Library Happenings

LRC/Library Extended Hours on Saturdays

2011-10-27T16:07:00.002-04:00

Looking For Some More Studying Time on the Weekends?

Now that we are heading into the final weeks of classes, don't forget that the LRC/Library on Main Campus is now open Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm for more studying pleasure!

We've also got free coffee most days - just bring your covered mug.

You can always check our most current hours from the Library Hours page.

Happy Studying!

Read for the Record Event: October 6th 2011 - Sit Down to Read, Stand Up For Children

2011-10-05T16:45:00.005-04:00

What is READ FOR THE RECORD? It is an annual worldwide campaign to celebrate the joy of reading to children.

On October 6th, 2011, children across the country will be reading Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.

How is TTC participating? Students from the Community, Family and Child Studies program will be reading this book to children throughout the Lowcountry in schools and child care centers.

How can I participate? If you'd like to participate by reading to a child you know, check out a copy of the book from our library. We have a display on the second floor of the library at the top of the stairs. Or you can check to see if your closest public library has a copy on the shelf. No book? No problem! You can even read the book online from this site and be counted. Contact Ms. Grundy, Early Childhood Education Instructor at 574-6626 for more information, or to be included in the count for this year.

You can also stop by the Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 7620 Rivers Avenue at 6pm, October 6th with your little ones and participate in their reading and activities.

How many children participated last year? Last year, over 2,057,513 participated! For more information on Read for the Record, check out their website.

Help us break the record and join in on the fun!

Welcome Students and Instructors!

2011-08-22T13:21:00.002-04:00

We hope you had a nice break and are ready to get back into the swing of things if you are a returning student or instructor. If you are new this semester, welcome!

To help you get the most out of your TTC LRC/Library, the librarians are ready and willing to help you find the resources you need for your papers and projects this semester.

We are availble to speak with you in person at the reference desk, by phone, live-chat or email. Contact us and view our Hours.

If you'd like to get familiar with the LRC/Library on your own, check out some of our online tutorials that walk you through the basics of the library and how to find what you're looking for.

Titles include:
Library Orientation - this tutorial covers several of the concepts below in one video

Shorter videos on selected topics:
Online Databases
Academic Search Premier Database
Online Catalog
PASCAL Delivers and Interlibrary Loan
Evaluating Websites

The tutorials are also available from the Research Help tab on the library homepage or from our TTC Librarian's Channel on YouTube. We are always adding more content. Check back frequently for more.

We also have Subject Guides and Course Pages on a wide variety of topics. Choose a Subject Guide if you are looking for broad information on a topic like Allied Health, Web Evaluation or Developmental Studies. Choose a Course Page for resources in the LRC/Library tailored for a specific course like ENG 101 or MAT 110.

Have a great semester and we hope to see you soon!

NetLibrary changes to eBook Collection

2011-08-01T14:30:00.002-04:00

Looking for ebooks? Now click on eBook Collection!

All of the great titles you once found in the NetLibrary Database can now be found in the eBook Collection provided by EBSCO Host. Why the change? EBSCO acquired NetLibrary.

You can find the link to this collection by clicking the Databases/Articles Tab on the library homepage and then click eBook Collection. Next enter your search terms and a list of relevant ebooks will appear. If you are off campus, just enter your 7-digit student number when prompted.

You can also click on the Catalog tab on the library homepage to search all of the books at TTC - including ebooks. If you find an ebook in the catalog, click the red book icon to open up and view the ebook.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the reference desk at 574-6096. Happy Reading!

TTC Libraries: Canned Food for Fines Week - April 11 - 15

2011-04-11T08:52:00.010-04:00

TTC Libraries: Canned Foods for Fines Week - April 11-15, 2011

TTC Libraries will be offering students the opportunity to help others and reduce their debt. During National Library Week, April 10-16, 2011, students can pay their fines by donating canned foods at the Berkeley, Main and Palmer campus libraries. The canned foods will be collected by the TTC library staff and distributed to local area organizations. Canned foods will be accepted for library fines only. Fines are considered LATE FEES on any materials RETURNED late. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE LOST ITEMS.

1 can = $1.00

No change/credit will be given if a fine is less than $1.00.

A maximum of $20.00 towards all fines can be paid in canned foods.

Please bring food cans that are in good condition, not expired/rusted.

Donations accepted too.

Money Smart Week @ Your Library: April 4-7

2011-03-30T15:45:00.008-04:00

The LRC/Library is hosting Money Smart Week @ Your Library. There will be several free events at all three campuses from April 4-7th to promote sound personal financial practices.

Money Smart Week is a national initiative started by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 10 years ago. The TTC Events are open to the public.

To view the events check out the Money Smart Week @TTC Guide at http://libguides.tridenttech.edu/money

Upcoming Workshops on Google Tools - March 21st, Tech Show & Tell - March 31st

2011-03-08T14:35:00.023-05:00

Upcoming Student Workshops in March:

Google Tools Workshop Monday, March 21st from 10:30 am - 11:30 am (during Student Activity Period)

Main Campus LRC/Library, Building 510, Room 252

Learn about free services available through Google like Google Reader, Google Docs, Google Scholar and more.

