Hilda C. Landers Library & Archives

  • About
    • Hours
    • Directions and Maps
    • People
    • Policies & Guidelines
    • Student Employment
  • Research Help
    • Get Research Help
    • Research Tools
    • Research Guides
    • Get Endnote
    • Cite your Sources
    • Subject Librarians
  • Services
    • Print, Scan, Copy
    • Computers and Software
    • Study Rooms
    • Accessibility
    • St. Mary’s Project Resources
    • Services for Faculty
    • Borrow, Renew, Request
    • Notary Public Services
  • Archives

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Discovery Tools

April 28, 2014 by Amanda VerMeulen

If you are a reader of The Chronicle of Higher Education, you may have seen last week’s article about library discovery tools. Marc Parry’s article, As Researchers Turn to Google, Libraries Navigate the Messy World of Discovery Tools, sheds light on some of the complications and questions caused by discovery tools and their ability to make library resources more discoverable. Parry opens with this description of discovery tools:

“Instead of bewildering users with a bevy of specialized databases—books here, articles there—many libraries are bulldozing their digital silos. They now offer one-stop search boxes that comb entire collections, Google style.”

As much as we’d like to promise seamless access to our entire collection through a single search box, the discovery tools on the market are from perfect. The items retrieved in a search and their page ranking are not always determined purely by their relevancy or recency, but instead by algorithms and licensing agreements between publishers, database vendors and the companies creating discovery tools. Parry’s article questions the possibility of bias in discovery tools, which would cause results from one vendor or content provider to be ranked higher than another. (Vendors will not explain the algorithms used to rank results for fear of sharing proprietary information).  The article also points to the possibility of the unfortunate pairing of an imperfect ranking system and high number of results so the “best” sources are lost in the mix.  What happens if we’re using discovery tools as a primary access point for research, but we don’t exactly know how the tool sorts and ranks results? Is it that unlike searching Google, but not knowing how Google’s algorithms work?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Library Collection, Services Tagged With: access, discovery tools, electronic resources, metadata, research

SMCM Library on YouTube

March 5, 2014 by Amanda VerMeulen

I suspect that not many people know this, but the SMCM Library has its own YouTube channel. Why would a library need a YouTube channel? Good question.

The library is a swiftly changing place. From week to week or month to month there is always something new: a new journal we just picked up, a new database we now license, or a new service we are piloting. We’re anything but stagnant, and we thought that creating fun videos to publicize library services and collections would be a great way to let you know what’s happening within the library’s walls.

As I’ve mentioned before, the library hired a fantastic student this fall, Eden Anbinder, to create publicity videos for the library. You can view them all at our library’s YouTube channel. They’re short, fun, goofy, and entertaining. You might even learn something in 1 minute or less!

Filed Under: Services Tagged With: PFP Program, smcm library in n seconds, video, youtube

A reminder of our (no) fines policy

February 11, 2014 by Amanda VerMeulen

Hello from the front desk!  Despite the snow days, the semester is now in full swing and the books, DVD’s, Kindles, extension cords, laptop chargers, and more are quickly moving back and forth across the front desk – from us to you and back again.  So I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of our fine policy.

Our fine policy is simple: with a few exceptions, there are no overdue fines.  And these aren’t wide-ranging exceptions that basically include everything – nothing like “no fines except on days that end in ‘y'”.  When we say “no fines”, we mean it!

Having said that, the exceptions are as follows:

  • items from the media center: if it comes from the third floor of the library where Ken, Linda, Raven, and Andy work, it’s subject to overdue fines.
  • course reserves: if it’s on course reserve at the front desk (three hour, overnight, or three day loan) – it’s subject to overdue fines.  This doesn’t apply to e-reserves, only to physical items you check out at the front desk.
  • recalled items: it doesn’t happen too often, but every once in a while you’ll get a “recall notice” email.  That’s letting you know that someone else wants to use the item.  Read that email closely because it gives you a new due date.  If you turn it in late, you’ll get fined.
  • USMAI/ILLiad items: if you borrow something from another library, either through USMAI or ILLiad, you’ll get fined if it’s late.  The amount varies depending on the library that owns the item.

