Welcome to another new semester and to the new folks, welcome to Mohawk! The Library @ Mohawk has been busily preparing for your arrival and we are bursting with excitement about all of the new initiatives we have in store for you. So before we pop out of our collective skins…here’s the scoop!
1) New and improved BRAIN
On September 17th, the Library will be launching a new and improved BRAIN website! It will have links to all the same resources as before such as magazine, journal and newspaper articles, the library catalogue, e-books, etc. but with a fresh, new look. In addition, there will be several exciting new features such as tabs across the top of the screen that let you know where you are on the site at all times, new side navigation menus, a Library poll where you can vote on the Library issue of the moment and a Library news box right on the homepage. Watch for the new site at our same URL: http://brain.mohawkcollege.ca Can’t wait? Too many sleeps until the launch? Check out this handy guide to the new site: thebrain-new-features.pdf
2) E-Audiobooks – Listen while you are on the go!
Over 700 e-audiobooks are available for download in the Library’s netLibrary database. Listen to these gems on your computer using Windows Media Player or download them to your portable device (MP3 player or ipod). And we’re not just talking dry, scholarly tomes…we’re talkin’ mysteries, consumer health books, biographies and more! All you need to do in order to download an audiobook is create a (free) login in netLibrary. To transfer the book to your portable player, you’ll need to open it first in Windows Media Player (get the scoop.) How do I get to all of these glorious e-books, you ask? Head on over to the Library’s e-books page by clicking “Find electronic books” on the BRAIN homepage!
3) Assignment Bank – Deposit and win, faculty!
Do you want the real scoop on how your students handle your assignments when you let them loose on the Library? Do you want updates on new resources that support your assignments? Submit an electronic copy of your course assignment(s) to the Library’s new assignment bank. As we assist students, we’ll record helpful tips and highlight new resources. At the end of the semester, you’ll receive your assignment back with the Library’s notes and tips… just in time to re-design and update for the next semester.
The first 25 submissions will be entered into a draw for a fabulous prize. Send your course assignments to this email: “Peggy dot French at Mohawk College dot CA” and stay tuned!
4) More trial databases
We’ve got more trial databases on offer! Business Source Premier has the same great content as our current database, Business Source Elite but, you guessed it – it’s bigger! Home Improvement Reference Centre is “the” resource for Resource DIY home improvements…included is information on maintenance, remodelling, electrical work, plumbing, wood projects, outdoor improvements, decorating home & garden, etc. Check out the database Small Engine Repair Repair for information on small engines: ATVs, generators, boats, motorcycles, outdoor power equipment, personal watercraft, snow mobiles and tractors. Also, still on offer are NewspaperDirect Press Display and OMMBID. Access these goodies on the old BRAIN site and after September 17th, on the new BRAIN site .
5) New Cite Your Sources webpage and guides!
In an effort to present a united, user-friendly front to students, the Library @ Mohawk has re-designed its citation style guides. Whether you choose to use APA or MLA, we now have concise charts that illustrate the proper format for both the list of references and in text citations.
Please consider using one of these charts in your syllabus or when you cover citing sources in your courses. All guides and additional citation resources are available by following the Cite Your Sources link off of TheBRAIN (on the old site and after Sept. 17th, on the new site).
The Library is happy to provide support for citing sources, but is only able to provide assistance using the latest guidelines for APA and MLA.
If you have any questions regarding your Library @ Mohawk’s services and resources, don’t hesitate to contact Peggy French @Fennell, Brantford, and STARRT or Marilyn McDermott @IAHS, your Outreach and Instruction librarians.
6) Podcast – The new BRAIN
Check out the BRAINcast website for the lastest podcast from the Library @ Mohawk. This week, we feature TheBRAIN Unplugged! Fasten your seatbelts for an exciting tour through the new Library website! Explore the new features, learn about the improved navigation…an audio extravaganza for the ears!
7) Reminder: Live help…standing by!
Just a reminder that you can access live, online help Monday – Friday, 10am – 9pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm right off of our website. Look for the Ask Us! link and on the new site, watch for the new Live Help button on the left hand side of every webpage!
8.) RSS Galore!
Are you a fan of RSS feeds? Well, check out our magazine and journal databases for a handy new feature that allows you to create an RSS feed out of a search. For example, let’s say that you have just done a search on new technologies in the classroom. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could keep up to date on the latest articles published on this topic without having to rerun the search? Well, set up an “RSS feed” for this search and you will be notified every time new articles on the topic are added to the Library’s databases. Just pop into your RSS reader to get the news! This feature is available in any database from EBSCOhost or Thomson Gale on the BRAIN website (old and new). Just look for these names next to the database title. Not sure what all of this RSS gobbledegook is? Check out this handy tutorial from Common Craft!
Look for this link in EBSCOhost databases: 
Look for this link in Thomson Gale databases:
9) New Titles
We’ve been busy purchasing new titles (such as Cassell’s Chronology of World History) all summer long! Check out the new titles list!
