I Like that the Library…employs minorities
We’re happy to hear of your appreciation of our staff. The Evans Library Librarians and staff, as well as our student workers try hard to make sure that the Library is a place where everyone feels welcome.
If you’re interested in working at the Evans Library next year, fill out an application! You can get one in person at the Circulation Desk on the first floor or print one from our website: http://libguides.fmcc.edu/libinfo
Thanks again!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
E-Books
I wish the library had…
• E-book readers
• Access to thousands of digital copies [we assume you mean free access?]
• E-book loaning policy with digital expiration dates
We like e-book readers, too—and we have been looking into this idea. It turns out that it is more complicated an endeavor than we thought at the outset. One of the biggest problems is that there is no standardization among e-book readers and e-book formats, and there are dozens of makes and models of readers, as well as numerous formats for e-books. This means that certain e-books will be compatible with only certain readers.
Another issue is the availability of “thousands of titles”. Because of the various copyright and legal issues associated with e-books in libraries, we can only acquire them by subscription through an e-book provider. There are limitations regarding the number of library patrons who can access a title at any one time, limits on how long the patron would have access to a particular book, as well as limitations regarding what titles are even available through a particular e-book service. These are just some of the reasons we have not yet made the plunge into acquiring e-readers.
HOWEVER, until we’re ready to take the plunge, you do have access to several thousand e-books through our library that you can read on a library computer or your computer. They can be found on the library’s web page by clicking on “find books”, and then the netLibrary, Humanities E-books, or Reference Books tabs. You can also borrow e-books on-line with your borrower’s card through your public library or New York Public Library. http://www.nypl.org/help/library-card
Furthermore, http://gutenberg.org has thousands of free, out-of-copyright books available for download onto your computer, iPod, or smart phone.
• E-book readers
• Access to thousands of digital copies [we assume you mean free access?]
• E-book loaning policy with digital expiration dates
We like e-book readers, too—and we have been looking into this idea. It turns out that it is more complicated an endeavor than we thought at the outset. One of the biggest problems is that there is no standardization among e-book readers and e-book formats, and there are dozens of makes and models of readers, as well as numerous formats for e-books. This means that certain e-books will be compatible with only certain readers.
Another issue is the availability of “thousands of titles”. Because of the various copyright and legal issues associated with e-books in libraries, we can only acquire them by subscription through an e-book provider. There are limitations regarding the number of library patrons who can access a title at any one time, limits on how long the patron would have access to a particular book, as well as limitations regarding what titles are even available through a particular e-book service. These are just some of the reasons we have not yet made the plunge into acquiring e-readers.
HOWEVER, until we’re ready to take the plunge, you do have access to several thousand e-books through our library that you can read on a library computer or your computer. They can be found on the library’s web page by clicking on “find books”, and then the netLibrary, Humanities E-books, or Reference Books tabs. You can also borrow e-books on-line with your borrower’s card through your public library or New York Public Library. http://www.nypl.org/help/library-card
Furthermore, http://gutenberg.org has thousands of free, out-of-copyright books available for download onto your computer, iPod, or smart phone.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
I wish the Library had… Free Taco Tuesdays
So do we!
Here’s what we can offer you in the way of “free” :
• Free computers with access to many of the programs you’re required to use for class
• Free printing
• Free books to borrow (e-books as well)
• Free magazines to read
• Free professional research assistance from our Librarians
• Free headphones (to borrow)
• Free laptops (to borrow)
• Free wireless
• Free access to over 35 databases that contain hundreds of thousands of articles
• Free tutoring services in Writing, Math and many other courses
and
• Free information!
Is all that better than free tacos? We don’t know but we’re pretty sure it’s a great start!
Thanks!
p.s. Don’t forget that the Books & Bytes Café outside the Library offers some great snacks.
So do we!
Here’s what we can offer you in the way of “free” :
• Free computers with access to many of the programs you’re required to use for class
• Free printing
• Free books to borrow (e-books as well)
• Free magazines to read
• Free professional research assistance from our Librarians
• Free headphones (to borrow)
• Free laptops (to borrow)
• Free wireless
• Free access to over 35 databases that contain hundreds of thousands of articles
• Free tutoring services in Writing, Math and many other courses
and
• Free information!
