Back by popular demand!

You asked, and we heard you.

The very popular puzzle has returned to the Library. Find the puzzle opposite the Circulation Desk near the front doors.

So take a study break, take a rest, help finish the puzzle. And check back often, new puzzles are coming soon!

Spring 2010

Welcome back to Spring Term 2010. Classes resumed on 11 January and the Library is once again a busy place. Normal term-time hours also resumed (Mon - Thurs 8.30am - 10pm, Fri 8.30am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 4pm).

Need help doing research, finding that perfect article, or books on a topic? Stop by the Reference Desk and a librarian will be happy to help you.

Looking for the text book for your class? Ask at the Circulation/ Reserves desk -- the Library holds many current text books that can be used for 2 hours.

With instruction increasingly moving to online platforms like BlackBoard, FaceBook and websites, you may be looking for a computer. The Library has 40 computers available for student use (please be aware academic use takes priority). You can also access the wireless network (visit the IT Help Desk to find out how) or plug in at the wired carrelslocated on the upper level or on the main level behind the stacks.

Remember the Open Computer Center is available with more computers, color printing, a scanner and technical assistance.

You can also find places for individual and group study, quiet study, current magazines, international and national newspapers, and popular reading selections.

Have a great Spring Term!

Happy Christmas!

The Library staff wish the whole NOVA community a happy and healthy holiday.

Enjoy the break!

Extended Hours Serve 500

Between Dec 7 and Dec 18th the Library once again offered extended hours to accomodate students studying for finals exams or preparing final papers and projects. The Library opened half an hour early at 8am and closed an hour later at 11pm.

Nearly 500 students took advantage of the extended hours, visiting the Library before 8.30 or after 10pm. The Library was even busier during the daytime, when near-capacity crowds of over 200 students a time found places for solo study, group study, computer use, as well as borrowing books and textbooks.

Study-break snacks were also served to the late-night studiers. Over 100 cups of coffee, tea or cocoa were consumed over two weeks, along with countless cookies.

Library staff hope that the extended hours and study-break snacks helped to make final exams a little less stressful. Wishing everyone success at the end of term!

Time for Exams. More Library Study Time!

It's that time of the semester when final prjects, term paper and exams are upon us. In order to help NOVA students prepare for all this, the Library will once again offer extended hours.

Dec 7 - Dec 10 and Dec 14 - Dec 17 the Library will open at 8am and close at 11pm. On Fri Dec 11 and Dec 18 the Library will open at 8am and close at 5pm. that's 13 extra hours of study time!

In keeping with the Final Exam tradition snacks will be served in the evenings.

Top Google Searches for DC

Google has released it's year-end list of top searches by city.

DC's top ten make for interesting reading:

Washington, D.C.

1. fcps blackboard
2. national harbor
3. e street cinema
4. nova community college
5. wtop news
6. wmata
7. nationals baseball
8. dc restaurant week
9. washington sports club
10. leesburg outlets

(as NOVA students know, fcps blackboard refers to the online learning module BlackBoard).

Hint for #4: it's http://www.nvcc.edu/!

Flanders Fields

Nov 11th is Veterans Day (Remembrance Day in the rest of the English Speaking World) commemorating the Armistice which ended the hostilities of World War I on November 11th, 1918 ("on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the guns in France fell silent").





The events and horrible human toll of WWI were commemorated in a poem by John McCrae:

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Take a moment to remember the fallen. Express appreciation for the work and sacrifices of veterans. Events will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov 11. The Alexandria Campus will sponsor several events on Nov 12th.

Or read up on WWI with one of these books:

The First World War: A Very Short Introduction. D521 H645 2008

Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day, 1918, World War I and its Violent Conclusion. D523 P44 2004

(and if you're wondering what the deal with the "red flower" is, check out the Poppy Appeal).