Friday, February 17, 2017

The Sweet Sounds of... Silence!

We know the Library is loud.  You've told us.  And you've told us what you need is a SILENT place to study.  And we heard you, loud and clear (ha!).

Alexandria Campus Library's silent study rooms are here, are open, and ready to use!


The Upper Level of the Library is designated as the "Quiet Level" (think golf tournament or tennis match whispering).  Just off the quiet level you will find the silent study rooms.



Please be considerate of your fellow students.  Be silent in the silent rooms.  Be quiet in the quiet area.

There is plenty of group study space available on the Library's main level, in the Academic Success Center (room 229) or in ANY open classroom.

Thursday, February 02, 2017

China In My Eyes: Grand Opening

The vision of the China In My Eyes project is to introduce people to China, to engender curiosity and promote awareness about the Chinese culture and to take viewers on a journey through China.


Professor Dali Tan (Chinese, AL) picturedhere with Lucia Claster (Deputy Director, Confucius Institute):


Associate Dean Matt Todd delivers welcoming remarks:


The exhibit remains on display through March 6, 2017.


The exhibit also promotes the Library's wide collection of materials on Chinese history, art, culture and language, as well as popular and classic Chinese cinema on DVD.

China In My Eyes: Exhibit

In partnership with the Confucius Institute at George Mason University  the Alexandria Campus Library is proud to host a special exhibit of photographs of everyday life in China titled China In My Eyes.


On Wednesday 1 February the Library hosted a festive opening of the exhibit:




The Confucius Institute, in partnership with the Alexandria Campus and the Alexandria Campus Library Foundation provided refreshments:


Over 80 students, photographers, faculty, faculty emeriti, friends of the Confucius Institute, friends of the Library and community patrons attended the event:


Friday, January 27, 2017

Silent Study: Almost here!

This Library is a loud Library.  The students know it and the staff know it.  Unfortunately, the way the Library was designed and constructed does not allow to easily "zone" or divvy up space for different uses.

And this Library has a lot of  different uses.  People come to to do research, consult with Librarians, check out books, use Reserve textbooks, seek directions, register for classes, check Blackboard, check Facebook, email, type papers, complete homework, take online quizzes,  print (and print and print and print), seek help with printing, seek instruction with printing, complain about printing, study independently, study in groups, use wi-fi, read newspapers, discuss the news with friends, charge phones, meet friends for lunch, bring lunch to friends, meet professors, have a rest, have a cuddle, or just chill out.

What many of these activities produce is noise.  While the upper level of the Library is our "quiet" level, it is a balcony mezzanine and open to the noise activities on the main floor.

And until now, there has been no place to completely close off and allow silence to reign.

But the time has come!

 
Over the break construction began on creating two new glass-enclosed SILENT study rooms on the upper level.  


In response to long-stated student demand, these rooms will now provide enclosed, completely SILENT study space adjacent to the quiet space on the upper level.

Furniture will be in place soon!

Shhhhhhh.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

14 Week Session begins

And activity on campus kicked up a notch (or three!)


The Library has been crowded with students studying, reading, printing, researching, catching up, photocopying, and checking out books,

Does the Library have the textbook for your class?  Chances are we do.  Check the Course Reserves list to find out (or choose Course Reserves here).


Please let a Librarian know if there is a textbook or other resource you cannot find.  And stop by the Research Desk for help finding articles, books, online sources, directions to campus, the shuttle bus schedule, the restroom and much much more!

Monday, January 09, 2017

Spring Semester: Welcome!

Happy New Year and welcome to NOVA Alexandria Campus Library for 2017.



Spring Semester classes started today, Monday January 9th.

The Library begins regular semester hours:

Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 9.00pm
Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday 12.00pm (noon) - 4.00pm

If you are a looking for a copy of your textbook it is likely the Library has a reserve copy for your use (for free!).  Note that reserve materials must be used in the Library, and most are on a 2-hour loan, with a $4/hour fine if late.

If you have a research assignment your Librarians can help you locate appropriate resources and show you how to cite them.

Finally -- exciting things are happening upstairs!  Things are in a bit of disorder as we construct two brand new SILENT STUDY ROOMS.  They should be available for use by the end of the month!


Silent Study coming soon!



Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Exams End, Intersession Begins

Alexandria Campus Library concluded 2 weeks of Extended Hours on Friday 16 December 2016.

During that time, 93 students were served before 8.30am and 406 students used the Library after 10pm.  A total of 499 students were served this semester during times the Library normally would be closed.

Thanks to the Office of Student Life, vast quantities of snacks and soft drinks were consumed, with coffee and hot cocoa provided by the Library:


Late night snacks for study break continued a tradition dating back to 2005:


NEWS OF NOTE:

During intersession (no classes) the Library is open 8.30am - 5.00pm.

The College will be CLOSED from December 23 - January 2.

Spring Semester classes begin January 9th.

While a construction project takes place upstairs (stay tuned!!!) the upper level of the Library will be closed.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Destress 4 Success

The student de-stress club sponsored several activities in the Library during the last week of classes and final exams.  In addition to a very well-received hot chocolate bar, we had:

LEGO!!!



