Image Research Basics – 16 min. – Brief introduction on why and how to access high quality art images via ArtSTOR and the Digial Image Database

The C.R.A.A.P. Test – 39 min. – Learn to evaluate the quality of any book, article or website with this handy test

Word Up! Keyword Search Savvy – 29 min. – Discusses how to improve search results by using keywords effectively

Searching Beyond SCAD’s Libraries – 30 min – Use Worldcat, Google Books, Google Scholar and ILL to expand your research beyond the SCAD Libraries collection

RSVP not needed – just sign in at http://scadconnect.scad.edu/libraryworkshops
Image Research Basics
Sunday, 9/25, 6:00pm EST
Are you sick of pixilated, poor quality images with inaccurate information? We will address why you would want to use SCAD’s image resources over other, less scholarly sources. We will then take a look at the features of both ARTstor and SCAD’s Digital Image Database and demonstrate how to navigate these image databases. This workshop is an introduction for SCAD researchers of all levels.

The CRAAP Test
Monday, 9/26, 4:00pm EST
Is your research resource C.R.A.A.P.? In this workshop you will learn 5 ways to evaluate any website, book or journal that you want to use as reference for your project to see if it’ll make you a star, or way below par! Appropriate for all research levels – best for those new to college research.

Word Up! Keyword Search Savvy
Tuesday, 9/27, 8:00pm EST
Sick of sifting through 1000’s of results every time you search? Feel like you’re using the “wrong” words? This session will present strategies for creating effective keyword search strings to help you find the best information sources without all the filler. Appropriate for all research levels – some knowledge of library databases is helpful but not required.

Searching Beyond SCAD’s Libraries
Tuesday, 9/27, 8:30pm EST
There’s a world of information out there – learn to navigate the info-verse with Worldcat, Google Books and Google Scholar. This workshop discusses when and how to broaden your research, including finding materials in other libraries and using Inter-Library Loan. Recommended for those working on advanced research projects, such as theses, as well as SCAD eLearners with any level of research experience.

What’s different? Previously, due to a space crunch the Library was only able to store the most recent 4 years’ worth of printed theses behind the desk. Anything older than that was kept upstairs in the Special Collections department.

Summer cleaning behind the service desk  has made this move possible. We’re excited about it because this popular collection is now accessible anytime the library building is open – including weekends and late nights. Theses published from 1992 – 2001 are still available in the Special Collections department, which is open Monday – Friday.

Theses published from fall 2010 onwards are accessible anywhere, 24/7 online in our Graduate Theses Digital Collection.

The same circulation rules apply to all printed theses: they may be checked out for two hours at a time (renewable) and used in the library only.

Big news! SCAD Libraries’ catalog is undergoing major changes and can be previewed now! Our goal in the redesign is to provide more information about services at all Library locations, and make our resources easier to find for everyone. The overall look is much more consistent with the rest of SCAD’s website, as well.

But, we’re not done until we hear what you think! To view the beta site and submit feedback:

1. Go to http://library.scad.edu
2. Click “Catalog Beta” to be taken to the new catalog and user feedback site
3. Try some of the tasks listed on the Beta page or do your own searches
4. Give us your feedback by taking the anonymous New Website Survey.

We will collect feedback through August. The new website will launch just prior to the fall quarter in September.

Join us for Jen Library’s bi-annual Open House! Get up close and personal with library collections relating to…

• film and television
• animation
• dramatic writing
• performing arts
• interactive design and game development
• motion media
• performing arts
• production design
• sound design
• visual effects
• equestrian studies.

Magazines, books, theses, digital images, DVDs and rare and unique materials (such as original Don Bluth studio animation and video game drawings, paintings and cels) will all be on display. We hope you discover something new, exciting, and inspiring!

Plus, take the trivia challenge, and you could win a FREE pizza party at Mellow Mushroom!

It’s all taking place at Jen Library, 3:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 20. 210 E Broughton Street, Savannah – across from the Trustees theater.

CC image by Flickr user statelyenglishmanor

Whether you are new to college research, or need a refresher and skills boost, there is a Library workshop for you. Two workshops take place this week, each with two time options for your convenience. No need to RSVP, just choose a time and log in.