Tech Show and Tell Thursday, March 31st at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Main Campus LRC/Library, Building 510, Room 252

Do you have a smart phone, laptop, iPad or iPod or just want to see one in action? Come to this informal show and tell and share your favorite apps, tricks and tips. Don't forget to bring your device!

LRC/Library Open House - Learn About the Library - Win Free Prizes! Feb. 22nd & 23rd

2011-02-09T09:41:00.032-05:00

Learning Resources Center/Library

Open House:

Helping You Navigate the

World of Information

Main Campus, 510 Building:

Tuesday, February 22nd

10-12 pm & 4-6 pm

Wednesday, February 23rd

12-3 pm & 4-6 pm

Palmer Campus, Room 229

Wednesday, February 23rd

10-12 pm & 1-3 pm

Berkeley Campus, Room 177

Tuesday, February 22nd

10-12 pm & 1-3 pm

Come and learn about the LRC/Library!
We will have:

Free giveaways including informational brochures and pencils

Self-guided tours

A chance to chat with a librarian about the services we offer including mobile access

Chances to win headphones, jumpdrives, and more!

The LRC/Library is Mobile!
Come and find out how.

20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web

2010-12-02T14:32:00.006-05:00

What’s a cookie? How do I protect myself on the web?

And most importantly: What happens if a truck runs over my laptop?

For things you’ve always wanted to know about the web but were afraid to ask, check out this easy to read and cleverly illustrated e-book written by Min Li Chan and the Google Chrome Team.

Topics include:

cloud computing

web apps

browser cookies

browsers and privacy

protecting yourself from malware and phishing scams

validating identities online

Click to open the ebook: 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web

New Library iphone App!

2010-09-20T15:45:00.004-04:00

BookMyne, an iPhone application from SirsiDynix lets library users do all of the following:

Open the app and find a participating local library (or libraries). The built-in iPhone GPS will identify participating libraries that are physically nearby. Users will also have the option to browse the globe for registered library locations.
Navigate to the library's home page to:
-search the catalog
-find an article in a database
-look up our hours or information to contact us

For more information about the BookMyne iPhone app, you can view the BookMyne Webpage, and download the app from the iTunes app store. For questions, contact Jessica Hogan, Librarian, at 574-6281.

Library Spotlight Workshop for June: Films on Demand

2010-06-02T12:39:00.003-04:00

June Library Spotlight Workshop:

Films on Demand

Did you know you can view high-quality educational videos on campus or at home?

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to access this valuable film resource from the library's website 24/7!

Choose from various subjects such as Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Medicine, Math, Sciences, and more.

Workshop Dates:
Main Campus: Wed. June 23rd, 12:30 - 1:00 pm, Bldg. 510, Rm 252
Palmer Campus: Wed. June 9th, 12:30 - 1:00 pm, Library Computer Lab
Berkeley Campus: Wed. June 16th, 12:30 - 1:00 pm, Rm. 144

Open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Any questions, call the reference desk at 574-6096

Art History Resource

2010-03-26T14:41:00.002-04:00

Smarthistory's goal is to create an engaging online resource that would be useful to students, museum visitors, and other informal learners.

Visit this website to find art information by time, style, artist, and theme. Also included are photos, videos, the ability to comment, and many other features that will make your search for art information interactive and convenient.

Library Spotlight Database Workshops for Spring Semester

2010-03-04T17:05:00.004-05:00

Have you been to one of our Library Spotlight Workshops this semester? Come join us!

This series of hands-on workshops will highlight different research databases each month and cover topics like:

finding great articles for business, culinary arts and more
accessing films on demand for academic use

Here is the schedule for each campus:

March: Business Resources Spotlight
Main: Thursday March 18th from 12:30 - 1:00pm. Library, Building 510, room 252
Berkeley: Thursday March 25th from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., room 144.
Palmer: Thursday March 11th from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., Library computer classroom

April: Culinary Arts and Hospitality Spotlight
Main: Wednesday April 7th from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., Library, Building 510, room 252
Berkeley: Wednesday April 21 from 12:30 - 1:00p.m., room 144.
Palmer: Wednesday April 14 from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., Library computer classroom

June: Movies & Film Spotlight - Films on Demand
Main: Wednesday June 23rd from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., Library, Building 510, room 252
Berkeley: Wednesday June 16th from 12:30 - 1:00p.m., room 144.
Palmer: Wednesday June 9th from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., Library computer classroom

All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.
Contact the library for additional information.

LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT WORKSHOPS

2010-01-20T09:48:00.003-05:00

Library Spotlight Workshops:

Learning Express Library Database
&
Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center

• Need to brush up on your PowerPoint or Excel skills and don’t have time for a class?

• Looking to improve your math or writing skills and need some practice examples to help you?

• Need practice entrance and certification exams for: NURSING, COSMETOLOGY, DENTAL ASSISANT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE and many more?

