YOUR Alexandria Campus Library

Power to the People

2012-02-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

School Library Petition Exceeds 25,000 Signatures.

Media specialists and other library supporters made their voices heard on an online petition asking the Obama Administration to make school libraries a national priority. Read more about this grassroots activism at School Library Journal.

Overdue? You May Get a Visit from the Library Police

2012-01-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

Or indeed the real police, as happened earlier this month in Massachussetts.

Actually, the Alexandria Campus Library will not send the cops after you -- but overdue material will generate a hold on student records which will prevent students from registering, receiving grades or transcripts.

In addition, students should be aware that Resereve Items carry a $2 per hour fine if they are not returned within two hours.

Please note that overdue fines are only a mechanism to ensure the return of high-demand material. So avoid fines and be considerate to other users and please return material on time.

Spring Semester 2012 is HERE!!

2012-01-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome back as the Alexandria Campus prepares for the beginning of classes for Spring 2012.

Library hours return to normal beginning on January 9th.

If you are looking for the textbook for your class, please visit the bookstore to find a list of course texts as well as information on purchasing or renting textbooks.

The Library also has a collection of textbooks on Reserve that students may use for free. Most of these must be used in the Library only. Due to extremely high demand, use of most of these books is limited to two hours at a time. Students may make as many photocopies as they need for their own use.

Faculty can place copies of text books or other course material on Reserve by contacting Kevin O'Hagan.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T07:50:00.001-08:00

The Library Staff wish you all a very happy, restful holiday season and a peaceful and successful new year.

Please note the Library is CLOSED for the winter break from Dec 23 - Jan 2.

See you all in 2012.

Over 400 served

2011-12-19T15:09:00.000-08:00

During the last week of classes and final exams (Dec 5 - 16) the Libray opened half an hour earlier and closed an hour later to provide extra study time. In those two weeks, over 400 students came into the Library before 8.30 and stayed after 10.

The popular tradition of late-night study break snacks also made a repeat appearance -- students sustained their studying with coffee, tea, cookies & granola bars.

Unexpected excitement also occured on Thursday 15 Decemeber when a police incident adjacent to campus caused a lockdown. Over 200 students sheltered in place in the Library until the campus was evacuated.

Lockdown resolved

2011-12-16T10:42:00.001-08:00

Around ten pm last night the situation resulting the Alexandria Campus lockdown was resolved.

(above: "lockdown snacks")

Many thanks to Library staff who remained on campus throughout the evening to assist students, provide snacks, and keep the library safe and comfortable. Throughout the evening the mood in the Library was generally positive, students were supportive of each other and upbeat, and staff reacted with calm and grace.

Library services at the Circulation Desk, Reference Desk and Library computer stations were maintained as normal until the Library was evacuated.

LOCKDOWN

2011-12-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Shortly before 6pm today the Alexandria campus was locked down following an ongoing incident adjacent to the school but not on campus. Students, faculty and staff were advised to remain indoors and away from windows. Campus was crowded with students taking or preparing for final exams.

Students took refuge in the Library where staff served "lockdown snacks."

People remained calm and studying continues in the Library.

Evening classes were cancelled.

NOVA History online!

2011-12-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Interested in learning about NOVA’s history? NOVA History Collections is an online archival
repository for more than 500 photographs, student publications, commencement programs, yearbooks and other documents from 1965 to the present. The repository is full-text searchable, and users can download, save and print any document or photograph in our collections. This project was initiated and developed by Alexandria Campus Library Specialist David Anderson. He is collaborating with Travis Nace, Chystie Greges, Maureen Townsend, Nathan Mueller and Stephanie Sharkey to build collections for each NOVA campus.

Visit NOVA History Collections at http://nvcchistory.contentdm.oclc.org/.

NOVA History Collections is part of an effort to begin preserving historical information about the
College. As NOVA approaches the 50th anniversary of its founding, that information will become more and more valuable. While the libraries have retained many of NOVA’s documents and photographs since the 1960s, some items have been lost or destroyed over time. Others may be in filing cabinets, desk drawers or boxes throughout the College, just waiting to be discovered and archived! If you have any documents or photographs that could be added to our archival repository, please contact Anderson at daanderson@nvcc.edu.

Extended Hours!

2011-12-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

Just in time for final exams, the Library will once again extend its hours to provide more time to study, opening half an hour earlier and closing an hour later.

Library Extended Hours

Dec 5 - Dec 8: 8am - 11pm

Dec 9: 8am - 5 pm

Dec 10: 9am - 4 pm

Dec 12 - 15: 8am - 11pm

Dec 16: 8am - 5 pm

Dec 17: 9am - 4 pm

Join us for late night study breaks -- coffe and snacks -- at 10pm.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T08:44:00.001-08:00

The College is closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday from noon on 23 Nov until Monday 28 Nov.

Library Featured in Psychological Thriller

2011-11-16T09:35:00.001-08:00

The Elyria Public Library featured in a "cameo" role in the recent film Take Shelter.

Libraries. You never know where they will turn up!

What's that smell?

2011-11-14T15:23:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again -- the corn plant is blooming!

(above: dracaena fragrans, or corn plant)

NOVA Faculty and Staff take VLA Conference by Storm

2011-11-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

The attendee evaluations from the VLA 2011 Annual Conference are in -- and NOVA faculty knocked it out of the park:

"Rebecca Kamen's presentation was outstanding."

"These have to be the best two keynote speakers I've heard in a long time. Both were amazing and inspiring. Thank you so much! Also, every single session I attended was interesting, informative, and engagingly presented. Well done!"

"Great conference, the best I have been to in years!"

"Thoroughly enjoyed the opening session with Rebecca Kamen"

"Rebecca Kamen was out of the box, and simply fascinating."

"Excellent conference. There was a good mix of sessions for many different interests and audiences. Kamen was an outstanding keynote presentation."

"Rebecca Kamen's program was probably the most interesting VLA or even ALA program I've attended."

"I believe this year, more than any other, provided me with more intellectual take-aways than I could list. The sessions were excellent, and I enjoyed every one that I attended."

"This was the best conference I've attended."

"One of the best VLA conferences I've attended."

"This was for me THE BEST CONFERENCE EVER!"

Nature is a Language

2011-11-04T08:12:00.001-07:00

Can you Read?

The Alexandria Campus Library staff took the VLA Annual Conference by storm. On Oct 27-28 Portsmouth, Va was invaded by legions of NOVA Librarians.

We conferenced. We networked. We Presented. We keynoted. We dined. We danced. We even karaoked (and Matt even took his tie off).

Nature is a Language, Can you Read?

2011-11-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Alexandria Faculty and Staff took Portsmouth, Virginia by storm on Oct 27 - 28 to attend the Virginia Library Association Annual Conference.

(l-r: Matt Todd, Sylvia Rortvedt, Rebecca Kamen, Anne Anderson, Brandee Worsham. One of the student sculptures in visible in the background).

