Saturday, May 26, 2007

This week in CQ Researcher

“Gun Violence,” by Kenneth Jost, May 25, 2007 Are stronger measures needed to protect society?

The shooting rampage at Virginia Tech on April 16 has raised new questions about safety on college campuses and renewed the nation's perennial debate on gun control. Nationally, the incident has focused attention on how to reduce gun violence, which annually claims around 30,000 lives – 82 each day, far more than twice the Virginia Tech toll.

A bill to strengthen the federal background-check system for gun purchasers is gaining support on Capitol Hill, even from the powerful National Rifle Association. But some gun advocates want states to ease weapons laws. They argue that allowing more people to carry weapons will deter gun crimes and enable potential victims to protect themselves.

Should schools adopt additional security measures to try to prevent mass shootings?
Should it be harder for someone with a history of mental illness to obtain a gun?
Should laws limiting the carrying of concealed weapons be relaxed?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm and click on CQ Researcher.Select the Access Off Campus link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Issues & Controversies in American History

This month's cover story in the Facts.com Issues & Controversies in American History database focuses on some of the hardships facing the settlers of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. Did the settlement fail to flourish because of Jamestown’s system of collectivism, which some argue inhibited hard work and self-reliance? Or were other factors, such as a lack of fresh water and several unexpected disasters, to blame?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm and click on Fact.com Issues & Controversies in American History .Select the Access Off Campus link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations

Monday, May 21, 2007

Summer Hours

The Library on the main campus will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 25.
May 26-28: closed
May 29-31: 1-4 p.m.
June 4 - August 9: Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.; closed Friday
through Sunday


June 4 - August 9 at the HEC library in National City:
Monday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Tuesday and Wednesday 5-8 p.m.
closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Friday, May 18, 2007

This Week in CQ Researcher

“Fair Trade Labeling,” by Sarah Glazer, May 18, 2007

The number of products sold with fair trade labels is growing rapidly in Europe and the United States.

Does fair trade certification improve life significantly for small farmers in developing countries?
Does fair trade certification distort markets, ultimately hurting some small producers?
Would trade reforms help small farmers more than fair trade certification?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm and click on CQ Researcher.Select the Access Off Campus link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

New Books - May 16, 2007

Hizbullah, African Drum Music, and Stanislavsky. What do they have in common? You can read about these topics and many more in the new additions this week to the new book shelf.

Friday, May 11, 2007

This week in CQ Researcher

“HPV Vaccine,” by Nellie Bristol, May 11, 2007
Should it be mandatory for school girls?

A new vaccine that prevents infections from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes cervical cancer is being hailed as a major achievement in women’s health. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for girls ages 11-12, and could be used by females ages 9-26.

Some state lawmakers moved quickly to make inoculations mandatory for school attendance to ensure vaccine access regardless of socioeconomic status. The requirement was approved in the District of Columbia and Virginia. But reactions to an aggressive lobbying campaign by vaccine manufacturer Merck coupled with general concerns about immunization safety stalled efforts to mandate the shots in many states. Conservative groups joined the opposition, saying the vaccine would encourage inappropriate sexual activity and override parental autonomy.

Is the new HPV vaccine safe and effective?
Should the HPV vaccine be mandatory?
Did the quick push for HPV mandates harm public health?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm and click on CQ Researcher.Select the Access Off Campus link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Early Library Hours

The library will open at 7 am beginning Wednesday May 16. Here is our extended hours schedule until the end of the spring semester. Come by for an early morning visit.

  • Wednesday May 16 - 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Thursday May 17 - 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Friday May 18 - 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Saturday May 19 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Closed Sunday May 20
  • Monday May 21 - 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday May 22 - 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday May 23 - 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Thursday May 24 - 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Friday May 25 - 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

For a complete schedule of library hours , see the Library Hours page.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Seeking Nominations for College Book 2008

Help us select the College Book to be used on campus in spring 2008. Send your suggestions to Diane Gustafson, dgustafson@swccd.edu, before May 21.