• Would you like some resources and tips on INTERVIEWING & RESUME writing?

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you will learn
how to access these free resources
from the library website 24/7!

Open to all students, staff and faculty

Main Campus: Thurs. January 28 - 12:30-1:00 pm, Bldg. 510, Room 252
Palmer Campus: Wed. January 27 - 12:30-1:00 pm, Library Computer Lab
Berkeley Campus: Wed. February 3 - 12:30-1:00 pm, Room 144

Any questions, call the reference desk at 574-6096

ENG 101 Library Orientation Make-Ups

2009-11-24T11:43:00.007-05:00

For anyone who missed the library orientation for your English 101 class, you can view this library orientation tutorial and then take the quiz that will grade you on information from the tutorial. If you have any questions about accessing the tutorial or quiz, contact a librarian for help.

PRACTICE TESTS AND TEST PREPARATION

2009-11-13T14:06:00.003-05:00

LearningExpress Library is one of the newest databases the library has added to its collection. LearningExpress Library is a comprehensive collection of test-preparation and skill-building tools and includes a large number of career and life skills resources.

This database offers practice for placement tests and exercises to help build math, reading, and writing skills. There are also resources to help with computer skills and career preparation.

This is a great tool that can help you reach your goals, regardless of whether it's personal, educational, or career oriented.

CLIMATE CHANGE

2009-10-23T13:48:00.004-04:00

The Climate Change website, created by the World Bank, offers the full range of World Bank activities and information on climate change. Through this site, the latest news, project information, data, documents, and reports from this global organization are made available. The goal of this website is to provide easy access to any information related to climate change.

The Climate Change website would be an exemplary place to start when looking for current, well researched information on the global effects of climate change.

Useful library databases for related topics would be SIRS, Opposing Viewpoints, Academic Onefile, and Academic Search Premier

FILMS ON DEMAND

2009-09-18T13:25:00.002-04:00

The library has a new database called Films on Demand. Films on Demand is a leading source of high-quality educational videos, and includes academic, vocational, and life-skills content.

A wide range of topics is covered, including biology, history, music and the list goes on. Any film found in this database can be used for research or educational purposes. Films on Demand also gives you the option to create playlists or add videos to a list of favorites.

If you have questions or need help with this database, contact a librarian.

The Encyclopedia of Earth

2009-08-07T08:31:00.004-04:00

The Encyclopedia of Earth is a free authoritative resource that discusses topics related to the Earth, its natural environments, and their interaction with society.

The Encyclopedia contains objective articles easily understood and can be useful to students, educators, scholars, professionals, and the general public.

This is a great place to look for information on environmental topics, news, issues, and discussions.

GLOBAL OPINIONS

2009-07-24T12:05:00.003-04:00

The Pew Global Attitudes Project is a free database that provides public opinions from 55 countries on topics such as attitudes toward the U.S., people's assessments of their own lives, extremism, and other important issues.

Data can be searched by question, topic, or country and results can be displayed as a map, table, or chart. This sort of information can be useful for persuasive essays, papers, and projects.

Also try using the library's sirs and opposing viewpoints databases to find additional opinions and essays to further the point of your persuasive paper or project.

NEWSSIFT

2009-07-17T13:53:00.004-04:00

Looking for business related resources? Try Newssift. Sponsored by the Financial Times Group, Newssift is a free business search engine that sorts and connects business articles and information.

To help you understand articles and information on a deeper level, Newssift divides information into positive and negative comments, allowing you to find what's encouraging or troubling about an issue, company or product.

Remember to also use the library's Business Databases for authoritative business related resources.

AFRICA RESOURCES

2009-07-02T11:51:00.002-04:00

The internet library sub-Saharan Africa (ilissAfrica) offers integrated access to scientific and digital information resources on the sub-Saharan Africa region. Information from across the web is brought together in one place for your convenience.

ilissAfrica searches databases, websites, journals, and other online content buried deep in the web. This is a great place to start if you are looking for reliable information related to sub-Saharan Africa.

You can also use library databases to search for articles on topics related Africa.

SCIENCE RESEARCH

2009-06-26T14:50:00.003-04:00

Looking for a place to start researching your science related topic? Try using ScienceResearch!

ScienceResearch is a free search engine that gathers together quality results from respected resources for your convenience.

As a unique resource dedicated to science related subject matter, ScienceResearch is a great place to find information buried deep in the web.

FREE VIDEO LECTURES

2009-06-22T09:20:00.003-04:00

Looking for a way to get additional information about a subject or topic? Try Academic Earth!

Providing free video courses and thousands of lectures from the world’s leading scholars,the founders of Academic Earth feel that everyone deserves the opportunity to have access to a world class education. Academic Earth's goal is to bring the best content together in one place and create an environment where content is easy to use and information can be contributed by the public, making existing content increasingly valuable.

WORLD DIGITAL LIBRARY

2009-06-12T14:50:00.003-04:00

Developed by the Library of Congress and partner institutions, the World Digital Library provides free access to manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, prints, photographs, and architectural drawings from around the world.

