Alkek Library News

Alkek Library Study Hours for Finals

Beginning Saturday, December 6, Alkek Library will once again extend its hours to offer students increased study time as finals approach. New this semester: the library will remain open through the weekend during finals. The following “study hall” schedule can be accessed anytime from the library homepage.

December 6, the Saturday before finals begin, the library will be open an extra two hours, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Sunday, December 7, the library will open at 1:00 pm as usual, and will remain open around-the-clock for study until 8:30 pm on Tuesday, December 16. Service points, such as the Reference Desk and Computer Lab, will not be staffed during the overnight study hours.

Saturday, December 13, library service points will be staffed from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Service points will maintain their regular schedules before and during finals. For operating hours of specific library services, please visit the library homepage or call 512-245-3681.

While in the library, everyone is asked to be considerate of others and help maintain an atmosphere conducive to studying. Note the Sixth Floor is designated “Quiet Study”—those working in a group should use a group study room or go to another floor, and keep voices low to minimize disruption to others. Remember, group study rooms are in high demand and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, cell phone use is prohibited in all public areas, and food and drinks are not allowed except in the First Floor Public Lounge.

Seventh Floor construction will be ending at 4:30 on weekdays—the library extends sincere apologies that work must move forward during finals. Seventh floor remains open for study, including a total of 18 single-person study rooms along the east and west walls.

Courtesy for patrons is always greatly appreciated, but especially so during peak study times. The Alkek librarians and staff wish everyone a successful finish to the Fall 2008 semester.

Library Hours November 25th - 30th

Alkek Library wants to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving break.  Beginning Tuesday, November 25 the library opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, November 26th, the library will open at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. and will remain closed until Sunday, November 30th. The the library reopens at our regular time of 1:00 p.m.

You can always check the library hours from the library website.

Wiki Offers Links to Writing/Citation Style Guides

Do you have to write a paper in MLA, APA or other writing style and aren't sure how to do it? Well, the Alkek IL Wiki Writing and Citation Guide has many links to SLAC handouts, websites and online versions of the most popular writing style guides.

The library also has the print version of the style guides available for check out. Listed below are the call numbers needed to locate the guides:

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
BF76.7 .P83 2001 (located on the 5th floor)

MLA style manual and guide to scholarly publishing (MLA)
PN147 .G444 2008 (located on the 6th floor)

A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations : Chicago style for students and researchers 

LB2369 .T8 2007 (located ont the 6th floor)
Online Version

You can also get writing assistance from the Student Learning Assistance Center located on the 4th floor of the library and the Writing Center located in Flowers Hall room G09.

Ask a Librarian Chat and Email working! :)

(10.15 am)  Ask a Librarian Chat and Email are back up and working again. :) Happy Saturday!

Ask a Librarian Chat and Email temporarily down

(9.15 am)  Unfortunately the Ask a Librarian Chat and Email is currently down temporarily.  Try using IM chat or Meebo while the issue is being resolved, and check back for updates. :)

Research Guides: Start Your Research Using the Right Resources

Do you have a research project, but aren't sure where to begin? Well, the library has a list of research guides in many different subjects to help you start on the right track.

Each research guide begins with reference material on the topic such as subject specific encyclopedias and dictionaries.  These types of resources are very helpful in gaining an understanding of the subject. The library has LOTS of great reference books, on pretty much any subject. You can even limit your search in the library catalog to the Reference Collection.

The second section of the guide shows how to effectively find books about your topic using the library catalog. The guide shows how to use the Library of Congress subject headings to find books using the "subject" search.

The next section of the guide lists the recommended Databases for the subject you are researching. Databases are useful for finding journal, magazine and newspaper articles about a topic. Most information is available online too. Keep in mind, the research guides reflect the broad subjects such as Education or Art & Design and will point you in the right direction in order to focus the topic.

The last part of the guides offers tips for finding the information in the library, online or how to get something the library doesn't own. There are also suggested Websites listed  for the subject.

Updated Time for Refworks Workshop 11/11 and Instruction Sessions Reminder

Tomorrow's (11/11) Refworks Workshop time has been changed to 12 noon to 1pm.

Also, just a reminder to schedule your instruction sessions for your classes! Faculty can request an instruction session using the online form or call 245.2686 to speak with an instruction librarian. 

We can come to your class too, anywhere on campus with an internet connection!

What is Refworks? Refworks workshop, 11/11 and 11/13

Come find out how to make works cited or lists of references in Refworks, a program that lets you store your references or citations on the web. Refworks lets you export citations from databases as you are researching and finding articles or other sources. You can also find out how to get citations from the library catalog or other sources into your Refworks account too. Come to our Refworks workshop on Nov. 11, next Tuesday or the Advanced Refworks workshop on Nov. 13.

News from the Writing Center...

In case you missed the email about this, the Writing Center is offering workshops in November and December. Here is the information from their email:

The Writing Center is offering select workshops during the months of November and December. The schedule is listed below and is also available at http://www.writingcenter.txstate.edu/Events/Workshops.html.

The Right Word, The Right Place—Diction and Style in Academic and Everyday Writing

An informative workshop that will help you learn how to polish your writing by carefully choosing your words and using them in the most effective manner.

11/5 (Wednesday) 4:00-5:00 p.m. in DERR 234

11/6 (Thursday) 2:00-3:00 p.m. in FH G09 (Writing Center)

Resume and Personal Statements

Learn how to make the most of your academic and work experience and take your education or career to the next level.

Resumes: 11/11 (Tuesday) 3:30-4:30 p.m. in FH G09 (Writing Center)

Personal Statements: 11/12 (Wednesday) 3:30-4:30 p.m. in FH G09 (Writing Center)

Done Researching…Now What?  Research Methods II

Find out how to properly apply your research to an essay.

11/19 (Wednesday) 3:30-4:30 p.m. in FH G09 (Writing Center)

11/20 (Thursday) 3:30-4:30 p.m. in FH G09 (Writing Center)

Surviving the In-Class Essay

Learn how to prepare for and survive the challenges presented by the dreaded in-class essay.

12/1 (Monday) 5:00-6:00 p.m. in FH 341

No reservations are necessary.  Simply come to the assigned room at the designated time.  Please bring pen and paper for notes and any questions you may have about the topic. I f you have questions or would like more information, please contact Amy Kuehl, Writing Center Coordinator, at (512) 245-3018.

Many helpful resources are available through the Writing Center site, including handouts: http://www.writingcenter.txstate.edu/.  

To make an individual appointment with a writing counselor, call (512) 245-3018 or stop by FH G09 (Writing Center).  You may also make Bobcat Chat (online) appointments at http://www.writingcenter.txstate.edu/Student-Resources/Online-Tutoring.html.

 

Seventh Floor Construction is Underway

Work has begun to create the Wittliff Collections’ new public spaces on the library’s seventh floor. Coming soon will be a new formal entrance to welcome visitors, larger exhibition galleries, an expanded reading room to be named for author Cormac McCarthy, and easier access to the service desk.

Throughout construction, the Wittliff Collections will continue to assist students and researchers during office hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at other hours by appointment. The library’s seventh-floor book stacks will remain available for use. The seventh-floor group study rooms will be closed temporarily in order to serve as interim office space for Wittliff Collections staff. The exciting renovations are scheduled for completion in May 2009. For more information about the construction, click here.

In the meantime, please pardon our noise and dust.....