Thursday, December 17, 2009

CSM Library closing over winter break

The Library will be closed from Sunday, December 20 through January 18 for winter break. The library will reopen on the first day of the Spring semester, January 19 at 7:45am. Come back and see us in the spring. We hope to have some exciting programs and services to help you with your research needs. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

For those of you still immersed in finals, we wish you success!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Last minute citation questions?

If you're writing your final papers and need help with citations or assistance finding that one last source, you can always ask a librarian. They are here to help while the library is open.

Friday, December 11, 2009

No extended hours during finals this semester

The library will not be open late for finals this semester. Our regular hours will continue through December 19.

Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:45am-7:00pm
Friday 7:45am-3:00pm
Saturday 11:00am-2:00pm
Sunday Closed

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Holiday Reception in the Library

The President's office will be hosting a holiday reception in honor of CSM students today in the Library from 2-3:30. There will be light refreshments and music. Yes, you jeard me, there will be music in the library.

Friday, November 20, 2009

CSM Candlelight Vigil in Support of Education

There will be a Candlelight Vigil in Support of Education on November 23, from 5-6:30 in the CSM Theatre courtyard. This peaceful event provides an opportunity for the faculty, students and community to gather in support of one another during this time of economic crisis in California public education system, and more spcifically in regards to the budget cuts at CSM. More information on this event can be found on the CSM website.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Online Technology Survey

Take our online Technology Survey. Your input will help us decide how to get the information you need directly to you using today's latest technologies. Let us know how best to answer your research questions from anywhere on or off campus or simply keep you updated on the latest library happenings.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Author Richard Rodriguez to speak at CSM Theatre Nov. 18

Author Richard Rodriguez will be speaking as part of the President's Lecture series on Wednesday, November 18 in the CSM Theatre from 12:10-1:00. He is the author of numerous books including Hunger of Memory and Days of Obligation, An Argument With My Mexican Father which was nominated for a Pulitzer prize in non-fiction. Following the lecture, there will be an author book signing and light refreshments.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Take our technology survey in the library

On your next visit to the library, please take our Technology Survey. Your input will help us decide how to get the information you need directly to you using today's latest technologies. Let us know how best to answer your research questions from anywhere on or off campus or simply keep you updated on the latest library happenings.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

LIBR 100 offered online in the Spring

Priority registration has started at CSM. See the ONLINE courses that the Library is offering this Spring at http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/library/current_classes.php .

This course not only teaches you how to be a better researcher, but it also fulfills the Basic Information Competence requirement at San Francisco State University.

Friday, October 30, 2009

New research guides available @ CSM Library

As you may have noticed, the Library launched a new website this Summer. It is a work in progress as we are still trying to update some of the features from the previous site. One of the major pieces that we are still working on is updating the research guides and putting them into a more accessible and interactive format online. Take a look at the Research Guides on the Library website and see that we now have 2 published guides, with more to come very soon.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Renew and get hold notices via SMS

Just a quick reminder that you can renew, get hold notices, and late fine notices on library materials via text messaging. Get info @ http://plsinfo.org/access/sms.htm and sign up with a quick text. This service that launched last year is a great way to manage a few key features of your library account through a simple text.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Check 511.org before you drive

Before driving you might consider looking at 511.org. This site features up to the minute reports on traffic accidents and congestion on freeways in the Bay Area. The rainstorms today most likely contribued to the number of accidents on 280 and 101 today. So, it's a good idea to plan ahead and check for any traffic issues and reroute your travels accordingly.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

President Obama declares October 2009 as Nat'l Information Literacy Awareness Month

On October 1, President Obama declared October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month. For any of you that know what information literacy is, you will know that this is a very momentous occasion for the White House to acknowledge such an important issue.

For those that don't know about information literacy, it's best summarized as the ability to determine an information need, locate, retrieve, critically analyze, and utilize that information. It may sound elementary, but it's not as easy at it sounds considering the amount of information that comes at us everyday. Our hope is that this initiative can help to generate programs that can successfully address information literacy needs on a national and local level.

For more information about President Obama's proclamation, see the press release at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-National-Information-Literacy-Awareness-Month/.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Mistress of Spices author to speak at CSM


We are pleased to announce the President's Lecture Series to take place at CSM Theatre on Friday, October 2 at 11am. The Mistress of Spices, by Dr. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, is the featured book of the 2009 San Mateo County One Book, One Community campaign.

More information about the author and this College of San Mateo event can be found on the Library website.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

LIBR 100 still open for enrollment

We are still enrolling CSM students for Library 100. This 1-unit course (CRN# 92304) meets 10/15/09 through 12/10/09 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:10-10am.

This 8 week course is a great way to develop excellent research skills and it also satisfies the Basic Information Competency requirement - a graduation requirement for SF State students. We hope to see you in the Library!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

WebAccess Issues

We've gotten some reports that WebAccess has been down a bit over the last few days. We hear CSM's tech team has been working with the vendor to get the issue fixed. They hope to have everything running smoothly by Wednesday.