The stated mission of the World Digital Library is to:

* Promote international and intercultural understanding;
* Expand the volume and variety of cultural content on the Internet;
* Provide resources for educators, scholars, and general audiences;
* Build capacity in partner institutions to narrow the digital divide within and between countries.

With the ability to search for items on the World Digital Library by place, time, topic, type of item, and contributing institution, the World Digital Library is a valuable, easy to use resource whose contributions will only enrich your research.

PHOTOSHARING TOOLS

2009-06-05T09:00:00.004-04:00

Next week the Palmer Campus Library will be hosting its first Web 2.0 Summer Series Workshop. The focus of this workshop will be the phototsharing website flickr. We will discuss not only how to use flickr personally, but also how to use it professionally.

If you have any questions about the library's Web 2.0 Summer Series, contact Jessica Hogan at 574-6281.

Web 2.0 Summer Series

2009-05-29T12:03:00.005-04:00

Join us this summer, as the the Library presents classes designed to introduce you to various social networking technologies! We will give a brief overview of each resource and create new accounts for those ready to jump in.

Participants attending all 4 classes will receive a Certificate of Completion and be entered into a drawing for a Barnes and Noble Gift Certificate!
Come to either campus to get your 4 classes in.

All faculty, staff and students are welcome.

Schedule of Workshops:
Main Campus – Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Building 510 Room 252
6/4/09 – Facebook
6/18/09 – Delicious & RSS Feeds
7/9/09 – Blogs & Wikis
7/23/09 – Photosharing Tools (Flickr, etc.)

Palmer Campus – Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Room 229
6/10/09 – Photosharing Tools (Flickr, etc.)
6/24/09 – Blogs & Wikis
7/15/09 – Delicious & RSS Feeds
7/29/09 – Facebook

Have a question about the workshops?
Call Jessica Hogan @ the library at 574-6281 or the reference desk at 574-6096.

GovFresh

2009-05-22T14:07:00.003-04:00

As the government becomes more involved with social networking sites, it can be a little difficult to stay aware of government information that has been released. For this reason, GovFresh has been created. GovFresh is a live feed of official news from U.S. Government Twitter, YouTube, RSS, Facebook, Flickr accounts and more, all in one place.

GovFresh is a great one-stop-shop that can help you stay current with new and emerging government information. It also allows you to limit news to a specific government branch, department, or agency if you are only interested in news related to a certain aspect of government.

JOB SEARCHING

2009-05-08T10:41:00.005-04:00

Now that the semester is over and many students are now graduating, the major question is now, "How and where can I find a job with my new degree?". So to help new graduates, or for those of you who are looking for a new career path, here are some job search sites that can help get you pointed in the right direction:

SCIway - As the largest and most comprehensive directory of South Carolina information on the Internet, SCIway is a great place to start when looking for any SC job.

Zumeo - A self-discovery tool that help you identify key aspects of your personality and matches you with jobs that will fit you. Great for students who aren't exactly sure about what kind of career they would like to pursue.

Indeed - Indeed is a search engine for jobs, allowing job seekers to find jobs posted on thousands of company career sites and job boards. You can also sign up to receive job alerts in your email.

South Carolina Nurses Association - As the representative organization of SC nurses, the SCNA is a great place for nurses to start looking for positions as they are finishing their degree.

RESEARCH SOURCES FOR PAPERS AND PROJECTS

2009-04-24T09:31:00.003-04:00

It's near the end of the semester and the deadline for many papers and projects is right around the corner. To make your quest for finding reliable and authoritative information for your papers and/or projects easier, here are some helpful resources:

TTC Library Databases - Use the library's databases to find articles from magazines, newspapers, and journals. Also included is NetLibrary, a database of online books. If you have trouble accessing our databases, contact the library.

Directory of Open Access Journals - This service covers free, full text, scholarly journals. DOAJ covers all subjects and has 4073 journals in the directory.

Google Scholar - If you are going to use Google for part of your research, try using Google Scholar to find more reliable information. Google Scholar provides access to peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles from scholarly sources and covers many disciplines.

If you use a combination these and other authoritative sources of information, your papers and projects will be more robust and substantial. If you have any questions about these or other sources, contact the library at lrc.livesupport@tridenttech.edu or 843-574-6096.

SCIENCE RESEARCH TOPICS

2009-04-17T09:05:00.002-04:00

For science related research topics,check out Scirus. Scirus is a comprehensive science-specific search engine that searches over 485 million science-specific Web pages, and retrieves scientific, scholarly, technical and medical information.

Also check out SciTopics for subject specific science topics. Sponsored by Scirus, SciTopics is a free online authoritative service offering scientific, technical and medical knowledge on a variety of subjects.

For further science related research, use the library's science and technology databases.

TWITTER

2009-04-09T15:33:00.004-04:00

Hearing a lot about twitter lately and have no clue what it is or how to use it? Then the LRC's Twittermania class may be just for you! Come to the library to learn the basics of Twitter and how it can be useful for your personal and academic life.

