PowerBlog

Every few years the Library conducts a comprehensive survey of our users to find out what they like (or don't like) about our services, collections, just about anything.  We're always looking at ways to make improvements around here and this kind of feedback really helps give us direction. Well it's that time again.  From February 25 to March 15 we're inviting everyone to fill out an online, easy to understand, no more than 10 minutes, survey.  Not only can you check off your answers to a series of questions, you can also submit comments in your own words so that we know exactly what you think. As you all know, there have been an awful lot of significant changes here at the Library since our last survey in '09 - the Atrium, new entrance, new service desks, renos to the main and upper floors.  All the more reason for you to participate. Another reason? Great prizes! As an incentive (and thank you) we'll be giving away an iPad2 to one lucky student as well...

In an annual tradition, university and college libraries across Nova Scotia are raising money for local food banks.  Food for Fines , as its name implies, allows borrowers who have overdue books, etc. to bring in non-perishable food items instead of money - each item reduces the fine by $2 (maximum of $20).  All donations (cash is also accepted) can be dropped off at the Circulation Desk. Here at Saint Mary's, donations will be given to Feed Nova Scotia and the campus food bank.  This is your classic win/win situation. Students can save $$$ and the food banks (and those who use them) get some much-appreciated help. This year's campaign starts today and runs until February 17. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Not many people do.  Not only is it an incredibly complex subject, but the rules and regulations surrounding it are constantly being studied, debated and revised. But, of course, that doesn't diminish its importance, especially in an academic environment where print and electronic material is being duplicated, re-packaged and re-distributed on a massive scale, on a daily basis. Which is why Saint Mary's, with the Library's help, has created a new online Copyright Guide to help answer questions which faculty, students and staff may have about copyright and the fair use of intellectual property.  It's in an easy-to-use format and full of information and should go a long way to clearing up some of the confusion surrounding copyright (not an easy task).  Out of necessity, it will be updated on a regular basis as new legislation is introduced, new agreements are signed, etc. It also has contact information if you have any questions or suggestions.  So spend some ...

In a few hours, the Library, and most of the University, will close up shop.  Someone will shoo out the last hangers-on, staff will wish each other well, a security guard will lock the gate, the lights will be turned off. So it's the perfect time to wish all of our users, the students, faculty and staff of Saint Mary's, a relaxing and satisfying holiday. It's been a tough term (and not the last one) for many students. But you got through it.  Another notch on your belt.  Another step closer to graduation.  So enjoy your few weeks of freedom.  Take it easy.  Rest your body and mind.  And we'll see you in 2013.

And every night until the last exam has been written.  Courtesy of Dr. David Gauthier, Vice President, Academic & Research. Studying for exams can be stressful at the best of times. But a nice cup of coffee (or some hot chocolate) can go a long way to making the experience a little more bearable.  So beginning this evening at 8 o'clock, and right through the weekend, we'll be setting up a table near the Library entrance so that students can help themselves to a hot drink of their choice. And thanks to Dr. Gauthier for remembering what it's like to be a student.  Think of it as an early present.

You know what Pinterest is, right?  It's one of the most popular social media sites around.  It's basically just a place where people can share photos and information on their favourite "things" on the web: fashion, food, design, hobbies, music and....books.  Which is where we come in. The Library has created it's very own Pinterest page to highlight the wonderful, often overlooked, books in our collection (you'll be surprised what we own).  Titles are grouped in categories like Graphic Novels & Manga Atlantic Canada novels Banned or Challenged books SMU Faculty Authors From Book to Film LGBT fiction Popular Science Biography & Memoir But the best way to find out what's in there is to pay it a visit. And keep going back because we'll be adding new titles all the time (look for the Pinterest icon on the Library's homepage). If you see something you would like to read, just click the "smu.world.org" link below the book...

Anyone who does academic research. Are the sources for your next paper scattered all over your gmail account, Blackboard, a flash drive and some scraps of paper in the bottom of your backpack?  Have some disappeared, never to be found? Does it drive you crazy trying to remember whether a citation's title is underlined in APA?  RefWorks can help with that (and a whole lot more).  It's an online citation manager, available via the Library's web site, which helps collect, organize and format (APA, MLA, etc.) bibliographic references: books, articles, just about any source you might use. Because we think RefWorks is so helpful, and because we think you're going to love it, we're offering introductory workshops all next week - for everyone and anyone.  Here's the schedule: Monday Nov 26: 2:30pm-3:30pm Tuesday Nov 27: 11:30am-12:30pm Tuesday Nov 27: 5:30pm-6:30pm Wednesday Nov 28: 1pm-2pm These are one-hour drop-in sessions - just pick the time...

It's that time of year! Sorry, but exams will be starting soon. Which means that the Library will be extending its hours to accomodate the studying hordes. As of this weekend, and right through to the last exams on December 16, the Library won't close until one o'clock in the morning.  And we'll be open earlier on Sundays too (10:00am) for those early risers. Here are our hours, not just for the exam period, but all the way to 2013 (that's right, 2013): November 19 - 25 Monday-Friday 8:00am-11:00pm Saturday 10:00am-1:00am Sunday 10:00am-1:00am (Circulation Services close at 11:00pm) November 26 - December 16 Monday - Saturday 8:00am 1:00am Sunday 10:00am-1:00am (Circulation Servcies close at 11:00pm) December 17 - 21 Monday 8:00am-1:00am (Circulation Services close at 11:00pm) Tuesday 8:00am-7:00pm Wednesday-Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Friday 9:00am-12 noon December 22 - January 2 CLOSED

As most of you know, this Sunday is Remembrance Day.  Ceremonies will be held across the country to honour those who served Canada in wars or peacekeeping over the years.  And as you probably also know, because it is a mandatory holiday in Nova Scotia, the University will be closed and there will be no classes on Monday.  But the Library will be open.  Our hours will be noon-11:00pm.  Something else you should know.

Join us this Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00pm as Truro author Leo McKay Jr. reads from and discusses his novel Twenty-Six.  The event will be held in Room LI135 (main floor of the Library). Twenty-Six , based on the Westray mining disaster, has been read by thousands of Nova Scotians over the past few weeks as part of One Book Nova Scotia .  This is an initiative of 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. Wednesday evening will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the book, the events which inspired it and the process of writing it.  Everyone is welcome.  Hope to see you there.

We've changed the way our (extremely popular) group study rooms are managed.  The process has just been automated so that students can reserve a room in advance via the Library's web site.  You can find the link in the "How do I?" list on our homepage or just go HERE .  The procedure is fairly straightforward.  But there's one thing you should know - the Barcode is that long number on your student ID card (2198xxxxx) and the Password is the last 4 digits of your phone number.  If you do need help, you can always phone 420-5547 or drop by the Circulation Desk.  The previous terms of use are still in place. Because these rooms offer a quiet, separate space for groups to work on projects together, students really like them (I just walked through the building and all 9 of them were in use).  So take advantage of the new booking system if you want to make sure your group has a room when they need it.

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...