Veterans & the Library

It’s Veterans Appreciation Week and we’re doing our part to honor and support our student veterans. This afternoon we’re hosting an informal meet & greet in the Veterans Resource Center. No databases or citation talk. This is just a time to relax and get to know each other.

When you are ready to explore what the library has to offer, see below for recommended starting places. We even have a resource guide created especially for our student veterans.

Library Resources for Student Veterans

The library at Clayton State University has many resources that can be useful for student veterans. Beyond books, we have librarians to help with research, spaces for you to study in peace and quiet, and even laptops you can check out and computers you can use on-site.

LibGuides

Our librarians keep up-to-date LibGuides on a wide range of subjects. If you’re wondering where to start, here are a few specific guides you may find useful.

Student Veteran Resources: This is a LibGuide specifically tailored to the needs of student veterans. It has resources for standardized test preparation, links to books on college study skills, and resources on reintegration into civilian life and military-to-civilian employment.

Circulation Desk Services: This LibGuide offers a detailed overview of what the circulation desk, located on the lower level of the library, has to offer. It covers everything from GIL Express and ILL (services that allows students to request books from other libraries) to course reserves (textbooks kept in the library that can be checked out for two hours at a time).

Library Research: This LibGuide is a good place to go if you’re wondering where to start with a research project. It offers insight on such things as finding a topic, keyword searching, and evaluating information.

Reference Librarians

In addition to the librarians’ LibGuides, the librarians themselves are an excellent resource. They’ll be happy to help you with research, and are available via phone, library chat, or by appointment. Below is a list of our research librarians and which departments they represent.

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UPDATE: Technical Issues with Infobase Resources

UPDATE 10/19/18: We have taken World News Digest offline temporarily due to technical issues with publisher Infobase. We will let you know here as soon as access has been returned.  If you need an alternate resource you can speak to one of our experts at the Reference Desk. Thank you for your patience!

Infobase, the maker of several library databases, experienced a server crash early this week that prevented access to these Clayton State University resources:

In a statement today, Infobase reported that it has moved content to Amazon Web Services, “which will provide better access and improved performance across all of our sites.”

Access has been restored to our Infobase resources but technical issues are still a possibility.  If anyone has trouble accessing these resources, please contact the library for assistance.

Big Thank You

There are a just few more days left to write a Thank You letter to a U.S. soldier stationed overseas during Thanksgiving. Each year we participate in The Bert Show Big Thank You letter writing campaign which aims to get a Thank You letter in the hands of each servicemember deployed over the holiday. Over the course of previous campaigns, more than a million handwritten letters have been delivered to our troops. But the letters can’t get to their recipients if we don’t write them.

We have made it easy for you by providing paper, writing utensils, and a collection box at the Reference Desk on the Upper Level. Come by this week and show your appreciation for those who sacrifice for us. Letters are due this Friday, October 19, so don’t delay.

 

 

October Featured Resource: CQ Researcher Plus Archive

CQ Researcher is a preferred source for original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. Reports include a background and overview of the topic, pro/con debates, a summary of the current situation and future outlook, and a bibliography for further research. CQ Researcher Plus Archive includes full reports dating back to 1923 and new content is added weekly.

Subject areas covered in CQ Researcher Plus Archive include Human Rights, Media, Religion, Social Movements, International Relations, Education, and more.

EVENT: Game Night – September 20

Join us this Thursday, September 20th for our very first Game Night.

Try your hand at these classic card games: Canasta Rummy Spades. Cards, rules, and light snacks provided. Library (Lower Level) Thursday, September 20 6pm - 9pm.

For this event we’re featuring the classic card games Rummy, Canasta, and Spades. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a place for you at the table and an opportunity to earn a spot on the leaderboard.

Don’t know how to play? No worries. We’ll have the rules handy.

Don’t have any cards? We got you covered there, too.

Feeling too famished to play games? We’ll have some light refreshments (that comply with the library’s food policy, of course.)

Got more questions? Contact Beth Smedley (ElizabethSmedley@clayton.edu, 678-466-4331)

EVENT: Midterms voter registration drive

Usually when we talk about preparing for midterms, we share tips for searching databases, citing sources, or securing group study space. We’ll definitely get to that later, but there’s another set of midterms we want to make sure you’re ready for, too: the 2018 Midterm Elections.

Midterm elections don’t always get as much press as presidential election years, and voter turnout is usually lower. But all elections have consequences, and midterms are especially important when it comes to local impact. Between the House, the Senate and governor races across the country, voters have the opportunity to decide the fate of over 500 elected officials. In Georgia, all 10 executive offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, etc.) are on the ballot. Georgia voters will also select their representatives to the U.S. House and vote on various measures. Lastly, there are a number of county and local office on ballots across the state.