This session is open to all TTC students and will be held Tuesday, April 14 from 1-2 pm at the Main Campus Library. If you have any questions about this session, contact the library at 574-6096 or email us at lrc.livesupport@tridenttech.edu

ECOLOGICAL INTERNET

2009-03-27T14:14:00.005-04:00

Ecological Internet is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to present news, and expert analysis related to the protection of climate, forest, ocean and water ecosystems; and to initiate an age of ecological sustainability and restoration.

This is a great place to start when searching for environmental information or for a way to get involved with restoring the environment.

Don't forget you can also use the library's science databases for further authoritative information related to the environment.

STAYING CURRENT

2009-03-20T14:54:00.010-04:00

When searching for resources to use in your research, it is important to be aware of how the information you find relates to current events happening across the globe. This can help with understanding biases and how to place information in the greater context of things. Here are some websites that can help you stay current with changes in our government and financial system:

Recovery.gov
Recovery.gov features information on how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is working, tools to help you hold the government accountable, and up-to-date data on the expenditure of funds.

Open Congress
OpenCongress is a non-partisan web resource with a mission to help make Congress more transparent and to encourage civic engagement. Their goal is to bring together official government data with news articles, blog coverage, and public comments to give you the story behind what's happening in Congress.

Propublica
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

When you are looking for topics related to current events, remember to use the library's online databases such as Opposing Viewpoints, SIRS, and Academic Search Premier.

PASCAL DELIVERS

2009-03-13T14:31:00.003-04:00

The Learning Resources Center/Library is now a part of South Carolina's virtual academic library, PASCAL Delivers. PASCAL Delivers enables students and faculty at SC's institutions of higher learning to request books from any academic library in the state, receiving those books at their home institution in just a few business days.

To search for books at other South Carolina institutions, click on the PASCAL Delivers logo on the library's homepage.

If you have further questions about PASCAL Delivers, visit thefrequently asked questions page or ask a librarian for additional information.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

2009-03-13T10:36:00.006-04:00

March is Women's History Month and the Learning Resources Center would like to acknowledge the enrichment and contributions women have made to our society by highlighting these resources:

National Women's History Project
The National Women's History Project honors women this year by paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society. Included on this website are many different exibits, collections, and resources that highlight the roles and contributions women have made to the improvement of our society.

Jewish Women's Archive
This website offers rich information and resources related to the experiences of American Jewish Women.

Discovering American Women's History Online
Spanning from the 16th to 20th century, this database provides access to digital collections of primary sources (photos, letters, diaries, artifacts, etc.) that document the history of women in the United States.

Women's History Month
The official government website for Women's History Month, this website includes a large amount of information and resources related women and the impact they have had on the world.

MIDTERMS

2009-02-27T14:05:00.002-05:00

As you are working on your midterms and writing your papers, remember that the library offers many services and resources that can be helpful to you.

Not only do we have books and journals that are physically in the library, we also have many online resources you can use for your papers and projects. All of our online resources can be accessed by any TTC student, faculty, or staff member from anywhere you have access to the internet.

In the library we have with wireless internet access, 30 computers with internet access and microsoft office, and immediate access to a librarian for help. There are also study rooms and additional quiet space for you to work and study.

And remember, you can always ask a librarian for help regarding anything related to research or our online databases.

Shmoop

2009-02-13T10:32:00.002-05:00

Though it has a pretty funny name, Shmoop is a great new resource for researching a wide range of history, literature, and poetry topics. Their stated mission is "To make learning and writing more fun and relevant for students in the digital age."

Shmoop content is written primarily by Ph.D. and Masters students from top universities, with many writers having taught at the high school and college levels. Similar to the library database Opposing Viewpoints, Shmoop presents the many sides of an argument and breaks them down into simple understandable ideas.

Though Shmoop is relatively new, it is constantly adding and updating information and will add more subjects in the near future.

Black (African American) History Month

2009-02-06T13:29:00.002-05:00

February is Black History Month and the library would like to take the opportunity to highlight several resources that acknowledge the contributions African Americans have made to history and culture.

The Library of Congress has two new web guides on Harriet Tubman and W.E.B. Du Bois. These web guides include videos, photographs, trusted websites, and much more information on these two great historical figures.

The Beinecke Library presents Langston Hughes at 100. Information on this websites is drawn from materials on display in the Beinecke Library and represent approximately one-quarter of the items in the physical exhibition. Certain items, specifically audio and video clips are available only through this website.

The official website for African American History Month pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

Since 1968, the American Black Journal's mission was to increase the availability and accessibility of media relating to African-American experiences. Realizing the cultural importance of this series, ABJ is now digitally preserving its shows and using them to create a significant, accessible multimedia archive of African-American history.

Check out the Librarian's Internet Index for resources and trusted websites related to the wide range of aspects of African American life, including civil rights, religion, and health.

