New Desks (new to us)

Have a look on the upper level of the Library to see the results of some redecorating.





George Mason University had some surplus carrels to give away, which have found a new home at NOVA. These "certified pre-owned" study desks closely match our existing furniture, and replace some furniture that had seen better days.


The Library was also able to expand its seating on the upper level in response to steadily growing Library use.

The Big Shift

What's going on with the Circulating Collection?

Library staff are in the process of shifting almost the entire collection to make a little more room for more books. Don't be surprised to find a few ranges of empty shelves in the circulating book stacks.

The books will remain in Library of Congress Call Number order throughout the shift, and the stacks will remain open for browsing. As always, if you have any questions, please ask a member of staff!

Library Extended Hours a Success

Despite uncomfortable temperatures throughout the last week of classes and exams week, Extended Library Hours served more students than ever before.

Almost 600 people studied in the Library between 8.00- 8.30am and 10.00- 11.00pm over two weeks.

Everyone at the Alexandria Campus Library joins NOVA graduates in celebrating the end of term. Congratulations Graduates!!

Donate a DVD--

--- get a baby plant!

Can YOU help build the Library's DVD collection? Donate a DVD to the Library and receive a Baby Plant with our thanks!

Please ask at the Reference Desk for details. In order to avoid duplicating titles already in the collection, please choose from this list:

Seven Samurai

The Class

Slumdog Millionaire

The Reader

Milk

Juno

Othello

Is it HOT in here or is it just me?

It's not just you! The air conditioning in the Bisdorf (AA) Building is being replaced. While this happens, there is no air-conditioning in the Library!

As outside temperatures rise, inside temps do also -- and since the windows in the Library do not open, there is no way to vent the hot air or blow in cold air.

Remember that the Library is opening early and closing late April 27 - May 8. Come prepared, dress appropriately:

And help yourself to a glass of lemonade during the Late Night Study Break (usually around 10pm).

Fans have been placed around the Library to help move the air. We know it's HOT, and we apologize for the discomfort. Some parts of the building to have air-conditioning, so feel free to explore to find a COOL spot.

In the meantime, dress cool, find a fan, and chill out in our warm Library.

Extended Hours

Come to the Library early and stay late to study for final exams and prepare final projects.

Once again this year the Alexandria campus Library will open early and remain open late to accomodate students needing extra study time.

April 27 - May 8

Mon - Thursday: 8am - 11pm

Fri 8am - 5 pm

Sat 9am - 4 pm

Purple Haze

Cyber Space gets a new look with some brand new chairs!

Looking good!

National Library Week, Part II

The Alexandria Campus Library continued its celebration of National Library Week with another of its much anticipated Book Sales.

At least twice per year (usually once in spring during National Library Week and once in the autumn) the Library holds a large book sale somewhere on campus. This year the sale took place in the Bisdorf lobby, right outside the Library front doors.

Books for the sale are donated from NOVA students, faculty, staff and library users from the Alexandria community (books purchased for the Library collection cannot be sold in book sales). Proceeds from the sales support purchase of new Library materials, Library functions and events like Late Night Study Breaks or other refreshments.

Library book sales have become popular campus events in the last few years. The sale yielded $350 this year -- thanks to all who came out to support the Library!

National Library Week

Happy National Library Week (April 13 - 17) from your

Alexandria Campus Library.

Help us celebrate with cookies and lemonade on Tuesday April 14th.

Also, please stop by the Library Book Sale on Thursday April 16th.

Tell Us What You Think!!

Here at the Library we're interested in hearing from YOU!

What do you think about the Library services and collections here at NOVA? Do you find what you need, when you need it? Are the staff helpful? Is the Library a good place to study, research, read, & use computers?

Please take a few moments to full in our survey. (also available from the Library Homepage).

We really do listen! A few things that have happened in the Library as a result of surevy responses are

• addition of group study rooms
• addition of more computers
• addition of more quiet study areas
• addition of more reserve books
• better reserve policies to make reserve books available to more students
• better lighting in the library
• new paint in the library
• increased staffing at service desks during times of high use
• extended hours

Thanks for taking our survey!

Why is it so HOT in here?

And what's up with all the big fans?

The Alexandria Campus is replacing the air-conditioning system in Bisdorf Phase I (the wing of the Bisdorf Building in which the Library is located).

This work includes asbestos abatement as well as mechanical work and valve replacement. For everyone's safety and wellbeing, the air-conditioning (including all ventilation & blowers) must be switched off.

This occurred at the end of spring break. The result: it has become very warm in the Library very quickly.

(why does this happen? There are no windows that open in the Library and no doors to the outside, so directing outside air in is almost impossible. Also computers, photocopy machines and printers all give off heat. Bodies give off heat. And the Library has two two-storey walls of windows, which give us a beautiful view and lots of light but also creates a greenhouse effect, especially when it's sunny outside).

Large pedestal fans have been brought into the Library to help move the air and keep the temperature down. These fans are noisy, but they definitely help!

Also please be aware that many computer labs and computer classrooms had to be closed for the duration of the work. This will affect computer availability on campus. While Library computers continue to be available, you may experience some waiting time to access one.

