CSN Library staff picks great summer reads!

The semester may be over, but that doesn’t mean the library’s closed! The CSN Henderson Campus Library will remain open during the summer with the following hours:

June 3-July 14

Monday-Thursday: 8am-6pm

Friday: 8am-12pm

Closed Saturday and Sunday

Then starting July 15 through August 11, the library will be closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but remains open 8am-6pm on Monday through Thursday.

Not only can you come study and work on assignments during the summer session, but you can also check out a great book just for fun!  The staff at all three campus libraries sent in their favorite books that they recommend for summer reading. The titles available at the Henderson campus are listed below:

Classics

 A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

The book is a thoughtful romp through a terrifying future where both youth and the government are running wild without any restraint.

-Corey Cohen, Library Assistant

PR6052.U638 C5 1987

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I loved the book and the movie is coming out this summer. Refresh your memory of the story, and those who never read the book can read it before the movie.

-Leticia Salazar, Student Employee

PS3511.I94 G7

Cultural

Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros

Road trip to Mexico is the setting for a story about multigenerational relationships, finding roots in Mexico and experiencing the cultures of two countries.

-Susan Gregg, Librarian

PS3553.I78 C37 2003

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

It pulls you in from the beginning; it’s filled with excitement and adventure. The narrator is someone you love to hate but then again feel sorry for.

-Katelyn Lee, Student Employee

PS3608.O832 K58 

Family Stories

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

This book takes place during summer and talks about stuff you do over summer like festivals and beaches. A very good book and amazing movie.

-Leticia Salazar, Student Employee

PS3569.P363 L37

History

Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear

History meets mystery in this detective series starring super sleuth Maisie Dobbs. This latest investigation is set in 1933 London and involves the murder of Indian immigrants, racial prejudice, women’s changing roles, and the lingering devastation of WWI.

-Clarissa Erwin, Librarian

PR6123.I575 L43 2013

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Historical fiction in North Carolina and Mexico during the 20^th century.

-Susan Gregg, Librarian

PS3561.I496 L33 2009

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Historical novel set in Afghanistan with two women as the main characters. Life in a war-torn country.

-Susan Gregg, Librarian

PS3608.O832 T56 2007

Memoirs

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

The memoir of a 20-something who made big money and had a lifestyle to match, but has to figure out how to survive after being laid off. The author is witty and has other books and a blog if you like her style.

-Caprice Roberson, Librarian

PS3612.A54748 B58 2006

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

While you may not like Cheryl Strayed’s life choices, this journal of her soul-saving hike across the treacherous Pacific Crest Trail makes for a vivid and completely absorbing adventure.

-Clarissa Erwin, Librarian

PS3619.T744 Z46 2012

Science

Antifragile by Nassim Taleb
Discursive trek through biology and psychology looking at systems and individuals empowered by stress. Commentator Fareed Zakaria recommends.
-Jack Sawyer, Librarian
Q375.T348 2012

Sci-Fi

Under the Dome by Stephen King

The book gives new meaning to the phrase “living in a bubble.” While rather lengthy, the story coaxes your imagination into the “what if” and provides terrific escapes.

-Demo Papaeliou, Librarian

PS3561.I483 U53 2009

Preparing for Finals?

Here are some suggestions for managing what can be a stressful week:

• Check your exam schedule ahead of time
• Start reviewing material now--don't pull an all-nighter if you can avoid it
• If your instructor offers a study guide or copies of previous exams, review those carefully and make notes
• If your instructor offers a study review session...go to it!
• Ask your instructor what kind of exam you'll be having: essay, multiple choice, etc.
• If you study well in groups, form a study group--each of our libraries has group study spaces available
• Ask if you'll need to bring a blue book or scantron to the exam
• Consider making a plan of attack based on the kind of grade you might need and the time you have available to prepare for each exam
• And did we say, START NOW?

Your CSN Henderson Campus Library is a perfect place to escape from noise and distraction if you need to study, complete or type up an assignment, or take an online exam.

And if you haven't been to the A Building lately, take a look at the library's newly refurbished spaces. As you can see, we've got boxes of new resources arriving!

 

Time is Running Out! Get Your Assignments In!

It's April. And believe it or not, that means time is getting short to complete those final assignments, speeches and papers.

The Library has drop-in research workshops scheduled for noon on April 17, April 22 and April 29 in the Library Classroom in Building A. Bring in whatever you're working on and we'll help you get the assignment completed!

Remember: No matter what shape the paper, speech or other assignment is in today, we're here to help you pull that work together to meet your deadlines!

We Left the Porch Light On....

If you have those research assignments or speech deadlines looming, remember: we’re here to help you get those assignments completed successfully and on time. This semester we’re open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. We have quiet places to get away and study, computers, printers and, most importantly, staff here to assist you each step along the way to completing those assignments. So bring a cup of coffee and something to nibble on. Make yourself at home. We’re here to help.

Pardon Our Dust--But Change We Must!

As you can see, the CSN Henderson Campus Library (and the entire A Building) is in the midst of an extensive renovation. All the mechanical systems are being replaced and a new smart classroom is being installed.

