Check it out

Thin is the New Happy
Author: Valerie Frankel
Call#: New Book Shelf PS3556 R3358 Z46 2008
Reviewer: Tanya Carr, SWC Librarian

I would have assumed by the title of this book, Thin is the New Happy, that this would be another diet "revelation" to help us poor women struggle through another regime, only to fail. On the contrary, Frankel poignantly takes us through a memoir of self-discovery. She shares with readers her first experience with dieting at the mere age of 11, uncovers the truth about her lifelong weight-loss struggle, and shares with us how she ultimately overcame her struggle.

Over 2,600 New Electronic Books

We have added over 2,600 new electronic versions of print books into our Library Catalog. Our eBook collection has also been enhanced with features such as links from the Table of Contents, an embedded dictionary, full-text searching and the ability to add notes. You can read full-text eContent books page-by-page, or chapter-by-chapter. You can also search for specific content within the full-text of an eBook.

Take advantage of our electronic book collection. No library card is required! Use the Library Catalog to search over 21,000 electronic books in our library collection.

For off campus use you must first create a netLibrary e-book account from any on-campus computer. Visit netlibrary.com while on campus to create your account.


For additional information, questions or help visit the library's reference desk or call 619-421-6700 x5381 and speak with a reference librarian

This Week in CQ Researcher

Regulating Toxic Chemicals by Jennifer Weeks, January 23, 2009


Do we know enough about chemical risks?


Chemicals are integral to many everyday products, from electronics and toys to building materials and household goods. But environmental, health and consumer advocates say the agencies responsible for protecting Americans from exposure to harmful chemicals are allowing too many dangerous substances into the market without testing them for toxicity.


Chemical manufacturers say the existing regulatory system works effectively and can be tightened to address new concerns, but critics argue that a precautionary approach – which would require producers to show that materials are safe before they can be marketed – would protect consumers more fully.

• Do we know enough about chemical risks?
  
• Are we commercializing nanotechnologies too quickly?
  
• Would stricter regulations hurt manufacturers and consumers?

To read this article and others visit our Articles and Databases webpage and click on CQ Researcher. Select the Remote Access link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

FACTS.com Issues and Controversies

This online database provides in-depth investigations of todays top issues. Their latest cover story is on deficit spending.

Should the government spend large amounts of money to stimulate the struggling economy, even if it means incurring large budget deficits? Or is it more important to reduce the current deficit and balance the federal budget?

To read more about deficit spending and other controversial issues in FACTS.com visit the library's website and select the Articles and Databases tab and click on FACTS.com: Issues and Controversies. Select the Remote Access link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

This Month in CQ Global Researcher

This month in CQ Global Researcher the topic is the Future of NATO by Roland Flamini.

Is the transatlantic alliance obsolete?

During the Cold War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was the West’s line of defense against possible Soviet aggression. But the end of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the disappearance of NATO’s communist equivalent – the Warsaw Pact – raised doubts about NATO’s relevance.

Some of the issues discussed and explored this month are

• Is NATO obsolete?
• Should energy security become a new NATO responsibility?
• Can NATO effectively address international terrorism?

To read this month's coverage in CQ Global Researcher and other informational resources visit our Articles and Databases webpage and click on CQ Global Researcher. Select the Remote Access link for information on how to access this resource from off campus locations.

January e-book of the Month

Move Yourself: The Cooper Clinic Medical Director's Guide to All the Healing Benefits of Exercise (Even a Little!)
by Tedd Mitchell, Tim Church, Martin Zucker 2008

Exercise can decrease your risk of heart disease, improve your memory and your mood, help you sleep better, and slow down the aging process. And yet most of us can find plenty of excuses for not exercising. In this surprising new guide from the medical director of the world-renowned Cooper Clinic, you'll discover how, in just minutes a day, you can dramatically improve your health—without running a marathon, joining a gym, or even breaking a sweat.

Move Yourself offers an innovative, easy-to-follow prescription for infusing your daily life with just a few minutes of low-dose physical activity—and reaping big health benefits from the start.


Move Yourself will be provided with free, unlimited access through January 31.


If you have already established a NetLibrary account through Southwestern College Library, visit http://www.netlibrary.com/ and log in to read "Move Yourself" or any of our other 19,000 electronic book titles from your home, work or any other off campus location.


If you do not have a NetLibrary account, you can create your own account from any computer on the Southwestern College campuses. Visit our NetLibrary information page .

Easy Off-Campus Access to Library Databases

Southwestern College library provide access to a wide range of licensed databases (EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier, Lexis Nexis, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, CQ Researcher, New York Times, San Diego Union, Consumer Health, Oxford English Dictionary, etc.) for SWC students, faculty, and staff. You can access over 50 databases from an off-campus location ( home, office, etc. ) with a library provided username and password.

To receive this semester's list of usernames and passwords use our online password request form at http://www.swccd.edu/~library/PasswordRequest .

Currently enrolled students will receive the spring semester list of usernames and passwords within minutes by email.

Take advantage of thousands of online resources available to you from your computer keyboard, check them out on our Articles and Databases website http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm

You could win $250 in the essay contest!

Once again the Friends of the SWC Library/LRC are sponsoring an essay contest for currently-enrolled SWC students. There will be two prizes of $250 each. The essay prompt is based on this year's College Book, Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility by Patricia Santana.

Choose a character from Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility and explain to what extent you find the character likeable. Explain which elements of the character’s personality and actions appeal to you in some way, which elements are less appealing to you, and the reasons you reacted that way to the character. Give examples from the book to illustrate your point of view.

The essay must be the student's original work, submitted electronically to essaycontest@swccd.edu before 4 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2009. Late entries will not be accepted. Prizes will be given at the Student Awards Ceremony in May.

The essay must be at least one page but no more than three pages, double-spaced and will be judged on originality of thought, clarity of expression, and how well it answers the prompt. A separate page (not counted as one of the three maximum) must give the writer's name, SWC ID#, address, email address, and telephone number. This page will be separated from the essay and a code assigned so that the judges will not know the identity of the writer. No identifiers (name, ID #, etc.) are to appear in the essay itself.

Questions? Call Diane Gustafson in the Library, 482-6433, or email dgustafson@swccd.edu.

Spring orientations for online students

Enrolled in on online class? Spend 60 minutes with us first.

Attend a one-hour intro session and learn about SWC’s Blackboard Online Learning System. For a complete schedule of orientation sessions, visit the Online Learning Center help site: http://www.swccd.edu/~olc/OnlineOrientations.htm

Free, no signup necessary. Please be on time.