PowerBlog

The Patrick Power Library is excited about being part of a new province-wide initiative titled One Book Nova Scotia .  It is being organized by Libraries Nova Scotia , a consortium of university, college and public libraries, the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture & Heritage and the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia.  More information is available from the official web site .   The idea is to get as many Nova Scotians as possible to share the experience of reading the same book.  This year’s selection is Twenty-Six by Leo McKay Jr., a novel based on the Westray mining disaster.  As one of the partner organizations, the Library is encouraging participation among as many Saint Mary's students, faculty and staff as possible.  In addition to our catalogued copy, we have 5 additional copies available to be borrowed.  Just ask at the Circulation Desk.  The book is also available at local independent and chain bookstores (and, o...

You read that right.  The Atrium, with all of its comfortable chairs and its computers (and printer), is now open all day, every day. As soon as the Library closes (most nights at 11 o'clock), Security will arrive and keep the Atrium open.  This should prove really popular with all those night owls whose brains don't seem to kick in until midnight approaches.  Laptop not working? Printer out of ink?  Roommate driving you crazy? Not a problem. But there are a few things you need to know: It's for SMU students (and faculty & staff) only. You'll need to show your ID, so make sure you bring it with you. It will be a safe environment - University Security will be monitoring the space. No food, just drinks It's the Atrium only - no access to McNally, Burke or Science buildings You'll need to use the entrance off of the Quad (facing the Student Centre) Security has a list of acceptable conditions of use (no excessive noise, disruptive behavior).  Thi...

As you may have noticed, some portions of the library aren't as bright as they should be.  Many of the lights in the main Reference area on the first floor and significant sections of the 2nd and 3rd floors are out.  Needless to say, on an overcast day like today those areas are rather gloomy and not great places to work. However, we have alerted the University to the problem and they will be working to fix it as soon as possible. In the meantime, we apologize for the inconvenience.  Hopefully, the Library will be back to its old bright and inviting space very shortly.

Or if you're new to Saint Mary's, welcome to the Patrick Power Library (virtual edition).  We hope your summer was enjoyable, interesting, maybe even profitable. We use this blog (and our Facebook page ) to let people know what's going on here (libraries are changing rapidly these days and we're no exception) - new journals, books or databases, improvements to our services, changes to our hours, just about anything. For example, even though this past summer was a relatively quiet one compared to the previous few years (construction of Atrium, renovations to the building), some things will look different.  Our homepage has been refreshed and reorganized.  It has a new background photo and colour scheme and, more importantly, the middle and left-hand "windows" have been (we hope you'll agree) improved.  Of course, if you have any questions or need any help just ask at the Information Desk. And if you're a frequenter of the second floor (with its ...

Here's the latest:  As of today, and for the next week, new IDs will only be issued at the Student Services Expo, being held in the Loyola Conference Hall, L270.  The Expo's hours are: Today & Thursday, Aug.30  10am-4pm Friday, Aug.31  10am-3pm Saturday, Sept.1-Monday, Sept.3  11am-3pm Tuesday, Sept.4-Wednesday, Sept.5  10am-4:30pm What happens after that? If you still don't have your ID, come to the Library to get it. And if you don't have your bus pass, you can pick up that too . When we bring our equipment back from the Expo, SMUSA will be coming back with us and issuing bus passes at the Circulation Desk (watch for directions) And the hours for bus passes and IDs will be: Wednesday, Sept.5  6pm-9pm Thursday, Sept.6-Friday, Sept.7  10am-9pm Saturday, Sept.8  10am-4pm On Sunday, Sept. 9 our regular ID Office hours will resume: Monday-Thursday  10am-2pm, 6pm-8pm Friday  10am-2pm Saturday 1pm-5pm Sunday...

Maybe you're a new SMU student who can't wait for that "It's official, I've got my Student ID!" moment. Or maybe you're a returning student who needs to update your card for the new school year and want to avoid the September lineups. Whatever your story, we've made sure you can take care of it right now.  In July. Because our ID Centre will be open Monday to Friday, from 10am-2pm, for the rest of the summer .  And when the Library is open on Sunday (here are our hours ), we can make them "on demand".  Just ask at the Circulation Desk. 2 things you should know:  All new students will need to present government-issued photo ID in order to receive their university ID. Registered Saint Mary's students are welcome to use our online Library Card Application/Photo Submission Form, found at : http://libraryid.smu.ca/PhotoUpldpage/ (this is for new ID production, not renewals). If you have any questions about any of this you can alway...

We're happy to report that the 2nd floor re-carpeting project is ahead of schedule.  As a result, you can now go up there to retrieve any books you need.  However, all of the necessary cleaning still needs to be done so the study carrels aren't available quite yet (use those on the third floor instead). Be patient.  Just a few more days... I can tell you that the new flooring is a welcome sight.  Gone is that old, faded pink carpet.  Replaced by nice and clean, right-out-of-the-box carpet tiles.  What a difference it makes!

As of today, and for another 2-3 weeks, the library's 2nd floor will be unavailable.  But it's for a good reason -  the original, 35 year old carpet is (finally) being replaced! This is a big, messy job so there was no alternative but to seal off the space until the work is completed. Of course, the second floor is home to most of our book collection (call numbers A-PR3999) and this is the start of the summer session.  So we have implemented a plan for book retrieval for those who need a particular title during the project.  Staff will enter the area twice daily at 8:00am and 2:00pm, get any book you may need and hold it for you at the Circulation Desk .  You'll be able to pick it up later that day or the following morning.  For more information (or to arrange for a book), visit the desk or phone 420-5547. Fortunately, the first and third floors are unaffected by this so there is still plenty of study space available. Thanks in advance for your pati...