Is all that better than free tacos? We don’t know but we’re pretty sure it’s a great start!
Thanks!
p.s. Don’t forget that the Books & Bytes Café outside the Library offers some great snacks.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
New "Quiet Study"
The new “quiet study” area is connected with the group study where there’s several people talking.
Not very quiet – maybe that entire area could be quiet study?
Good question and good suggestion!
In fact, the majority of that area is already designated as “Silent Study” (we just apparently haven’t done a very good job of advertising that fact!)
You can see by our map below that, except for the closed/glass room along the wall, all those smaller rooms should be used only by those wishing to work independently (and silently). We’ve left one room as “green/commons”, due to the lack of other spaces in the Library for separate group study and have found that room to be fairly sound-proof. However, if it becomes a disruption we’ll re-evaluate the designation!
In light of your comments, we’re reposting signs and should soon have our zone map available so that all users are aware of current restrictions. We’re also expediting the replacement of the door, installing one with a new & improved viewing window (the original solid door was considered a security risk).
And, finally, please always feel free to speak with a staff member – we’re happy to remind our users to be aware of their surrounding and considerate of others!
Not very quiet – maybe that entire area could be quiet study?
Good question and good suggestion!
In fact, the majority of that area is already designated as “Silent Study” (we just apparently haven’t done a very good job of advertising that fact!)
You can see by our map below that, except for the closed/glass room along the wall, all those smaller rooms should be used only by those wishing to work independently (and silently). We’ve left one room as “green/commons”, due to the lack of other spaces in the Library for separate group study and have found that room to be fairly sound-proof. However, if it becomes a disruption we’ll re-evaluate the designation!
In light of your comments, we’re reposting signs and should soon have our zone map available so that all users are aware of current restrictions. We’re also expediting the replacement of the door, installing one with a new & improved viewing window (the original solid door was considered a security risk).
And, finally, please always feel free to speak with a staff member – we’re happy to remind our users to be aware of their surrounding and considerate of others!
Monday, December 6, 2010
MORE Computers!
I wish the Library had
More
More
More
More
More
More
and
More
More
More
More
More
More
and
More Computers --
(So, tell us what you really think…!!!)
Just kidding :) -- We’ve heard this particular wish before and hope to have some answers that address your concerns.
The quick answer is we hope to have additional computers in the Library shortly. There are plans to add a computing lab on the 2nd floor that will be used exclusively for academic purposes. Keep an eye out for more details come Spring 2011!
Also, please remember that if you’re having difficulty finding computers for academic work because “everyone is Facebooking & Game Playing” just ask for help at one of the service desks. You can check out our Wed, Nov 10th blog postwhich addresses similar concerns about our computer resources.
Other than that, it is unlikely we’ll be adding more computers to the public areas of the library. We now have 43 computer on the 1st floor, 12 on the 2nd (not including the 25 stations in the Information Literacy Classroom), 6 in the Math Lab, 8 in the Writing Center and 6 laptops for checkout: 100 computers in all! For a library our size with our current staff, that’s quite a lot of technology (not to mention users) to manage!
And so, with the computers we have, those we plan on adding, and a bit of staff intervention, is your wish met???
More
More
More
More
More
More
and
More
More
More
More
More
More
and
More Computers --
(So, tell us what you really think…!!!)
Just kidding :) -- We’ve heard this particular wish before and hope to have some answers that address your concerns.
The quick answer is we hope to have additional computers in the Library shortly. There are plans to add a computing lab on the 2nd floor that will be used exclusively for academic purposes. Keep an eye out for more details come Spring 2011!
Also, please remember that if you’re having difficulty finding computers for academic work because “everyone is Facebooking & Game Playing” just ask for help at one of the service desks. You can check out our Wed, Nov 10th blog post
Other than that, it is unlikely we’ll be adding more computers to the public areas of the library. We now have 43 computer on the 1st floor, 12 on the 2nd (not including the 25 stations in the Information Literacy Classroom), 6 in the Math Lab, 8 in the Writing Center and 6 laptops for checkout: 100 computers in all! For a library our size with our current staff, that’s quite a lot of technology (not to mention users) to manage!
