Summer Hours

It's summertime! While the living might be easy, the hours are also changing at the UCC Library. Here are all the details--

• Starting June 16, 2012, the library will be closed Friday - Sunday through Sunday, September 2nd. 

• Break week: June 18 - 24, 2012-- Open 8 am - 4 pm

•  Summer Sessions: June 25 - August 30, 2012-- Open 7:30 am - 8 pm

• Closed: Wednesday, July 4th for Independence Day

Have a fantastic summer!

Where Art Meets Literature?

As part of Basic Design III: Three-dimensional Design, instructor Renee Couture has her students choose a book and alter it. They had to choose one particular alteration method (tear, cut, etc). Then they had to redesign the book and base the sculpture on the book's topic.  Many found their book of choice at the library book sale. 

The following pictures are from the student art show in the Art Gallery in the Whipple Fine Arts Gallery currently on display through next week until the artists' reception on June 7, 2012, at 5 p.m.

Walking counter-clockwise around the room, you'll first see Justin Dyer's "Dino" come alive:

Lillian Garcia created "Heresy" and needed a stack of books to create an ominous pit and lots more:

 Nolen Heisler's Last of the Giants rises up:

And here is "Phobetor" by Leeah Whittier, taking wing from a book about endangered species.

Feeling inspired?  More raw materials are available at the library booksale.  You'll have to supply the imagination and talent.

Book collection shrinks and expands

You may have noticed the book collection getting smaller.  The library staff has been focused on removing old and unused and outdated materials over the last 2 years or so.  Classics like the 1957 Agricultural Yearbook were just taking up space. Up to date appraisals of U.S. relations with Egypt written in 1972, just weren't getting checked out.  Old medical and legal information had to go.  The print collection has been downsized to about 25,000 book titles.

Meanwhile, we just subscribed to a new database from EBSCO publishing, eBook Academic Collection.  The database includes thousands (EBSCO says around 70,000)  of full text books. Give it a try; give us feedback.  Since the database contains over twice as many books as our print collection, you might want to start your book search here, rather than the library catalog of print books.  When you click on "Academic Search Premier" on the library homepage, you'll end up at a search screen ready to search BOTH journals and complete eBooks.  If you prefer, you can search the eBook collection by itself by clicking on "eBooks" from the subject list of databases, then choosing the "eBook Academic Collection".

 Can't decide where to start?  Ask the library staff for help.

 Here's a random sample of some of the subjects covered in the eBook collection.  Looking for information about other countries? This title about contemporary Cuba was published in 2010.

The collection includes the complete text of books on social issues. . .

 

 and "hot" topics in the news.

 

The range of topics is huge.  Research subjects relevant to your course work, find a book, and read it online wherever you are.  And don't forget the print stuff--it could still be helpful, too! 

The Secret Underworld of the Library

In the nearly 50 years of the UCC Library's existence it is believed that only two intrepid students have had the vision and will to explore where all others have feared to tread: underneath the library tables. In late 2011 the explorers carefully planned their expedition and returned with photographic evidence of their findings.

For these two women, Leigh Batson and her trusted assistant, Miriam Gilman, the journey was all in a day's work. But for the faint of heart: be forewarned.

To begin our tour of the sordid underbelly of the library, let's take a look at a typical gum stalactite clinging just above your knees:

Although some specimens roost in relative solitude, other chewers prefer to add to a stomach churning, high density, "gum cluster".  This one has a rare blue foil accessory, attempting to blend in among the gum formation.

Not all gum deposits are so large or so obvious.  It is only with thorough scrutiny of their habitat that the rare "table leg ledge dweller" gob of gum can be discovered:













Let's step back and take a look at a "gum clusteration", seen accumulating in this fine landscape view.















Although not yet a scientific certainty, there is evidence that chewed gum does engage in reproduction.  Witness the couple to the left of this photo:



















 Miriam, in the throes of expeditionary fervor and clearly in fear for her life, is seen taking precautions to avoid attaching her hair to the underside of a table.












And finally, here is Leigh, combing through gum identification guides and mapping out her next research and photography projects.

Poetry, Sex, and You!

Did you know, in addition to being the first full month of spring, April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

We'll have several themed events happening on campus, including our bite-sized collection of "Did You Knows?" related to gender and sexuality at the library and our first ever UCC Womens' & Gender Studies faculty panel this Friday, April 6th.

This is also National Poetry Month, and on Monday, April 9th, at 7:00 pm  UCC will host a reading and reception with Sia Figiel, Samoa's first contemporary female author.

Don't miss these great events and others happening this April!

Winter Study In -- March 17th

I failed to capture the entire poster, so you're
going to have to trust me that the top says
ASUCC Study In.

Join us on Saturday, March 17th from 11 am - 7 pm  for the Winter ASUCC Study In!

Food, tutoring, and plenty of study space will all be available!

Feeling Entrepreneurial?

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business? Or maybe turning that hobby of baking or love of pets into some cold, hard cash? We have just the thing to help you get started at the library.  







Bake,  pet-sit, or turn your band's single into the next "big hit!"
(Not all of these at once, though.)

The "Home-Based Business series covers all the basics you need to transform a hobby or interest into a real life business, including tips on Internet marketing and business plans. Titles at the UCC Library include:

  

How to Start a Home-Based Pet-Sitting and Dog Walking Business -- 636.088 V  

How to Start a Home-Based Bakery Business -- 641.815 D



 How to Start a Home-Based Personal Chef Business -- 641.5 V

 How to Start a Home-Based Recording Studio Business -- 780.92 S

Also in this vein are Restaurant Success by the Numbers: a money-guy's guide to opening the next new hot spot -- 641.572 F , which covers everything from pricing ingredients for menu items to planning staffing and lease agreements.


  Have a good eye for art and love food? Become a food stylist! Culinary Careers -- 641.57 S covers business and employment opportunities in the food industry, including many that don't require slaving over a hot stove!