Jen Library Reference Department

2010 SCAD bookmark contest winners. Will your design be next?

How cool would it be to have thousands of people see your art every time they crack open their library books? While you enjoy using your shiny new, FREE art supplies? Intrigued? Then submit your entries for the 2nd annual SCAD Libraries Student Art Contest!

Design a Bookmark for SCAD Libraries
Deadline: March 27

The purpose of SCAD Libraries Student Art Contest is to provide a visible and professional venue for the talents of SCAD students while simultaneously promoting SCAD Libraries. This year, students are encouraged to submit designs for a full-color library bookmark, to be distributed at various campuses. Current SCAD undergraduate and graduate students in all locations and departments may participate. A panel of faculty and staff judges will determine the top three winners. Prizes are listed below:

* 1st place: Design is published in bookmark form; winner receives $100 (U.S. Dollars) gift card to an art supply store
* 2nd place: $75 (U.S. Dollars) gift card to an art supply store
* 3rd place: $50 (U.S. Dollars) gift card to an art supply store

Entry rules and procedures are posted on our library catalog homepage at http://library.scad.edu

Questions? Call 912-525-4700, email librarycontest(at)scad(dot)edu or Ask A Librarian.

CC image by Flickr user chrissam42

Would you like to understand what makes a “good” info source, boost your searching skills, go beyond Google and Wikipedia, or locate the best quality digital images? Then come to a library workshop this quarter! Most events are free and open – some online, some in person – just log in or show up.

Library-phobia: Don’t Fear! A Librarian is Here!

• Online:  Sunday, January 16^th @ 3pm / Thursday, January 20^th @ 8pm (for eLearners)
• http://scadconnect.scad.edu/libraryphobia/
• Does the thought of using the library make your palms sweat?  Has it been years since you’ve even been in a library?  Do you have any questions about libraries but are too embarrassed to ask?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this workshop is for you!  A librarian will give a brief overview of what a library has, what is can do for you and make you feel more comfortable using it.  Time will be allotted at the end for questions and answers.  No RSVP is necessary – just log in.  Log in as a “guest”, if you would like to be anonymous.

Research Survival 101

• Online:   Sunday, January 23^th @ 2pm / Monday, January 24^th @ 8pm
• At the River Club: first floor, Thursday, January 27^th @ 6pm
• 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! This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies for staying organized, focused, and creative with research assignments.  No RSVP is necessary – just log in.

Advanced Research Survival: Library Resources Beyond the Basics

• Online:   Sunday, January 23^rd @ 5pm / Tuesday, January 25^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! No RSVP is necessary – just log in.

Introduction to ARTstor and the SCAD Digital Image Database (registration required)

• Jen Library Room 108:  Thursday Jan. 20, 2:30-4:00pm / Wednesday Jan. 26, 12:-1:30pm
• The session will demonstrate the fundamentals of searching the online resources ARTstor and SCAD Digital Image Database, saving image collections, and creating class presentations using the ARTstor Offline Image Viewer. Participants will also learn how to have images added to the SCAD Digital Image Database to fill the needs of specific courses and student presentations. To register for this session or to make an appointment for individual training, e-mail the Visual Resources Center at vrc@scad.edu.

Workshops at the ACA Library of SCAD-Atlanta

• The Atlanta library is offering drop-in research sessions, finding images for fashion and research, and more! See the full list here.

CC image by Flickr user moriza

If you’re looking for a novel or book of poems, you will now find it on the 1st floor of the Jen Library. Classics, modern novels, short stories, poetry, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy – all kinds of literature – are located next to the graphic novels, plays and screenplays on the first floor, near the large video wall. Books in this area have gray tape on the spine. (Literary criticism, history and memoirs are still located on the 2nd floor.)

We hope this will make it easier to browse and find interesting fiction and poetry titles in our collection. And just as before, you can still take them home with you for the usual amount of checkout time.

CC image by Flickr User domesticat

You get back into town after a long holiday break, just before classes begin. Entering your apartment and setting down your bags, you look over and… there on the table is that stack of library books you thought were returned weeks ago! Whoops! What now?

There is no need to panic. See below for more information about overdue fines big and small, and how to avoid getting fined altogether. (Details are also posted at http://www.scad.edu/library – under circulation policies.)

Why does the library charge fines anyways?

• Fines encourage people to return borrowed materials to the library on time, so that others can use them too. Certain items – like ILL and reserve items – carry a higher overdue fine because they are in highest demand for use, or have a high value. It’s simple: renew or return your items on time to avoid getting fined!

How much does the library charge for each overdue item?

• .10 per day for circulating books ( books you can take home with you)
• $1.00 per hour for course reserve, permanent reserve, theses, and other items that are have a short checkout time, for in-library use only (these are the items kept behind the front desk).
• $5.00 per day for inter-library loan (ILL) books (loaned from non-SCAD libraries)

When do fines start to accrue?

• For circulating books, you have until the end of the due date to make returns without late penalties. For example, if my book due date is 1-5-2011, I can return it anytime that day and not get charged an overdue fine.
• Reserve, in-library use materials (2 to 4 hour checkout) must be returned BEFORE the time they are due. For example, the thesis I am checking out is due at 12:30pm today. If I return it at 1:00 I will be charged an overdue fine.

What about “billed” items?

• “Billed” means that an item is long overdue – for general circulating books this is about 31 days (and sooner for reserve materials and DVDs). You will receive several email reminders before items reach billed status.
• The library fine for billed items can be quite large because it combines overdue fines, PLUS the replacement value of the item itself.
• The good news? If you can return the billed items to the library, you ONLY have to pay the overdue fines. The replacement fine will be waived for any books returned that are undamaged.

How can I pay my fines?

