PowerBlog

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...

Not library staff. We made sure they were included when the building was renovated. We talked about how big they should be, how students would use them, the kind of furniture they should include. We designed them. For students. So they could work on group projects together or just study together. We have 9 of them, they're pretty nice and they're pretty popular. Which is why we're so disappointed that, for the second weekend in a row, one of the study rooms got trashed. Yeah, I know. Hard to believe. Cups of coffee deliberately spilled over the table, bottles and wrappers everywhere, chairs put on shelves, gouges in the walls. I've seen the photos. When the study rooms haven't been booked by anyone we leave them open for groups of students to use. Because we trust them, that they are mature, responsible adults. Apparently some aren't. We don't want to adopt more restrictive policies for using the study rooms. We'll see. But our cleaning staf...

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...

From all of us to all of you. Sure this term has been tough. Late nights. Anxiety-ridden deadlines. Lots to learn. But that's in the past. Forget about it and just enjoy the time off. Next term will take care of itself. Worry about it when it gets here. In the meantime, you've got a few weeks to relax, eat well, maybe watch a few movies, play a few (or more than a few) games, spend time with those you like to spend time with. And we'll be here waiting for you when you come back. It'll be 2012. Endless possibilities.

Those three words just seem to go together. They have a history. Libraries fit in there too. December and April are two of our busiest months as students fill every vacant seat in search of a place to get ready for those multiple choice/essay/take home barometers of their progress. Some exams are wake up calls, some are pleasant surprises, some are satisfying affirmations. All of them are tough. So if, in the next few weeks, you're among those crowded into the first floor (I'm not talking about those angels on the upper floors working silently away like so many sixteenth century monks), how about turning the volume down a bit? Have some compassion for your fellow students. Maybe they're an hour away from their third exam in four days. An hour to squeeze as many facts, ideas, concepts and professor's opinions as possible into their heads. Notice the beads of sweat forming on their brow, the haunted look in their eyes, the nervous twitching. Try whispering. And d...

For most students the next month is not their favourite time of the year. Papers and then exams to write. Lots of research and studying. Lots to do before they can take that well-deserved Christmas break. There's not a whole lot that the Library can do to ease that burden. But there are a few things: Staff at the Reference Desk can help with your research. And we can stay open longer hours so you have a place to go to study. Which is what we'll be doing starting this weekend. As of this Saturday and continuing every day until December 19, the Library will remain open until 1:00 in the morning. Even though the Circulation Desk will close at 11:00, the rest of the library will be open so that students will have a quiet place to cram (or use the computers). For a full schedule, right into the new year, go HERE . And good luck with your exams (and papers).

Tomorrow is November 11, the day when Canadians honour those past and present members of the armed forces who served and protected their country. Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday so that people can attend the various ceremonies held in communities across Canada, including Halifax, to mark the occassion. Most of these ceremonies are held in the morning. In recognition of this, the Patrick Power Library will be closed that morning. We will open at noon and stay open until our usual 11:00pm.

Sometimes Wikipedia works just fine - if you need a quick, simple introduction to a topic. And you don't care how well it's written or who wrote it... But sometimes Wikipedia just doesn't cut it. Like when you need an authoritative description and analysis of a subject, written by a recognized expert in the field. Like you'll find in reference books (encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, etc.). Of course, one of the reasons for Wikipedia's great popularity is its ease of access as a web-based, 24/7 resource, always just a few mouse clicks away. Well now you can have "the best of both worlds": e-reference books. These are electronic versions of standard, high quality reference works, available remotely from the library web site. To access them, you just have to go to our e-books page, available HERE . Some of them are available as part of a collection. For example, Access Engineering contains hundreds of handbooks and encyclopedias on civil, indus...

With all the recent renovations to the Library, especially on the main floor, we thought it would be a good idea to add some more visual interest to the space. Hence the arrival of some new art installations. The first, a 6'x16' mural, was created by Nova Scotian artist Jamie Baxter in 1993. It makes a bold statement on the brick wall near the Information & Research Desk, as pictured here. It is an impressive, imposing presence. The second, entirely different work, is a ceramic sculpture created by American artist Matt Wedel. Entitled Blue Flower Tree on Orange. i t was part of an exhibition of the artist's work by the Saint Mary's University Art Gallery in 2009. About 4' high and 3' wide, it adds a splash of colour among the armchairs in front of the glass wall looking out on to the quad. If you're interested in samples of other work by these artists, go to a Facebook page HERE or a web site HERE . And let us know what you think of these latest en...