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database has information on almost 35,000 slaving voyages hat forcibly embarked over 10 million Africans for transport to the Americas. It offers a chance to rediscover the reality of
one of the largest forced movements of peoples in world history.

Find It Fast!

2009-01-30T14:00:00.004-05:00

Confused about how to find sources for your research paper or project? Need some help finding scholarly articles? Then you should attend a Find It Fast session!

Each TTC library is holding a monthly session to help you get started with your research and find reliable information using library resources. Sessions will last about 30 minutes and are open to anyone. There's no need to register, just show up at one of TTC's libraries at the following times:

Palmer Wednesday February 11th @ 12:00 p.m.
Berkeley Thursday February 19th @ 12:30 p.m.
Main Wednesday February 25th @ 10:00 a.m.

Main Tuesday March 24th @ 11:00 a.m.
Palmer Tuesday March 31st @ 12:00 p.m.

Main Monday April 13th @ 2:00 p.m.

For additional information, contact the library at 843-574-6096 or email us at lrc.livesupport@tridenttech.edu.

Foreign Language Help

2009-01-23T09:34:00.002-05:00

Learning a new foreign language can be difficult. Luckily, there are some free online resources that can help you remember all of those new words and difficult to conjugate verbs.

Mango Languages centers around real, everyday, conversational language and focuses on 12 different languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, and several more. Each language has 12 different lessons that build upon each other in an easy understandable way.

Vocabulix is another free online language tool that can help improve your foreign language skills. Focusing on English, Spanish, and German, vocabulix helps you build vocabulary and connect with other people learning a new language.

Though they are free, both of these websites require you to create a username and password to have full access to their lessons and resources.

Remember, the library also maintains information to help you with your foreign language studies. By selecting the "Foreign Languages" section of the "Research by Subject" drop down menu on the library's homepage, you will find further useful information that will help you with learning a new language.

Civil Rights Digital Library

2009-01-16T08:57:00.003-05:00

Looking for information related to the civil rights movement? Try The Civil Rights Digital Library! The CRDL can help you find unique civil rights information from across the nation, often directly from those who experienced or witnessed events during those times.

The CRDL includes digital videos of actual events, articles, oral histories and so much more. You can also search the CRDL website by the categories of events, people, places, and topics. The civil rights digital library provides such rich content from different perspectives, that it's easy to spend a couple of hours browsing the information it provides.

Remember to also use the library's databases and subject guides to help you when searching for reliable research information. And as always, you can contact the library if you have any questions about research or our online resources.

Library Website Changes

2009-01-09T13:29:00.008-05:00

Welcome back!

Over the break you may have noticed that we made some changes to the library's homepage. We are currently in the process of redesigning our website to better serve your needs and to provide easy access to research resources. For example, you can now access our subject guides, online databases, and course pages directly from our homepage.

You are now also able to instant message us to ask questions by clicking on the Live Support button on our homepage. And it is now a little easier to stay current on new posts to our blog "Library Happenings" and our Youtube videos.

Keep checking back as the semester continues because there will be more positive changes to our website and some of the services we offer.

10 Best Books of 2008

2008-12-19T11:54:00.002-05:00

Exams are over and the holidays are just around the corner. Now that we all will have a little extra time over the next couple of weeks, I'm sure many of us will be wanting to get some recreational reading done.

The New York Times has released a list of the 10 best books of 2008 to get you started on some of the literature you may have missed while devoting so much time and energy to your courses.

And if you still need some ideas for fun books to read, NPR has a list of best books of 2008 categorized by subject matter.

Happy Reading!

Child Welfare Information Resource

2008-12-05T09:53:00.004-05:00

The Child Welfare Information Gateway is a great resource for students enrolled in TTC's Community, Family, and Child Studies program.

This resource connects the general public, students, and professionals to print and electronic publications, websites, and online databases covering a wide range of topics including child abuse and neglect, statistics, federal and state laws, and workforce training.

Also included on the website is a library that can be used to search for books, videos, and other publications related to child welfare.

And remember, you can have any of the books or articles you find on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website sent to you for free through TTC's Interlibrary Loan service. Or, you can always ask a librarian how to gain free access to books or articles you find online.

Medical Information Search Engine

2008-11-14T13:02:00.004-05:00

Omni Medical Search is a search engine that focuses on providing authoritative information from reliable health and medical resources. OmniMedicalSearch is the result of the collaboration between Healthline.com, Google Custom Search, and their own propietary search technology. OmniMedicalSearch offers the option to search by web, news, forums, professional level resources, and medical images. Also offered is a local directory for clinics and doctors, a reference desk of hard to find resource links, and a growing medical encyclopedia.

Medical information can also be accessed through the LRC's Nursing and Allied Health online databases. Remember, when accessing the library's online databases from off-campus you will be asked to enter your 13 digit barcode, which is located at the very bottom of your TTC student id.

Online Subject Guides

2008-11-07T14:34:00.002-05:00

The Library of Congress (the largest library in the world, and the library used by congress) provides many valuable research tools to the public. One such tool is the Library of Congress's web guides. These web guides include a broad range of topics and point to valuable and reliable information sources on the internet. Web guide subjects include African American History, Literature, and Military War, to name a few.

