Library Buzzz

The University Writing Center will again offer evening tutoring in the Library. The hours for fall 2009 are 6:00pm-9:00pm Mondays and Tuesdays and 6:00pm-8:00pm Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Sessions are held in Library 3501A.  Make your appointments through the Writing Center:  writingcenter@csus.edu

The campus now has a site license for Endnote software.  With Endnote you can export electronic records from databases and catalogs directly into this product which will manage them for you and create lists of citations using a wide variety of citation style manuals (e.g., APA, MLA, Turabian, Chicago etc.)  It is not listed with the other Library databases as you must download it to your individual computer to use it.  This is available only for Faculty, Staff and Students that have valid SacLink accounts.  Here’s how:

Go to:  http://software.csus.edu/
Click “Obtain Software” then agree to the terms.

Please note that Endnote is not on the list by title - you have to select the radio button “New” to see it, then you can select either the Mac or PC version for download to your computer.   There will be training available later in the term. 

To read more about Endnote you can visit the company website:  http://www.endnote.com/  They have tutorials and webinars if you can’t wait to get started.

Students enjoying both the toys and making their own paper airplanes during the Stress-Free Zone this week.

And it’s Bigger and Better than last year!

When? May 11-15 and 18-19 from 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where? Library Lobby

This year, the zone features a poetry composition wall, paper airplane building station, and, on the Lower Level, short films and cartoons in room 0136. As with last year, Alicia Patrice, a certified yoga instructor, will offer free relaxation sessions in the Library Art Gallery on Monday and Wednesday, May 11 and 13, at 1:30.

Delineated by theater ropes and a tikki hut, this year’s Stress-Free Zone will be in the Browsing Section of the Library Lobby, between the Circulation Desk and the Art Gallery. This alcove contains comfy chairs, the Library’s newest books, and cards, games, and puzzles to take students’ minds off their finals for a short time. Once again, bubble-wrap will be on hand for stress-reducing popping. The Zone will available from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, May 11-15, and Monday through Tuesday, May 18-19.

We’ve added a little programming, too. A Dramatic Poetry Reading, featuring Sacramento State theatre students, will take place at 3:00 on Tuesday, May 12, and on Thursday afternoon (TBA) May 14, there will be a special “escape to childhood” storytime presented by the Cat in the Hat (a Sacramento State alumna and local librarian).

There will still be plenty of quiet study space upstairs and on the lower level - the University Library just wanted to offer an alternative for students needing a study break.

ALOHA!

Check your SacLink email - if you’ve been selected to participate in our Library survey you may have a chance to win an iPOD touch or one of ten 8GB USB flash drives. We’re looking for user feedback to help us improve our services.

An invitation to participate in the LibQUAL+ survey has been sent via email to a random sample of Sacramento State faculty, staff and students. Those not selected to participate, but would like to take the survey, may do so by contacting the LibQUAL+ team at: libqual@library.csus.edu

The survey will be available between March 2nd and March 20th, 2009. The survey consists of 27 core questions and takes approximately 8 to 13 minutes to complete. Participation in the online survey is voluntary and responses are anonymous. ARL will compile the responses and provide each participating library with the cumulative data for its library.

Only students are eligible for the prizes, [Sorry, faculty and staff ]

If you wish to enter the drawing for the iPod touch and flash drives, complete the survey and include your email address. Emails will not be linked to responses. Prize winners will be notified using the email address entered in the survey and must have a valid OneCard to claim their prize. For more details go to:

http://library.csus.edu/libqual

I found out yesterday that you no longer need a SacLink account to use the campus wireless network. Now visitors to the Library can use their own laptops to access the Web. I’m guessing they will be able to print to the PrintSmart stations too if they download the correct drivers and buy a Courtesy OneCard. This is good news for our visitors. - Linda Goff

Need help writing your paper or thesis?  Try out the new evening satellite service of the University Writing Center, co-sponsored by the University Library.  Hours are Mon.-Thurs. from 6-9pm except Wed. which ends at 8 PM.  Schedule an appointment by visiting the Writing Center in CLV-128, calling 278-6356, or dropping in at Library 3501A during posted hours.

Don’t forget, if you need help with research you can always take advantage of Library drop-in workshops too!   Librarians can help you find the best research to support your theses, how to manage your research citations and how to get the best information when searching databases and the Web.  For times and dates go to: http://library.csus.edu/content2.asp?pageID=202