PowerBlog

Most of us do. They're interesting. They're stimulating. They look nice. They smell nice. O.K., I'm getting carried away now. But this is a library. In a university. Books seem so... natural. And there are lots of them. Even in this digital age, there is still a flood of new titles being published at any given time, on any given subject. Some of them end up at the Patrick Power Library. They're here to support the teaching/researching/writing/inspiring/thinking being done at Saint Mary's. There are a few easy ways of discovering exactly what new books the library has. The most comfortable (and highly recommended) way is to drop by our brand new reading area on the main floor (pictured). Enjoy the comfy seating, surrounded by bookcases housing our latest acquisitions (and a great collection of popular magazines and newspapers too). There's even a fireplace, to make it feel cosy and scholarly. Every few weeks, the books will be moved upstairs and a n...

...and you have to study for them. Condolences/Good luck/Knock 'em dead, kid. For students, this is a tough time. Even if you can see the (summer) light at the end of the tunnel, there's still those last papers to finish and finals after that. So there's some pressure, some frayed nerves, some long nights ahead. Maybe we can't write those papers or exams for you, but the Library can help, in it's own reliable way... Here's what we can do: stay open until 1:00am every night - we've already started. provide a quiet place to study. Most of the renovations are finished and we've postponed what's left until after exams because of the noise they make. create a comfortable reading area on the main floor, with new, inviting furniture. Done. open up newly renovated group study rooms. Check. maintain the 2nd and 3rd floors as designated "Quiet Zones" where no talking it permitted. Always. and... Here's what you can do: be respectful of ...

The first exams won't be written for another week but we're not waiting till then. We know you need extra time to get ready. That's why we're going to be open extra hours - starting this weekend. So from this Saturday and right through to the end of the exam period, the Library will be open until 1:00am. For all of our hours, go here . And that's the entire library, not just the main floor. After 11:00 there won't be any staff to offer help or check out books but there will be someone from Security to keep it open for studying/cramming. We think this will be particularly popular with residence students who will be able to find a quiet place to read while avoiding rowdy roommates. As far as those exams are concerned, good luck! A few more weeks and it will all be over.

Not all of them. But most of them. We have 7 available right now with more to come. And they're better than ever. The changes to the library's main floor are not just cosmetic ones. Group study rooms have been built in what used to be the Reserve Reading Room at the furthest end. They've been designed to accomodate groups of students who want to work together on class assignments without being disturbed (or disturbing others). They've got new flooring, lighting, walls and furniture. And they're (fairly) soundproof. No more crowding around a table in the middle of the Reference Room. Drop in and have a look for yourself. There are also new study rooms in the space previously occupied by the administration offices. And the large study room on the 2nd floor is still there. It's especially good for groups of 8-10 people. To find out if a room is available, or to book one in advance, just visit the Circulation Desk or call them at 420-5547.

Which do you want first? The good news? Or the bad news? Let's start with... The Good : The renovations of the washrooms on the 2 nd and 3rd floors have (finally) been completed and they have reopened. New plumbing and fixtures, new walls and floors, new everything. They're not 35 years old anymore. Followed by The Bad : Now that they've finished the upstairs washrooms, they can start working on the ones on the main floor. In fact, "start" means tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 am. Which means that for the foreseeable future there will be no washroom facilities on the library's first floor. But which may not be as dire as it sounds. It just means you will have to get some exercise (or take the elevator) traveling to the aforementioned nice new ones upstairs. And remember that there are also washrooms not so far away in the Atrium and the now-connected-to-the-library-so-you-don't-have-to-go-outside Burke Building. Of course, and unfortunately,...

Not all students use the university study break to go home or go south. Some actually study. And I was pleasantly surprised by the number of students in the library this week. So, for them, here's a heads up that the library will have slightly reduced hours tomorrow. We will open at 9:00am and close at 9:00pm - not a big difference from our usual hours - unless you were planning to come by early to check out a book or to drop by late in the evening for reference help. BTW, hours for the weekend are unchanged: Saturday 10:00am - 7:00pm Sunday noon - 11:00pm And we're ready for the crowd's return on Monday...