Research Survival 101

• Online:   Sunday, April 17^th @ 2pm / Monday, April 18^th @ 8pm
• http://scadconnect.scad.edu/researchsurvival101/
• Does writing research papers feel like an impossible task? Are you full of great ideas, but not sure how to get them down on paper? Do trustworthy, professor-approved sources seem to elude you? If you answered YES to any of the above questions, attend Research Survival 101 online! Intended for those who are new to college-level research, this interactive workshop will provide practical strategies for staying organized, focused, and creative with research assignments. Come ready to share ideas and questions.

Advanced Research Survival

• Online:  Sunday, April 17^th @ 5pm / Tuesday, April 19^th @ 8pm
• http://scadconnect.scad.edu/adv_researchsurvival/
• You’re a research survivor – now take your skills to the next level. This interactive online workshop is intended for anyone who is already familiar with the SCAD library catalog and databases, but wants to go beyond the basic resources. We will discuss practical tips such as constructing advanced keyword strings, “hacking” Google to discover interesting library resources, obtaining items from non-SCAD libraries, and more. Ideal for those writing senior and graduate theses, and anyone who wants to improve their searching overall.

The 2011 Contest Winners

Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 2011 SCAD Libraries Student Art Contest. More than 60 bookmark designs were submitted overall.  All three winning designs were chosen for their visual excellence and for communicating the value of SCAD Libraries in unique and appealing ways.

• Heajung Kim (senior, Savannah, Illustration) is our first place winner. Watch for her design on our printed bookmarks soon. Heajung also received a $100 gift certificate to Primary Art Supply.
• Grace Washko (freshman, Savannah, Illustration) is our second place winner. Grace received a $75 gift certificate to Primary Art Supply.
• Tatiana Dengo (senior, Savannah, Illustration) is our third place winner. Tatiana received a $50 gift certificate to Primary Art Supply.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. Watch for it again next spring!

The Little Blue Whale - Color Key, Storyboard 16B - via the Don Bluth Collection of Animation

Great news! SCAD Libraries have just launched several new digital collections. These are materials residing in SCAD Libraries that have been digitized so that they may be accessed online, anywhere, 24/7. New materials will be added to the collections on an ongoing basis. These include…

Graduate Theses. SCAD Graduate Theses from Fall 2010 forward are now available digitally, rather than in printed form. PDFs and files of additional multi-media content are available to view. (Past, printed theses are not added to this collection.)

Don Bluth Collection of Animation. View SCAD’s collection of Don Bluth animation and related materials  – it includes selections from various animated features, concepts, and video games.

Images of Savannah. Images of historic Savannah as depicted in stereographs, postcards, slides, and other materials; categories include Aerial Views, Churches, Downtown Buildings, Hotels, and Schools.

Click the links above to view the collections. For more information, see the recent blog post by SCAD Libraries’ Special Collections Department.

CC Image by Nate Stiener on Flickr

If you will be in Atlanta at the end of the month, check out this super-cool event, organized in part by the SCAD-Atlanta Library:

SCAD Atlanta’s 4th Annual Artist’s Book Symposium

Join scholars, artists, and students at SCAD Atlanta for a symposium devoted to the study of artists’ books March 31st and April 1st,  2011.

Thursday March 31st:

• 6pm    Reception
• 6:30pm Artist’s talk by German artist Anton Würth – http://www.antonwuerth.de/

Friday April 1st:

• 3:30pm: Reception
• 4pm: Panel discussion: Business Strategies of Professional Artists with Carolee Campbell, Anton Würth, and Brian Dettmer
• 5pm: Juror Brian Dettmer Announces Student Artist’s Book Competition Awards
• 5:30pm: Artist’s Process Talk by Brian Dettmer – http://briandettmer.com/
• 6pm: Carolee Campbell: Ninja Press: 25 Years & Counting – http://www.ninjapressbooks.com/history.html

The symposium is free and open to the public; for information email mmurphy(at)scad(dot)edu

All events take place in Trois Gallery on the 4th floor in the ACA Library of SCAD Atlanta. (Check out their blog for additional interesting library news.)

ACA Library of SCAD
SCAD Atlanta
1600 Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30309