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 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.

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 Reeding Lessons

Now that the Fall Quarter is halfway through, many of you are knee-deep in writing research papers. With all of the work that goes into research – from choosing a topic, finding and reading sources, and synthesizing your argument – it can be easy to overlook writing accurate citations. However, citing your sources (whether they are print, online, text, or image) is an essential part of this process.

Thankfully, there are some excellent resources out there to guide you in creating citations. Formatting in-text citations, reference lists, and bibliographies is not as difficult as it seems!

Citation how-to’s and tips:

• SCAD’s very own Writer’s Studio (formerly known as the Writing Center) has some excellent online handouts on creating citations in MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, as well as citing images. MySCAD login is required.
• You can also schedule a one-on-one writing consultation at the Writer’s Studio– contact them to learn more.
• I am a big fan of the OWL at Purdue website, which offers pointers on using the 2009 updated edition of MLA formatting, as well as in-depth explanations of several other citation styles.

Automatic citation generators:

• Several of SCAD’s databases, such as Art Full Text, Wilson OmniFile, and CQ Researcher have their own built-in citation generators. When viewing an article or abstract, look for a “cite” link that will give you a sample citation for that source.
• The instructify blog recently listed top 5 citation applications on the Web, including several generators.

Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t completely trust citation generators. Humans are smarter than robots, and not every research source falls into the precise citation-creation formula that the ‘bots use. It’s a good idea to double check any automatically generated citations against the most current manual. Lucky for you, we have all of the latest editions at SCAD Libraries!

• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (2009 / 7th edition)
• MLA Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2008 / 3rd edition)
• The Chicago Manual of Style (2003 / 15th edition)
• A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago / Turabian Style; 2007 / 7th edition)
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001 / 5th edition)

Happy citing!

Who's your favorite reading partner?

It’s the first week of the quarter. You’re finding your way around campus, settling into your classes, and becoming familiar with all of the places and people you need to get on with your daily life. It’s exciting, but overwhelming – it seems like a lot to keep track of.

Class readings are an important mark on the big to-do list. Many of you are starting to come into the Library to look for assigned texts. Here’s the rundown of some of the basic book-finding skills that will serve you well in the months (and years) to come.

http://library.scad.edu/ – the Library Catalog

• Your best buddy for looking up books
• Access it anywhere you’re online
• Simply type in the name of an author and/or title to see what is available.

When you find your book, jot down the call number and keep it handy. Also look for the location of the book. These include:

• The campuses – Jen (Savannah), Atlanta, and Lacoste
• Reference – use in library only. In the Jen library, these are on the first floor.
• Reserve – use in library only. Provide the call number and title to circulation desk staff

A note on the book’s status:

• Available = on the shelf and ready to check out
• Checked out & due date = someone else has it
• Use the request button to become next in line to read a checked out book, once it is returned
• You can also use ‘request’ to send a book from Atlanta to Savannah, and vice versa

Other handy information:

To learn more about book checkout and loan periods visit our policies page

Not sure where in Jen to find it? Take a look at our library floor plans

And you can always ask us to learn more!