So if none of the above applies, then you won’t be fined for returning it late.  Now, if you NEVER return it, you will eventually get billed for it.  But if it’s a day or a week late – nothing.

The reason for this policy is simple.  We want you to borrow all the items you need, for research, fun, etc., without worrying about anything except whether you want or need it.  And not to sound “braggy” but we’ve got a lot of stuff!  Almost 200,000 books, mostly academic but many popular titles as well, (and several thousand more ebooks), nearly 3,000 DVD’s, six Kindles pre-loaded with about 40 bestsellers, scores of equipment such as Mac chargers, extension cords, headphones, flash drives, etc.  So if it’ll make your life easier, or better, go for it!  We’re open until 1:00 AM Sunday – Wednesday, midnight on Thursday, and 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, so there’s plenty of opportunity for you to stop by.

Happy librarying!

Filed Under: Library Collection, Services

End of Semester Countdown

December 11, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

529217_10150663261861933_843115226_n

It’s that time of year again: The extension cords are all checked out, the coffee is flowing, and suddenly anyone speaking above a whisper in the library is TOO LOUD!!!!! With only a few days of classes left and final exams looming on the horizon, the library is here for you.

You can find our Final Exam week (and Winter Break) hours online, but essentially we’re open until 2 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 – Wednesday, Dec. 18. As always, librarians are around to help with any last-minute research assignments, and all of our e-books and online databases are available 24/7. If you come by for some last minute studying, you might even find a certain library director whose name rhymes with Shmelia handing our power snacks and goodies when you least expect it. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Filed Under: Library Building, Services Tagged With: finals week, not another GOT meme

Our Video Project Returns (and it’s good y’all)

December 4, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

This fall the library was granted another year of funding through the Career Development Center’s Professional Fellowship Program to hire an instructional media fellow. Our hire this year is Eden Anbinder, a Computer Science major, video hobbyist and all-around creative human being.

Thanks to some fantastic TFMS coursework, a great sense of humor and innate talent, Eden has developed two a new short film about eBooks (EBooks: You Decide!), which is a spoof on 1950s instructional videos, and a short video about our new Films on Demand streaming video database.

Take a minute or two, relax, and enjoy the show:

Filed Under: Services Tagged With: ebooks, films on demand, movies, PFP Program, video

Do You Zinio?

October 30, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

I really should be sharing information about what we offer at our own library, but sometimes other libraries are doing something so cool I have to spread the word. After all, publicizing any one library is really good for all libraries, isn’t it?

Our local public county library is now offering access to dozens of magazines online, FOR FREE, through the magazine viewer service Zinio. It is AMAZING. You can check out as many magazines as you want (no limit!) and keep them for as long as you want. They’re all full-color replicas of the magazines online, so they look exactly the same as their print counterparts, only without all the annoying fragrance samples and subscriber cards. You can download these magazines and read them on your computer, or on you your tablet or smartphone using the Zinio app. All you need is a St. Mary’s County Public Library card.

I’m off to read Martha Stewart’s Living, Interweave Knits, and the latest issue of Marie Clare (but if you’re into Newsweek and Popular Science they’re available too). Check out Zinio today and browse for your favorite magazine.

Filed Under: Services Tagged With: magazines, St. Mary's Public Library, Zinio

Need career skills? Make friends with a librarian.

October 22, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

Lately a lot has been written about the demise of the liberal arts degree.  Many parents, students, state legislators, and others are questioning the value of a degree that aims to provide students with four years to ground themselves in a core of understanding about the world and to study one area of knowledge in depth in community with other learners.  Skeptics and critics wonder if that Bachelor’s degree is really “worth” anything, whether students graduate ready to move into jobs or on to graduate school.

When the new Core Curriculum at St. Mary’s was implemented in 2008 one of the components that the librarians were most excited about was the identification of the fundamental liberal arts skills.  We had submitted a proposal for including information literacy in the new curriculum.  In the end the fours skills were grouped together and a new mantra was born.  “All four skills, all four years.”  I resisted the urge to buy t-shirts.

