PowerBlog

A big part of what we do is link students and faculty with the articles they need for their research, whether in academic or peer-reviewed journals or magazines and newspapers. Of course, as information technology and the Web have evolved, the number of journals in electronic format has exploded (I'm not sure exactly how many the Library provides but it's certainly 10,000+). So we are constantly exploring better ways to organize and provide access to these important sources of the best, most current information, innovation and ideas. We also have to consider the fact that our users (from grad students and faculty to kids right out of high school) have varying degrees of experience and expertise when it comes to doing academic research. With all of this in mind, we've been working behind the scenes to improve the options you have for getting your hands on the articles you want. On our homepage, this is what you'll see as of next week: Instead of separate boxes for find...

Don't worry, final exams don't start for a few more weeks. Exactly 2 weeks in fact: Thursday, April 5. But the Library always likes to give students plenty of time to get ready. Which is why, beginning this Saturday, we will be open until 1:00 in the morning every night till the last exam on the 24th. And we'll open a little earlier on Saturdays and Sundays too. The Circulation Desk will close at the usual 11 o'clock but you'll still be able to study, use our computers or any of the other things you like to do in the Library for a few hours after that. To save you a few mouse clicks, here are the hours for the next while: March 19-25 Monday – Friday 8:00am – 11:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 1:00am Sunday noon – 1:00am March 26-April 22 Monday – Saturday 8:00am – 1:00am Sunday 10;00am – 1:00am April 23-24 Monday 8:00am – 1:00am Tuesday 8:00am-7:00pm April 25-May 7 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday CLOSED And, of course, best...

Saint Mary's is part of a group of universities in the U.S. and Canada which is trying to find out how undergraduate students interact with information technology: what kind they use, how they use it and how often. Desktop, laptop or smart phone? Do you use Blackboard? How do you use the library's web site? Wish your profs used technology more? These are the kinds of questions to be found in a new online, anonymous, "no more than 15 minutes" survey our undergrads are being asked to complete. If you are an undergrad you should have received your invitation and a link to the survey by now (check your e-mail!). This feedback will go a long way towards shaping the kinds of information technology provided on our campus in the coming years. Which is why I'm urging you to take the time to participate. The Saint Mary's part of the survey is being run by ITSS, the Library and CAID (Centre for Academic and Instructional Development) so if you have any questions ge...

You all have them. It's March 16. Maybe a paper or two. Or three. An in-class presentation to develop, a market survey to complete, another ten citations to gather for your thesis... Of course, we can help with that. It's what we do - link students with the sources they need: books, articles, statistics. Or maybe you just need some suggestions, fresh ideas or a "second pair of eyes" to give you that boost you need to get a paper started or finish off a stubborn one. Whatever you need, just head for that desk near the Library's entrance with the big "Information & Research" sign above it. Or you can phone (420-5544) or email (research@smu.ca) us with your problem/challenge. There's someone there from early in the morning till late at night. Just waiting to help.