Online Newsletter of Roxbury Community College Library

May 2008

LIBRARY OPENING A HALF HOUR EARLIER

For the first time in its history, the RCC library has begun opening at 8:00 am, Monday to Friday instead of the traditional 8:30. Students who used to begin gathering outside the library front door at 8:10 can now come in and finish last minute studying or just check emails before first period classes at 8:30. Professors who wish to borrow audio visual equipment for first period can now pick them up before class begins. This change has gotten rave reviews all around and was one of the items students asked for in the LibQual survey of library operations held in the fall. Adding a part-time Library Assistant I position to the library staff has made this improvement possible. Hired for this position is Amanda Schaefer who is also an RCC student. In fact, Amanda was recently elected the new student representative to the RCC Board of Trustees for the coming year.

880 NEW ITEMS ON THE MINORITY EXPERIENCE

Processing is now complete for 760 newly added books, 80 DVDs and 40 Blues CDs which explore the experiences of minorities in this country, especially those represented in the RCC community. Purchasing for these items was made possible by a generous grant by the Roxbury Trust Fund of Roxbury, MA. For a list of these additions, sorted by category, go to the library website, www.rcc.mass.edu/lib, and click on New Library Materials.

GreenFILE^TM DATABASE

GreenFILE^TM is a new database available through RCC library on the environment including thousands of documents on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling and more. The number of students interested in doing research projects on these subjects has grown significantly in the last two years. GreenFILE^TM is available at no extra charge as part of the collection of databases from EBSCO Information Services that RCC purchases in conjunction with other Massachusetts public college and university libraries. To explore this database, go to www.rcc.mass.edu/lib and choose Databases.

STREAMING VIDEO FOR NURSING

In conjunction with most other community college libraries in the state, RCC has been able to purchase, at 45 percent discount, the first streaming videos in the college. Taylor’s Video Guide to Clinical Nursing Skills includes 17 streaming videos on all aspects of nursing from taking vital signs, giving medications, wound care, nutrition, elimination issues and much more. Students can watch them on college computers and review as often as necessary on home computers. Thanks to Patrick Jean-Louis of IT for making a priority of putting this series on the college server.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EMERGING INDUSTRIES

This big interesting new book describes 141 industries where tomorrow’s jobs are likely to be. Students and those advising students will find it useful in career planning. It lives in the library reference collection at Ref HD 2324 .E528 2007. Here are some highlights:

• Aids Testing, Treatment and Services
• Alternative Energy
• Anti-Aging Products and Services
• Blogging
• Computer Animation
• E-Commerce
• High Speed Internet Service Providers
• Home Health Care Services
• Juice Bars
• Life Coaching
• Managed Health Care Services
• Nutritional Supplements
• Pet Products and Services
• Physical Fitness Products
• Robotics and Industrial Automation
• Smoking Cessation Products and Services
• Virtual Reality
• Waste Management
• Web Portals and Online Communities

CLASSIC FOREIGN FILMS

The library has added 52 classic foreign films to the DVD collection. They are housed together in the AV section all with call number PN1997.E87 2006. Some are pictured below. This film series was requested by a faculty member for classroom use. Remember, the library encourages YOU to request books, DVDs and other information resources that support the curriculum and interests of the RCC community. Why not make a request right HERE.

ROSA MORALES

The job description of library staff member Rosa Morales was adjusted recently to match her changing job duties and her job title changed to Library Assistant III to reflect them. Rosa has been a fulltime worker in the library since 1991 and has been at RCC since the 1980s. She is in charge of audio visual equipment reservations, assists students at the circulation desk, makes sure that work study students file books back where they belong (so they can actually be found again), and recently has also started working on displays.

ODDS & ENDS

• The number of library instruction classes for January-April increased 48% over the same period last year, from 44 to 65. The number of students attending increased 35% from 702 to 939.
• Students performed 32,398 database searches for the 12 month period ending in April, an all-time record.
• The number of students accessing the new library-created online research guides continues to outstrip expectations, reaching 7,626 visits since September 2007.

To build a better college library and provide superior customer service, we need your comments. Send both praises and gripes to mlawrence@rcc.mass.edu.

If you missed earlier issues of Welcome to the Library, click on “Read the Library’s newsletter” on the library website http://www.rcc.mass.edu/lib.

Welcome to the Library, published by Roxbury Community College Library, Roxbury Crossing, MA

Mark Lawrence, Library Director