• Bring your overdue items to the library front desk. We’ll check everything in, which will prevent you from accruing any more overdue fines.
• Payments can be made by cash, check, or SCAD Card (No credit cards!).
• If you think you are being charged for something that you returned, please speak with someone at the front desk, or call 912-525-4700. If the item can be located in the library, we will waive your overdue fine.

Simple tips for avoiding overdue fines:

• Pay attention to your SCAD email account. You will receive an email reminder a few days before your books are due, and several times again times AFTER the books are due. When you get a library email message, renew or return items as soon as you can.
• Renew your books online BEFORE they are due. Prevent a long trip to the library by going to http://library.scad.edu and clicking on “my account”. Renewing takes only one or two clicks, and you’re done! (Note: in-library use, ILL, overdue and on-hold items can’t be renewed online.)
• Don’t lend your checked-out library books to other people! If your roommate/ friend/ significant other doesn’t return the books on time then YOU get stuck with the fine. This happens all the time, and it sucks! Though it may seem mean, just tell them they need to check the books out on their own after you’ve finished.
• Make a final trip to the library at the end of the quarter. Once you’re done with your last research projects, check your apartment, studio space, car trunk, and anywhere else you might be hoarding library books. Round them up and bring them in. This will help you avoid ‘surprise fines’ if you are leaving town.

Finally, remember: paying a fine is not a big deal! Fines are just another fact of life – like paying rent, brushing your teeth, and changing the oil in your car. So bring in your books, settle up your fines, and soon you will be on your way to take care of more important things.

"Christmas In Savannah" - CC image by Flickr user charliereece

Happy holidays everyone! Don’t forget that Jen Library is operating on reduced hours over the break and especially through the end of December.

• 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. M – F
• Closed weekends
• Closed on these SCAD holidays: Friday, 12/24 and Friday, 12/31
• Back to usual hours on Wednesday, January 5 (First day of the quarter) Monday, January 3

Questions? Call our front desk at 912-525-4700

CC image by Patrick Hoesly

New online resource alert: SCAD Libraries have just acquired a subscription to Safari Books Online. This 100% digital collection contains more than 5,700 eBooks and 1000+ videos focusing on the how-tos of:

• application development
• web design
• graphic design
• illustration and graphics
• animation
• audio and video production
• digital photography
• or, browse manuals for hundreds of products

The Safari collection is also a great place to look for information on math and science, engineering, and business and career topics.

Best of all, it is totally FREE to SCAD users – simply head to our databases list, find Safari Books Collection, click to enter (SCAD login required), and enjoy!

So while you’re on break, why not:

• redesign your website
• fix that cool lamp you found at the thrift store
• make your WordPress blog way more awesome
• try underwater photography
• take an animation ‘master class’
• sew electronic fashions
• ‘hack’ your kitchen

CC image by iboy_daniel at Flickr.com

Did you know about the new bus route between the Jen Library and Arnold Hall? The Pink Line (aka “The Success Express”) opened for service at the beginning of the quarter, to better serve those of you in English, Speech and Art History classes. It’s a quick and easy way to get to the library to work on those all-important research assignments, without having to feed the downtown parking meters.

The Pink Line runs approximately every 15 minutes from 8am – 6:45pm, Monday through Thursday. The full schedule (PDF) is on SCAD’s transportation website (MySCAD login required).

Jen Library is opening its doors again for our second-ever open house. This is your chance to get inspired by the Library’s extensive collections in a hands-on, interactive setting. Students, staff and faculty had a blast checking out all of our Sequential Arts collections last spring. This time the focus is on Building Arts and we have even more awesome stuff to show you!

Join us Wednesday, September 29, from 3 – 7 pm to view, explore and learn more about…

• Building Arts and Interior Design periodicals and related publications
• Architectural drawings of the Central GA Railway buildings
• Other historic images and publications from library Special Collections
• Digital image database demonstrations
• Award winning graduate theses

Plus, play trivia, win prizes and make suggestions to help the library’s collection grow. (BONUS: get your FYE passport stamped by the library, Writers Studio and Learning Resource Hive!) Everyone is welcome to attend this free and open event. See you there!

View/ download event flier (PDF)

DIY remakes of the hugely successful Old Spice “Questions” ad campaign are cropping up all over the Web, including a couple of library-themed ‘re-mixes’. Jen Staff have gotten a few laughs from these, but what do you think — are these worth sharing or just too silly? What well-known ad would you use to ‘sell’ library research?

(Click images to view the videos)

CC image by Flickr user Jurvetson

The Library Reference Department will host some sweet online workshops over the next few weeks. Students can log in to these free workshops from almost anywhere – simply point your browser to the URLs below at the appointed times. Whether you’d like to get a grip on managing your time, learn just what the *heck* a database IS, exactly, or master the power of Google Scholar, we have a workshop for you:

Time Management: Researching at the Library (online)
Sunday, June 27th @ 4pm / Monday, June 28th @ 3pm

Do you have a big research paper coming up? Did you promise yourself you wouldn’t procrastinate this quarter? Are you tired of all-nighters? Attend this workshop and learn how to manage your time to reduce stress, save time and improve your grades!

http://scadconnect.scad.edu/timesummer10/

Research Survival 101 (online)
Sunday, July 11th @ 1pm / Monday, July 12th @ 8pm

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! This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies for staying organized, focused, and creative with research assignments. Come ready to share ideas and any questions you might have.

http://scadconnect.scad.edu/researchsurvival101/

Advanced Research Survival – Library Resources Beyond the Basics (online)
Sunday, July 18th @ 3pm / Monday, July 19th @ 8pm

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!

http://scadconnect.scad.edu/adv_researchsurvival/

Questions? Contact the reference department at ref(at)scad(dot)edu