Library Offers "Study Smarter" Workshops in October

Once again, reference librarian Sandra Williford will offer her valuable workshops that focus on time management, note-taking and test-taking tips, and efficient use of your textbook.  We hope you can take advantage of these useful sessions. Here's the schedule:

Study Smarter Workshops

Thursdays***2:00 – 2:30***October 13, 20, 27
Location: Library Classroom

Maximum: 28 students

“It’s ABOUT TIME!”

Create your weekly study plan. Calendar sheets provided.
Bring: class & work schedules---Oct. 13

“Mark in My Textbook? Are You Crazy?”

Mark it up and still get the bookstore to buy it back!
Bring: textbook---Oct. 20

“When Reading Isn’t Enough”

Don’t waste time by simply READING your textbook.
Learn to take notes in preparation for class lectures and tests.
Bring: textbook (from your most difficult course), notebook---Oct. 27

Sign up at library’s Check-Out Desk or call 697-4448.
Walk-ins welcome, if space is available.

From past participants:

“Without the [study] skills . . . in that short class my college experience would be so much harder. “
---Philip Hixson, S.G.A. Vice-President

“I continuously take advantage of the calendar templates that you gave me as the need for schedule adjustments arrive with each new semester.”---Olain Jones, Legal Assisting student

Can't make it?

Check out the “Study Smarter” guide:  http://libguides.chattanoogastate.edu/study

Chatt State Students Can Make a Difference--Help Your Neighbors!

So many of us have been affected by the recent storms, and in response to the need for volunteers and donations, the SGA is encouraging all of us to make a difference--even a small one matters--by participating in any of the following relief efforts.

A new Facebook page has been created for Chatt State Disaster Relief--Join Today!

1. Give blood. Blood Assurance supplies are critically low in Chattanooga and the surrounding area.  A full list of BA donation locations is here. Take time out of your day to give life. Blood cannot be made.

2. Drop off supplies of food, clothing, water, and other household goods. You can do this at several locations. Any local Salvation Army or Red Cross office. Ringgold, GA was especially hard hit, and Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers says anyone looking to donate to victims in the Ringgold area should drop off supplies at the Sheriff's Office.
3. Volunteer for the local Red Cross, which  is scheduling 2 hour shifts to help at the Morris Hill relief site. Call 892-2071 to sign up or click here.

4. Donate to the Salvation Army. Go to their website, http://www.csarmy.org/, or text the word “Give” to 80888.

5. Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) is available to low income storm victims in 26 counties of East Tennessee. Click here to find out details.

We wish everyone well in the effort to rebuild homes, neighborhoods, and lives.

Every little bit counts!

Poet Marilyn Nelson and Chatt State Students Read in the Library

This week is going to be awesome! How often do we get to hear poetry by an award-winning writer AND have our own creative writing students read their works?  Well, hardly ever!

This week is the exception, though, and here are the dates & times for your calendars:

Thursday, April 28 at 11:00 and 1:30--poet Marilyn Nelson will read from several of her publications. Dean Don Andrews says, "You are invited to attend and listen to the meaningful pieces that reflect Dr. Nelson's interests in her African-American heritage, historical figures and events, and our American culture.  Besides several volumes of poetry, children's books, and biographic volumes, Dr. Nelson is the author of SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM, a book of poetry and photos that celebrate the achievement of an all-girl swing band of the 1930's. A reception will follow the second reading, and everyone is invited to meet Ms. Nelson and talk with her about her writing.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 26th, 27th, & 28th at 5:30--Professor Bill Teem's creative writing students will read from some of this semester's creations. Professor Teem never fails to bring out the imaginative, unique talents of his students, and we always enjoy hearing them read.

All events will take place in the presentation area in the North end of the library.
Don't miss this opportunity to expand your horizons, enjoy a cultural experience, and commune with talent.

Marilyn Nelson

(Image courtesy of Blue Flower Arts.)

Hats Off to Student Assistant Nathan Jones!

This year the library's Hats Off to Excellence Award was given to one of our hard-working, dedicated, knowledgeable student assistants--Nathan Jones.


When you come in the library on any day of the week, you might see Nathan wearing one of several "hats."  He works at the check-out desk and at the technology help desk and provides excellent service at both places. Whether you are looking for an item on reserve or need help with eLearn, Nathan is ready and more than willing to provide his expertise.


Thanks, Nathan, for your conscientious, dependable service and for all you do to help us help students.

Lori Warren, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, presents the award to Nathan Jones.

Got Your Chatt State Photo ID? NO? Then Read This.

Your official Chattanooga State photo ID card is an essential item for library services, campus security, free CARTA bus rides, discounts around town, and other benefits too numerous to mention. 

What, you haven't had your ID made yet?  No money?  No time?  No good hair days?  