The 2011 conference was notable for the participation of a number of members of the NOVA community. The conference program was designed and laid out by Alexandria Campus graphic design students working in the NOVAStudio program, mentored by Professors Lisa Hill and Angela Terry.

As President of the Association Matt Todd conducted both general conference sessions and served on the conference planning committee.

The keynote address at the opening general session was delivered by Alexandria Campus Fine Arts Professor Rebecca Kamen, who described how her work has been influenced by books and supported by libraries, linking her interests in the history of science, the visual arts, the book as artifact, and the intersection of classroom instruction, the creation of art, and libraries as cultural repositories. Her address was later described by attendees as "outstanding," "out of the box," and "one of the most interesting of all conferences I have attended."

Sylvia Rortvedt (Associate Director of Learning and Technology Resources at the Alexandria Campus) joined Rebecca in a very well-received concurrent session that was the subject of a "Twitter" stream.

Thirteen NOVA faculty and staff were granted permission to attend the conference, and two NOVA students donated artwork to be raffled off in support of the VLA scholarship fund.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

Or Hat-o-ween as we have it in the Library:

Blog Crests 20,000 Page Views

2011-10-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

Readers of the Alexandria Campus Library Blog know that this is the place to be for online news about Library services and collections, campus developments, and news from around the library world.

Recently, the blog passed the 20,000 page-view mark, with over 12,000 visits from all over the world. YOUR Alexandria Campus Library is visited from Virginia, California, Canada, England, Hungary, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Many people find us by clicking on the links on the campus or library homepages, but some find us through Google searches.

The blog provides an archive of changes and developments in the campus library, including major events like construction, asbestos removal, re-carpeting, and campus wiring projects; staff news like weddings, birthdays and achievements; conferences; holidays; extended hours; art exhibitions and musical performances in the library; student survey results and much much more. You might even find evidence for some long-lost initiatives -- does anyone remember Beauregard Radio?

Thanks for reading!

Welcome to our South African Visitors

2011-09-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

On September 27th the Library welcomed a delegation of program managers from South Africa:

Delegates met with Library Director Sylvia Rortvedt and Instruction Librarian Anne Anderson for a tour and overview of the Library's collections and services.

The campus welcomes our South African guests all this week!

In support of libraries, books, words, ideas

2011-09-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

An altered book artist and library fan has been making anonymous donations of his artwork to libraries in Edinburgh.

So far six exquisitely detailed artworks, crafted from books, have been left anonymously on tables in 6 libraries (including the National Library of Scotland and the Central Lending Library) and two more at the Edinburgh Book festival.

A book lover, the artist leaves a tag (addressed to the recipient's Twitter address!) with each book, many of which read in part "in support of libraries, books, words & ideas..."

Many of the recipient institutions have put the donated artwork on permanent display.

Always ahead of the curve, the Alexandria Campus Library has a long relationship with altered books! In 2007 the Library hosted its first ever art show "Text, Image & Form" showcasing student artwork created from altered books (some of them former Library books!).

And earlier this year the Library hosted the "Altered (Eaarth) Book Exhibit" showcasing student work inspired by bill Mckibben's book Eaarth.

And like our colleagues in Scotland, we liked the works so much we put some on permanent display:

Student Art

2011-09-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

Did you know that all of the artwork displayed in the Library is the work of NOVA students? For several years the Library has been acquiring photography, sculpture, painting and pottery created by Alexandria Campus students. Several new pieces were recently added to the collection:

(above: The Persistence of Hope" by Ryan Lytle. Acquired in conjunction with the Altered Book & Poster Exhibition: Eaarth)

(Above: "Untitled Abstract" by Christyn Gaffney. Acquired from the juried student art show).

(Above: "The Questionable Quiz" by Ainsley Adao. Acquired from the Communication Design Exhibition).

These and other examples of student work are on permanent display throughout the Library. Come and see them soon!

Welcome to YOUR Library!

2011-08-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Alexandria Campus Library. If you survived the earthquake, and the hurricane, AND the beginning of the semester, then you are well on your way to success in your career here at NOVA.

We know that you may have questions about the Library. Have a look at our FAQ to find out about hours, policies, services, and collections.

If you are new to the Alexandria Campus, have a look around the campus website for maps, office locations, and contact info.

Keep up with curent news and events by following the campus blogs, or view the events calendar.

Further Questions? Stop by the Library in Bisdorf 232 and ask a friendly member of staff!

Fall Semester 2011

2011-08-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the 2011-12 academic year is almost upon us. If you are new to NOVA -- welcome! If you are returning -- welcome back! The Alexandria Library is here to help students succeed in their studies and research at NOVA.

Most new students (and some returning students) will have questions about how they can obtain textbooks (purchase in the bookstore or borrow in the Library), where they can study (quiet and group study in the Library), and how they can get help with research or preparing for tests (your friendly campus Librarians can help with that!).

Many students have practical (and just as important) questions:

Q. Where can I hang out?

A: The campus has brand new lounge furniture on the second and third floors. From the Library go out the main doors, turn right and keep going (see below):

Q. Where can I get a snack or something to drink?

A. There are vending machines in various locations throughout the building. The nearest ones to the library are in the third floor lobby, one floor up (see below):

(Bonus: Did you know you can use your NOVACard in many of the campus vending machines?)

Q. I need a computer to look up something quick, where can I find one?

A. There are computer kiosks in several places in the Bisdrof (AA) building. The nearest one is right outside the Library in the lobby! (see below):

(Bonus: You don't have to log on to use these computers!)

Library Hours During the Break

2011-08-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

August 8 is the last day of summer term. Why not celebrate by paying a visit to our Popular Reading collection and find books by Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, David Baldacchi, Zane, and more!

Library Hours

Tuesday - Thursday August 9 - 11: 8.30am - 7.30pm

Friday August 12: 8.30am - 5.00pm

Saturday - Sunday August 13 - 14: Closed

Monday - Thursday August 15 - 18: 8.30am - 7.30pm

Friday August 19: 8.30am - 5.00pm

Saturday August 20: 10.00am - 2.00pm

Sunday August 21: Closed

Fall classes begin Monday August 22

Staycation

2011-08-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

Whether you are saving money in a slow-growing economy, or beating the heat by being a tourist in your own hometown, why not check out some of the local attractions on our doorstep?

Why not start off with one of these travel guides?

Lonely Planet City Guide: Washington DC. F192.3 W322 2010

Eyewitness Travel: Washington DC. F192.3 W32337 2011

American Sabor!

2011-07-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Explore the history and evolution of Latinos in U.S. popular music at the American Sabor exhibit, at the Smithsonian through October 9th.

The very names of Latin music genres suggest an irresistible, unmistakable rhythm. Salsa. Mambo. Rumba. Cha-cha-chá. And through the decades, these distinctive musical styles have continually—and profoundly—influenced American popular music. Latino musicians helped shape many traditional genres of music in the United States, including jazz, R&B, rock ’n’ roll, and hip hop.

