PowerBlog

Every year around this time the Novanet libraries, including this one, give borrowers the opportunity to clear their overdue fines while also helping local food banks. The campaign is called Food for Fines and here's how it works: For each non-perishable food item you donate, $2 will be deducted from any outstanding fines you may have (to a maximum of $20). So if, for example, you owe $16, just bring in 8 items and your slate will be wiped clean. Donations can be dropped off at the Circulation Desk at the Library's entrance (and of course you can make a donation even if you don't have any fines). They will then be given to the campus food bank to help Saint Mary's students And cash is also welcome. This year's campaign runs from January 30 to February 10 . So don't miss this chance to save some money (you'll have to pay off those fines some time) while contributing to a great cause.

A lot of new students (and a few professors too) arrive at Saint Mary's each January. They may have transferred from another school, they may be upgrading their education after being in the workforce for a while. Perhaps they're here to learn English at our TESL Centre. The one thing they have in common is that they'll all need an official Saint Mary's ID card. And you get those at the Library. It's not only a handy thing to have, it's needed to get the student bus pass, to use The Tower, to qualify for discounts around town and, of course, it's also your library card. There's an office for producing ID cards on the main floor of the Library. And it's open: Monday 10-2, 6-8 Tuesday 10-2, 6-8 Wednesday 10-2, 6-8 Thursday 10-2, 6-8 Friday 10-2, On demand Saturday 1-5 Sunday 3-7 Bring your best smile.

The library's starting to fill up. Things are picking up where they left off. But January is very different from December. You don't have the holidays. But you don't have exams or those big end-0f-term assignments either. Some 1/2 credit courses are over and done, already fading into memory, some are just getting started (new stuff to learn, new profs to learn from). And those loooong September all the way to April full credits? Well, at least you know what's in store. You know what you signed up for. And remember, whatever the course, whatever the assignment, whether you're in the midst of your first year, or your last, we can help. Got a paper that won't write itself? Don't know where to find those journal articles your professor insists upon? Don't know what a journal article is? Go to the Library's Information Desk and just ask. That's what they're there for. It will make the term, and your life, a lot easier. Hope you had...