The main floor renovations are coming along. That's the good news. The bad news (and you don't need to be told this if you've visited the library the past few days) is that RENOS =NOISE. Yesterday afternoon was particularly difficult - with all kinds of drilling, hammering and general construction-related noises. We apologize profusely. And we hate it as much as you do. But unfortunately there's not a whole lot that can be done about it (at least the 2 nd and 3rd floors are quiet). When confronted with this very un -library environment, some of you (and some of us) have wondered, quite naturally, why this disruption couldn't have waited until a less busy time of year (say, July). The problem is that this work, like much of the other recent campus improvements, is being funded by Government of Canada infrastructure renewal money. Which means that the work is supposed to meet a March 31 completion deadline. And which is why it can't be put off until the library i...

The Saint Mary's University Institutional Repository , a project of the Patrick Power Library, is a one-stop-shop to collect and provide web-based access to the resources created by our university community. It includes more than 1,000 historical photographs on everything from varsity sports teams and Art Gallery exhibits to Drama Society productions and general campus events. It also features Yearbooks (from 1921), faculty publications, theses and other digital collections held in the University Archives. The project not only makes it easier for the world to find these collections, it also serves as a showcase for the kind of high-level research undertaken at Saint Mary's, both currently and in the past. To explore this exciting new resource, just go to http://library2.smu.ca . It is a work in progress with more material being added all the time. So if you have any comments or suggestions please send them along.

Due to the the impending snowstorm, the University will be closing today at 11:30. This includes the Patrick Power Library . For updates please check the University's web site or phone: Students/Public: 491-6263 Faculty/Staff: 491-6264

Fines for overdue library books. Everybody hates them. The people who get them and even the people who have to collect them. But they're a fact of everyday library life: without them some people would never bring back the books other people need. So it's always good when something positive can come out of it. Food for Fines is an annual tradition at the Novanet libraries. If you have fines, just bring in a non-perishable food item. For every one you drop off at the Circulation desk, your fines will be reduced by $2 (maximum of $20). And all the food will be donated to the campus food bank so you'll be helping other students at the same time. This year's campaign starts on Monday (January 17) and runs until the 28th. And everybody wins.

More and more people these days access the Web with a hand-held device (think iPhone, BlackBerry or any number of other smartphones). A quick walk around the Patrick Power Library will tell you that many SMU students use and love them. But navigating a web site on a 3 inch screen can be a challenge. Which is why there have been "apps" developed for just about everything under the sun. And which is why the Library now offers 2 ways to access our electronic self. You can use our familiar, trusty web site or you can try our new mobile version. It's available at http://library.smu.ca/mobile/ or just follow the "Mobile Access" link in the bottom left corner of the main site. You can search the catalogue and some of our most popular journal databases or get info on hours, contacts, document delivery and more. You can even read this blog! We hope it's helpful. We hope it's handy. We hope it makes your life a little easier.

I came to work yesterday and there was a giant orange wall running down the middle of my library. Fortunately, it is only made of wood and vinyl and it is very temporary. Let me explain... Over the holiday break, the library's ongoing renovations kicked into a higher gear. While we were enjoying the time off, workers were busy demolishing the brick and glass wall which used to separate the Reference Room from the old lobby space. And while they were at it they took out a few offices too. These, of course, are all part of the facelift which the main floor is about to undergo. In the coming weeks, the former lobby will get new flooring, new furniture, new washrooms and other improvements. Plus, the old Reserve Reading Room will be completely gutted and new group study rooms and an instruction lab installed. Unfortunately, this means that, for the next few months, some previously-popular study areas, especially those conducive to group work, will be construction zones. We know this wi...

Everyone here at the Library would like to wish everyone at Saint Mary's a wonderful holiday. If you want to see our greeting in action, go to www.smu.ca . You'll see us about half way thru the University's Christmas video card. In a few days (noon on Wednesday to be precise) we will be closing for the Christmas break, reopening on January 3. In the meantime, stay away from all things academic, try and relax and enjoy whatever you do in the coming weeks and we'll see you in the new year!