Not to worry. The first ID is FREE!  It takes only 2-3 minutes!  Sorry, can't help with the hair. : (

ID cards are made in the Student Center, room 216. 
For the first two weeks of classes, Jan. 18-Jan. 28, you can have your ID made anytime between 8:00-5:30, Monday through Thursday, and 8:00-4:30 on Fridays.  

After Jan. 28, hours of operation for ID cards will be:

Monday-Tuesday, 8:00-5:30
Wednesday & Friday, 8:00-12:00
CLOSED Thursday

To obtain an ID:
Provide a printed confirmation number or receipt of payment as well as one of the following:

• Valid Driver's License
• Valid State photo ID
• Original Birth Certificate
• Current Passport

Students can also schedule an appointment for a student ID by contacting Student Life at 697-2618.

So, what are you waiting for?  Time's a-wastin'!

Join our book club: CHATT STATE READS!

With assistance from history instructor Scott Seagle, a new club was formed this year: a book club that we have named CHATT STATE READS!   We have met twice already, but students are invited to join us for 3 more gatherings to discuss the book selection for this semester:

 

If you would like to join us for an interesting discussion of this important work and need a copy of the book, come by the library and ask for Vicky Leather, Dean of Library Services, or Tisa Houck, or Cathy Bell.  

Our next meetings will be: 

• October 26 at 2:30 in the library's classroom--discuss chapters 4-6 
• November 10 at 2:00 in the library's conference/mulitmedia room--chapters 7-9 
• November 16 at 3:00 in the library/s classroom--live video interview with author Joe Starita

Be thinking of other books that you think would stimulate group discussions and bring your ideas with you!

We hope to foster an interest in reading and discussing a different book each semester. 

If you had one thing to tell the library, what would it be?

Give Us a Piece of Your Mind

In a recent survey of about 350 college students aged 17-57, respondents were asked to give one piece of advice to the library.

Categories of suggestions ranged from space needs to purchase requests, technology access, customer service, restroom accommodations, staff helpfulness, and lots of other areas too numerous to mention.

We'd like to know your opinions about what you see as the library's usefulness to you or what you would like to see improved, added, or changed.

Post your comments below, and we'll compile them into one list to add to the blog. 

Thanks for taking the time to speak your mind!

Prowl for the Prize in the Library!

Have you started your prowl?  Do you know that you could win:

one of 12 one-hundred dollar prizes or

one of 2 gift certificates to the College bookstore that will pay for most (if not all) of your textbooks for a whole semester?

So, what are you waiting on?  Time's a wastin'!  To get started all you need to do is check your Tiger Mail regularly to gather the clues that will unravel the mystery and make you eligible to win. 

Don't know how to use Tiger Mail or Tiger Web?  Not a problem. Sandy Kluttz will hold training sessions every Wednesday until the end of April from 11:00 -1:00 in OMN-127 AND you can always come to the library for help. 

Winners of the contest will be announced at the "Fun in the Sun" day on April 23. 

Get started NOW and logon to Tiger Web.

Sorry, faculty & staff, you can't play.  : (

First Impressions Count! Take our Quick Survey

I know you've heard that little phrase all your life: "First impressions count."  Well, it's true, but not just true of one person's evaluation of another person. First impressions are made all the time, and we'd like to know YOUR first impressions of the library. 

Even if you're not a new student, take this brief survey and tell us what you think about your library.

Here's the survey: My Impressions of the Library

All Together Now, Sing Along With Me!

Sung to the the tune of "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain."

They'll be comin' down Amnicola when they come.
They'll be comin' down Amnicola when they come.
They'll be comin' down Amnicola; they'll be comin' down Amnicola;
They'll be comin' down Amnicola when they come.

They'll be drivin' cash-for-clunkers when they come.
They'll be drivin' cash-for-clunkers when they come.
They'll be drivin' cash-for-clunkers; they'll be drivin' cash-for-clunkers;
They'll be drivin' cash for clunkers when they come.

They'll be bummed-out about the parking when they come.
They'll be bummed-out about the parking when they come.
They'll be bummed-out about the parking; they'll be bummed-out about the parking;
They'll be bummed-out about the parking, when they come.

They'll be gobblin' down free pizza when they come.
They'll be gobblin' down free pizza when they come.
They'll be gobblin' down free pizza; they'll be gobblin' down free pizze;
They'll be gobblin' down free pizza when they come.

Oh, the library staff will greet them when they come.
Oh, the library staff will greet them when they come.
Oh, the library staff will greet them, oh the library staff will greet them;
Oh the library staff will greet them when they come.

YEEEE HAAAA!!  and WELCOME TO A NEW SEMESTER!

We've Got Free Movies, Free Movies, Free Movies!

