The Book Club's Reading...Water for Elephants!

Need Something to Do (or Read) over Thanksgiving Break?




It might not come as a surprise, but the newly formed Book Club at FMCC is reading a book!

The Book Club has chosen Sara Gruen's novel Water for Elephants as their first "official" read.

We'd love to tell you more about this book (hint: it's about water. And elephants :)) but then what would we talk about on December 3rd at 12:30 in the Dorn Room (second floor of the Evans Library)?


For those of you who aren't aware, the Book Club is an open club at FM, anyone can join. The only requirements are that you like to read, talk about what you've read and help us out as we work to bring our love of books to the community. Sounds easy, right?

Oh, and you get free copies (first come, first serve) of the books that we're reading. Which made some people really excited to start reading.

Some people got really, really, really excited!




There's a few (well, okay, two) copies left of Water for Elephants. Feel free to stop into L-102 and grab one. Of course, if you have your own copy you're welcome to bring that to the next meeting. We'll be discussing Chapters 1-8.


See you there!

New Print Management Systems @ The Evans Library

News Flash - Conservation is in!

In an effort to be more environmentally -

and economically - responsible; The Evans Library has installed two new Print Management Systems to help cut down on the amount of wasted ink & paper on campus.

The four printers have be relocated closer to the Reference Desk. They are all still labeled.

Printer 1 and Printer 2...

...and Printer 3 and Printer 4.

The two new systems allow students to "release" their print jobs. It's a simple process.

Here's the steps to print:

1. Push print at your computer (just like you always do).

2. There is a sign next to your computer that will tell you which computer you are at and to which printer your job will be sent.

3. Go to the printer. Next to each set of printers there is a monitor and and a mouse.

4. You should see your computer name, document title, number of pages, and some other information to help you identify your print job.

5. Highlight your print job and hit the print button - that's it!

REMEMBER: You can always ask us for help.

If you printed your document more than once or printed a 75 page document that you only needed the first few pages of - not to worry! Just leave the print job in the system and it will delete itself after an hour or so.

The staff at the library understands that printing is a vital service available to students at FMCC. We know you need to do it (we all do). So, we are not waggin' our fingers at you - we're just trying to make the the library a more "Earth Friendly" place.

Using the Evans Library Catalog

(Especially for ER110 students)

Recalling (or not!) our last class, take a look at this short tutorial on using the Evans Library catalog: http://w2.fmcc.edu/library/Using_FMCC_Catalog/index.html

Once you've done that, complete this short tutorial on using keywords to make searching easier:
http://www.umsl.edu/services/libteach/keyword.html

What makes "sense" about the Evans Library catalog? Does it make finding information easier? What is confusing? Does using keywords and boolean logic help?

Comparing Search Engines

(Especially for ER110 students)

Read this blog post: http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2009-06-07-n71.html and then go to the "Blind Search" link that is mentioned.

Enter a search term and compare the results. Did you choose the results of the search enginge that you usually use? Did it matter if the logo or branding wasn't there? Or, do you like the results or just how the results are displayed?

Me? I'm not sure yet!

You Gotta Have Faith...or trusting the Internet.

(Especially for ER110 students!)

Take a look at this article:



http://ep.fmcc.edu:8081/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=40098826&site=ehost-live



When can Wikipedia be trusted?

What internet sources do you trust?

Why do you trust them?

Dinosaurs (and the Evans Library) Deliver

Although they're still in search of names (we're accepting submissions!) the unoffical library mascots, aka "the dinosaurs" recently took a trip to SUNY Brockport with some of the Evans Library staff. The purpose of the trip, besides getting allowing the dinosaurs to see a bit of the world, was to make sure that the Evans Library staff was updated on providing you, our users, with the best possible document delivery service.

What's document delivery? Without getting too "techy," it's what allows you to order, receive and access materials from other libraries. Or, as the Librarians like to refer to it, "online shopping without any bills!"

Most students and faculty probably know document delivery better as Interlibrary Loan. But for those of you who don't, here's a quick rundown of the services available to you:
Don't see what you need? We can get it for you - fast and free!. Interlibrary Loan lets you borrow books and articles from other libraries. It's really simple and easy. Take a look at the these quick steps, watch the short how-to-video and then start using Interlibrary Loan!

Interlibrary Loan Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan?

A: Books and articles that are not available at the Evans Library at FMCC.

Q: Who can borrow books through Interlibrary Loan?

A: FMCC faculty, staff and students, and Empire State College students. InterLibrary Loan services are not available to OpenAccess/SUNY or non-FMCC patrons.

Q: What is the loan period for books?

A: Generally the loan period is determined by the lending library - it's usually three weeks. Renewels are at the discretion of the lending library.