Do you belong to the world's most popular social networking site? If the answer is yes, then you have something in common with the library. But if you visit our Facebook page hoping to find pictures of wild librarian parties or how we spend our Saturday nights, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. What you will find is another way, a relaxed way, of staying connected to us. We'll post the latest news, updates on our services or resources, anything, big or small, that we think you would want to know. And maybe we'll move in other directions too. Perhaps we'll share our favourite books (or web sites or blogs or Youtube videos). We don't know exactly where we're headed and we're keeping an open mind. So pay us a visit (search: patrick power library ). The more the merrier!

Every term the library extends its hours during the exam period to accomodate the studying crowds. We open earlier and close later (for early birds and night owls). Well this year we are taking it a step further. For the first time, the library will remain open until 1:00am - not just during exams but starting this weekend . So those students currently working on end-of-term assignments or who will be cramming for morning exams in a few weeks will have a late-night place to go - a study hall to call their own. Here's the complete schedule: November 20 (Saturday) 10am - 1am November 21 (Sunday) noon - 1am November 22 - December 17 Monday - Saturday 8am - 1am; Sunday 10am - 1am December 18 (final day of exams) 10am - 7pm December 19 CLOSED December 20 -21 9am - 5pm December 22 9am - noon January 3 9am - 5pm Something else you should know: from November 20 - December 1 the Circulation Desk (book checkout, print credits, etc.) will be open until midnight; from December 2 - 17 it will ...

It is important that everyone be aware that, due to renovations in the McNally Building, the campus computer system and network services will be unavailable this Sunday . This shutdown will begin at 7:00am and last well into the evening. This is a complete IT service outage. Services which will be unavailable include: Banner SMUport Blackboard Library Databases (on and off campus) Web sites Network shares Internet access Wireless network The outage includes the Library, Atrium, all computer labs, residences and faculty offices. In spite of this, the library will remain open. You will be able to study, get help from staff or borrow books. Please note that if you have a paper due on Monday the library does have 10 Word-enabled laptops which can be borrowed (3 hour loan). Just a suggestion...but you may want to adjust your weekend schedule accordingly.

This is just a reminder that Thursday is Remembrance Day. As a result, and in recognition of the events which mark this special occasion, the library will be closed in the morning. We will, however, be open from noon until 11p.m and staff will be here to help you at the Circulation and Information desks.

Just a reminder that the Library will be open this Monday, Thanksgiving Day from noon to 11pm . So the hours will be slightly shorter than usual but think of it as a chance to sleep in a bit. And you'll still have 11 hours to enjoy our company. Regular hours will, of course, resume the next day.

Don't know what CAT stands for? Not sure what the Writing Centre does? Then join us this Thursday, September 30 from 1:00-3:00 for the very first Global Learning Commons Open House ! This will be a chance for members of the Saint Mary's community to find out more about the wide variety of services offered in the Atrium. Representatives from the Patrick Power Library, CAT, CAID, ITSS and the Writing Centre will be on hand to talk about the academic and administrative support we provide to students, faculty and staff. Coffee (and tea) and cake will be served! Hope to see you on Thursday. p.s. There's also a contest for you to enter: how many books in the Library? The closest guess wins a $50 Aramark gift card. Drop by for a ballot.

Amazing? Dismal? Full of wonderful memories? Or filled with too many "I wish they had never invented Facebook?" kinds of memories? Too short (they all are)? Technically, summer still has a few weeks to run but students know it's over, no matter how warm the weather. September means just one thing and it has for most of your life. So you're back in school (for your first year at Saint Mary's, or your second, or third, or fourth...). At least you've got company - students, faculty, staff - we're all in this together. And we all want the same thing: everyone to get nothing but "A's". Which, of course, you'll never get if you don't use... The library is, as always, here to help. We've got all the resources, technology and expertise you could possibly want. All you have to do is drop by and ask. Or use our web site. You'll find out about our 400,000 books, our growing number of e-books, the 1000's of journals you c...