparent" would be incredibly boring, reveal nothing, and create a divided government that would accomplish nothing.   Jaquith is the writer behind cvillenews.com, a community news blog about Charlottesville, and is the director of U.S. Open Data. Read more of his work at waldo.jaquith.org.

Privacy and Anonymity Discussion Round Up

The One Book Program would like to extend a warm thank you to Professor Mike Ferero for his talk, Privacy and Anonymity in Internet Culture , on Wednesday, October 19. Professor Ferero examined the hothouse culture of Internet start ups, the assumption that anonymity leads to good behavior, transparency in non-Western cultures, and urged attendees to be proactive in knowing how the online services they use handle their privacy. Professor Ferero teaches a variety of information technology courses, from programming to system administration to network security. To see a video recording of Professor Ferero's talk on Panopto, please click here . And don't forget to join us for our next One Book speaker, Waldo Jaquith, on Wednesday, November 2nd! For more information, see the PVCC One Book Program page .

Anonymity vs. Honesty: A One Book Discussion

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Join us in welcoming PVCC's own Mike Ferero to the stage on Wednesday, October 19 at College Hour (noon) in the auditorium (M229), where he will discuss "Privacy and Anonymity in Internet Culture" for the One Book program. Ferero has worked as an instructor of information technology here at PVCC for twelve years and will be bringing the perspective of an engineer with extensive experience in Internet applications and computer security to the question of how online behavior is influenced by anonymity -- or the lack of it. Does transparency make us more honest? Find out on Wednesday. See you then!

One Book Contest: Don't Let the Circle Close

What would you do without Internet for a day? Don't just ask yourself the question -- experiment! For science! And for the chance to win some fantastic prizes. The One Book Program is holding its first contest of the semester, and we want to see your work. The rules are simple: go without Internet for 24 hours (except for course-related work -- no one needs to tempt the Blackboard gods to further malice) and tell us about it. Was it fun? Awful? Did it free you up to do other things? Fill you with existential angst? Did your Tumblr followers assume you were dead? Let us know. The theme is "breaking the circle," and how you interpret it is up to you. Best of all, you can express yourself through a variety of mediums. We accept the following: Acceptable Mediums Size Requirements/Limits Acceptable File Type Painting No larger than 20”x24” canvas/paper Original work Drawing No larger than 20”x24” paper Original work Essay 750 words, must include a ti

Get into a Long Term Relationship (with a Book)

Fall Break (October 10-11) -- two glorious days without classes -- is just around the corner, leaving you ample time to sleep in, study, pick up another shift at work, or relax with some pleasure reading. Going the pleasure reading route? (And as librarians and inveterate readers, we hope you do.) Interested in starting a series and need suggestions? Look no further than the list below. We've highlighted the first volumes of some of our most popular series from the Nook and Popular collections: Diana Gabaldon combines fact and fantasy in the Outlander series, an eight-books-and-counting historical romance that travels between the Scottish Highlands of the WWII and the 18th century. Start reading with Outlander and continue on through Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone , and Written in My Own Heart's Blood . George R. R. Martin plays havoc with standard high fantasy tropes in the currently five book

Beware the Book

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Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association September 25 to October 1 is Banned Books Week – seven days of celebrating our right to read books that have been challenged for reasons ranging from sex and offensive language (too many books to name) to the promotion of cannibalism ( Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein). Despite the popularity and longevity of cautionary tales like Fahrenheit 451 , book banning is still a reality, both nationwide and close to home: only earlier this month, the superintendent of Chesterfield County schools in Virginia reinstated three books that had been pulled from summer reading lists for sexually explicit language and violence. Deciding who can read what is an individual decision – according to Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors , an interpretation of the ALA's Library Bill of Rights , “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents – and only parents – have the right and the responsibility to res

Free Book (To Keep!) in the Library

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Source: Amazon.com If you haven't already picked up your free copy of PVCC's Fall 2016 One Book, The Circle by Dave Eggers, then drop by the library: we have plenty of copies available, and getting one is as easy as registering for your tracking implant -- I mean, as signing up to let us know who's taking on the challenge. Don't forget to pick up a bookmark for more information on speakers, contests, and other events later in the semester. So what's The Circle about? When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world’s most powerful internet company, she feels she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users’ personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency. As Mae tours the open-plan office spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who