Spring Break Extreme Makeover

What happened over Spring Break? The Library was completely repainted (the first time some parts of the Library had been repainted in over 30 years!). The previous tan/ beige wall color was replaced by brilliant white. Some of the columns on the lower level and the trim throughout the Library was also freshened up.

Having the painting crew in the Library necessitated a 2-day closure during Spring Break. We hope the new, fresh spaces in the Library was worth the wait!

Library staff also completed some much needed shifting in the Reference collection.

Come in and check out our New Look!

Library Extreme Makeover -- Spring Break Hours

Maybe not an extreme makeover, but a much-needed freshening up of the interior paint in the Library will take place over Spring Break.

Library hours for March 9-15 are:

Monday-Wednesday, March 9-11 8:30am – 7:30pm
Thursday-Sunday, March 12-15 Closed

Some areas of the library may be inaccessible Monday-Wednesday.

Budget Cuts...

...or where are all the new books?

According to NOVA president Robert Templin, Library purchases have been cut by over $200,000 in 2008-09. What this means for Your campus Library is a significant reduction in the number of new monograph books the Library will be able to acquire this semester.

The Library continues its commitment to online resources, including full-text newspaper, magazine and journal articles, as well as fine art images, selected reference books, and full-text Information Technology Titles (see library databases to access these online resources in such databases as ProQuest, JSTOR, ArtStor, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Oxford Reference Online, and Safari Books). Online resources are available from every campus computer and also accessible from home (off-campus users will need NovaConnect user name and password to access online library resources).

The Library will continue to receive a very small number of new print titles (books) as well as print periodicals (magazines and journals).

Of course, the Library continues to provide computer access, Library and Research instruction rto individuals and classes, printing and photocopying services, course Reserves, group study facilities, Popular Reading and Feature Films (DVD and VHS), VCR & DVD viewing, quiet study, and wireless internet access.

Oxford African American Study Center

The Online Authority on the African American Experience:

Do you know who refused to go to the back of the bus in August 1952, more than three years before Rosa Parks refused to do so?

Can you name the first black man and woman in the United States to travel to space?

Do you know in which famous jazz singer and bandleader's group Miles Davis debuted?

Can you name the first black woman millionaire in the United States and how she made her fortune?

Do you know which US President has been described as doing more for civil rights than any other president since Abraham Lincoln?

Can you name three important musical acts in hip-hop's early years?

Do you know which black infantry unit helped Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders capture San Juan Hill?

Can you name the founder of the city of Chicago?

Do you know where rap music originated?

Get your final answer at the Oxford African American Studies Center. Visit the Library Homepage to find it, on the "Articles" page under History.

Libraries and Art in Philly

Sylvia Rortvedt (ESS Associate Director) and Matt Todd (Collection Development Librarian) accompanied AL Fine Art faculty member Rebecca Kamen to view her exhibit Manuscript as Muse at the American Philosphical Society. Kamen's show was inspired by manuscript holdings of the APS, including Ben Franklin's Magic Circle of Circles, river diagrams by Luna Leopold as well as other examples of historical natural history.


[above, l-r: Rebecca Kamen, Sylvia Rortvedt, Matt Todd, Ron Brashear (Director of the Chemical Heritage Foundation), Madeline Copp (Librarian at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College]

The librarians were also interested to visit the APS vault and view some of the treasures of the collection, including Merriweather Lewis & William Clark's journals of their expedition to the Pacific, Benjamin Franklin's manuscript letters, and a copy of the Declaration of Independence in Jefferson's handwriting. The newly renovated and remodelled reading room was also a highlight.

The group also visited the nearby Chemical Heritage Foundation to view their new exhibit space and visit their very fine library [above].

Oscars!

You won't find a red carpet in the Library, but you can read up on Oscar:

All About Oscar: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards. PN1993.92 .L47 2003

70 Years of Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards. PN1993.92 .O82 1999

American Musical Film Song Encyclopedia. REF ML102.M68 H57 1999

President's Day

February 22nd is the 277th anniversary of George Washington's birth. Celebrate by reading up on the First President.

The General and Mrs Washington: The Untold Story of a Marriage and a Revolution. E312.19 .C47 2007


Experiencing Mount Vernon: Eywitness Accounts. E312.5 .E97 2006


The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon. NK535.W37 C33 2006


Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington. E312 .H54 2006


The first American army : the untold story of George Washington and the men behind America’s first fight for freedom . E259 .C43 2005

Who was America's Best President Ever?

Find out what 65 US Historians thought in

CSPAN's Presidential Leadership Survey

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. Although the Alexandria Campus Library collects and provides access to black history books every month, this month you may want to explore some of the Library's holdings on such diverse topics as Martin Lutehr King, the civil rights movement, Ida B Wells, Josephine Baker, the Harlem Renaissance, African Americans in American sporting life, African American achievement in Higher Education and more.



Also, check out some of the interesting Black History Month programs on the Alexandria Campus by visiting the Events Calendar.

Lincoln Exhibit at LoC

he Library of Congress has mounted a special exhibit of material from the Library's collection related to Abraham Lincoln. "With Malice Towards None", the exhibit celebrating the 20oth anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Also, stop by the campus Library to view our exhibit on Lincoln (and Darwin, who was also born in 1809).