And that’s why we want to help you help your state. Midterm elections take place on November 6, 2018, and the last day to register is October 9th. To make sure we are all ready, the Library is partnering with the Political Science program to participate in National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 25, from 9am – 4pm, in the Library and Clayton Hall lobbies.

Image: Circular logo with text National Voter Registration Day and stars with outline of United States in center. Text: Midterms on My Terms. Register to vote. Tuesday, September 25, 9am - 4pm, Library Lobby (Upper Level, courtyard entrance), Clayton Hall Student Lobby, ErinNagel@clayton.edu

First started for the 2012 presidential election, National Voter Registration Day has become a 50-state holiday where thousands of organizations and volunteers organize to ensure our family, friends, and neighbors are registered to vote. As a nonpartisan coalition of organizations, National Voter Registration Day is the perfect opportunity to get involved no matter what party you support or which issues matter most to you.

Want to get involved? RSVP for National Voter Registration Day. Volunteer opportunities are available. Contact ErinNagel@clayton.edu with questions.

UPDATE: Library reopens Sunday, 8/19

We have excellent news! The HVAC renovation has been progressing smoothly, and we are on schedule to open as planned. In some ways we are even ahead of schedule. Keep reading for details.

All desktop computers are installed, and our SmartPrint printers are working. Our photocopiers are not back yet, but the document scanner is operational. The monitors in the group rooms are back on the walls, and the room reservation system is up and running. However, a few rooms (140, 212, and 230) are still unavailable.

When you visit us, please be mindful and aware that there may be exposed wires, debris, and perhaps even workers present. Also, we may continue to experience fluctuations in temperature, and there may be times when it is quite cold. We recommend coming prepared with extra layers you can add and remove as needed. Any interruption should be minimal, and we appreciate your patience. We are committed to providing you a welcoming environment conducive to study and research, and this project is part of that effort.

Reopening Schedule

Sunday, August 19

The Upper Level will be open 1pm – 10pm, but the Lower Level is still closed. If you need an item from the Circulating Collection, inquire at the information desk or submit a request online.

Monday, August 20

The Upper Level will be open 8am – 10pm and the Lower Level will open from 1pm – 10pm.

Tuesday, August 21

Regular semester hours resume.

Monday – Thursday: 8am – 10pm
Friday: 8am – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 6pm (Upper Level only)
Sunday: 1pm – 10pm

As always, our electronic resources are available 24 hours a day from our website. Please reach out to us at library@clayton.libanswers.com with any questions or concerns.

 

Fall semester renovation UPDATE

The official start of Fall 2018 semester is just days away. It’s time, then, for an update on the library’s HVAC renovation.

(If this is all news to you, catch up on the renovation history here.)

We will be moving out of our temporary home in Arts & Sciences G-101 soon, but the library building will still be inaccessible. We know that this may cause extra inconvenience during the start of the semester, but we, as always, are committed to providing excellent service and keeping you informed. Read below for how to access the library from now through Fall semester.

Please be aware that the information below may change due to unexpected delays. Please return to the blog or follow us on Twitter for the latest status updates.

Today, Thursday, August 9

Find us in Arts & Sciences, G-101. Pickup and return GIL Express, InterLibrary Loan and Clayton State owned items here. Limited laptop computers are available for use in G-101 or for 6-hour loan. You may send documents to SmartPrint from our laptops. Pick up your print jobs at one of the many other SmartPrint locations. Get help in G-101, by phone (678-466-4345), email, or chat.

Friday  August 10

We will be relocating equipment and resources from our temporary locations back to the Library building. Reference phones, email, and chat will not be monitored regularly. Please direct urgent library questions to Adam Kubik (678-466-4337). You may also reach out to specific library employees who may be monitoring their individual lines of communication. Item pickup and return is unavailable.

Monday – Tuesday, August 13-14

The library building is still closed. Reference phones, email, and chat will not be monitored regularly. Laptops, equipment, and reference support will be available from 9am – 4pm Monday on Main Street and Tuesday on the lower level University Center near the Information Desk and Dining Hall.

Wednesday – Friday, August 15 – 17

The library building is still closed, but reference support is available via phone (678-466-4346), email, and chat. Course reserves, laptops, and in-person reference support will be available Main Street from 1pm – 4pm on Wednesday and from 9am – 4pm Thursday and Friday.

beginning Sunday, August 19

Library Upper Level will open to the public with full reference support and limited computer access. Lower Level will still be off limits. Submit circulating item requests online. Pick up and return GIL Express and InterLibrary loan items at the Upper Level Information Desk. Group room access may be limited. Continue to pick up your print jobs at other SmartPrint locations until further notice.

Fall semester hours are Monday – Thursday, 8am – 10pm, Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 6pm, Sunday 1pm – 10pm.

NOTE: In order to complete testing of the HVAC system, it will be necessary for the temperature in the library to be kept at 55 degrees. Please dress accordingly.