We want everyone to know that despite the temporary dust and disruptions, we're open and ready for Spring Semester business! Our quiet study areas are available, our computers are accessible and our reserve collections are updated for the new semester.

Stay tuned to our Blog: as soon as the work is completed, we're having a grand re-opening celebration to show off our newly reorganized and much improved Henderson Campus Library.

Don't forget too--we're open longer hours this semester! From Monday through Thursday we're open from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.

 

December Library Display: Get Animated!

As the semester draws to a close or after finals have ended, why not relax with a little light reading just for yourself? Comic books, graphic novels and Japanese animation are sure to be a little more visual than those textbook pages!

Check out our December display at the CSN Henderson Campus Library, or stop by the West Charleston or Cheyenne libraries to see their selections of animated materials. Can't find what you're looking for? Ask a librarian for help!

This Just In! New Books at the CSN Henderson Library

The CSN Henderson Campus Library just received a shipment of new materials to add to our growing collection, including some hot topic titles published as recently as Spring 2012. Here's just a sample out of more than 100 new additions:

-American Genesis: The Evolution Controversies from Scopes to Creation Science by Jeffrey P. Moran

-Bruce Springsteen and the Promise of Rock ‘N’ Roll by Marc Dolan

-Masters of the Planet: The Search for Our Human Origins by Ian Tattersall

-Moral Origins: The Evolution of Virtue, Altruism, and Shame by Christopher Boehm

-The Obesity Reality: A Comprehensive Approach to a Growing Problem by Naheed Ali, M.D.

-Seeing the Big Picture: Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company by Kevin Cope

-Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don’t Have in Search of Happiness We Can’t Buy by James A. Roberts

-Trapped in Mediocrity: Why Our Schools Aren't World-Class and What We Can Do About It by Katherine Baird

-Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden

-Teen Gambling: Understanding a Growing Epidemic by Jeffrey L. Derevensky

-That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion by Rachel Herz

-Vegetarian Times: Everything Vegan, Edited by Mary Margaret Chappell

-Why America's Public Schools are the Best Place for Kids by Dave F. Brown

-Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics by Marion Nestle and Malden Nesheim

See these books & more on display, check our Library Catalog or ask a librarian to help find one!

Nevada Library Association's Snapshot Day!

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”

–Andrew Carnegie

With all that libraries do for students, job seekers, young people, senior citizens and the community in general, it’s time for the state to take notice. At the end of October, the Nevada Library Association invited libraries across the state (including academic libraries like those at CSN) to participate in the organization's 2^nd Annual Snapshot Day. Each library could choose one day between Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 to showcase everything they do best (programs, workshops, classes, and other daily activities) through the use of statistics, comments and, especially, “snapshots.”

The CSN Henderson Campus Library chose Tuesday, Oct. 30 to share a day in the life of this library. The results of our Snapshot Day are below:

Statistics

In one day, we had 205 visitors to the CSN Henderson Campus Library and circulated a total of 118 materials. The number of library cards issued was 10.

Photos

Annelise Friedman covers the circulation desk that's decked out for Halloween!

Inside the CSN Henderson Campus Library, as seen from the library's reference desk.

Library student worker Will Smith also uses the library for research help at the reference desk.

Photos of all three campus libraries are now up on the Nevada Library Association Flickr group's Snapshot Day 2012 page. Be sure to check out what each library did during their Snapshot Day too!

Results for all Nevada libraries will be calculated by early December and visible on the Nevada Library Association website at: http://nevadalibraries.org/snapshot/results.html

Thank you for supporting your college library and showing the whole state just how important we are!

From the desk of Gary Solomon: New book on Vegas talk show

To one and all:

Recently I was invited onto The Morning Blend talk show in Las Vegas, Nevada. They wanted to talk about my new book, Why is Brian So Fat? I thought you might like to see the show. Click, watch and listen:

http://www.vegasmorningblend.com/videos/168046276.html

I know some of you out there want to be writers. Why is Brian So Fat? is my 14th book. Many of my books are free. They are available through my college research site or Cinema-therapy.com.

I was illiterate until the age of 15. It was a struggle for me to learn to read, write and spell. I am telling you this because I want to encourage you to keep going to school--one class at a time, one day at a time.

Learning to use the library is a primary path to academic success. It was the key to seeing me through my academic work and ultimately allowing me to become a college professor and published author.

Go for it. Give it your best shot. And...enjoy the journey.

Professor Gary Solomon

From the desk of Laura McBride: Lit Class in the Library!

Anybody in the mood for poems, short stories, and plays in a cozy corner of the library?

I will be offering "Writing About Literature" (ENG 298) in our newly renovated Henderson Campus Library this spring. This will be a small seminar course for students interested in majoring in English (either here or at UNLV), as well as for students who would just enjoy the subject matter. We will be reading a selection of lyric poetry, short stories and two plays.  There will be three required essays in the course, each designed to demonstrate your ability to write in a standard academic way about these genres (Don't worry: I'll show you how to do it!).