How do critical thinking, written expression, oral expression, and information literacy fit together?  And why is it important to see this set of fundamental skills developed throughout all four years of a college education (in the Core and in the disciplines)?  Well, the answer to that might actually also explain why a liberal arts education in any discipline is the ideal preparation for work and career.  A number of recent surveys asked employers what skills they consider most important for success, or which they thought college’s should focus on more.  The answers might surprise you, but most librarians I know (this one included) were not surprised.

A study of employers and recent graduates from Project Information Literacy shows that employers were looking for a range of research and information use skills that includes everything from picking up the phone to collaborating with colleagues.

And check out these recent surveys.  Forbes Magazine asked employers what 10 skills they want in 20-something employees.  They said:

  1. Ability to work in a team
  2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
  3. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
  4. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization
  5. Ability to obtain and process information
  6. Ability to analyze quantitative data
  7. Technical knowledge related to the job
  8. Proficiency with computer software programs
  9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports
  10. Ability to sell and influence others

When asked what they wish colleges would focus on most, another group of employers said it isn’t what students learned in their majors.  It is:

  • Critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills
  • The ability to analyze and solve complex problems
  • The ability to effectively communicate orally
  • The ability to effectively communicate in writing
  • The ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-world settings
  • The ability to locate, organize, and evaluate information from multiple sources
  • The ability to innovate and be creative
  • Teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate with others in diverse group settings

Hmmm  – – maybe we will start wearing those t-shirts.

Filed Under: Services

Have a Question? Find an Answer.

September 16, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

We get it. Sometimes you have a quick question and don’t want to bother to call, email, or ask us in person. Sometimes you just need to type a question into your iPhone and get an answer. Quickly.

In those situations, we have you covered. It’s a perfect opportunity to check out our collection of Frequently Asked Questions through our Ask a Librarian page.

Ask a Librarian link on library header

Not sure how to download Endnote? Need to access online databases from off-campus? Curious about the dates of this year’s Library Book Sale? Our FAQs have you covered. The best part is that you can literally type in a question and get an answer.

Ask a Librarian page screenshot

Please note: Although we try to keep our FAQs well stocked with useful questions, you may have a question we just haven’t posted an answer to yet. In that event, you’ll simply be prompted to email your question and a librarian will soon.

 

Filed Under: Services Tagged With: answers, Ask a Librarian, AskUs, FAQ, questions, website

Reading this Summer?

June 25, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

Reading on the Beach

Reading on the Beach by Courtney McGough on Flickr

Last weekend I broke down. I bought a Kindle (a Kindle Paperwhite to be exact). Despite my ambivalence towards e-reading, it’s getting harder for me to deny the conveniences of an e-reader. I’m a reader. Although chasing a toddler around the house has but a kink in my reading style, I still try to get in as much eyeball-to-text time as I possibly can. When I go on a trip, I take as much care and effort packing my reading materials as I do packing my clothes. This little 5 x 7 inch device is making upcoming travel so much more convenient and amazingly less stressful. Instead of trying to squeeze in 3-4 different volumes I can just pop that Kindle in my purse and call it a day. It’s fantastic.

Will I stop buying and checking out print books from the library? No way. In fact, as I type, I have two books on my nightstand from the St. Mary’s County Library. The Kindle is just a new addition to my reading lifestyle and a great way to kick off the summer reading season. If you’re interested in getting your summer reading off right, the SMCM Library can help.

Kindles

We have 6 different Kindles for SMCM students, faculty, and staff to borrow loaded with all kinds of fantastic fiction. Want to find out what all the Game of Thrones fuss is about? Read it on our Kindle Fire. Curious about Gone Girl or Kate Atkinson’s latest, Life after Life? Read one on a Kindle Touch. For more about our Kindles and the books on them, check out our online Kindle Guide.