Q: How do I request books or articles through Interlibrary Loan?

A: You must have email and use ILLiad, the library's online service.

Q: How will I know when my request are ready?

A: You will be notified by email when your book or articles are ready - it's best to start checking your email account a few days after you send the request. Books can be picked up at the Evans Library Circulation desk. Articles will be emailed to you directly.

If you want a quick tutorial on using Interlibrary loan to order books, check this out

Ready to use Interlibrary loan? Go here

Interlibrary loan, or document delivery is just one of the many ways that the Evans Library works to make sure that you have access to the information you need and want for your research.

Questions? Stop in and see us in person, give us a call (762-4651 x5611), or shoot us an email (libinfo@fmcc.edu). We're always happy to help!

Welcome to Fall 2009 @ FM! I would like to take this opportunity to re-introduce you to our Library....

Now, wait just a minute, you say. What, exactly, does she mean by that? Libraries don't really need an introduction, do they? I mean, they have books like always, and now they have stuff online that you can get to on their new computers... So what's the big deal?

The big deal is that you might not know that FM’s Evans Library is constantly re-inventing itself -- for you! Just like the libraries mentioned in a recent CNN news report "The future of libraries, with or without books", the Evans Library @ FM is changing, growing, developing.... in essence, it’s evolving into a learning space that is designed especially for you! And, not too surprisingly, by you!

To re-invent ourselves, one of the things we've done over the summer is to listen to your concerns about the atmosphere here at FM’s library. The Spring 2009 Student Satisfaction survey showed that although 79% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the atmosphere here, a number of people weren’t too happy with the noise levels they found in the Library. While there were a few complementary comments (i.e. “The noise level is acceptable and appropriate”), most people wanted to tell us they were not pleased; the Library was: “very loud”, “way to [sic] loud”, “it can get really loud”, and finally “the library is almost always very noisy”.

Now, as you might know, we do have a “Code of Conduct” that outlines acceptable behavior in the Library and I can tell you that the staff does their best to fairly and evenly maintain a library-like atmosphere. However, libraries around the world are changing and they are so much more than just about quiet. So over the summer we decided to change things, to ‘zone’ the areas and to make it easier for people to find places in the Library where they could study and work in a way most comfortable for them. I think one user said it best when they stated “people need to be able to talk AND have quiet”.

And so Ta Da... welcome to the Evans Library, Fall 2009 where you’ll find a Green Zone – a “Commons” area ideal for those who wish to work & talk in groups (moderate conversation and considerate cell phone use welcome!); a Yellow Zone for “Quiet” study (your traditional library atmosphere with whispered conversation & texting only) and finally your Red Zone for “Silent” study (no talking & no phones, just silence!). There are maps at the Library entrance to direct you to the different zones; just pick one up!

We hope that these varied and clearly marked spaces work for you and we’ll do our best to keep the areas clean, comfortable, and disruption-free. You can help us by not only letting us know how our ‘zones’ are working out (look for a quick survey in October), but also by calling our attention to people who are not respecting the zone they’re in.

The Evans Library is for everyone here at FM and we want to do the best we can to make this Library what you need it to be. So come on in and work, read, study & SUCCEED!

Who Am I? Or, Why You Need an ID Card at the Library...

If you're new to FMCC this coming fall semester, or even if you're a returning student remember that you'll need an FMCC ID card to access all the resources available to you in the Evans Library. More than that, as a student at FMCC, you're required to have a card with you at all times while you're on campus.

In short, you gotta have one.

So, you're probably asking yourself, how do I get an ID card? And if you're not asking yourself that questions, you should be! Since there's generally some confusion at the start of the school year the Librarians at the Evans Library are here to help...

1. Contact the Public Safety Office at 762-7651 ext. 7-4000 to inquire about scheduled dates and times for ID processing.
2. Go the the Public Safety Office, P-144 (Physical Education Building).
3. Fill out some forms.
4. Smile for the camera. :)
5. That's it!

Then come to the Evans Library with your ID where you'll be able to:

• Login and use any of the computers in the Library. The back of your ID has a barcode with a string of numbers. The last 6 digits of those numbers are your ID number. You'll then enter the first five letters of your last name. Remember that (you can always look at your ID if you forget) and you'll be all set!
• Check out books/DVDs/CDs. You can't borrow anything from the Evans Library without your ID
• Use headphones (these are popular items and you'll need to have your ID with you to check them out)
• Borrow items (books/articles/DVDs) that your instructors have placed on Reserve.
• Have access to our databases from home. This is key if you're working from home or are taking an online/blended class.