Frustration Friday: How to Adjust the Volume on a Library PC without Knowing the Secret Password

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So your professor posts a video on Blackboard. You swing by the library to use a PC, log into your account, and click on the link. You plug in your headphones and go to adjust the volume -- but what's this? What does Windows mean, administrative password? "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC"? Windows is known for unnecessary changes and a user-unfriendly attitude, sure, but adjusting the volume shouldn't be this difficult. Where are you, A&P? Fortunately, it's an easy fix. You can take either one of two steps: 1) Unplug your headphones and plug them back in, or 2) Minimize your screen Either action will bring up a window that asks you to select the device you plugged in, like so: Select "Headphones" and click OK, and you're all set! Join us next week for another Frustration Friday, where we give you tips on how to take the frustration out of your library experience!

Information Nation: Stay Informed with New Books

It can be difficult to stay informed in a fast-paced world. Slow down and dig deeper into current events with one of the many new books available here at the library: Political commentator Phyllis Bennis tackles the complex issues surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, relations between the U.S. and the Middle East, ISIS, the Syrian War, and other global concerns in two primers, Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict and Understanding ISIS and the New Global War on Terror . In A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to ISIS , Robert F. Worth examines the aftermath of the Arab Spring five years on. Maajid Nawaz recounts the personal story of changing his political views in Radical: My Journey Out of Islamist Extremism and discusses Islam with with Sam Harris in Islam and the Future of Tolerance: A Dialogue . And in Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West , the late prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, makes a bold call for tolera

Engineers, Rejoice!

AccessEngineering , a comprehensive reference tool for engineers at every stage of their studies and careers, is now available on trial through the Jessup Library. Get access to up-to-date, full text books and articles on subjects ranging from bio to software, as well as instructional videos, graphs, and calculators. The database is organized by subject, industry, and title, making both research and browsing incredibly easy. We're trialing AccessEngineering until September 22, so be sure to take a look. Find it under the Database List on the library homepage. On-campus access is automatic. In order to access off-campus, sign in with: Username: pvcc Password: engineering Let us know if this database we should keep! Email Crystal Newell at cnewell@pvcc.edu with your feedback.

The Betty Sue Jessup Library Experience, 3.0

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It's the start of the semester, and here at the library, we have some big news. We've been busy over the summer, jettisoning bookshelves and defenestrating old computers (we wish), intent on creating a fresh experience for all our new and returning patrons. With the first week of classes nearly over and the library clear of construction tape, it's time to unveil Betty Sue Jessup Library 3.0: The alcove, long a popular spot to catch Zs between classes, has been renovated. It now includes comfortable seating -- to save you the pain of sitting on a footstool with only two working wheels -- and whiteboards for experimenting with your inner Picasso. Please remember that is an area for quiet study, so be sure to take your conversations up front. But should you need a nap, go ahead -- we won't tell! (We've been here all day too.) Keep an eye on the announcement TV to stay up-to-date on library happenings. No longer a glorified clock, the TV will keep you informed

New Books for Balmy Days

As June winds down, summer thunderstorms pick up, and you find yourself in the mood for a good book, drop by the library to check out the new additions to our collection. Here are some recommendations for what to read while sunbathing: Kate Bolick reclaims the term "spinster" and chronicles the ups and downs as life as a singleton in Spinster: Making a Life of One's Own . She examines the history of single women in America through the paradigm-shifting stories of five pioneering women, from poet Edna St. Vincent Millay to novelist Edith Wharton. In Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job , New York Times bestselling author Jonathan M. Acuff shows readers that, with the proper care and feeding, daydreams can become full-fledged careers. Creatives interested in turning their art into a living should check out Make Your Mark: The Creative's Guide to Building a Business with Impact by Jocelyn K. Glei. Interested in writing professionally? J

Your New Sunbathing Companion, aka New Books Are In

After a brief but chaotic winter, spring has (mostly) arrived, bringing with it daylight savings time and summer temperatures beloved of both human and insect populations. Kill some time in the sun (after you’ve slain a few stinkbug armies, or run screaming from the room) with a new book. If you’ve been waiting for the final installment of Ransom Riggs’ wonderfully chilling trilogy, Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, wait no more: Library of Souls is now on the shelf. If you’re just now discovering the series and would like to see what all the fuss is about before the movie hits theaters in late September, here’s your chance. Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children is full of secrets, hauntings, and creepy vintage photographs, and will linger beneath your skin for hours after you’ve finished reading. Begin your adventure with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City . Looking for more books that have been recently adapted for the big screen? Check out The 5th W

One Book 2016: We have a winner!

