The Google Book Project’s philosophy is to bring as many books as possible to the masses. They’ve partnered with libraries and publishers to create a massive searchable catalogue of online books or parts of books.  Google Book Search (GBS) lets you read snippets, brief previews or full views of digitized books.  Books which are in the public domain (because their copyright protection has expired) are available from cover to cover; others may not be as completely accessible.  However, if you’re looking for quality online content, this site is a good starting point.   Check out the Advanced Search feature; it might be a time saver if you’re after something specific.  Other features:  a contents list that helps you jump quickly to the information you need, images, tags, selected pages, “Popular Passages,” GoogleMap/GoogleEarth display of locations mentioned as well as links to related resources and to where the book’s been cited. The personalization feature, My Library, lets you create a visual inventory of books you already own or find interesting, and share those choices with others.

Great news!!! TheBRAIN’s online catalogue is connected to Google Books!  When you see the Browse in Google Book Search link in a hit list, check it out.  You may be able to find the info you need and save yourself a trip to the library (we’ll miss seeing you tho!).

Have you heard?  Google Books is about to get even better following the settlement of a legal challenge by publishers and authors.  Here’s the latest update with some details about how this great resource will continue to grow.

When you get back in January, you will have a whole new way of booking study rooms at IAHS and Fennell library locations – you will be able to do it all online with just your library account login!

Check out this tutorial to see how easy it will be and then come on back in January and look on  TheBRAIN homepage for the Book a Study Room button (pictured here)!

It’s exam time and we all know what that means – time to button up and hunker down – and the Library is here to help! Come on in to the Library where you can study to the sound of silence. We have areas reserved just for this purpose and now that it is exam time, signage reminds folks that it’s time to zip it.

Good luck on your exams, all!

Today at noon in the e-Library, catch some of the talented Mohawk College Music Department students and faculty as they wow you with their musical prowess! A jazz guitar quartet is on the agenda for today – check it out!

[Pictured at left: Mohawk Music Dept. Students & Faculty playing the e-Library in November.]

Did you know there are some key things you can do to increase your success and make exams less stressful? Get the scoop by accessing TheBRAIN’s list of study skills resources! Click on a resource to access some quick tips! Here are some example tips:

• Study in chunks and review often! Start your review a few weeks before and then review a chapter or section every few days after that.
• Study by jogging your memory! Write down key questions and try to answer them without the textbook or your notes.
• Get lots of sleep the night before the exam!

And don’t forget if you need a place to do all of this studying, the Library is your spot! We have areas for quiet study in each campus location.

Do these situations sound familiar?

1. You have printed out the perfect article to use in your assignment. But…you didn’t write down all the information for your bibliography and can’t remember where you found it!
2. Your instructor has given you a list of articles as required reading to be read before the final exam. Time is tight and now you have to locate them all!
3. While researching for an assignment, you come across a reference to an article that sounds like the perfect source for your paper. But now what? How do you get your hands on it?

The E-Journal Portal is your go-to for all of the above, and any other time that you need to track down a particular article.  To get to the portal:

-> start at TheBRAIN

-> Access the QuickLinks menu in the left sidebar

-> Choose E-Journal portal.

-> Choose onsite or remote access, depending on where you are.

-> Enter the title of the journal or magazine you are looking for.

-> Click on a database link to get to that journal.

Need help with learning to use the E-Journal Portal? Access a short video tour or AskUs!

Horseshoe Falls from above, Niagara, ON, 1869, William Notman

You have probably heard of Flickr, and you may have used the popular photo-sharing site to post personal pics, find Creative Commons licensed photos, or just to browse for inspiration.

Now there’s another great reason to use Flickr – the Flickr Commons.   Flickr Commons is “an exciting collaborative project that aims to give users access to the amazing collections of public photo archives around the world.” There are 27 participating institutions so far, including the Smithsonian Institution,  George Eastman House, and the Library of Congress.

One of the greatest things about the Commons is that the institutions sharing their collections have declared them to have no known copyright restrictions. This means that the photos are free to use in your assignments and class presentations.

Take some time to browse these awesome collections. Check out photos of classic Chrysler/Dodge autos,  portraits of great artists, or scientists and inventors.  The Commons is also great for a bit of armchair travelling…..explore Montreal, California and Oregon, visit French Castles , the Panama Canal or The Moon without leaving your computer!

Need a place to study with a group? Practice a presentation? View a video?

The Library @ Fennell has study/viewing rooms available on the second floor. The rooms are only available to students.

The booking binder is located at the circulation desk. You may book a room months in advance.
Rooms may be booked for a maximum of 2 hours per person/group per day and will only be held for 15 minutes past the start of the booking.

Viewing rooms C, G, H:
Include TV and VCR, Table, 8 chairs, and a white board.
Study rooms D, E, F:
Include a table, 8 chairs, a podium, and a white board.

The rooms are very popular during the busiest times of the semester, so book ahead to avoid disappointment and watch for online room booking …coming soon!

It’s International Education Week and what better time to explore all of the cultures represented at Mohawk.  Check out the displays in the Library @ Fennell and the e-library, then settle in to one of our great e-books.

Part of the Stat!Ref e-book collection, the Guide to culturally competent health care is the perfect resource to help you figure out a classmate, client or patient. From communication norms to family roles and organization to workplace issues to spirituality, this e-book provides loads of useful information on people from over 25 different heritage groups.  Check it out for assignments or use it to enhance your personal interactions.  Peace and love!

Need a break from studying? Want to rest your eyes on some light reading?
The Library @ Fennell’s collection includes Popular Fiction and Magazines for your recreational reading pleasure.

The Fiction collection, located near the Info desk and the stairs, boasts a variety of popular and classical authors.

Authors include: Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Dan Brown, Stephen King, Robert Ludlum,  James Patterson and more!

Titles include: Life of Pi, Gossip girl, Revolutionary road, A Million little pieces and more!

Popular Magazines are located near the windows in a section of the library.  Grab a trashy magazine (well, sort of) from the shelf and take a break from all the scholarly stuff – there is a wide collection and comfy chairs to read them in.

The collection includes: Canadian Living, Chatelaine, Consumer Reports, Glamour, Macleans, Men’s Health, People, Rolling Stone, Shape,  Today’s Parent and many more!

Ahhh, much better, no?