Library News - the Evelyn S. Field Library Newsletter

This week, we've transformed our library classroom into a "Relaxation Room". Stop by and de-stress during Finals  with crafts, puzzles, games, comfy chairs, and free tea and snacks!

Therapy Dogs in Library - Thursday Dec 5 from 1-2pm
 

The rush of the Holiday season, plus studying for Final Exams, can sometimes equal stress. Stop by the library on Thursday Dec 5th from 1-2pm and de-stress by visiting with a friendly therapy dog!  

Visit the library's new Leisure Reading area!

The library is pleased to announce our new “Leisure Reading” area, located right near the entrance to the library.  It's a great place to discover a new popular novel to read, challenge a friend to a game of chess, or just sit in a comfy chair and relax between classes.  

And, did you know that reading for pleasure is good for you?  It's true.  Studies have shown that leisure reading can enhance mental health and reduce stress among college students.  We've got novels by popular authors in all different genres, so there's something for everyone. And if you're looking for a specific book or author - just ask a librarian!

Database Spotlight: Opposing Viewpoints in Context

If you're looking for research and opinion on current hotly debated or controversial topics, Gale's Opposing Viewpoints database can be a great resource.  It includes articles and essays written by subject experts, which argue both sides of an issue to help students gain a broader understanding and learn from differing perspectives.

Topic pages give a general overview, and provide a list of in-depth pro/con viewpoints, as well as links to related articles from newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals.

A list of viewpoint articles which argue both sides of the topic are available.  These can be a great way to encourage critically thinking about all sides of a hotly-debated issue.

You can find Opposing Viewpoints on our library's Databases page.  And as always, if you need any help - just ask a librarian!

Whiteboard question of the month (from apples to… lizards? 😳)

Need a charge? (Or a calculator? Or headphones?…)

Need to charge up your phone or device?  The library's got you covered.  You can now borrow charging cables and blocks at the library's circulation desk! Cables can be checked out for up to 3 hours.

The library also loans out other useful items, including calculators and noise-canceling headphones. (Headphones are for in-library use only.)

There is also a handy charging station mounted on the pillar near the library's reference desk, if your device needs a quick charge while you're working in the library: 

Chess anyone?
 

Looking to take a quick study break? Why not challenge a friend to a game of chess? It's fun and competitive. The library now has a chess set available in our leisure reading area - it's just to the left as you enter the library.

 

Database spotlight: Digital Theatre Plus

The library recently added a new database to our online streaming collections - Digital Theatre+. Geared towards literature and theatre students, DT+ offers full-length filmed stage performances of classic and modern plays, along with interviews and workshops with playwrights, directors, designers, actors, musicians, and others involved in the playmaking process. Selections range from classic Shakespeare to contemporary productions.  The content is available to all students, faculty, and staff.  

Website Spotlight: The Banned Book Club
 

Here's a sad truth: book banning is still a prevalent issue in the United States in 2024.  Schools and libraries from many parts of the country are seeing efforts to ban books, and are being forced to remove titles from their shelves.  The Banned Book Club is a project from the Digital Public Library of America which aims to make all banned books freely available to all, as digital copies.
 

All NJ residents can download the free Palace e-book app to gain access to all titles in the Banned Book Club.  For step-by-step instructions, please see https://thepalaceproject.org/banned-book-club/.

Whiteboard Question of the Month (music lover's edition)
 

Extra, extra!  Free NY Times digital access!

Did you know that all RVCC students, faculty, and staff have free access to the New York Times online? Be sure to take advantage of this great resource!  Just go to https://library.raritanval.edu/NYTimes. If prompted to login, use your G# and password.  Then, when you reach the NY Times site, create your personal NYTimes account using your email address. You're all set!  Once your NY Times account is set up, you can just go directly to the NY Times website and sign in with your email and password, to gain full access to all NY Times content.

Looking for help with citations and bibliographies?  Give NoodleTools a try!
 

Looking for a way to make creating your citations and bibliographies in MLA, APA, or Chicago style easier? NoodleTools can help! NoodleTools allows you to easily download citations from most library databases, and will format them in the style you choose - and even create a full bibliography that can be pasted into your research paper!  Just look for the “cite” option when using a library database, and then look for the link that says “Export to NoodleTools":

If you are using a source that did not come from a library database (such as a website or print book), you can easily enter the information manually,and let NoodleTools format the citation. It's a great way to make your research easier, more organized, and more accurate!

To sign into NoodleTools, just go to https://library.raritanval.edu/noodletools and sign in using the “Microsoft 365” link, and enter your G# and password when prompted.

Need more help with NoodleTools?  Check out our online NoodleTools help, or ask a librarian!

Website spotlight: Fighting election misinformation

With Election Day fast approaching, it is more important than ever to be aware of election misinformation.  The News Literacy Project is a non-partisan organization dedicated to helping young people become educated, well-informed voters and critical thinkers. 

As part of this mission, the News Literacy Project has created an Election 2024 Misinformation Dashboard.  It provides a way to stay informed regarding the falsehoods and misinformation that surround the 2024 election cycle.  

Fight the tactics of misinformation and become an informed voter!  And, if you're not registered yet - be sure to register to vote! 

Library Scavenger Hunt winners!
 

Congratulations to Daniela Villadiego, Te'Anna Neptune, Seeun Kim, and Ashley Reyes!  Each won a Starbucks gift card in the RVCC Library scavenger hunt - while learning about our library and having some fun!  Thanks to all of our students who participated!

Whiteboard Question of the Month - Farewell Summer '24 (good times!)

Stop by and share your own thoughts on the library whiteboard near the entrance - there's a new question every week!

Attention students!  Please help RVCC's librarians to improve our services, by taking this brief survey.  Thank you!

Survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/hhFrStXaFv

Library Scavenger Hunt - win a Starbucks gift card!
(extended through Sep 20! - Two additional winners to be drawn!)

Learn about the library, have some fun, and be entered for a chance to win a Starbucks gift card!  Stop by the library between Wed Aug 28 and Thu Sept 5 (now extended to Fri Sep 20) to complete the library scavenger hunt.  Two Four winners will be drawn from among the completed entries.  Open to new and returning students!

Color Printing Now Available

Good news!  The library now has a color printer!  You can now print documents in color from any library computer, or via wireless printing from your own device.  Just choose “Library-Color” when selecting which printer to use, and make sure you choose Color (not black and white) from the print options.  If you need any help with printing, just ask one of us in the library!

Study room reservations

The RVCC library has 6 study rooms on the upper level, that can be used by groups of 2-7 for group study sessions, or to work on collaborative projects.  Rooms are available on a walk-in basis if they are not being used… however, be aware that they can get busy!  Your best bet is to reserve a room (up to 2 weeks in advance) using our online reservation calendar - it's quick and easy!

Survey says…

If you haven't shared your thoughts on our library's whiteboard yet, stop by the library and answer our “Question of the Week!”  It's right by the main entrance as you walk into the library.  Here's a couple from last year - as you can see, our students have opinions!  :)