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Announcing PVCC's Fall 2016 One Book: The Circle , by Dave Eggers Publisher's description: When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world’s most powerful internet company, she feels she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users’ personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency. As Mae tours the open-plan office spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who spend nights at work, she is thrilled with the company’s modernity and activity. There are parties that last through the night, there are famous musicians playing on the lawn, there are athletic activities and clubs and brunches, and even an aquarium of rare fish retrieved from the Marianas Trench by the CEO. Mae can’t believe her luck, her great fortune to work for the most influential

New Databases Keep on Coming!

VIVA , our statewide library consortium, continues to purchase new databases that all PVCC students, faculty, and staff can now access both on and off-campus.  Check out these additions: Mergent Intellect  - This brand-new database provides extensive information on private  companies, both active and inactive. It also includes Whitepages Pro, which has residential contact information.   Mergent Investext Snapshot  - This database, also known as the Thomson Reuters Embargoed Research Collection, includes authoritative analyses of companies, industries, products, and markets that are written by analysts at investment banks and independent research firms. It can be found as a new tab within the  Mergent Online  platform. Oxford Journals  - We have added 16 new e-journals, which brings our collection to approximately 150 e-journals published by Oxford. Most are in the areas of political science, history, and medicine. Advanced Technologies & Aerospace Collection  - This new ful

What's that I hear? New books are here!

Welcome back to another season of the Spring Semester, episode 2016. All your favorite characters and plot twists are back, from waning post-holiday blues to the occasional blizzard. Best of all, there are new books here at the library, and we’ve got lots of recommendations for you. Looking for the next book in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles? We have all five: Cinder , Scarlet , Cress , Winter , and Fairest: Levana’s Story . If you enjoy new takes on old tales — everything from cyborg Cinderella to computer hacker Rapunzel — The Lunar Chronicles will be right up your alley. Neil Gaiman also explores fairy tales — and every other sort of wonder tale — in his latest collection of short fiction, Trigger Warning: Short Fiction and Disturbances . The anthology includes a “Nothing O'Clock,” written for the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who in 2013; “Black Dog,” a tale from the world of American Gods ; and “The Case of Death and Honey,” a spin on Sherlock Holmes. Still in the

New Database Trial

The VCCS is currently trialing a new database called PrepSTEP™. PrepSTEP™ is a dynamic online platform that can change the lives of students through academic success and preparation for today’s workplace. It is packed with powerful skill-building resources in English, math, and science—for use in self-directed study or as supplemental materials for developmental programs. Students can also build workplace skills, explore careers, prepare for occupational licensing exams, build basic computer skills, and more. On the website, each icon represents a separate center with valuable resources that include interactive tutorials, engaging practice tests, and downloadable eBooks. The trial account is now active and provides access to all of the platform's features. To begin using the site, please follow these steps: 1. Go to the trial site 2. Sign in with User Name: viva@learnx.com Password: password Email Crystal Newell at cnewell@pvcc.edu with any feedback.  T

Database Roundup!

The Jessup Library has access to several new databases this year! Some of these are accessible only to PVCC faculty, students, and staff; while others were purchased through VIVA , our statewide library consortium. Those are accessible to college students all across Virginia. Here's what's new: Statista - Looking for accurate statistics for a research project? Statista integrates data on over 80,000 topics from over 18,000 sources onto a single platform. Categorized into 21 market sectors, you can find quantitative data on media, business, finance, politics, and a wide variety of other areas. A really cool feature of this database is the ability to download the infographics and charts into a PowerPoint slide or Excel spreadsheet. Women and Social Movements International, 1840-present  - This digital archive contains a vast collection of primary source materials documenting the activism of women all over the world. You will find personal letters, diaries, memoirs, and