The Learning Resources Center provides similar subject guides to aide students when researching their topics. Different from the Library of Congress, the Learning Resources Center subject guides not only provide websites, but also article databases, books, and other useful resources related to researching specific topics.

Pro vs. Con Resource

2008-10-31T11:16:00.005-04:00

ProCon.org is a useful, free online resource that presents controversial issues in an objective, well-balanced format. Topics covered at ProCon.org include a broad range of subjects, including immigration, the invasion of Iraq, and medical marijuana to name a few.

The library offers a similar resource through its online databases page called Opposing viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints is a resource that is designed to aid students researching current day controversial issues. This database brings together much of the information needed to fully understand an issue and assists students with researching, analyzing, and organizing various types of data for research assignments, persuasive essays, and debates.

These are both very useful resources when searching for information related to controversial or heavily debated topics.

Government Science Resources

2008-10-24T11:01:00.003-04:00

Science.gov is a gateway to reliable science information that searches over 36 government science databases. It also serves as a portal to accurate information and millions of links to a broad range of credible science resources. Unlike many other government information websites, science.gov and its resources are geared towards the average person, meaning the information is easy to access and understand.

If you are looking for resources for any science-related subject matter, science.gov is a great place to start. Also remember to use the the Learning Resource Center and its online resources to find articles and electronic books to use in your research.

Reliable Internet Resources

2008-10-17T08:51:00.003-04:00

When looking for information, it is common for many people to first perform a general internet search using a search engine such as google or yahoo. However, with so much information on the internet it is often difficult to wade through a large number of results to find reliable information.

As a result, The Internet Public Library (the first public library of and for the Internet community) was created, with a mission to connect internet users to websites with reliable information on wide variety of subjects. When gathering information at the beginning of your research, the Internet Public Library is a great place to start. Remember, the IPL will only lead you to internet websites and not journal articles which should be accessed through the library's online databases.

If you are looking for additional information, The Learning Resource Center also provides subject guides to direct you to reliable websites that can be used in your research process.

How to Improve Your Writing

2008-10-10T13:02:00.006-04:00

Having the ability to write well can have a large impact on any students' grades. Being able to communicate ideas effectively is an important aspect of a college education. In an effort to help students improve their writing, Tech Republic created a list of 10 things you can do to improve your writing. The list Tech Republic supplies includes some basic rules that can make a significant difference.

If you are looking for more personal help with your writing you can always visit The Learning Center on Trident Tech's main campus in building 920 for additional help from tutors.

Instant Message a Librarian!

2008-10-03T16:06:00.003-04:00

Trident Technical College librarians are now available online! Beginning Monday October 6th, you will be able to contact Trident Technical College librarians through instant messaging. By clicking on the Live Support button on the contact us page, you will be connected to a librarian with whom you will be able to chat and ask your questions online. If a librarian is not available, the button will prompt you to send an email, to which a librarian will respond within 48 hours.

Research Resources

2008-09-19T10:26:00.007-04:00

Looking for a place to start with your research topic? Below are some of Trident Technical College’s online databases that contain a wide variety of information and are most often used by students when beginning their research:

Academic Search Premier
Infotrac
SIRS
Opposing Viewpoints
Jstor
History Resource Center

Each database can be accessed by going to the library’s "Online Databases" page. Or by going to the library's home page, selecting the “Research” tab, and then selecting “Online Databases”. You are then able to choose whether to view a list of our databases by subject or alphabetically. Remember, to access the library's online resources from an off-campus location, you will have to previously had your student id scanned at the circulation desk to be made valid for off campus access.

If you have any questions about TTC’s databases, contact the library at 843-574-6096.

New GI Bill

2008-09-12T11:09:00.003-04:00

Veterans should take note of the new GI Bill recently signed in to law, further benefiting veterans seeking an education. The Post- 9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit providing educational assistance to individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs for further information about the GI Bill and for assistance with obtaining your benefits. You can also contact Trident Tech's Veteran's Affairs Department for addtional information about the GI Bill.

Microsoft Office Help

2008-08-28T15:55:00.002-04:00

Need some help using a Microsoft Office program? Microsoft Office Online provides free training courses for those who are just getting to know Microsoft Office programs. Most courses take anywhere from 15 to 50 minutes to complete, but are completely self-paced. The tutorials also provide the optional choice to practice and test yourself at the end of each lesson. You can take an entire course at one time, complete it over a period of time, or just take the parts you need at a given time. To begin a tutorial, select the program in which you are interested and then choose the specific course where you would like to begin. All MS Office programs are included in the tutorials.

Welcome Students!

2008-08-22T13:00:00.002-04:00

Keep the Learning Resource Center in mind as you are beginning the fall semester. The LRC offers valuable information and many types of resources for the projects you will be working on later in the semester. The library’s intention is to satisfy your study and research needs, enriching your educational experience. Check out some of our tutorials to learn a little more about what we offer and how the library and its resources can help you. If you have questions or suggestions, you can always contact the library by email (lrc.livesupport@tridenttech.edu), phone (843-574-6096), instant message, or by visiting us in person.