American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Experience Music Project with scholars from the University of Washington and tells the fascinating story of that impact. With beautifully designed bilingual text panels, striking graphics and photographs, listening stations, compelling films, and musical instruments, the show celebrates the true flavor, or “sabor,” of Latin music in the United States. The exhibition focuses on five major centers of Latino popular music production in the years after World War II – New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, and San Francisco—which represent the remarkable diversity of this music.

Or check out one of these resources:

Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture. E184 S75 E59 2004

Congo to Cuba CD M1681 C9 C66x 2002

Nuevo Latino CD M1686.18 N848x 2002

Dangerous Curves: Latina Bodies in the Media P94.5 W642 U665 2010

Happy Birthday America

2011-07-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

The College will be closed on Monday 4 July in observance of Independence Day.

While you're waiting for those fireworks, why not check out and read a good book?

Patriotic Holidays of the United States: An Introduction to the History, Symbols and Tradition. JK1761 H46 2006

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation. E176 R63 2004

The Chemistry of Fireworks. TP300 R87 2000

Old World, New World: Great Britain and America from the Beginning. E183.8 G7 B57 2008

Not everyone was so keen on independence:

Tories: Fighting for King in America's First Civil War. E209 A45x 2010

Calling all DC Shutterbugs

2011-06-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

Have camera? Like to take photos of our historically significant and aesthetically beautiful hometown?

Find out the best spots for photo-making with The 50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in Washington DC (TR267 S748x 2010), including research, planning, location scouting, as well as how-to tips on lining up the shot and taking the best pictures.

Not an ace photographer yet? Why not sign up for one of NOVA's photography courses.

Snapshot Virginia: Libraries are ESSENTIAL

2011-06-16T13:12:00.000-07:00

SnapshotVA 2011 Results:
77 Virginia libraries participated between April 17-30, 2011! Highlights of patron comments and testimonials can be found on the Community page.

www.snapshotvirginia.org

One day in the life of Virginia’s libraries—
243,166 books, movies and more were checked out
1,638 new borrowers received library cards
25,938 people used computers at their library
5,374 people came to their libraries for 337 free programs
4,228 people used their libraries to host 500 meetings
1,775 people were helped by their libraries with outreach programs
1,757 hours were logged by library volunteers
21,529 reference questions were answered

These statistics are based on the participation of 46% of Virginia public libraries, measured by population served.

President Obama visits the Alexandria Campus

2011-06-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today, June 8th, President Barack Obama visted the Alexandria Campus automtive program.

Missed the President?

Why not read a good book:

The Obamas: The Untold Story of an African Family. CT2227.5 )23 F57 2011

Barack Obama and Twenty First Century Politics: A Revolutionary Moment in the USA. E907 C36 2010

The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama. E908 R46 2010

Or watch the Video: http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

Get CREATIVE

2011-05-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

Sylvia Rortvedt (Associate Dean) and Matt Todd (Collection Development Librarian) traveled to Ashburn, Virginia to visit the "WorkLab" at Creative to check out possible new group study, individual study, and noise abatement solutions for the Alexandria Campus Library.

Look for some Creative solutions coming soon...

What's True?

2011-05-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

How do you get your news? Newspapers. talk shows, cable TV, blogs, Tweets, Facebook, network TV, email, RSS feed, smoke signals?

With more information venues than ever before, and with traditional gatekeepers disappearing, it becomes ever more incumbent on the individual citizen to verify, analyse and evaluate the information he receives.

"Veteran journalists Kovach and Rosenstiel (The Elements of Journalism) begin their intelligent and well-written guidebook by assuring readers this is not unfamiliar territory. The printing press, the telegraph, radio, and television were once just as unsettling and disruptive as today's Internet, blogs, and Twitter posts. But the rules have changed. The gatekeepers of information are disappearing. Everyone must become editors assuming the responsibility for testing evidence and checking sources presented in news stories, deciding what's important to know, and whether the material is reliable and complete. Utilizing a set of systemic questions that the authors label "the way of skeptical knowing," Kovach and Rosenstiel provide a roadmap for maintaining a steady course through our messy media landscape. As the authors entertainingly define and deconstruct the journalism of verification, assertion, affirmation, and interest group news, readers gain the analytical skills necessary for understanding this new terrain. "The real information gap in the 21st century is not who has access to the Internet and who does not. It is the gap between people who have the skills to create knowledge and those who are simply in a process of affirming preconceptions without growing and learning." -- Publisher's Weekly.

Check it out today. PN4815.2 K68 2010

More Hours to Study: More Students Served

2011-05-06T11:54:00.001-07:00

The Alexandria Campus Library completed it's second week of extended hours to provide increased study and research time for students completing final projects and preparing for final exams. Over 130 students used the library before 8.30am and over 400 students stayed in the library after 10pm, topping numbers for extended hours in the fall term.Carrying on a now popular tradition, snacks were served to students studying late. Healthy snacks like sandwiches, granola bars and dried fruit were the fare this semester, with lots and lots of lemonade.

Thanks to library staff who voluntarily adjust their schedules to make extended hours possible. This is the sixth consecutive year the Library has extended hours for the last week of classes and final exams.

Be sure to visit the Library Webpage to get up-to-date information on Library hours, as these change between terms and for the summer semester.

Altered (Eaarth) Book Exhibit opens

2011-04-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday 26 April the Altered Eaarth Book exhibit opened in the Library. The Exhibit celebrates Earth Day (April 22) and was the result of a collaboration between Prof Denny May (English), Prof Lisa Hill (Communication Design), Prof Rebecca Kamen (Fine Arts), Prof Angela Terry (Communication Design) and the Library Staff. Students from Art 132 and ART 140 created the altered books. All of the sculptures are re-purposed copies of Bill McKibben's Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet.

The sculptures, including Eaarth Primer created by Lisa Hill and Rebecca Kamen (see Wed April 20) will be on display in the Library until summer.

(above: a view of the exhibit, with Tree of Life)

(above: Persistence of Hope)

(above: Nature Strikes Back).

More photos may be seen on the Art Department's Tyler Art's Life Facebook Page.

Extended Hours

2011-04-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Alexandria Campus once again observes extended hours for the last week of classes and the week of final exams.The Library will open 30 minutes early at 8am Monday - Friday and close one hour late at 11pm Monday - Thursday.

Library Hours

Monday 25 April - Thursday 28 April: 8.00am - 11.00pm

Friday 29 April: 8.00am - 5.00pm

Saturday 30 April: 9.00am - 4.00pm

Monday 2 May - Thursday 5 May: 8.00am - 11.00pm

Friday 6 May: 8.00am - 5.00pm

Saturday 7 May 9.00am - 4.00pm

Please join us after 10 for Late Night Study Break, when snacks and drinks will be served.

