Jen Library Reference Department

Recordings from our fall quarter workshops are now available! Use the links below to access them.

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

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.

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).

CC image by Rainer Ebert

The Library (& friends) are offering lots of great workshops this quarter! Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, or teaching faculty, we have something for you:

Research Survival 101

Sunday, January 24 / 5:00 – 7:00 p.m./ O-House Ballroom
For all current SCAD students

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, come to Research Survival 101! This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies for staying organized, focused, and creative with research assignments. Come ready to share ideas and actively participate to solve your biggest research and writing dilemmas. No RSVP is necessary and food and drinks are provided! Presented by SCAD’s Jen Library and The Writers Studio.

Image Databases at SCAD

Thursday, January 28 OR Friday, January 29 / both 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. / Jen Library Room 108
For all SCAD faculty, staff and students

The Visual Resources Center (VRC) offers these workshops to highlight the digital image resources that are available to the SCAD community. Learn the fundamentals of using ARTstor to find and save images, download and organize images from the SCAD Digital Image Database (DID), and then incorporate these images into class presentations using the ARTstor Offline Image Viewer (OIV). Participants will also learn how to have images added to the SCAD DID to fill the needs of specific courses and student presentations.

Seating is limited so please email vrc@scad.edu, or call 525-4726 to reserve a spot. The VRC also offers individual training by appointment for those unable to make it to the workshops.

Copyright Concerns, Copyright Solutions Faculty Workshop

Friday, January 29 / 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. / Arnold Hall, #108
For SCAD Faculty

Join us for a discussion about copyright issues relating to the library at SCAD. Library representatives will be present to answer questions and provide solutions to the challenges facing copyright and fair use in the library environment. In order to better focus on the SCAD community’s unique copyright and fair use issues, we are asking for questions in advance of this event. Please email your library specific questions to: htatom (at) scad (dot) edu. Please slo RSVP to this address if you plan to attend. Co-sponsored by Jen Library and Innovative Teaching and Learning.

**And don’t forget that SCAD’s Writers Studio and Learning Resource Hive offer great workshops as well!**

CC image by UBC Library Graphics

Did you know that fellow SCAD students are ready and waiting to help with your classes and assignments? SCAD Peer Tutors are upper-level students who have deep knowledge of their discipline, and of course know all the ins and outs of SCAD student life. Whether you need to master a complicated Visual Effects program, boost your design know-how, re-work a drawing, or write a research paper, they can help! And they work all across campus – in fact, there is probably a tutor in one of the buildings you visit regularly.

To view tutor profiles, learn about the program, and schedule an appointment:

• login to MySCAD (in a new tab)
• then return to this page and click here to enter the Peer Tutoring website.

Matt Fisher is one such tutor whose office is located in Jen Library, room 218 (2nd floor). His specialty is Reading Comprehension. Matt graduated with honors with a B.A. in English and Education, and is now pursuing the M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing at SCAD. Matt kindly answered a few questions about what he does. Read on…

Jen Library: What does ‘reading comprehension’ mean exactly, and why is it an important skill to have?

Matt: Reading comprehension entails the skills necessary to read effectively and understand what’s being said. Even if you’re a strong reader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of simply “looking at the words,” while thinking of something else. By developing skills in reading comprehension, you will cut down the time you spend on assigned readings, and have a better understanding of the content.

As Reading Comprehension tutor, it sounds like you can assist with a range of academic needs. What are some of the services that you provide to SCAD students (especially with finals)?

As finals approach, the concerns of heavy readings are compounded by research paper deadlines. If you need help learning and implementing editing techniques for your essays, or developing skills that will lighten the burden of assigned readings, consider setting up an appointment via MySCAD under reading comprehension.

What inspired you to become a Peer Tutor?

Before coming to SCAD, I had the chance to teach reading for several weeks in 7th grade and 12th. I love helping people in any facet of life, but pedagogy has proven itself to be one of the ways I can best do so.

Any other things you’d like to share?

This is a laid-back environment. We will take a look at whatever problems you have, and I will do my best to assist you. It’s a free service, so there’s nothing to lose.

Thanks Matt! Again, please visit the Peer Tutoring page on MySCAD to learn more and make an appointment.