Upcoming Library Events

UPDATE: Due to complications the Minute Clinics have been postponed until later in the semester.

  • Wednesday, August 15 – Department Day, 11am –  1pm, UC Main Street
  • Thursday, August 16 – Minute Clinics – 11am – noon, 3pm – 4pm, UC Lobby near Information Desk
  • Tuesday, August 21- Minute Clinics – 11am – noon, 3pm – 4pm, UC Lobby near Information Desk
  • Wednesday, August 22- Minute Clinics – 11am – noon, 3pm – 4pm, UC Lobby near Information Desk

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to provide a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all of your library needs. We look forward to seeing you soon.

UPDATE: Library relocated end of summer term

As part of the ongoing renovations to the HVAC system, the library is experiencing intermittent closings this semester. One of these closings, July 12 – August 13, will occur during Summer finals. Below are a few recommendations to promote a successful end to the semester.

  1. Start early
    This is something we always recommend, but it’s even more important with these interruptions.

    1. Students: Start your research early so we can help access any materials you may need.
    2. Faculty: Assign projects requiring library access earlier in the semester so students have time to make arrangements.
  2. Ask for assistance
    Likewise, this is a typical suggestion that is more relevant now. Much of our collection is, literally, under wraps and inaccessible to the public, but we go daily to pull requested books. We can also direct you to digital resources when physical ones are not available.

    1. Students: Book an appointment with a reference librarian to get connected to the best information sources.
    2. Faculty: Invite a librarian to your class to provide an overview of helpful resources tailored to your subject area and assignments.
  3. Identify alternative spaces
    Use this time to explore other useful spaces on campus. Find quiet study space outside the Provost suite on the 2nd floor of the University Center. Power your laptop at one of the tables in the UC Commons. Contact the Center for Academic Success to reserve a study room, and cozy up in comfy seating with lake views at the Lakeview Discovery & Science Center.

We’re still here for you
Even though the library building is closed to the public, WE are not, and we will work to make library resources and services as accessible as possible during this time. Beginning Friday, July 13, Library staff will be available in room G-101 in the Arts & Sciences building. Visit us there to:

  • Check out and use course reserves – Reserves materials will be housed in G-101 and available for loan. A document scanner and DVD player will be available for materials that can’t leave the premises.
  • Borrow laptops and equipment – Laptop computers and small equipment like phone chargers and webcams will be available for 6 hour loans.
  • Pick up library owned physical resources – Request library-owned materials using the Item Pickup Request Form and pick them up in G-101.
  • Pick up GIL Express/ InterLibrary Loan items – Submit requests online and pick up in G-101.
  • Get Reference Assistance – Reference librarians will be available during normal hours in G-101 and remotely via chat, email, phone, and text.

Timeline
The relocation process will begin July 9, and access to some resources and services will be impacted then. We will close at 5pm on July 11 and remain closed July 12 to allow for final preparations and equipment relocation. Library staff and limited resources will be available in G-101 beginning July 13. Hours for the remainder of summer semester are: Monday – Thursday, 8am – 9pm and Friday 8am – 5pm. The library is closed Saturdays and a librarian is available for virtual support only on Sundays, 12 – 9pm. Beginning Tuesday, July 24, we will be available in G-101, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.hard hat atop stack of three books

Faculty and staff of the Clayton State Library are committed to providing quality service and support to the Clayton State community during this project. Follow us here on our blog and our other social media channels to stay up to date on the progress of this exciting renovation, and please reach out to us at library@clayton.libanswers.com with any questions or concerns.

Be a library rock star! Apply today

Are you a problem solver? Do you enjoy helping others reach their goals? Are you a quick learner, comfortable with new technology? Then the library might have a job for you.

Four rocks holding hands. Do you rock? Come join our team

We are looking for some stellar student assistants to work in the library during Fall 2018.

Responsibilities

General duties will include answering basic library questions, greeting patrons in person and over the phone, assisting with library equipment, checking in and out library materials, and maintaining order of library collections on the shelf. In addition, student assistants may monitor the online chat service, provide basic reference and technology assistance, and assist with closing the library. Specific duties will vary depending upon which floor assistants are assigned to work, but students will receive training for all tasks.

Requirements

The right candidates will demonstrate a commitment to customer service, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Dependability and flexibility are also required. Candidates should also demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills and have some computer experience. The library uses an Integrated Library System, so the ability to learn new technology is required.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must be an undergraduate student in good academic standing. We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2018 semester. Student assistants may work a maximum of 19.5 hours per week. Assigned weekly hours will vary depending on student availability and library coverage needs. Most student assistants work between 12-15 hours per week.

This could be you!

How to apply

If this sounds right for you, please download, complete, and submit the Library Student Assistant application to: LibraryJobs@groups.clayton.edu.

Please direct all questions to LibraryJobs@groups.clayton.edu