Hanging the Hanging Garden

2011-04-20T13:13:00.001-07:00

As part of the campus's celebration of Earth Day (April 22) the Library features a "hanging garden" created out of re-purposed copies of Bill McKibben's Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet.

(above: Copies of Eaarth transformed)

(above: Rebecca Kamen (Fine Arts) and Lisa Hill (Communication Design) install the garden)

(Live plants suspended in the Library "living room.")

National Library Week

2011-04-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Celebrate National Library Week April 10 - 16

Alexandria Campus faculty share their favorite books -- stop by the Library today and check them out.

NOVA's Digital Archive headlines Virginia Libraries Journal

2011-04-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Alexandria Campus Library's David Anderson writes in the Virginia Library Association journal Virginia Libraries about NOVA's the digitization efforts (read the article online here):

"We might not think of community colleges in Virginia as institutions with deep historical roots. The Virginia Assembly established the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) in 1966 in order to fill the need for two-year college programs in the state. The fiftieth anniversary of VCCS will arrive in 2016, and that event suggests an opportunity to look back at the history of community colleges in Virginia. At the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College, we have already begun this process by developing a digital collection to house and display historical documents from our campus archives. We have identified student publications, meeting minutes, event programs, and photographs as candidates for digitization."

Explore more of the Alexandria Campus's History on this website:
http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/alexandria/history/

Oxford English Dictionary adds new words -- OMG

2011-04-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

The venerable Oxford English Dictionary announced recently that its latest update in March 2011 will add almost 2,000 new words: "For the March 2011 release of OED Online, we have selected for publication a number of noteworthy initialisms—abbreviations consisting of the initial letters of a name or expression. Some of these—such as OMG [OMG int. (and n.) and adj.]: ‘Oh my God’ (or sometimes ‘gosh’, ‘goodness’, etc.) and LOL [LOL int. and n./2]: ‘laughing out loud’—are strongly associated with the language of electronic communications (email, texting, social networks, blogs, and so on). They join other entries of this sort: IMHO (‘in my humble opinion’) [IMHO at I n./1], TMI (‘too much information’) [TMI at T n.], and BFF (‘best friends forever’) [BFF at B n.], among others." Read more from the Library's ProQuest Database.

VCU

2011-03-30T13:18:00.001-07:00

Come on VCU!!

Read coverage on Virginia Commonwealth University's amazing Final Four Cinderella story

from newspapers around the nation

on the Library Database Page.

Like this article "VCU Rams Say They Can Do It"

And did you know, a librarian actually predicted this outcome.

March Madness

2011-03-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

is here.

Check out How March Became Madness: How the NCAA Tournament Became the Greatest Sporting Event in America. GV885.49 N37 E56 2006

The Case for Books

2011-03-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Is the age of the printed book coming to an end? If history is any guide, notes Harvard University Library director Darnton, not any time soon. In this collection of previously published essays, an unashamed apology for the printed word, Darnton, an eloquent writer and one of the world's foremost historians of the book, offers a fascinating history of our literary past and a penetrating look at the disruptive forces shaping the future of publishing. Almost no topic is untouched, from the role of libraries to metadata, the print traditions of Europe, piracy old and new, Darnton's own forays into digital initiatives and the efficacy—even the beauty—of our changing literary landscape over centuries of development. This book clearly has a main character, however—Google. The search giant appears often. While the individual essays are brief, in sum, the book offers a deep dive into the evolution of the written and published word. Darnton offers little cover from the winds of change, but for book lovers and publishing professionals he offers the comfort that comes from understanding the past, and hope, as he places the Internet among a litany of disruptive innovations the book has survived. Publisher's Weekly. (Oct. 27)

Check it out today: Z116 A2 D37 2010

Network Upgrade Nears Completion

2011-03-11T07:54:00.000-08:00

Over spring break, the campus undertook a major network upgrade. During this process, internet services, printing, copying, phones, and library circulation services were unavailable on the Library's main level.

Some Library services, inlcuding reference, online research, reserves, and circulation services were available in the Library classroom (room 327) throughout spring break.

The upgrade included running new cables through the public spaces and offices in the Library, including in the 2-story reading area -- requiring the Big Ladder (above).

The Library will re-open, with normal hours, on Monday 14 March.

Spring Break!!

2011-03-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

It's almost that time. NOVA will observe Spring Break from 7 March - 13 March.

During that time, the Library will be open from 8.30am - 5.00pm.

The campus will also undertake a scheduled network upgrade during that time. Copying, printing, telephone, and the internet will be unavailable on the main level of the Library. Library services and computer access will be available in room 327.

Library Thief Sentenced to 15 Years!

2011-02-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

It turns out Librarians aren't fibbing when they tell patrons the Library Police might come and get them if they don't return their books. The Library Police will definitely come to get you if you check out books with the intention of selling them for profit:

"A Baltimore woman will spend a year in prison for withdrawing thousands of dollars in library books and reselling them.

Evelyn Whye, 53, obtained a Prince George's County library card and went to work. In December 2008, she spent three days hitting various libraries, and she wasn't looking for Dr. Seuss. Whye was after expensive text books, the kind that can break a college student's bank account."

Read the whole story from NBC4: Book Closed on Maryland Library Thief.

(the Library Police!)

Scott Turow wants to protect America's Libraries

2011-02-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

Writing in the Huffington Post, author (and president of the Author's Guild) warns against funding cuts to public libraries as state and municipal governments struggle to close large budget gaps:

"Those governments are cutting everywhere they can and public libraries nationwide have been one of the biggest and least deserved losers in the process.

Widespread public access to knowledge, like public education, is one of the pillars of our democracy, a guarantee that we can maintain a well-informed citizenry.

But libraries seem to be losing out in the funding battles, due, in part, to the mistaken belief that they are somehow anachronistic in an age when so many Americans have instant computer access to information through the Internet. This is, frankly, a let-them-eat-cake-attitude that threatens to destroy a network of public assets that remains critical in our country."

Contact your legislator and tell them not to be a Marie Antoinette!

Ask a Librarian -- on your iPhone

2011-02-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Did you know there is a librarian waiting to answer YOUR question -- 24 hours per day?

Just visit the Ask a Librarian page and scroll down to LRC Live to begin chatting privately to a librarian.

iPhone users can download a direct link to their phones and add LRC Live as an app.

Great for research emergencies!

More face-to-face, less face-to-screen?

2011-02-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

Professor Sharon Marshall, of St John's College, reflects on the uses -- and abuses -- of BlackBoard in the 21st Century college learning environment (in the Chronicle of Higher Education).

She observes:

"My ideal class—students sitting in a circle, or around a seminar table if we're really lucky, discussing, reading aloud, exchanging hard copies of student papers—had become, in a sense, a figure of nostalgia. It was something I did with students "back in the day."

Gradually it became clear that, given the choice, most students preferred to live online, rather than engage with actual humans in a classroom, even when there was a seeming sense of community or camaraderie among classmates. Being online all the time had become learned behavior that was hard to give up, even for only 55 minutes."