Books nominated can be fiction or nonfiction and should have appeal for students, faculty, and staff. During spring semester 2008, the selected book will be used as the basis for class discussions, an essay contest, and other activities.

Previous College Books have been Year of Wonders, Lucky, Into Thin Air, Daughter of Fortune, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Tuesdays with Morrie, Tortilla Curtain, Kite Runner, and Enrique's Journey.

What's New in ARTstor

Recent additions to the ARTstor digital library are two new archives from the Negative Collection at the Frick Art Reference Library.

The first archive consists of over 3,000 large-format, glass plate negatives images produced by the Italian photographic firm of Sansoni and richly documents fresco cycles and other forms of architectural decoration throughout Italy. To find these images, from the ARTstor Welcome page click on “Image Gallery.” Choose “Sansoni Archive” to view all the images in this collection.

The second archive consists of nearly 4,000 large-format glass plate and nitrate negatives, as well as polyester “interpositives,” from A.C. Cooper and documents paintings as they passed through art auction galleries in London in the 1920s and 1930s. To find these images, from the ARTstor Welcome page click on “Image Gallery.” Choose “A.C. Cooper and Related Archives” to view all images in this collection.

The ARTstor digital collection contains approximately 400,000 images from many time periods and cultures, and documents the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and design, as well as many other forms of visual culture.

For information on how you can access and register for an ARTstor account visit our ARTstor information website at http://www.swccd.edu/~library/Docs/artstor0507.pdf .

Friday, May 04, 2007

This week in CQ Researcher

“Real ID,” by Peter Katel, May 4, 2007
Will the new driver’s license law make Americans safer?

Two years ago, Congress passed a law to toughen standards for issuing driver’s licenses—the main form of national identification. Seven state legislatures have already voted against putting it into effect in its present form, and 25 others are considering opposition. Critics argue Real ID licenses will create red-tape nightmares for millions of citizens—without making them safer. Proponents say the new law is needed because in some states current license standards have weaknesses terrorists can exploit. Meanwhile, another debate is under way on whether to raise standards for issuing Social Security cards.

Should Congress postpone, change or scrap the Real ID law?
Should Congress impose tougher conditions for obtaining Social Security cards?
Would stricter ID standards deter terrorists from operating in the United States?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm and click on CQ Researcher.
Select the Access Off Campus link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

This week in CQ Researcher

"Fixing Urban Schools," by Marcia Clemmitt, April 27, 2007

Critics argue that when Congress reauthorizes the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), it must retarget the legislation to help urban schools tackle tough problems, such as encouraging the best teachers to enter and remain in high-poverty schools, rather than focusing on tests and sanctions. Some advocates propose busing students across district lines to create more socioeconomically diverse student bodies. But conservative analysts argue that busing wastes students' time and that permitting charter schools to compete with public schools will drive improvement.


Has the No Child Left Behind law helped urban students?
Should governments make schools more racially and economically diverse?
Are teachers prepared to teach successfully in urban classrooms?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm and click on CQ Researcher.
Select the Access Off Campus link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

May e-book of the Month



Our eBook for the month of May's is The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle. Over the course of his long career, Bogle—founder of the Vanguard Group and creator of the world’s first index mutual fund—has relied primarily on index investing to help Vanguard’s clients build substantial wealth.

Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, The Little Book of Common Sense Investing will demonstrate how to capitalize on the index investment strategy. It will also change the very way you think about investing.

If you have already established a NetLibrary account through Southwestern College Library, visit http://www.netlibrary.com/ and log in. If you do not have a NetLibrary account, you can create an account from any computer on the Southwestern College campuses.For more information about NetLibrary or other services available through Southwestern College Library, please contact our Reference Desk at 619-421-6700 x5381, TTY 619-482-6490, by email library@swccd.edu or visit our Netlibrary webpage http://www.swccd.edu/~library/Lvl3/index.asp?L3=10.