Sounds easy, right? It is. Like we said, there's a lot you can do in the Evans Library with your ID card, and not much to do without one!

As always, if you have any questions - about getting an ID card or anything else - feel free to contact a librarian:

• In person at the Reference Desk during normal hours
• Through email (libinfo@fmcc.edu)
• By telephone (518.762.4651 x5611)
• Through our Ask Us 24/7 Chat with a Librarian service

What's new you ask?

Hello,

We hope you all are enjoying your summer. The campus is a bit quiet in the summer months, but that doesn't mean that there isn't work being done to prepare for the upcoming semeter.

So, "What's new at the Evans Library?" you ask. Glad you did. Here's a few things to look forward to when the Fall semester kicks off on September 3rd.

First, we're going to have a lot of new computers for you to use. The IT Department has been hard at work replacing all of the computers in the library. The silver boxes (terminals) on the "S" tables will be gone (and the thumb drive issues should go with them!). That means you will be able to use CDs, DVDs, headphones, etc. on these units. This will be a big step up from last year. The mix of towers and desktops on the other side of the first floor will be gone too. The new units are smaller (and faster). Some are outfitted with nice 20" wide-screen monitors. As a result, you should have a little more room to spread out.

Another place where you will have more room to spread out is in the Information Literacy Classroom on the second floor. The big, old monitors have been replaced with newer flat-screens. The silver boxes have been replaced with newer tower PCs too.

All of our computers will now run Microsoft Vista.

You will also see 10 new databases for you to use on the Find Articles page of the library's website. They'll be hard to miss because they all have a icon next to them. We've added databases dedicated to humanities, computer & applied sciences, religion & philosopy, vocation & careers, the environment, and alternative medicine just to name a few. In addition, two of our more widely used databases have been upgraded. Academic Search Premier (in the general database section) is now Academic Search Complete. Business Source Premier (surprise...in the business section) is now Business Source Complete.

You can always see what new books and other materials we've added by using the New Books & Other Materials button on the library's main page.

We have a couple of more new things we are working on for the upcoming semester, but we don't want to let all the cats out of the bag just yet. Surprises are fun and you will certainly hear about and notice these things when they happen.

Stay tuned...

-The Evans Library Staff

The Evans Library is starting off the summer session with a fresh display of newly acquired books! You’ll find this display immediately upon entry as well as the usual location of new books – on the wall next to the Writing Center.

A sample of some these new titles paired in what we thought were some interesting connections:

Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis
with
The End: Natural Disasters, Manmade Catastrophes, and the Future of Human Survival

Atomic Tragedy: Henry L. Stimson and the Decision to Use the Bomb Against Japan
with
Deadly Decision: How False Knowledge Sank the Titanic, Blew Up the Shuttle and Led America into War

Life Explained
with
Freaks of Nature: What Anomalies Tell Us About Development and Evolution

Three Men, Five Great Wines and the Evening that Changed America: Dinner at Mr. Jefferson’s
with
Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson

There’s more, many more so be sure to stop by and look them over and then check one out at the Circulation Desk. Want to take a look before you come in? Check out our new books here And if you think there's a book we should get - fill out this form!

Happy reading!

FM Class of 2009 Graduation

Tonight, the FM Class of 2009 will receive their degrees; degrees that link them forever to Fulton-Montgomery Community College and the Evans Library and Learning Commons. Since we're an inquisitive bunch of librarians we decided to do some research into the graduations. One of the databases that the Evans Library offers its users is CREDO Reference. We like this database (a place where information is organized and stored so that it can be found easily) because it provides a great starting point to find information on virtually any topic.

We entered the term "graduation" in the CREDO Reference search screen (you can do the same from home with a valid username and password, or from the Evans Library when we're open) and found a lot of information. One of the first resutls we found was an entry from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. It states that "graduation" means:

"Conferral or receipt of an academic degree or diploma marking completion of studies"

That's exactly what's happening for over 300 students tonight at FM! Congratulations to each and every one of them. But, we hope you don't stop there, there's a whole world of information out there waiting for you to discover. Luckily, CREDO makes finding that information a little easier. Another reason we like CREDO so much it that once we know what we're looking for - items (books, articles, etc.) that relate to graduation we can quickly access those items. CREDO is linked to virtually every other place you can find information in the Evans Library. When searching CREDO if you:

• Want to find books on graduation? --> Click on the "Search FMCC Catalog" link
• Want to find articles (from magazines, newspapers or journals)? --> Click on the "Academic Search Premier" link or the "MasterFile Premier" link

In either case you'll be taken to source of information that directly relate to your topic. Libraries are about making your academic life more efficient and we think CREDO does that pretty well.