And asks:

"Because technology plays such a huge role in our lives when we are not in school, is it really necessary that we duplicate those experiences and environments when we actually have the opportunity to connect in more direct and immediate ways in a synchronous classroom?"

And concludes:

"The flip side of technophobia is the kind of unexamined technophilia that welcomes everything new and different, whether or not it improves life or teaching, or the lives of students and teachers. I want to find a place, a stance, somewhere in between, a both/and strategy that allows my students and me to, dare I say it, extract the best of both worlds."

Do we have the balance right?

Google does art

2011-02-01T13:10:00.001-08:00

Google announced today that it would take its popular street view indoors, making the collections of 17 prestigious galleries available for view online. The art will be digitized through the "gigapixel" process, allowing for extraordinary zoom.

Don't want to wait for Google? Or can't find your favorite painting (or sculpture or print or drawing) -- try ARTStor. the Library's subscription database of online art images. ARTStor provides download capability as well as background information, history, provenance source and rights.

Libraries -- good government contact!

2011-01-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

“Libraries are rare common ground on the fractious map of democracy, a place where traditional ideas of bootstrap self-improvement meet liberal ideas of open access and equal opportunity. Few encounters with local government - a labyrinth of red tape, taxes, frustration and long lines under fluorescent lights - feel so good as an afternoon in a well-run library.”

- from the January 23rd Washington Post.

Fight Hunger

2011-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Help the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) group defeat the cycle of hunger.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization in which 39 countries are involved (577 universities and colleges in the United States).

SIFE students apply business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. Let's take the action to defeat the cycle of hunger!

NVCC SIFE Team registered for the 2010-2011 Let's Can Hunger Challenge, co-sponsored by Campbell Soup Company and SIFE USA. Goal: SIFE team must be expended to obtain 5,000 lbs+ (2,268 kg+) imperishable cans.

Purpose: 1. Raise hunger awareness; 2. Translate awareness to action in the form of urgent hunger relief; 3. Empower those in need to defeat the cycle of hunger

How to participate: Drop off cans and other non-perishable items in our “Can the Hunger” box in your division’s reception area or at the Student Activities Office (AA Room 134). The SIFE Team’s “Can the Hunger” food drive will run through early April.

Want more information on hunger, its causes and solutions? Check out one of these books:

Hunger: A modern History. HC260 P6 P47 2007

World Hunger. HC79 F3 W65 2007

Hunger: An Unnatural History. HN8 R88 2005

Odd socks!

2011-01-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

One Library patron seems to be one sock short -- since the sock below was returned to the Library in the back cover of a book!

Anybody missing a sock?

Martin Luther King, Jr

2011-01-14T10:03:00.001-08:00

Please note that the College will be closed on Monday January 17th in observation of Martin Luther King Day.

Why not check out one of the Library's books on Dr King:

Hodgson, Geoffrey. Martin Luther King. E185.97 K5 H565x 2010

Risen, Clay. A Nation on Fire: America in the Wake of the King Assassination. HV6477 R57 2009

Roads to Memphis DVD E185.97 K5 R5833x 2010

Sunquist, Eric. King's Dream. E185.97 K5 S864 2009

Spring Term 2011

2011-01-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to NOVA's Spring Semester!!

The Alexandria Campus Library is here to helpNOVA students succeed and thrive in spring semester classes.

Stop by the Library to see if your textbooks or course materials are available for FREE checkout on Reserve. Need help finding your way around the Library's print and electronic resources? Visit our Animated Demos page. Check out our online resources to search hundreds of databases and thousands of online newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Or search the Library Catalog to find books in the College's 250,000-volume print collection. In the Library, we can help you Cite Sources, find individual or group study space, use a computer for reserach and printing, and evaluate free web resources.

Have questions about the Library's services and resources? Check out or FAQ.

Or to ask a Librarian a question, stop by room 232 in the Bisdorf Building, or contact us by phone, email or online.

We're here to help! Stop by today!

Happy 2011

2011-01-04T09:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Alexandria Campus Library!!

Although Spring Semester classes do not begin until January 10th, the campus is open to provide registration assistance, financial aid advice, and help preparing for the upcoming term. Beat the crowds and buy your books now! Or visit the Library to see if your text book is available on Reserve (free, free, free!!).

Please note Library hours for the week of 3 - 7 January are:

Monday 3 January - Thursday 6 January: 8.30am - 7.30pm

Friday 7 January: 8.30am - 5.00pm

Alexandria Campus Closes for Winter Break

2010-12-22T11:39:00.001-08:00

Exams are over!!

The Alexandria Campus, including the Library, will be closed from 23 Dec - 2 Jan.

Have a Happy Holiday, a Merry Christmas, a pleasant break and a safe New Year,

from all your friends at the Alexandria Campus Library.

Extended Hours

2010-12-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

The Library once again observed extended hours for the last week of classes and final exams. Nearly 500 students studied before 8.30am and after 10pm.
And many thanks to the Student Government Association for providing a selection of healthy snacks!

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-14T15:04:00.001-08:00

The Alexandria Campus Library would like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday break!

And Good Luck in Exams!

(above: the tree at the circulation desk)

(above: the village over the reshelviong area)

(above: snowmen (and snow-women!) visit the CD collection)

(above: the Librarians' office, decorated)

Open EARLY - Open LATE

2010-12-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

The Alexandria Campus Library continues its tradition of keeping extended hours for the last week of classes and final exams, opening half an hour early each morning and staying open an hour later each evening.

From Dec 6 - Dec 9 and Dec 13 - Dec 16

the Library will be open from

8.00am - 11.pm

STUDY EARLY -- STUDY LATE

Students will find access to the inetrnet, printing, the campus wireless network, photocopying, group and individual study, reserve items, research assistance, as well as access to the entire Library print and online collection.

In addition, Late Night Study Breaks are served around 10pm on nights when the Library is open late.

Need a Textbook? Rent one!

2010-12-06T16:36:00.001-08:00

From the Alexandria Campus Book Store:

Beginning in January, 2011, the campus bookstores at NOVA will begin renting textbooks.
This innovative textbook rental program will allow students to rent their textbooks for less than 50% of the cost of purchasing a new printed textbook. Plus, as an added convenience, students will be able to rent their books either in the store or from the store’s website www.nvcc.bncollege.com
Other program features include:

Students can pay the rental fees using any form of tender currently accepted by the bookstore (excluding PayPal) – including student financial aid and campus debit cards. (Note: For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of the tender used for the rental fee.)

Students can highlight or mark the rented books just as they would if they purchased a book and planned to sell it back to the bookstore.

Students can convert their rental to a purchase during the first two weeks of class.

The rental period is for the duration of the term/semester. Books are due back by the last day of finals. Students can return books in person or mail them to the bookstore.