Popular Reading Collection

If you’re more of a print-on-paper kind of reader. We have you covered. Our popular reading collection has a great selection of fiction and non-fiction bestsellers to help you take a break from heavy academic reading. Take a walk up to the 2nd floor and hang a left. In the reading area you’ll find a beautiful water-front view and our awesome Popular Reading Collection.

St. Mary’s County Public Libraries

I wouldn’t be doing my due-diligence as a librarian if I didn’t do a little cross-promotion. We are fortunate to have an amazing public library system in our county. If you haven’t visited one of the branches in Lexington Park, Leonardtown, or Charlotte Hall, please do it. Their book, movie, and music selection is amazing! A few weekends ago I picked up Tom Perotta’s The Leftovers, a copy of the Alabama Shakes album, and Dinosaur vs. The Potty, a board book for my son. They have fun summer programming for kids too!

Summer Book Club

Since you’re doing all this reading anyway, you might as well win a prize or two for your efforts. The SMCM Library’s Summer Reading Program continues this year and gives all SMCM students, faculty, staff, and alumni a chance to contribute book reviews to the Summer Reading Blog and win prizes.

Happy Reading,

Ronnie

Filed Under: Library Collection, Musings, Services Tagged With: books, ebooks, fiction, kindles, popular reading, St. Mary's Public Library, summer, summer reading program

Summer Library Hours

May 14, 2013 by Amanda VerMeulen

Header3

The library’s summer hours are now in effect. You can continue to stop by the library during the summer months Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. We’re closed on Saturday and Sunday. After the mad rush of finals the library is now calm, cool, and filled with awesome librarians, library staff, computers, and books.

We will be closed for the following holidays:

Memorial Day (Monday, May 27)
Independence Day (Thursday, July 4)

Stop by and see us. We’re not at the beach yet!

Filed Under: Services Tagged With: hours, summer

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • Off-Campus Access to Library Databases Affected – May 27 May 23, 2025
  • Library Closed for Memorial Day – May 26 May 23, 2025
  • Library Closure for SMCM Staff Picnic – May 16 May 13, 2025
  • Summer Hours at the Library May 5, 2025
  • Finals Week Library Hours April 22, 2025

Categories

  • Announcements (27)
  • Archives (12)
  • Database Trial (8)
  • Events (55)
  • Exhibits (6)
  • Faculty and Staff Profiles (4)
  • Library Building (44)
  • Library Collection (62)
  • Library Ethnography Project (2)
  • Library Hours (83)
  • Library People (31)
  • Musings (34)
  • Services (31)
  • Student Employees (24)
  • Summer Reading (284)
  • Teaching & Education (2)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • Web Resources (11)

Archives

Contact Us:

(240) 895-4264

ask@smcm.libanswers.com

47645 College Drive
St. Mary's City, MD, 20686-3001

Follow Us

Follow Library News

  • Directions
  • Archives
  • Directory
Support the Library
White and Gold text reading 'The National Public Honors College' linking to the SMCM Homepage
St. Mary's College of Maryland
47645 College Drive
St. Mary's City, MD, 20686-3001

(240) 895-2000
Give Today

Next Steps

  • Request Information
  • Visit Campus
  • How to Apply
  • Explore SMCM

Just For You

  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • New Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Faculty | Staff
  • Employment

Resources

  • InsideSMCM
  • Directory
  • Events | Newsroom
  • Hilda C. Landers Library
  • College Rankings
  • Brand Resources

St. Mary’s College of Maryland reserves the right to provide some or all of the course content through alternative methods of course delivery, including remote methods of delivery, and it reserves the right to change the method of delivery at any time before or during the academic term, in the event of a health or safety emergency or similar situation when it determines, in its sole discretion, that such change is necessary and in the best interests of the College and the campus community.

  • © St. Mary's College of Maryland
  • Consumer Information
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Title IX Compliance &Training
  • Report an Accessibility Issue
  • Non-discrimination Policy
  • Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect
  • OLA Fraud Hotline
  • Help Desk
  • Website Feedback
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline
  • 1-888-373-7888
  • BeFree Textline
  • Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE)
  • More resources on human trafficking in Maryland