And so, with the computers we have, those we plan on adding, and a bit of staff intervention, is your wish met???
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Why does the library…hardly ever get vacuumed and leave dead flies all over.
We apologize for the dead flies. The library does get vacuumed regularly. Keeping the library clean and presentable is a full-time job for the college’s maintenance crew. We will let them know that the fly situation is a problem, particularly in the silent study room and ask them to pay extra attention to that area. We would also ask for every students continued support in keeping the library clean. If you see something wrong, let us know. Remind students, politely of course, to clean up after themselves. We will be sure to monitor the library space and ensure it is presentable.
We apologize for the dead flies. The library does get vacuumed regularly. Keeping the library clean and presentable is a full-time job for the college’s maintenance crew. We will let them know that the fly situation is a problem, particularly in the silent study room and ask them to pay extra attention to that area. We would also ask for every students continued support in keeping the library clean. If you see something wrong, let us know. Remind students, politely of course, to clean up after themselves. We will be sure to monitor the library space and ensure it is presentable.
You may have also noticed that the college has placed new, large, blue trash and recyclable cans around campus. In the library, these new containers are located at the top of the stairs and near the door to the back stairs as well as near the main entrance.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Facebooking & Game Playing on Computers
Why does the library…. Allow people to be on facebook & play games when students need the computers for school work. All computers were used I see 5 people on facebook.
We’re sorry that you had difficulty using the library computers for your work. The primary function of the Evans Library is to support the academic work of students, faculty, and all other patrons and it’s disturbing when any user feels they can’t get their work done.
At this time, the library allows for more ‘non-academic’ use than we would normally do, due to the fact that there are no other places on campus for students to connect with family and friends, check their email, watch the latest game, or even to play games. There is also a “gray area” in terms of social networking sites -- more and more instructors are taking advantage of such tools to enhance their courses and to provide alternate means of communication between class members.
Social use should never, however, interfere with students’ and other users’ ability to use the library’s resources for academic purposes.
In the future if you can’t find a computer, please go to one of the service desks which are located on the first floor; the Reference Desk is in the back and the Circulation Desk is at the entrance. The Library staff will help you locate an unused computer on the first or second floor or make a general announcement directed at those users not doing academic work. We commonly make such announcements and have found our users to be very accommodating (you will often see several users immediately closing their sessions and handing over their computers!). There are also several laptops available for use inside the building that may serve your needs.
We can also tell you that the campus is currently looking for areas outside the Library that will have ‘social computing’ equipment for students who primarily want to play or socialize. If you believe this kind of space is needed (and we here at the Evans Library do!), please share your story with your student government representatives and/or the College’s administration.
THANKS!
We’re sorry that you had difficulty using the library computers for your work. The primary function of the Evans Library is to support the academic work of students, faculty, and all other patrons and it’s disturbing when any user feels they can’t get their work done.
At this time, the library allows for more ‘non-academic’ use than we would normally do, due to the fact that there are no other places on campus for students to connect with family and friends, check their email, watch the latest game, or even to play games. There is also a “gray area” in terms of social networking sites -- more and more instructors are taking advantage of such tools to enhance their courses and to provide alternate means of communication between class members.
Social use should never, however, interfere with students’ and other users’ ability to use the library’s resources for academic purposes.
In the future if you can’t find a computer, please go to one of the service desks which are located on the first floor; the Reference Desk is in the back and the Circulation Desk is at the entrance. The Library staff will help you locate an unused computer on the first or second floor or make a general announcement directed at those users not doing academic work. We commonly make such announcements and have found our users to be very accommodating (you will often see several users immediately closing their sessions and handing over their computers!). There are also several laptops available for use inside the building that may serve your needs.
We can also tell you that the campus is currently looking for areas outside the Library that will have ‘social computing’ equipment for students who primarily want to play or socialize. If you believe this kind of space is needed (and we here at the Evans Library do!), please share your story with your student government representatives and/or the College’s administration.
THANKS!
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