Just checking in

We're now a few weeks into the Fall semester at CSM and most of you have fallen into a rhythm and are starting to get deep into your research. Don't forget about all the great resources that you can find in the library including helpful librarians, eBooks, and subscription databases. If you can't make it into the library and you have a library card, you can still access all these resources from home. The library's online resources can be found here at http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/library/databases.php. If you need help navigating these materials, you can call, email, or IM a librarian. See our contact information at http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/library/reference.php. Good luck, and don't forget to write.

Monday, August 24, 2009

College Reserves - Is My Textbook at the Library?

Not ready to buy your books just yet? Students can search online to check out which courses and professors have placed their required textbooks on College Reserves.

If a professor asks, we can put many kinds of items on College Reserve (books, articles, software, and even a skeleton!). Sometimes the library owns the item and sometimes the professor has a copy for the class to share. Most College Reserve items are available for 2 hours of use while in the library.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Faculty! Library Orientations Fall 2009

Sign up now for library orientations for your classes. Good timing for a library orientation depends on the specific course and assignments.

Lots of new college students in your course? They may benefit from a general orientation to help them understand how a college library works. Schedule an orientation for early to mid-semester.

Asking your students for papers or presentations? Schedule an orientation about 3 weeks from the due date...many students find that's when they need the most help and direction.


Schedule an orientation by filling out the library orientation form found on the Faculty Services page.

First Day Back! Welcome Back!

Welcome back to Faculty and Students! Here are a few items to get done this week.
  • Get a library card. If you don't already have a PLS library card from any library in San Mateo County, you can apply for a new card at the College of San Mateo Library.

  • Get a USB flash drive to save your school work. You can buy them at the campus bookstore - they have 2GB drives for as little as $12.99.

  • Check College Reserves for your textbooks. If your instructor has a copy and puts it in College Reserves, you can check it our for use in the library. Check back often -- new reserve items get added as the semester progresses.

  • Meet the librarians and library staff! Stop by, email us or chat with us online

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Library 100 Fall 2009

We are still enrolling CSM students for Library 100 in the Fall. This 1 unit course satisfies the Basic Information Competency requirement; a graduation requirement for SF State students. The first section (CRN# 91678) meets 8/20/09 through 10/13/09 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:10-10am. The second section (CRN# 92304) meets 10/15/09 through 12/10/09 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:10-10am.

This 8 week course is a great way to develop excellent research skills. We hope to see you in the Fall!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

LIBR 100 Summer 2009

LIBR 100 online website will be available beginning 8am on June 22nd.

Enrolled students should go to the website at http://smccd.mrooms.net/course/view.php?id=20379.

Enrolled students should also check your CSM school email account for the introductory class email. If you've never checked your school email account, you can find more information about that account at http://my.smccd.edu .
Students on the waitlist will be added to the class on June 22.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Summer 2009 Hours

The library will re-open June 22, 2009 - the first day of Summer Session 2009. Library services such as course reserves, study space and reference services will be available. Library faculty will also return that day and will be available for office hours by appointment.


June 22 - August 2, 2009
Open Monday - Thursday 9am-7pm
Closed Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

August 3-14, 2009
Open Monday - Thursday 2pm-7pm
Closed Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Friday, May 29, 2009

Stay tuned for Library events in Fall 2009


CSM Library will be participating in the county-wide reading initiative - One Book One Community (OBOC). The reading selection for Fall 2009 is The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Divakaruni.

Dr. Divakaruni will be speaking at the College of San Mateo Theatre at 11 am on Friday, October 2, 2009. Check back over the summer to see more events related to OBOC that will take place at CSM and at libraries throughout San Mateo County.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Library Studies Fall 2009 - register now!

LIBR 100 Introduction to Library Research will be offered twice in Fall 2009. Each one (1) unit section will last for 8 weeks. LIBR 100 is transferable to both CSU and UC campuses. It also satisfies the Basic Information Competency Graduation Requirement at San Francisco State University.

LIBR 100 CRN 91678
Tuesdays and Thursdays -August 20 - October 13, 2009 (8 weeks)
Library Classroom

LIBR 100 CRN 92304
Tuesdays and Thursdays - October 15 - December 10, 2009 (8 weeks)
Library Classroom

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Library Hours for Finals Week

The Library is open extended hours for finals week. Students will find quiet places to study in the library as well as access to computers for writing papers.

Reference librarians are available to help students who may need help finding appropriate sources for research paper and presentation. Librarians can also help when you're trying to get your "Work Cited" pages written. CSM Library subscribes to Noodlebib, a citation generator that can help you organize your sources and craft citations in MLA, APA and Chicago styles. Check out the Citation Resource section of the Library website.

Birth of a Blog

This blog was created by CSM Library as a way to keep everyone posted on any news and events happening here in Building 9 (library home) and within the campus as a whole.