Origami!!


Coloring!




Puzzles!!



Plus, of course, late night study-break snacks (thanks to Student Life for the snacks!).

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

The Great ART Invasion

Students in Professor Gardner's ART 131 classes installed their work throughout the campus at the end of the Fall Semester.

The Library was pleased and proud to host the following pieces:

Weighted Grade:



Beauty and Strength:



Twisted With Envy:


Strep Throat:



To read a good book on the subject, check out:

Art and the Power of Placement.  N4395 N49 2005

Installation Art: A Critical History N6494 I56 B57 2005b

Themes in Contemporary Art.  N6494 P66 T48 2004

Monday, December 05, 2016

EXTENDED HOURS are HERE



During the Final Week of Classes and Final Exams the Library provides EXTRA TIME for studying.

From December 5th - December 16th the Library will open a half-our early and close an hour late to support final papers, projects and exams.




Image result for clock 10 pm




Monday - Thursday:  8.00am - 11.00pm

Friday: 8.00am - 6.00pm

Saturday Noon - 4.00pm


Image result for study break snacks

Study Break SNACKS will be served around 10.00pm.

Why not join us?

Friday, November 11, 2016

Election Fatigue?

Need something fun for post-election?  Why not check out a fun film?


Fawlty Towers

Doctor Who

Kal Ho Na Ho

Star Wars: A New Hope

Torchwood

Sholay

Clueless

Austenland

Party Girl


James Bond (any one will do!)

Back to the Future

Loony Tunes

Flight of the Condors

Hope and Glory

Friday, November 04, 2016

Remember Remember

Remember Remember the Fifth of November
Gunpowder Treason and Plot
I know of no Reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Ever should be Forgot!



Guy Fawkes Day falls on the Fifth of November, also known as Bonfire Night:


If all this talk of blowing up Parliament (and so close to US Election Day!) has you in a revolutionary mood, check out:

Apthedker, Herbert.  The Nature of Democracy, Freedom and Revolution.  JC585 A6

Arendt, Hannah.  On Revolution.  JC491 A68 1965

DeFronzo, James.  Revolutionary Movements in World History.  REF D295 R49 2006

Sidbury, James.  Ploughshares into Swords: Race, Rebellion and Identity in Gabriel's Virginia 1730-1810.  F234 R59 N477 1997


Thursday, October 13, 2016

Playoff!

The Washington Nationals head for Game 5 of the MLB playoffs.

Read up on our national pastime:


The Grind:  Inside Baseball's Endless Season.  GV863 A1 S945 2015



National Pastime:Sports, Politics, and the Return of Baseball to Washington DC. GV863 W18 S87 2006



A people's History of Baseball.  GV863 A1 N368 2012


Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Midterm Madness!

Well, maybe more Midterm Mild Madcap

As midterm exams visit the campus the Academic Success Center partnered with the Library to offer LATE NIGHT WRITING (help).

Students working on midterm papers and projects are able to meet with a writing tutor from 7.30-10pm on a walk-in basis.


Monday, September 26, 2016

Willi and the Smiths

It's not quite Manchester but it's Mancunian weather so Willi the Library fish is reading up on the Smiths:


You can too:

Inside the Smiths  DVD ML421 S614 I575x 2007

Morrissey and Marr: The Severed Alliance.  ML421 S614 R58 1993

Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of the Smiths.  ML421 S614 G64 2009

The Smiths: The Songs That Saved Your Life.  ML421  S614 G65x 2009


Thursday, September 08, 2016

We have limes!

Library staff have been undertaking horticultural adventures, and we now have limes:



They might be the right size for a gin& tonic for a Minifig:


Or to inspire some light reading:


 SB355 .E42 2012 


Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Textbooks

Textbooks are expensive!
 
College students don't have lots of money.


YOUR campus Library is here to help!  Did you know the Library has copies of most course textbooks and other course materials, available for students to use FOR FREE???


The Alexandria campus actively seeks out copies of course textbooks which are held on reserve.


Reserves are course materials, usually textbooks, provided for student use.  Because of the high demand for these items, most course reserves cannot be removed in the Library, and most are on a 2-hour loan to give as many students as possible a chance to use them.  Reserves are also the only Library materials that carry fines -- overdue course reserves accrue fines of $4/ hour.

To use course reserves, you will need a valid NOVAcard.  Although most reserve materials are designated for Library Use Only, students may, for their own use, make photocopies, scans, or take pictures with mobile devices.

Ask if the Library has your textbooks!

Friday, August 19, 2016

Welcome to Fall 2016

To our returning students, Welcome Back!!  To our new students, Welcome to the Alexandria Campus Library!

Your Library staff have been busy over the summer preparing for the start of a new academic year.

Check out our expanded Legal Studies Collection:


When not in use for LGL instruction, this space is available for group study.

More study space is available behind the stacks (bookshelves).  In response to student requests, we've added more seating:


This area is reserved for quiet study.

The Library receives new materials throughout the year and summer is no exception.


Come and see the many exciting new additions to our book and video collections: