NEW NovaCard Machines!

NOVACard staff have installed new improved NOVACard machines which will allow students and community users to add value to their NOVACards or purchase guest cards.*

New NOVACard machine in the first floor Bisdorf Lobby,  outside the Library

Use your NOVACard to print or make photocopies in the Library and Open Computer Lab.  Also use to make purchases in the Cafeteria, Bookstore, and selected vending machines.

Students will also need a NOVACard to borrow regular and Reserve materials from the Library.

* note that guest cards cost $1.00 to purchase and then require value to be added.

NOVACard is managed by the NOVACard office.  Questions, comments, concerns and technical assistance should be directed to NOVACard.

Virginia Top State for Business

Virginia ranks as #1 State for Business AND best education system in the nation!  Read more:

According to CNBC’s analysis, Virginia has the nation’s best workforce, including the fourth-highest concentration of science, technology, education and math workers. It also said strong school test scores, small class sizes and a wealth of colleges and universities make Virginia’s education system the best in the nation.

Read more:

How To Start A Business In Virginia.  HD62.5 H68636

Virginia Business Registration and Incorporation Guide.  KFV2613 V573

Business Practice (Virginia Entities).  KFV2613 B87

Military Friendly

NOVA was recently recognized as one of the most military-friendly large colleges, and one of the most friendly to military wives.

Balancing Life and Education While Being Part of a Military Family:  A Guide to Navigating Higher Education for the Military Spouse.  UB403 V45 2017

Called to Serve:  A Handbook on Student Veterans and Higher Education.  UB357 H36 2013

Financial Aid for Veterans, Military Personnel, and their Dependents.  UB403 F47

From the Army to College: Transitioning from the Service to Higher Edcucation.  UB357 V342 2015

Arms and the University: Military Presence and the Civic Education of Non-Military Students.  U428.5 D68 2012

Summer session

The days became longer, the temperatures became warmer, and campus became quieter.  Which can mean only one thing:  it's SUMMER!

Alexandria Campus Library hours remain the same in summer:

Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 9.00pm

Friday: 8.30-5.00pm

Saturday-Sunday: closed

But some campus offices adopt different summer hours, so be sure to check the campus website.

And check out some good "summer" reads (and watches):

Wharton, Edith.  Summer.  PS3546 H1 S86

Sommersturn.  AV PN1997.2 S66278876x 2006

Long Hot Summer.  AV PS3511 A86 L66 2003

Carey, Allen.  Yellowstone's Red Summer.  SD421.32 Y45 C38 1989

(500) Days of Summer.  AV PN1997.2 A165x 2013

Fagan, Brian.  The Long Summer: How Climate Changed Civilization.  QC 981.8 C5 F34 2004

Extended Hours Success

From April 4th through May 8th the Library once again observed Extended Hours to provide additional study time for the last week of classes and final exams.

283 students used the Library between 9-10pm, when the facility would normally be closed.

Thanks to all Library staff who arranged their schedules to make this popular event possible.  And many thanks to Student Life for providing what seemed like an endless supply of SNACKS!

Labor Day in May?

May 1st is May Day in some parts of the world, but in most places it is International Workers Day, so depending on your inclinations you can have a political march or protest:

or you can put flowers in your hair and skip around a pole with streamers:

Read more about it:

The Ritual of May Day in Western Europe: Past, Present, and Future (available online).

Festivals and Holidays.  GT3925 F47 1999

MORE TIME TO STUDY

Last week of classes is almost upon us which means just one thing:  Final Exams are around the corner (as well as final projects, term papers, make-up work &tc).

It also means lots of studying is on the horizon.

Alexandria Campus Library is here to help!

Library hours will be extended April 29 - May 2 and May 6 - 8:

open 8.30am - close 10pm.

Extra hour to study!

Study break snacks available!

Burning the midnight oil.  Get it????

Fifty Shades Less Good?

E.L. James released her new novel, and her first departure from the 'Grey' series, today April 16.

It was received with less than positive reviews.

Those interested in (re)visiting the publishing sensation that some regard as bringing erotica into the mainstream (especially for female readers) can borrow the 'Grey' series from the Annandale and Loudoun Campus Libraries.

Poisoned Beauty: Pollen

The DC region is awash in blooms of all sorts, riots of color have erupted in the trees and shrubberies and gardens all over the DMV.

And the Alexandria campus is no exception:

The unfortunate side-effect for many allergy sufferers of all this beauty is the flower's evil side-kick: POLLEN.

Read all about it (and take your allergy meds!):

Pollen: The Hidden Sexuality of  Flowers.  QK658 K49x 2006

Allergy Sourcebook.  RC584 A3443 2011

The Allergy Book.  RJ386 S43x 2015

Exploring Plant Reproduction.  AV QK825 E9756x 2010

Sculptural Chairs

Professor Jessica Gardner's students are once again exhibiting their Sculptural Chairs in the Library:

Come and see them (but please don't sit on them!) soon.

March Madness

Will the UVA Cavaliers go all the way?

Read more about March Madness:

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

Last Dance: Behind the Scenes at the Final Four.  GV885.45 N37 F45 2006

Nowruz

Nowruz is the Persian celebration of the New Year.

Nowruz is a special time for the Alexandria Campus Library because it marks the anniversary of the arrival of Willi, the Library Fish.

Read more about Iran and Persian culture:

Iran's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook.  DS254.5 P75 2005

Historical Dictionary of Iran.  DS270 L67 2007

And read more about Willi and his kind:

Aquarium Fish: A Portrait of the Animal World.  SF457 C54x 2013

Happy Holi

Holi is considered as one of the most revered and celebrated festivals of India and it is celebrated in almost every part of the country. It is also sometimes called as the “festival of love” as on this day people get to unite together forgetting all resentments and all types of bad feeling towards each other. The great Indian festival lasts for a day and a night, which starts in the evening of Purnima or the Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun.

Read more about it:

Essential Hinduism.  BL1202 R55 2006

Culture and Customs of India.  DS423 G33 2002

Spring Break!!

Classes will pause for the week of March 11 - 15 when the College observes Spring Break.

Library hours for Spring Break:

Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

NOTE there will be no classes or activities during break.  Research assistance, both in person and online, will continue to be available.

(probably we will not be in our swimsuits though!)

Get the laptop habit

Alexandria Campus Library's self-service laptop kiosk went live just over a month ago and so far it has been a big hit!

Last month laptop computers were borrowed 168 times!

Laptops loans are FREE to students with a valid and activated NOVACard.

Obtain a NOVACard for FREE in the parking office room 189.  NOVACard is also your college ID, your Library Card, your printing card, and can be used as a debit card in the bookstore, cafeteria and campus vending machines.

The Laptop Kiosk can be found on the first floor of the Bisdorf Building opposite room 194.  Laptops may be borrowed for up to four hours.

Laptop ANYTIME!

The Library's new LAPTOP KIOSK is now live!

Using a valid NOVACard, students may borrow a laptop from our self-service kiosk for up to four hours for on-campus use.

Students agree to terms and conditions, agree to return the laptop in good working order in 4 hours or less.

The laptop kiosk is located on the first floor of the Bisdorf Building, near room 194.

Please see the Library Circulation Desk with any questions or concerns.

Classes resume!

Spring classes officially begin on January 12th, but most students will return to campus the week of the 14th.

The Alexandria Campus Library will resume normal hours for the Spring Semester:

Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 9.00pm

Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

Saturday & Sunday:  Closed

Looking for a campus Library on Saturdays?  The Medical Campus and Woodbridge Campus Libraries are open on Saturdays.  You can check all campus library hours online.

In addition, regional public libraries are open on Saturdays.

NOVA students are also welcome to use the libraries at George Mason University. (note NOVA students will need to pay to park at GMU, and bring proof of registration in order to borrow).

College Closes for Winter Break

Final Exams have come to an end, final papers have been submitted, final projects have been completed.

The College will CLOSE for the winter break from 21 December through 2 January.

Alexandria Campus Library wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season and a restorative and constructive break.

See you in January!!

Note that in the intersession period from January 2 - 11 the Library will be open from 8.30am - 5.00pm)

Extended Hours for Finals!

Need more time to study?

Alexandria Campus Library is here for you!  All the way until 10pm!!

Study with us from December 10 - 13.  Enjoy de-stress activities.

And SNACKS.  Lots of snacks.

Happy Holidays

from YOUR Library

Christmas: A History.  GT4985 C5485