Library search has changed

Library search has changed, bringing books, media, and database holdings to a one-search option.

The DCCCD libraries’ launched a new integrated library management system in June, creating a new way to search for materials.

The library catalog link on the Richland College Library home page will take students into the Primo search interface, which brings together library holdings for a one-stop search.

Richland students may search for books, media, database articles, newspaper articles, ebooks, and more, depending on information needs. Students – and professors – are encouraged to log into the library search screen at the beginning of their searches to take full advantage of new features.

Registered students will log in with district email, while district employees will use their 3X4 logins already in use.

Search is set to default to physical books and media at students' individual campus libraries; the drop down menu offers broader options.

Please contact your liaison librarian with any questions or to set up classroom orientations.

Reading the classics, reimagined

Born June 5, 1964, Rick Riordan has made his mark on the young adult literary scene and helped bring classical mythology to a new generation.

It all started as a bedtime story.

What would spawn a multi-million dollar franchise, including books, movies, and graphic novels, first came to Rick Riordan as an idea to entertain his son. Now the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series has been translated into 42 languages and sold more than 30 million copies. With a background in teaching Greek mythology to middle schoolers, Riordan has brought the classic stories of monsters, gods, and heroes to a young, modern audience.

When Haley (his son) asked him to create a new Greek myth, Riordan spun a tale over the course of three nights about gods and their descendants living in modern times. Originally inspired by his son who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, Riordan wrote the titular character as ADHD/dyslexic to recognize children with similar conditions and to remind them that being different is not bad.

The wild popularity of his books caught Riordan off guard. While word-of-mouth recommendations helped grow the series’ recognition, Riordan credits librarians with helping to spread the news of a series based in Greek mythology. “I owe a special debt to the librarians of Texas, who embraced the books early on and did a huge amount of book-talking with their kids. Without them, I doubt the momentum would've built nearly as much or as quickly.” (Rick Riordan.com)

Riordan has since branched out and written other series of books based on Norse and Egyptian mythology, Magnus Chase and the Kane Chronicles, respectively.

Start your summer reading with The Lightning Thief, book one in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.

-Ariel Slick

Carnegie Medal book nominees at your library

 

The shortlisted books for the recently-established Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction have been announced, and you can check them all out at the Richland College Library.

The awards - one for fiction, one for nonfiction - will be announced at this month's American Library Association conference. They are a joint effort from the ALA and the Carnegie Institute in New York.

In fiction:
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat (also available as an ebook)
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

In nonfiction:
The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink (also available as an ebook)
On Paper: The Everything of Its Two-Thousand Year History by Nicholas A. Basbanes

All but On Paper were also listed in The New York Times Book Review's 100 Notable Books of 2013.

If you'd like to read a review of any of these books, you may click on the linked title above, then click on the book cover image in the description page. The library website offers this feature for most newer titles in the district.

Hidden Gems

The 100 Best Business Books of All Time

Not just a "what do I read next?" book for business types, The 100 Best Business Books of All Time will appeal to readers from across business, non-profit, and educational fields. The book spans a range of titles, includes additional reading lists, and offers tips on how to read a business book.

This title, found in the Z shelves of our library, summarizes books addressing everything from creativity and personal organization to business leadership and business biography. If one of your goals is to read more non-fiction and business titles, but you don't know where to start, this little gem is for you.

Find it on the lower level at Z 7164 C81 C85 2011. For those of you dying to know, "Z" is the Library of Congress' letter designating books covering bibliography, library science, and information resources.

The DCCCD college libraries own at least 82 of the titles mentioned; you can see the list at the Richland College Library WorldCat lists page. 

About our book collection

The library is constantly working to select and purchase hard-copy books to support the Richland College curriculum and students' needs.

Not only does this mean the librarians are putting new items on the shelves, but it means that we are regularly working to relabel and repair our older titles or send away books that are no longer used.

This process, much like weeding and feeding a lawn, helps us to highlight what is relevant, fresh, and fun. When we see hidden gems in the stacks, we would like our students, faculty, and staff to come check them out.

The Richland College Library has some 75,000 books for checking out, so there are plenty to go around. Come on over to the library and head to the lowest level to see what treasure you might discover.

Hidden gems

Copyrighted material.

World Travel: A Guide to International Ecojourneys 

Today's featured title is something from the "G" section. For those of you dying to know, "G" is the Library of Congress' letter designating books covering geography, anthropology, and recreation.

This title is chock full of travel information and is pretty to look at with its many full-color photographs. Destinations include all continents and terrains, featuring trips for just about anyone.

It is only one of many titles we have covering the world and its countries, people, sights, flora, and fauna. Find it on the lower level at G 155 .A1 W68 1996.




About our book collection

The library is constantly working to select and purchase hard-copy books to support the Richland College curriculum and students' needs.

Not only does this mean the librarians are putting new items on the shelves, but it means that we are regularly working to relabel and repair our older titles or send away books that are no longer used.

This process, much like weeding and feeding a lawn, helps us to highlight what is relevant, fresh, and fun. When we see hidden gems in the stacks, we would like our students, faculty, and staff to come check them out.

The Richland College Library has some 75,000 books for checking out, so there are plenty to go around. Come on over to the library and head to the lowest level to see what treasure you might discover.