Database of the Week

Need to get some research done for your paper? Try CQ Researcher.

CQ Researcher is a database with in-depth coverage of many current issues. The reports are written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked. Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research. Graphics, photos and short "sidebar" features round out the reports. Shorter "Hot Topics" articles provide a solid introduction to subjects.

SWC students, faculty, and staff may access CQ Researcher from off campus by logging in with their username (WebAdvisor ID) and password (birthdate).

Otay Mesa Open House - Today!

Stop by the Otay Mesa Library! Meet one of our friendly library staff members and learn how to research what happened on the day you were born.

You can also enter the library's raffle to win a prize.

See you there!

Otay Mesa Open House 2014

Science Breakthroughs

2013 was a big year for science. 

DNA extraction by CIMMYT via Flickr

The peer-reviewed journal Science listed their top ten breakthroughs in science for the year. Another peer-reviewed journal, Nature, highlighted ten people who made a difference in science.

Biotechnology is making progress that could lead to the cure and prevention of cancers and and other health problems. San Diego's “Biotech Beach” is one of the largest biotech hubs in the world and a major employer for our region. Want to learn more?

"Biotech Beach: San Diego Ranked as Third Best Biotech Region in the Country." SD Metro Magazine Daily Business Report, March 11, 2014.

Fikes, Bradley J. "UCSD Ranked a Top 10 Biomed Research Center." San Diego Union Tribune, February 16, 2014.

If you think you may be interested in a career in biotechnology, here is some useful information about salary, required education, job outlook, and other useful information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 edition.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. "Biochemists and Biophysicists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. January 8, 2014.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. "Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. January 8, 2014.

Review by John Stanton, SWC Librarian

Check It Out

The Affluent Investor
by Phil DeMuth
Hauppauge, NY : Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2013
Call Number: New Book Shelf HG179 .D42 2013

Despite the title, this investment book is written for the layperson and is quite entertaining (the introduction is written by the economist and humorist Ben Stein). The first part of The Affluent Investor is aimed at anyone who is interested in making the most of his or her money (large or small). DeMuth explains how to increase your "human capital" by expanding your education, developing your personal skills, maintaining your integrity, living within your means, saving early and saving often, and investing based upon your stage in life.

The second part of the book is aimed at the active investor. Here DeMuth specifically outlines global investment strategies by (hilariously) speculating on how Flash Gordon's Emperor Ming would invest in Earth if he chose not to destroy the planet with his evil death ray. Emperor Ming would "buy a little of everything" which, in financial terms, is investing across the global market. DeMuth goes into great detail on how to develop such a balanced investment portfolio.

If you want guidance on growing and protecting your money (no matter how large or small), or if you are interested in learning specific investment strategies to make the most of the global market, this book is for you.

Books in the New Book Area may be checked out for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card.

Book Review by Rachael Smithey, SWC Librarian

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Website of the Week

The Royal Institute of Great Britain 

and its Christmas Lectures

2013 Christmas Lectures, Credit: Paul Wilkinson

The Royal Institution of Great Britain was founded in 1799. The founders’ goal was to introduce new technologies and to teach science to the general public. Education for the young in the sciences was fairly rare at that time. There had been science lectures at the Royal Institute for adults from 1800, but not for children.

Michael Faraday was one of the famous scientists who worked in the Royal Institute, and in 1826 he started the tradition to give lectures during the Christmas season. The lectures became popular during the years, only stopping during WWII. Topics were various from zoology to chemistry, and in the last decades it included space science, computers, history, music or geology, by famous scientists, such as Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins or David Attenborough: http://rigb.org/docs/christmas_lecturers_18252013_0.pdf .

You can watch previous televised lectures on the Royal Institute’s website. In the 20th century, the lectures also published as books to provide even wider audience for science.

Review by Erika Prange, SWC Librarian

Math is hard.

Get some help!

Whether it's math, writing, or computers -- there are many subjects the tutors in the Library can help with.

It's free for SWC students, and it takes just 30 minutes to meet with a tutor. Why not try it out?

• When: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• Where: Library ITC Desk, 3rd floor 
• What: Subjects include Accounting, Computers, English, Humanities, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. 

Appointments can be made at the ASC (Building 420) and the ITC Desk on the 3rd floor of the main Library.

Call the Library ITC Desk for more information: 619-421-6700 (x5198).

See you there!

Extended Hours Are Coming!

Do you wish you had more time to research and to write that paper that's due in May? Extended hours begin May 12!

Check It Out

When Someone Dies: The Practical Guide to the Logistics of Death
by Scott Taylor Smith with Michael Castleman,
Scribner, 2013
New Book Shelf: HQ1073 .S65 2013

When Someone Dies is a small book which is chock-full of practical information, advice, and checklists for what to do before, during, and after a person’s death. It is written not only for executors and trustees, although it is primarily directed towards those individuals; it is also for people want to know what things they can do ahead of time to make their death easier on their survivors.