Step right up, folks! Form one line, please. Hey, lady, just because your kids are screaming doesn't mean you can break line. Get back behind this man here whose nose is bleeding. He's first!

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, you can check out movies for free right here at the Chattanooga State library's circulation desk. Just show your snazzy CSTCC photo ID card and pick out two movies. That's right, TWO, will be checked out to you for four days. It's as simple as that.

Lady, your kids are starting to bug me. Don't make me get out my kid repellant.

Here's a sample of what we have:

The Tuxedo, a Dreamworks picture
This is Spinal Tap, a rockumentary
One Hour Photo, starring Robin Williams
Blade Runner, the director's cut
Them!, a Warner Bros. classic
Eye, a 2008 Lionsgate film
Delta Farce, need I say more?
Cloverfield, you remember that one, right?
Beowulf, more than just a poem in the comp book
Barbershop 2, MGM sequel
We Own the Night, a NYC crime thriller
The Simpsons Movie, yeah, that's hilarious
Saw IV, you know you missed the first 3!

Those are just a few, my fellow movie buffs. Just come on in and browse the display for more film favs. Our collection is a project of the SGA and donations from anyone who wants to contribute. No X-Rated films allowed, though. But you knew that!

Say Cheese! Don't Forget to Get Your Student Photo ID

We always have a ton of new students in the summer.  Some students take courses that will transfer to the 2 and 4-year schools they will go back to in the fall.  Others like to get a course or two under their belts before the mad crush of work begins when school starts back in August. 

Whatever scenario fits your profile, remember that you need to get a CSTCC photo ID card even if you're going to be here for only a few weeks. 

"Why do I need that?" you might ask, unknowingly.

For starters, your photo ID is your library card.  Isn't that great!  You need only one card, and with that FREE card, you are able to:

• Check out up to 10 books at a time


• Check out up to 2 DVDs for four days to watch when you need a break


• Use textbooks and other materials on reserve to enhance your studies


• Check out books on CD to listen to during your commute


• Check out current fiction bestsellers to read when you go to the beach


• Let your kids check out books for their schools' summer reading lists.


• Ride CARTA buses for FREE!!

All you need to do is go to room 216 in the Student Center, smile pretty, and wait about a minute and half for your official photo ID (includes your A#) to pop out of the machine.  That's it! 

No long lines and waits like you have at Starbucks or the movie theater or Walmart or the DMV.   The ID office is open:

Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Get on over there.  You know you want to!

Library Offers Extended Hours Sat & Sun, May 2-3

Overheard in the IMC lobby:

Hard-working Student: Drat! I have to work until 3:00 this Saturday, and I was hoping to get to the library that day to study for my finals.  I need about 4 hours to finish my part of the project and a PC to use.

Problem-Solving Student:  No, problem, man.  Didn't you know that the library is open longer this weekend?  Saturday they're open 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM; and Sunday they're open from 1:00-7:00.  That SGA guy said they were paying the library staff's extra hours out of the SGA budget. 

HWS:  Cool!  That's exactly what I need.  You know we have that project due Monday, too. You want to text the group from our business class so we can study together and work on that PowerPoint presentation?

PSS:  Yeah, that's a good idea, but we need a couple of awesome computers and a place where we can talk and work so we don't bother everybody else. You have to be quiet in the library, you know.

HWS:  Nah, you don't.  They've got a group study room we can reserve and it's got two hyper computers in there.  It's awesome!

PSS: I'm there.  Let's try for 3:30, okay?

HWS: Sure, I can be there by then. Let me go inside and reserve the room, and you let everybody know. If we don't get finished by 7:00 on Saturday, can we come back on Sunday?

PSS:  Yeah, didn't I just say that the library's open Sunday from 1:00-7:00?  If we don't get it done by then....

HWS:  Not to worry, man. With this extra time and a place to work, we're all set. Just bring your brain this time!

Congrats to Aaron, our Outstanding Student Assistant!

Every year departmental awards are given to students who deserve recongnition for exceptional work in academic departments.  At the College's recent "Hats off to Excellence" celebration, the library staff bestowed this honor on Aaron Dunn, who has been a stellar library student assistant in the circulation department for two years.  That's amazing!  It's very likely that you have seen Aaron at the check-out desk, or that he has assisted you with using reserves, checking out books, or answering a wide variety of your questions in person and by phone. 

Aaron is majoring in Mechanical Drawing and CAD Technology and hopes to graduate in the next year when he will pursue employment with TVA or VW. He loves music and would like to design musical instruments or equipment and would really enjoy playing drums in a band after he finishes his education. 

Aaron's dependability, accuracy, positive attitude, and excellent public service skills are an asset to maintaining our high standards of customer service.  Thank you, Aaron, for all your hard work.  It is a pleasure to have you around, and we look forward to your coming back next fall. 