After 39 years of wonderful public service, Doug Vaisey will be retiring as head of the Library’s Reference Department next week.  Doug joined Saint Mary’s shortly after graduating from Dalhousie’s Library School.  It wasn’t long before he was helping plan the move to the newly constructed Patrick Power Library.  As the library grew, so did the Reference Department.  Under Doug’s leadership, it quickly developed its reputation for unparalleled reference service and dedication to the Saint Mary’s research community, a reputation it maintains to this day.  Doug didn’t just preach the importance of great service, he served as its model, whether helping a struggling student with their first paper or a graduate student with the most challenging research needs. Countless Saint Mary’s students, past and present, got better grades because of his involvement.  And countless library school students and library staff were the beneficiaries of his rigorou...

We are currently experiencing a technical problem which prevents off-campus users from accessing the Library's databases.  Currently, anyone who goes to the Databases A-Z page or the Statistics page from off-campus and clicks one of the database titles may not be successful.  We hope to have the problem fixed ASAP.  If you are having this problem, there is a solution: On our homepage you will see quick links to some of our most popular databases (ABI, Ebsco, JSTOR, etc.).  Click any one of those links (e,g, Ebsco).   At the authentication prompt, enter your S# and password.  You will then gain access to the database Go to the Databases A-Z   page or the Statistics page.  From there, you will be able to access any of the other databases (Sage,Web of Science, CANSIM, etc.).  In other words, the authentication you give for one of the five databases on the homepage will grant you access to the others, for as long as your web brow...

The Library's collection of dramatic art continues to grow.  The latest addition is a series of stunning black & white compositions, arranged on the "orange" wall on the main floor. They are the work of artist Camille Zakharia, a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, via his native Lebanon and many points in between.  Entitled Stories from the Alley , the photomontages describe a journey in the early 1990's through a village in the Middle East which was feeling the first impact of the wave of globalization which would sweep the area in the years to follow.  As one critic has observed, "Within this process is an exploration of home, identity and belonging in the context of a globalized condition." Camille's many works have been and continue to be exhibited throughout Canada and the U.S., Europe and the Middle East and we are very pleased to host this collection in the Patrick Power Library. Please make a point of experienci...

Hundreds of young (and not so young) people are no longer Saint Mary's students.  They are now Saint Mary's graduates, Saint Mary's alumni. Spring Convocation was held on Friday. And this important rite of passage was marked by a great crowd of very relieved people, finally able to see why all of that hard work and sacrifice was so worth it in the end. So congratulations would seem to be in order.  From everyone here at the Patrick Power Library.  Not just for those we helped (with books, timely advice or a haven).  But all of you.  You deserve it.  Four years (or five or six) is a big chunk of your life.  Enjoy the rest of it.

Hard to miss the changes to our homepage, starting with the new background image.  But the most significant difference can be found in the middle "window".  We've created a tabbed search box which allows you to find just books, just articles or everything we have (including DVDs, government documents, etc.).  Once you have the results, you should find easy-to-use links to the content.   It shouldn't take long to get the hang of it. And you'll notice that we've maintained ready links to the Novanet catalogue, the "Journals A-Z" list (to find out whether we have a particular journal), and our most popular databases (like ABI or JSTOR).  We also offer a quick link to our statistical sources as well as comprehensive subject guides, from Accounting to Women's Studies. We think this new format will improve access to our collections and make it easier to find whatever you need for your research.  But remember that if you have any questions, big or...

Just a reminder that, as promised, the Library will be open every day of the Easter weekend. To be precise, our hours will be: Good Friday 8:00am-1:00am Saturday 8:00am-1:00am Easter Sunday 10:00am-1:00am Monday 8:00am-1:00am Of course, we'll be open because you have exams to study for. Which you will study for. And which you will do very well on. And which you'll be so glad to finish. And whose completion will mark the beginning of what may turn out to be the best in a long line of great summers. Good luck (with the exams and the summer).

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.

Different students use study week for different things. Some stay in Halifax and hit the books, some go home to wherever home is and hit the books. Some don't do much of anything, taking a break from all things academic, conserving their energy for that final push at the end of the term. At Saint Mary's, staff also get a bit of a break. The last day of study break (tomorrow) is a day off. Most offices on campus will be closed. Not many services offered. But we just wanted you to know that, in spite of all that, the Library will be open . We won't have our regular hours but we will open at 9:00am and stay open until 9:00pm . So if you need a place to study tomorrow - or use a computer or borrow a book or get help with an assignment - don't worry. We've got it covered.

Well, not bigger in that sense. It will still fit on your smart phone. It's bigger because we've added a lot more information, a lot more links, a lot more ways to access our resources. We've improved the overall "look and feel" as well. Not only can you search for books, you can also retrieve articles from some of our most popular databases, like ABI, Ebsco, JSTOR and Web of Science . You can also find out when we're open, get contact information, read our blog or get live help with your research questions. All from the comfort of your hand held device. Just look for the "Mobile" icon on our homepage or go HERE . Technology can be a wonderful thing...