The primary author, Scott Taylor Smith, says that he made costly and unnecessary mistakes when his mother died, because a practical book like this one did not exist. Smith is a partner at Viant Capital, a boutique investment bank and tech business. Michael Castleman is an award-winning journalist and writer. Since state laws vary, the reader who is also acting in an official capacity, such as an executor, is cautioned to consult an attorney in addition to reading this book.

Review by Ann Willard, SWC Librarian

Library Closed? We're still here!

24/7 Chat Reference Service

Real People, Real Help

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Closed for Spring Break

The SWC Libraries are closed April 14 - April 20. 

Regular hours resume Monday, April 21. 

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

Database of the Month

Looking for articles and statistics about a current issue? Try Opposing Viewpoints!

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center is a library database covering a wide range of topics. This searchable database organizes current issues into Topic Pages, where you can find a topic overview, current periodical articles, book chapters, statistics, primary sources, and hand-picked web sites on your topic.

Working from home? No problem. Just click on "Opposing Viewpoints" on the Library's Articles and Databases page. Enter your username (your WebAdvisor ID) and password (your birthdate) for full access to this database.

All of the Library's 35 databases are available to SWC students from off campus.

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

Check It Out

Narcoland : the Mexican drug lords and their godfathers

by Anabel Hernández
Verso, 2013
New Book Shelf: HV5840.M4 H4713 2013

Books in the new book section may be checked out for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card.

The product of five years' investigative reporting, the subject of intense national controversy, and the source of death threats that forced the National Human Rights Commission to assign two full-time bodyguards to its author, Anabel Hernández, Narcoland has been a publishing and political sensation in Mexico. 

 The definitive history of the drug cartels, Narcoland takes readers to the front lines of the "war on drugs," which has so far cost more than 60,000 lives in just six years. Hernández explains in riveting detail how Mexico became a base for the mega-cartels of Latin America and one of the most violent places on the planet. At every turn, Hernández names names--not just the narcos, but also the politicians, functionaries, judges and entrepreneurs who have collaborated with them. In doing so, she reveals the mind-boggling depth of corruption in Mexico's government and business elite. 

 Hernández became a journalist after her father was kidnapped and killed and the police refused to investigate without a bribe. She gained national prominence in 2001 with her exposure of excess and misconduct at the presidential palace, and previous books have focused on criminality at the summit of power, under presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón. 

 In awarding Hernández the 2012 Golden Pen of Freedom, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers noted, "Mexico has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with violence and impunity remaining major challenges in terms of press freedom. In making this award, we recognize the strong stance Ms. Hernández has taken, at great personal risk, against drug cartels."

Review from publisher website.

Spring Break

The SWC Libraries will be closed for Spring Break, April 14-20. Regular hours resume on Monday, April 21. Need help while we're closed? Ask a librarian!

Mark Your Calendars

Do you wish you had more time to research and study?

The SWC Library is pleased to announce extended hours at the Chula Vista campus Library, May 12 - May 29!

Why wait?

One-on-one, 30-minute FREE tutoring sessions for SWC students are available in the Library!

• When: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• Where: Library ITC Desk, 3rd floor 
• What: Subjects include Accounting, Computers, English, Humanities, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. 

Appointments can be made at the ASC (Building 420) and the ITC Desk on the 3rd floor of the main Library.

Call the Library ITC Desk for more information: 619-421-6700 (x5198).

 We hope to see you there!

Library closed? We're still here!

Chat service with a Reference Librarian is available 

24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Check It Out

Did you know there’s a great book related to National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Awareness Month in the Stacks collection?

It's called, Gendered Relationships. It's edited by Julia T. Wood. Mayfield Publishing Company published it in 1996. It is located on the library Stacks collection and its call number is HQ1075 .G467 1996.

This book is a great resource for students to learn about relationships between and within genders. Gendered Relationships provides insight into how people communicate, work, and live across not only gender lines, but also social and racial ones.

Cheers!

April is LGBT Awareness Month

Visit our display on the 3rd floor of the Library!

Books in the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Awareness Month display may be checked out for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card. Ask at the Circulation Desk for assistance.

Time to catch up! Here's some help.

One-on-one, 30-minute free tutoring sessions for SWC students are available in the Library!

• When: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• Where: Library ITC Desk, 3rd floor 
• What: Subjects include Accounting, Computers, English, Humanities, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. 

Appointments can be made at the ASC (Building 420) and the ITC Desk on the 3rd floor of the main Library.

Call the Library ITC Desk for more information: 619-421-6700 (x5198).

 We hope to see you there!