Happy Thanksgiving

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

Library Featured in Psychological Thriller

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?

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

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

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?

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

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

Blog Crests 20,000 Page Views

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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