This class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 (Spring 2013), and the course will be offered even if enrollment is low. English 298 is required for the English degree at CSN, and for the English major at UNLV.

If you are interested, give the course a try. It's going to be fun!

Professor Laura McBride
laura.mcbride@csn.edu
Office: Henderson B-224
(702) 651-3043

P.S. Please wait to buy the book until after the first day of class.

Election Season

Today marks the first day of early voting in Henderson, NV. We’re celebrating Election Season with a display of political and government books at the CSN Henderson Campus Library. Don’t forget to learn about the issues/candidates and vote before or on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6!

Great Reads

Looking for an escape this semester without having to go anywhere? Dive into one of our exciting, enchanting, and bestselling novels just sent to the CSN Henderson Campus Library from Baker & Taylor book distributors! Copies of popular fiction and nonfiction selections are now available for checkout on the library’s front display—check them out before they’re gone!

Books you can check out that were on the New York Times Best Sellers list:

The Price of Politics by Bob Woodward
“Inside the debt-ceiling negotiations of 2011 with the Washington Post journalist.”

A Wanted Man by Lee Child
“A carload of people involved in a conspiracy pick up a disheveled hitchhiker, Child’s vigilante hero Jack Reacher.”

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
“A fable about the inventor of the world’s first clock; from the author of Tuesdays with Morrie.”

Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
“A young biologist warns world leaders about the reasons for escalating animal attacks on cities.”

Severe Clear by Stuart Woods
“Stone Barrington travels to Bel-Air for the opening of a luxury hotel, where terrorists have targeted the president.”

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
“An Australian lighthouse keeper and his wife decide to keep a baby who has washed ashore.”

This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
“Stories of love, loss and family history from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist.”

The Tombs by Clive Cussler and Thomas Perry
“Sam and Remi Fargo, a husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team, search for the tomb of Attila the Hun.”

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon
“Fathers and sons in Berkeley and Oakland, Calif.”

(2012). Best Sellers. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/

Start Your Research Workshops this Fall!

October begins the CSN Henderson Campus Library's Fall 2012 Start Your Research drop-in workshops!

Student Success at the Library

We're three weeks into the new school year--have you been to the library yet? In addition to the exciting changes happening this semester at the Henderson Campus Library, we've also started monthly displays to advertise the many resources available to CSN students on a variety of topics. This month the theme is Academic & Life Success. Check out our display for books, DVDs or databases on studying, writing, researching, success in college and career searching. If you need help or have questions, contact a CSN Librarian or call the Henderson Campus Library reference desk at 651-3039.

From the desk of Diana Clennan, Dept. of Communication:

Dear Friends and Colleagues! This semester is off to a great start! Thank goodness for our wonderful Library Services. I have already requested classroom visits for my four sections of COM 101 (Oral Communication). We will also take a tour of the library and all the students are required to get a Library Card! Question: How are you weaving library information into your course curriculum?

Diana Clennan can be contacted at 651-3561 or Henderson campus room B-236. She is available to meet for lunch/chats on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and looks forward to a fun semester.

Fall 2012 Library Hours

Summer's gone and Fall is here to stay. Which means longer operating hours for the CSN Henderson Campus Library. We're now open and available to you from:

• Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Closed Saturdays and Sundays

And don't forget, we'll also be closed for the following holidays:

• Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1)
• Nevada Day (Friday, Oct. 26)
• Veterans Day (Monday, Nov. 12)
• Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 22 to Saturday, Nov. 24) 

Welcome to the Library!

Welcome to the newly refreshed CSN Henderson Campus Library! For the Fall 2012 semester, we’ve been improving our spaces and our materials to help meet the needs of everyone on campus as we start the school year together at CSN.

New Collections

We've updated large areas of our print collections that are now more accessible on our shelves than ever before. Check out our variety of anatomical models for biology that have also just come in. Explore the tens of thousands of e-resources added online for student research and assignments as well. And with a strong budget set for the year, we look forward to ordering even more items that you need to support your coursework.

New Spaces

Along with new tables and chairs, we've doubled the amount of computers in the Library and improved our student study spaces. The Library now features a large and comfortable quiet study room that can double as a classroom for library orientations or a meeting space for faculty. If you'd like to book this area, call the reference desk at 651-3039 and we'd be happy to make arrangements to suit your needs.

New Activities

Look forward to upcoming Library activities this semester such as a Weekly Coffee Hour, Fall 2012 Start Your Research Workshops and more posts on our latest project—this Henderson Campus Library Blog! The purpose of our blog is to keep you connected with what's going on in the Library and on campus. It's a virtual spot to show and share! Take a look at our navigation tabs at the top of the page or visit the About Us link on the left to learn more. We'll be sending faculty information on how to use the blog to post about courses and activities in the upcoming months. Bring out those cameras and smartphones because we're looking for pictures too!

Get the Facts!

Our Library can be found in Room 120 of the A Building. Stop by to meet our knowledgeable staff of familiar and new faces who will be spreading the word on how we help students succeed at CSN! With our refreshed Library and resources, we're ready for a brand new year!

For more information about CSN Library Services, visit our website at www.csn.edu/library