Courtesy emails will go out as the end of the term/semester approaches reminding students to return their books. Books not returned (or returned in unusable condition) will be subject to replacement and processing fees.

Most Textbooks used for classes at the Alexandria Campus can also be borrowed, free of charge, from the Reserve Collection at the Alexandria Campus Library.

Note that most Reserve items are available for a 2-hour loan, and carry a $2/ hour fnie for late returns.

Veterans Day

2010-11-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

Celebrate Veterans Day by reading a good book at the Library, or visit our Hot Topics display on America's Military and Veterans.

November 11th is also known as Rememberance Day in Britain, Canada, and Australia -- marking the armistice that ended World War I on 11-11-1918.

Newark, Tim. Camouflage. UG449 N43 2007

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

Students and Faculty love Library Instruction!

2010-11-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

How much to NOVA students love to come to the Library to learn about research and Library sources?

They love it so much they brought Reference and Instruction Librarian Anne Anderson flowers!

Melanie McKee's ESL 52 class visited the Library with a special surprise.

Over 10,000 served

2010-11-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

As of 1 November 2010, over 10,000 people have visited the Alexandria Campus Blog -- with more than 16,000 page views.

Thanks for reading!

Hail to the Chief

2010-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Matt Todd, librarian at the Alexandria Campus, assumed the Presidency of the Virginia Library Association at the Annual Conference in Portsmouth, VA. The gavel was passed at the second general session on Friday 22 October.

(above: Matt Todd receioving the gavel from out-going President John Moorman)

Library staff at the Alexandria Campus marked the occasion with a few decorations in Matt's (oval?) office:

Virginia Library Association Conference

2010-10-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

The Virginia Library Association holds its Annual Conference in Portsmouth on October 21-22.

Highlights include:

* Offers something for everyone - at a reasonable cost!
* Ballroom dancing at the social - including free lessons!
* Grand opening of Exhibits to feature Porte Towne Magic Jazz Band (comprised of Portsmouth students!)
* Jefferson Cup Luncheon (Award Recipient TBA)
*Special screening of "Hollywood Librarian"
*VLACRL's "Conference within a Conference"

See you there!

Library Use Continues to Grow

2010-10-08T09:23:00.001-07:00

Recent statistics from the Virginia Community College System shows healthy use and steady growth in Library resources across the Commonwealth's Community College Libraries:

A few numbers:

1,141,491 -- number of searches made in the online Library catalog

1,596,834 -- number of connections to VCCS e-resources

2,513,890 -- number of full-text articles downloaded

Use of e-resources has increased by over 70% in three years.

Some more stats to ponder:

At the Alexandria Campus regulalry circulates nearly 1/3 (33%) of the college total. Use of circulating books at the Alexandria campus is increasing.

Alexandria Campus Library - on the Nightly News

2010-10-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Fox 5 came to the Alexandria Campus as part of its coverage of the White House Community College Summit. Cameras rolled in the Library.

Reference and Instruction Librarian Anne Anderson (above) was caught in action -- teaching research skills to an ESL 42 class. Don't miss her at 1:24 and again at 2:00 on the video. Professors Brian Delaney and Jill Biden, as well as Dean Jimmie McClellen also make appearances.

Community College Summit at the White House

2010-10-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

"In the East Room of the White House today, a collection of college presidents, business leaders, philanthropists, and others will discuss how community colleges can help meet the job-training and education needs of the nation's evolving work force. They will discuss the critical role these institutions will have to play if the nation is to achieve President Obama's goal of leading the world with the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020.
A crowd of about 150 is expected to attend the event, the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges, which is scheduled to last about three hours. President Obama is scheduled to make remarks, as is Jill Biden, a community-college instructor and the summit's lead organizer." -- from the Chronicle of Higher Education (read more from on-campus).

(photo from the Washington Post).

And from the Washington Post: "Obama put Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, in charge of the summit. She has taught English at community colleges for the past 17 years of her three decades as an educator. She still teaches twice a week at a community college not far from the White House and often says these schools are America's best-kept secret."

Watch the opening session on C-SPAN.

Libraries will Survive

2010-09-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

Library staff from Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) respond to budget cuts with a little help from Gloria Gaynor:

Libraries Will Survive.

And these talented librarians are now famous, even appearing on the local news.

Will The Internet Kill Magazines?

2010-09-24T06:25:00.001-07:00

Did instant coffee kill coffee?

The Magazine Publishers of America and Y&R Advertising want the world to know that reports of the death of the magazine industry have been exaggerated. Throughout the summer magazine and print ads attempt to correct misconceptions about magazine readership and the effect of the internet on magazine readership.

Under the catch-phrase "We Surf the Internet. We Swim in Magazines" the campaign is supported by several surprising metrics:

* Magazine readership has risen 4.3% over the past five years

* Adults 18-34 are avid magazine readers. They read more issues and spend more time per issue than their over-34 counterparts

* During the 12-year life of Google, magazine readership increased 11%

* Magazines outperform other media in driving positive shifts in purchase consideration/intent.

* People magazine reaches 45 million readers every week, topping the 22.7 million people who watched the 2009 finale of Fox's American Idol.

Visit the Alexandria Campus Library today and check out our collection of over 200 magazines.

Celebrate US Constitution Day

2010-09-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

September 17th is US Constitution Day.

Celebrate by reading a good book about the US Constitution:

Barnett, Randy. Restoring the Lost Constitution. KF4541 .B313 2004

Constitution of the United States: Analysis and Interpretation. Reference--KF4527 .U54 1996

Lane, Eric. The Genius of America: How the Constitution Saved our Country and Why it Can Again. KF4541 .L334x 2007

Levy, Leonard. Original Intent and the Framer's Constitution. KF4550 .L48 1988

Lipsky, Seth. The Citizen's Constitution: An Annotated Guide. KF4550.Z9 L57 2009

Sunstein, Cass. A Constitution of Many Minds: Why the Founding Document Doesn't Mean what it Meant Before. KF4552 .S86 2009

Or watch a video:

The Amendments to the Constitution vols 1 - 20. DVD KF4557 A44x 2008

Or watch a video online: Amending the Constitution.

Textbooks are so expensive!!

2010-09-13T12:56:00.001-07:00

Yes they are -- and we at the Alexandria Campus Library feel your pain!

To purchase textbooks, students should visit the campus Bookstore. Please note that textbooks are campus specific. Math classes at Alexandria do not use the same textbooks as math classes at Annandale.

A cheaper (free) alternative is to visit the Alexandria Campus Library to see if your professor has placed your textbook on Reserve.

What is Reserves and what do you need to know about using this collection? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:

What is the Reserve Collection?

Reserves are course materials (usually text books) placed in the Library by the faculty or academic departments. They are available free of charge for currently enrolled students to use.

How can I use these materials?

Bring your current NOVACard to the circulation desk in room 232. You will need to know the course name and number of the course you are taking. It helps if you know the teacher's name as well.