Summer Reading

2008-08-15T08:34:00.008-04:00

Now that we are between the summer and fall semesters of 2008, many of us may have the time to finally catch up on some summer reading. However, often times when we finally have the time to start reading again, it becomes a struggle to find a book that fits your personal reading tastes. If you are having difficulty finding books you would like to read, take a look at this list of resources that can help point you in the right direction:

1. Reader's Advisor Online - Though it requires a subscription for full service,it's free to take a look at a list of the "Most Wanted" fiction and non-fiction books of the week.

4. What should I read next? - Enter a book you like into the search fields and the database provides suggestions for what you should read next.

5. What do I read next? - Provides several ways to search for books and authors you have enjoyed and creates a list of recommended books based on your interests.

6. Whichbook - Gives readers an enjoyable and intuitive way to find books based on their mood.

7. Mosaic Books - Dedicated to African American fiction, Mosaic Books provides lists and descriptions of best sellers and new releases in this genre.

8. Bookbrowse - Recommends recently published books and provides not only critics' but also readers' ratings. You can also search by genre or specific author or book.

9. If all else fails, visit or contact the library as a sure method for finding a good read.

South Carolina Digital Library

2008-08-08T08:27:00.003-04:00

The South Carolina Digital Library is a free online resource dedicated to South Carolina’s history and culture. This tool has been created for anyone interested in South Carolina’s deep history and rich culture. This website provides access to rare and special South Carolina historical materials housed by many institutions in one place. The South Carolina Digital Library includes many different types of media such as audio, images, manuscripts, newspapers, objects, and sheet music. If you are interested in different aspects of South Carolina history and culture, this is definitely a website you will want to add to your favorites.

Business Resources

2008-08-01T09:42:00.004-04:00

Here is a blog post by the James J. Hill Reference Library on free business information resources. The information they provide can be useful if you are working on a business degree. The James J. Hill Library has been around since 1921, housing a world-class collection of practical business information resources and is considered one of the most comprehensive business libraries in the country. So it would probably also be worth your while to also periodically check their website and blog postings to stay up to date on emerging business ideas and resources.

International Issues

2008-07-25T13:05:00.002-04:00

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) website is designed to be an online resource for anyone interested in learning more about international issues from an objective point of view. This is a rich and far extending resource whose sub-categories include region, issue, and current events, among many others. Information on this site remains current and asserts that it is a nonpartisan resource, meaning it tells both sides of the story without pursuing an unspoken agenda.

100 Useful Search Engines

2008-07-18T08:55:00.001-04:00

Laura Milligan at College@Home has created a list of 100 search engines for college students who may need more specific tools to help them uncover the type of information they need, as opposed to a general google or yahoo! search. The list is broken down into 16 categories for the convenience of discovering the search engines that fit your needs.

Library of Congress Webcasts

2008-07-11T09:27:00.002-04:00

The Library of Congress has a page dedicated to webcasts on a variety of subjects. All video and audio files are free and can be watched on your computer without having to download them. Among others, webcast subjects include biography, history, religion, science, and government.

Library Happenings Returns!

2008-06-23T15:48:00.004-04:00

The LRC's blog has officially returned! Look for new posts on "Library Happenings" each Friday to find new and interesting tidbits of information relating to the needs of our growing community. Stay tuned for more information on accessing new, exciting, (and more importantly) free resources!

Their Eyes Were Watching God - An Online Discussion

2007-09-24T08:28:00.000-04:00

From the time of its first publication in 1937, Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God has prompted strong response. During the next several days, we invite you to discuss your response/s to the novel. You’ll find a few “discussion questions” listed in the first blog comment to help get your thoughts flowing or feel free to just jump right in and share with your own thoughts and feelings about the book. You can sign in as “Other” and use any screen name you wish. We hope you enjoyed reading this year’s Big Read selection and we look forward to some invigorating, productive discussion.

Their Eyes Were Watching God - By Zora Neale Hurston

2007-09-20T12:17:00.000-04:00

As part of Charleston County Library's The Big Read event, The TTC LRC is hosting an online discussion of the book Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. This online discussion will be held Monday, September 24 - Friday, October 5, 2007. You are welcome to read the book and join in the discussion of this book and its famed author.

Biography Resource Center gets New Look

2007-08-02T16:43:00.000-04:00

Are you in need of biographical information? If so, check out the LRC’s Biography Resource Center. This database provides quick access to biographies, periodicals, and websites for a select group of notable individuals in numerous categories. From Current World Leaders, and Historic Personalities, to Modern Day Musicians and Artists, this database is full of neat stuff on the lives of newsmakers.

TTC Librarians become bloggers

2007-07-30T09:22:00.000-04:00

TTC librarians are now joining the blogger generation. The TTC blog will provide updates on various topics from the library.