If you're reading this blog and you're about to graduate or have already graduated your chance to use this cool tool hasn't passed. The Evans Library welcomes and encourages all FM alumni to use our resources. Stop by the Circulation Desk to learn how you can sign-up for an alumni borrower card. And once again, Congratulations Graduates!

Know What You're Getting...

For those of you who haven't been paying attention there's a site out there on the world wide web called Wikipedia. In a nutshell Wikipedia works best because it's people coming together to share the information they know. Sounds great, right? At it's worst, it's people coming together to share the information they know. Starting to see the problem? Without a voice of authority in the room there's bound to be some problems sooner or later. For Wikipedia these problems arise more often than not; people go to Wikipedia expecting to find accurate information. What they get is something less.

Case in point. earlier this week, a college student in Ireland fooled journalists all over the world by simply entering "facts" onto a Wikipedia entry. The lesson here is two-fold, I think. One, once again Wikipedia rears its ugly side - providing people with inaccurate information. The other lesson is just how popular Wikipedia has become. Journalists, professionals that we expect to adhere to a high standard of fact-finding are using Wikipedia as a one-stop source. Scary.

As the Instruction/Public Services Librarian at the Evans Library, I spend a lot of my time working with students so they can better understand how to evaluate the information they find. For websites like Wikipedia, the best place to begin to understand what you're looking at is to have this handout by your side. Having standards established before you start looking for information you want to use in a research paper, presentation or project makes the going all that much easier. And knowing how busy everyone is, this saves a lot of time!

Of course, if you have any questions you can always contact a Librarian! We're always available:

• In person at the Reference Desk during normal hours
• Through email (libinfo@fmcc.edu)
• By telephone (518.762.4651 x5611)
• Through our Ask Us 24/7 Chat with a Librarian service

-Mike Daly, Instruction/Public Services Librarian

OK...Let's Recap (The semester, that is).

I'm sure we ALL realize that there are only a few days left until the end of the Spring 2009 semester. Soon, we will all be off to our summer fun spots. Some of you are staying around the area and some of you are heading out of the country. Some of you are graduating and some of you will be back next semester. So, what did we do this semester? What do we have to look forward to when we come back? Glad you asked...

Here at the Evans Library, we had an interesting semester. We launched a Facebook page and a blog (if you're reading this - you know that already). The thought behind both is to keep things a little lighter and to bring you some important information at the same time.

Like this for example: For the final week of the semester (May 11 - 15); the library will be open Monday - Thursday 8 am to 9 pm and on Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

And this: Summer hours will start on June 1st at 8 am. Visit the library's information page for more details.

Fun right? OK maybe not.

The library did adopt two dinosaurs as "unofficial" mascots. They hang out at the table near the entrance. We encourage you to take them with you from time-to-time. We just ask that you send us a picture of them out-and-about (send them to libinfo@fmcc.edu) and, of course, to bring them back home.

The library also sponsored a NCAA Tournament Challenge. "Nate the Great" topped the field of 20. Librarian Mike crushed me (Librarian Dan) in the final standings. The plan is to do it again next year. We'll try to find a couple of more fun things to do when we come back. Hopefully you'll come back and participate too. And if next year is like this year, there will be many, many, many of you here in the library again.

This year we topped well over 135,000 people through the door. On May 5th, we celebrated that fact with a little free cake. And who doesn't like free cake?!?


So, we here at the library hope that the rest of your semester goes well. We hope to see many of you again over the summer and next semester. Until then...take care.

- Dan Towne, Systems Librarian

Welcome!

I'll admit right up front that I'm pretty new to 'blogging' and am not really sure where to start. While I'm generally very comfortable with technology and the online environment, some of the newer technologies (Do You Twitter?) tend to leave me wondering why?

I do, however, know why we decided to start this blog -- it is for people who want to know what's going on at one of my favorite places, the Evans Library @ FMCC. So, I'll start with an introduction and tell you a bit about what you'll see here in the future.

I am the Library Director here at FMCC and have been since 1995; I first came to the campus in 1992. Before that I worked in both public and school libraries. I originally came to FM to work with the Library computers. Of course, the only computers then were a few for the staff and I think one for the students...! (As you can see, I'm dating myself. )

But I think it's my way of telling you that I've been here a long time because I love this job, the people, and particularly the way the staff and others on campus work together to provide the best services they know how.

Since this was supposed to be just a short introduction, I think that's about it for now. The other librarians, staff, andI will take turns posting, so you'll get to know us all. I expect we'll all have some fun figuring out what to write for your reading pleasure!

Until then, please feel free to stop by and say hi, either virtually or in person! We look forward to seeing and hearing from you!

~ Mary Donohue, Library Director