How long can I keep reserve materials?

Because of extremely high demand (many, many students rely on reserve materials, especially textbooks) most textbooks can be used for two hours at a time. This gives other students a chance to use the materials.

Some reserve material can be checked out overnight, for three days, or one week.

Can I take reserve materials home?

In most cases you must use reserve materials in the library only. This ensures that the materials are secure and remain available for use by as many students as possible.

In some limited cases, some reserve materials may be taken home for a restricted amount of time.

Who decides if the reserve books can be taken home, or used for only 2 hours?

The teaching faculty.

What if the textbook for my course is not on reserve?

Speak to your professor, or let library staff know.

What if I do not return reserve items on time?

Shame on you! You should feel very bad! Other students -- just like you -- are waiting for these items. In addition, reserve materials carry a $2 per hour fine.

eBooks and eVideos

2010-08-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Faculty, staff and students returning for Fall 2010 may notice a change on the Library Homepage. The page now includes a link "EBOOKS & EVIDEOS" which provides direct access to the Library's large and growing collection of full-text online books and streaming video.

E-book offerings include reference titles like encyclopedias, dictionaries and career guidance information as well as monograph titles in science, nursing, information technology, literature and history.

E-videos include PBS, Annanberg and streaming videos on demand, covering a range of academic subjects. Streaming video can be shown in class, watched on a personal computer or embedded in BlackBoard courses. Teaching faculty should visit the Faculty Resources page to find out how.

Questions about online books or videos can be directed to your campus libraries or directed through one of the Library's online "Ask a Librarian" options.

Older Magazines & Journals: Now Online!

2010-08-12T09:43:00.001-07:00

Library staff have been busy this summer removing many years' worth of old paper magazines and journals from the library stacks. Previous editions of magazines and journals that the Library subscribes to can be accessed online from on or off-campus. Select one of the databases (like Proquest of Academic Search Complete) to find an article, or click on the button that says "Click here for a list of all our full text magazines, journals and newspapers" to find a specific title.

(above: old periodicals and storage boxes are removed from the upper level).

The Library will continue to maintain limited runs of periodical back-files for browsing.

Space saved in the periodical section will be used to add student seating, study space and carrels suitable for use with laptop computers.

The Yellow Boxes Are Following Me!

2010-07-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Collection Development Librarian Matt Todd paid a visit to his alma mater, the University of Exeter in England. Taking a tour of the university library, Matt was suprised to discover the building in the midst of a renovation and the book stacks crowded with yellow boxes:

These appear to be the exact same yellow crates that held the collection of the Alexandria Campus Library during the recent recarpeting (see below for pictures and descriptions of the Library carpeting and asbestos abatement project).

The Beautiful Game

2010-06-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

World Cup Fever has come to the Alexandria Campus.

Stop by any one of several TV monitors in the corridors showing the matches.

Or come by the Library to read what Vanity Fair, Sports Illustrated, and the daily national and weekly world newspapers (such as the Sunday Times or El Pais) have to say.

Library Opens for Business

2010-06-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

New Carpet. New Chairs. No Asbestos.

Summer hours:

Mon - Thurs 8.30am - 9.00pm

Fri 8.30am - 5.00 pm

Sat & Sun closed

And We're Back

2010-06-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Library re-opened today -- most library services resume as normal.

New carpet, new chairs!

We Didn't Learn This in Graduate School!

2010-06-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

Usually when librarians talk about "weeding" and "pruning" they are referring to withdrawing or removing books, periodicals or other materials from the collection.

But Sylvia Rortvedt (Associate Director) and Matt Todd (Collection Development Librarian) did some actual foliage pruning today during some serious indoor gardening. Above: Matt pruning the Norfolk Pine in the main reading area.

(It finally happened! The re-carpeting project drove Matt and Sylvia up a tree)

More New Stuff!

2010-06-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

In preparation for re-opening the Library to students, faculty and staff, the Group Study Rooms had a make-over:

(above and below: each Group Study Room has a new table and new chairs. The rooms also have dry-erase white boards)

Moving In: Moving Pains

2010-06-03T09:27:00.001-07:00

Not everything went smoothly.

(above: moving the Circulating collection back to the shelves. Many of the books had been stored on these large rolling book trucks for the duration)

(above: the Circulating collection back on the shelves. So do the books go on the shelves from left to right or from right to left? If in doubt, do it both ways!!)

(above: not everything got put back in quite the right place...)

(above: and not everything got put back in quite the right order)

Library staff are working hard to get the Library re-opened by Monday June 7th.

Moving Back In

2010-06-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

Slowly but surely, things return to normal.

(above: the Reference Collection back on the shelves -- and in correct order!!)

(above: the Circulation Desk, back in place. Note the empty reserve shelves and the new tile floor)

(above: the "living room" furniture, back in the living room, but not yet in place)

Carpeting is done!

2010-06-01T12:32:00.000-07:00

...and the Big Move begins. Carpeting and asbestos abatement are finally completed, and Library staff began moving furniture, offices, computers and books back in place.

(above: Norfolk pines back in place!)

(above: the books ready to go back on the shelves)

(above: books in crates and on carts, getting ready to go back on the shelves)

(above: the librarians moving back into their office)

Progress -- the home stretch!

2010-05-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

The abatement is finally completed, the carpeting is almost completed and the new tile in the entrance is in place.

(above: moving the stacks, one shelf at a time!)

(aove: the circulating collection stacks -- with no books!)

(above: the collection in crates. This is (was!) the faculty librarians' office)

(above: chairs, chairs, chairs!)

Librarians can alphabetize...

2010-05-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

...but can they count?

Friday's challenge was numbering the shelves so the books (which are in all those numbered crates (see below) can be reshelvd in order.

All together: ONE shelf, TWO shelves, THREE shelves...

This post was brought to you by the number 2001. Or 2012. Or 2043. Which is maybe how many shelves there are in the circulating collection.

Work in the Library continues

2010-05-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Carpeting and asbestos abatement (and the removal and storage of furniture, books, and shelves to make the work possible) continues.

(above: Extent of the work going on inside the Library becomes obvious for the first time outside the Library as the front doors are sealed, cordoned off, and posted with warning signs).

(above: the "back door" of the Library, leading to the circulation desk and staff offices. Caution!)

Work is expected to be completed, and the Library reopened to students, faculty and staff, in early June.

Moving the collection

2010-05-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

The book stacks, relocated near the windows. The yellow crates (all 2,000 of them) are storing the books:

The people who made it all possible

2010-05-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Our brave movers:

And Kathy Clement: the project manager:

Progress downstairs

2010-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Work continues on the main level:

(above: the main floor, tented)

(above: the Reference area, no carpet!)

(above: the stairs are wood!)

(above: the original carpet -- orange!)

(above: the books in crates)

The balcony is done!

2010-05-24T09:31:00.001-07:00

The upper level of the Library is re-carpeted, furniture moved back in, and the plants are back home!