[caption id="attachment_228" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Tisa Houck, Aaron Dunn, Debora Ervin, Vicky Leather "][/caption]

What We Did This Semester

Maybe you're one of those people who has a preconceived notion about librarians. You know, we sit behind a desk and point to stuff; we pour over large books of trivial information; we count stuff and put it in alphabetical order. Well, some of that is true; we do tend to count stuff and organize things, but you like that about us, don't you?

Want to know how we spent our time this semester? Well, from August to the end of November, here's what happened in the library:

• We welcomed 97,560 of you into our sanctuary of study.
• We answered 3,296 of your questions.
• We conducted 186 classes in our classroom.
• We taught 2,630 of you in those classes.
• We checked out 3,798 books to you.
• We let you use 2,041 reserve items.
• We loaned you 638 DVDs and 176 CDs.
• We borrowed 88 books and journal articles for you.
• We ordered 407 new books for you.
• We updated our catalog and website for you.
• We added 16 additional computers for you.
• We created a soundproof group study room for you.
• We hosted a guest artist's fabulous paintings for you.

AND

We did it all with the intention of providing the best customer service around!

Whew! We're ready for a little break, aren't you? After this week of exams, we will shorten our workday to 8:00-4:30 Monday through Friday.

Check the website for our hours during the week of Christmas and the first couple of weeks in January.

And rest up over the holiday break. We'll be waiting on you when you get back.

Library Classroom Now Open at Selected Times



The demand for computers has skyrocketed this semester as a result of increased enrollment and the addition of an online component for each class. Every public computer in the library (about 60 of them) is in use starting around 9:00 AM. Afternoons and evenings are less busy, but many times there is still a short wait.

We hope to alleviate some of the wait time by opening the library's classroom at times when we don't have other events scheduled. The times will vary each day, so as you enter the library, watch for a sign that will display the hours that the classroom is open.

Our request is that students use the classroom for coursework only rather than for checking email, playing games, social networking, shopping, and other non-academic activities. If you need help with software, just ask one of the staff or student workers at the Help Desk, located in the computer area of the library.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when using the classroom:

• Bring a flash drive or floppy disk to save your work. Any documents saved on the hard drive will be erased when the computer is turned off.


• Please don't bring in food or drinks.


• Plan your time so that you will be able to finish when we need to use the room.


• Turn off cell phones and keep talking to a minimum.
  

Thanks for your cooperation! We are glad to make this lab available to you.

Read Adam Beavers' Thoughtful Story

The student readings that were presented this week were amazing! Some pieces were funny, some quite serious, and some thought-provoking, but all were memorable and sincerely read.

We often wonder what inspires a writer to go outside what might seem to be his or her everyday experiences and create a world unlike that which we have projected upon him/her. Whether a work is fiction or non-fiction, believablility is often the element that brings a piece to life. We hear responses such as, "I can relate," or "That happened to me, too," or "Man, I hope that never happens in my life."

Adam Beavers, one of Bill Teem's creative writing students, read his brief but moving story entitled "Pleasant Pasture" and touched the audience with his ability to draw us into a world many of us have or will face in our lives.

We invite you to take a few moments and read "Pleasant Pasture," and then reflect on whether this situation has meaning for your own life.

Thanks to Adam for allowing us to post his story.

Hear Outstanding Fiction! Listen in the Library This Week

Come hear some of the best of our current creative writers.

Take a break from end of the semester stress, sit back, relax, and listen to students in our Creative Writing program read their original works. Due to the growth of this program, we are sponsoring two different readings this week.

The first presentation will be Tuesday, April 22 from 5:00-6:30 pm, concluding in time to attend the "Hats Off to Excellence" awards program. The second will be Thursday from 5:30-7:00 pm. Both events will be held in the main campus library.

We hope to see you there.

A Life with Books--a memoir by CSTCC student Hana Colvin

As part of her work in Bill Teem's creative writing class, Hana Colvin wrote of her early attachment to books, their ability to remove her from an otherwise frustrating childhood, and the friends and adventures she found among the pages she so lovingly embraced. Like many children, Hana was introduced to the Little Golden books, Goodnight Moon, and a progression of chapter books and series, such as Little House, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys. As her reading interests and abilities grew, her selections became the classics in literature from Louisa May Alcott to J.M. Barrie to Mark Twain. But her delight turned to tragedy the day her beloved books were declared forbidden and removed.

In a public performance here in the library last November, Hana and some of her fellow classmates read their essays or "babies," as she calls them. The audience was moved by her thoughtful and emotional description of how her love of books and reading persisted in spite of obstacles placed in her path.

With Hana's approval, we have posted her engaging essay for others to read and enjoy. We know you will appreciate her writing ability as well as the inspirational message she conveys.

Read "Spine to Binding" by Hana Colvin.