Library carpet: progress!

2010-05-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

The upper level of the Library is done! All the furniture, shelving, print periodicals, and plants were removed, the old carpet was ripped up, and new carpet laid (below).

After the carpet was laid, all t furniture was put back in place, the periodicals re-shelved, and in a delicate operation, the plants were returned!

Work continues on the main level.

A look at the new carpet:

Guess the name of the pattern:

A) Belly Flop

B) Belly Dancer

C) Dance Party

D) Party Crasher

Some Library services continue to be available in Room 234.

Stop by and see us.

Library Recarpeting: progress report

2010-05-18T11:39:00.001-07:00

The Library project is moving ahead. Check here for updates.

To facilitate some of the dangerous and messy work, parts of the Library have to be sealed off with plastic sheeting:

(above: wrapping the stairs to the upper level)

(above: the stairs completely wrapped in plastic. Watch those books! They are next to go!)

(above: where did the books go? All the books had to be moved off the shelves and onto these carts)

(above: many of the books were packed into these yellow crates. You can see the empty shelves. All the shelving will have to be dismantled).

(above: as part of the process, all of the furniture in the Library had to be removed or moved out of the way. Here are study tables stacked on end, with more of those book crates. There are over 60,000 volumes in the Library collection that must be moved and stored, and 21,000 square feet to be carpeted).

Carpeting in room 327 (the Libray classroom) has been completed! Computers are being installed today.

Carpeting has begun on the upper level of the Library and should be completed tomorrow.

Remember: for the duration of the Library re-carpeting project, computers are available in the Open Computer Center in Room 155.

Study space is available throughout the Bisdorf Building -- look especially for the tables and chairs set up in the new wing, or Phase III.

Library staff can be contacted in room 234. You can also return materials in room 234, and find Reserve materials (text books).

Why can't I use the Library?

2010-05-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

The Alexandria Campus Library is currently undergoing significant work for a re-carpeting project.

(above) Over the weekend (!), our dedicated crew of movers loaded all the books into these yellow boxes.

(above) The Library Reference area and main seating area, with all the furniture and shelving (and books!) removed.

(above) Where did all the furniture go? It's all piled up in the Circulation area!

NOTE: Some Library services are available for the duration of this project in room 234.

Library Services in Room 234

2010-05-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Library's temporary new "home". While the Library is being completely recarpeted (which requires removal of all the furniture and the all the book stacks!), Library staff will relocate to Bisdorf Room 234, right across the hall, to provide services to students.

Beginning May 17, some Library services will be available in room 234 from 8.30am - 7.30pm Monday - Thursday and 8.30am - 5pm Fridays. The Library does not have weekend hours during the summer.

Services available in room 234 include: course reserves, research assistance, daily newspapers, resolving student holds & fines, and intercampus loan delivery.

Please note: during the recarpeting, for safety reasons, the Library is required to close to faculty and staff as well as students. The print collection of books and periodicals will not be available during this time.

NOVA students may borrow materials from any NOVA campus library with a NOVAcard.

Electronic resources, including e-books, are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week from the Library homepage. Research assistance is available online from the Ask a Librarian page.

Computers are available on campus in the Open Computer Center.

The carpeting throughout the Library has been in need of replacement for many years. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming summer students back to the Library in the first week of June!

New Carpet

2010-05-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Student surveys said the Library looked "dated" and "shabby." We agree! So the Library is getting new carpet!

In order for the old carpet to be removed and the new carpet laid, the Library will CLOSE on Tuesday 11 May. For safety reasons, the Library will remain closed until the project is completed.

Beginning May 17, limited Library services (reserves, research assistance, hold removal, and intercampus loan pick up) will be available in Bisdorf Room 234 -- right across the hall from the Library's main entrance.

Check this space for updates. Or visit the Library Homepage. Or stop by Room 232 -- there will be signs posted on the front doors with new information as we have it.

Thanks for your patience.

We're looking forward to beautiful new carpet.

Students study early and late!

2010-05-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

For the last week of classes and the week of final exams the Library opened 30 minutes early and stayed open an hour later.

Over 640 students used the Library earlier or later than normal term-time hours.

Study Early! Study Late!

2010-04-26T15:45:00.001-07:00

Durnig the last week of classes and final exams the Alexanria Campus Library will observe extended hours. The Library will open 30 minutes early at 8am Monday - Friay and close 60 minutes late at 11pm Monday - Thursday.

Don't miss our popular Late Night study break!

Girls! And Resources! And Girls!

2010-04-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

As part of our celebrations for National Library Week, we asked Library users what they liked most about the Alexandria Campus Library. Here's what they said:

Friendly staff * Well-kept study rooms with markers * I like your pencils * Faculty is very kind * Puzzles * Lots of excellent resources (books, articles, videos) * Pretty chill * Great teachers * Good for social life *Great study space * The [library] faculty is very kind and helpful * I just love it! * Great access to resources - online databases of journals &tc * You can meet lots of girls!

National Library Week at the Alexandria Campus

2010-04-16T06:16:00.001-07:00

April 11 - 17 is National Library Week.

The Alexandria Campus Library launched National ibrary Week on April 6 with a presentation at the Honors Hour by Librarian and Faculty Emerita Mimi Gronlund on her recently-published biography of her father, “Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark: A Life of Service.” Clark served as U.S. Attorney General in the years immediately after World War II, and President Harry Truman appointed him to the Supreme Court where he served as an Associate Justice from 1949 to 1967. A large group gathered to hear Gronlund speak about her father’s career and her experience of writing the book, and any stayed to purchase a copy and have it signed by the author.

Gronlund was a librarian at the Alexandria Campus from 1976 to 1998. She was an active articipant on the Campus and in college life. She was also the recipient of the “Open Moment” fellowship, established in honor of Dean Cecil Shuler on his retirement. The fellowship provided the opportunity to begin her research at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.

The Library also asked Library users what they liked most about the Library. Answers ranged from "lots of excellent resources" to "great teachers" to "good place to meet girls."

Alexandria Campus Library: a little something for everyone!

Literary Cake -- Winner!

2010-04-01T13:06:00.001-07:00

The Alexandria Library's very own Jane Maddan won the prize for "Most Beautiful Cake" in the Annandale Library's literary cakes contest. Jane's inspiration was Alice in Wonderland. Congratulations, Jane!

(when they cut the cake, were there cries of "Off with her head"?)

Book for a Buck: Book Sale Success

2010-03-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

The Alexandria Campus Library's March Madness Book Sale took place on Wednesday 24 March. Library book sales have become much-anticipated campus events, with steady interest throughout the day. The "Y" was buzzing with students, faculty and staff scooping up the bargains (everything cost only $1.00). This semester's book sale raised over $260 for the Library.

Proceeds from the book sale support Library services for students, such as late-night snacks during final exams and National Library Week celebrations as well as Library collections.

Thank you for your support.