Monday, February 29, 2016

30-Minute Thursday - Join Us!


30-Minute Thursdays begin this Thursday, March 3! Join us for the LIBRARY JEDI ACADEMY. We will equip you with the tools you need to use the Library Force wisely in your research.

Remember -- all 30-Minute Thursday workshops are held at noon in L-244. No sign up is required, and you can ask your instructor if extra credit is available for attending.

See you at the Library!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Looking for articles on your topic?

Look no further.

The Library provides you with online access to thousands of articles from academic journals, newspapers, and magazines.

Not sure where to begin? Watch our brief video: SWC Library: Finding Articles.


Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Check It Out


The West Without Water by B. Lynn Ingram
University of California Press, 2013

New Book Area: QC903.2.U6 I54 2013
Available for four-week check out with your SWC photo ID card

"The West without Water documents the tumultuous climate of the American West over twenty millennia, with tales of past droughts and deluges and predictions about the impacts of future climate change on water resources. Looking at the region's current water crisis from the perspective of its climate history, the authors ask the central question of what is "normal" climate for the West, and whether the relatively benign climate of the past century will continue into the future. 

The West without Water merges climate and paleoclimate research from a wide variety of sources as it introduces readers to key discoveries in cracking the secrets of the region's climatic past. It demonstrates that extended droughts and catastrophic floods have plagued the West with regularity over the past two millennia and recounts the most disastrous flood in the history of California and the West, which occurred in 1861-62. 

The authors show that, while the West may have temporarily buffered itself from such harsh climatic swings by creating artificial environments and human landscapes, our modern civilization may be ill-prepared for the future climate changes that are predicted to beset the region. They warn that it is time to face the realities of the past and prepare for a future in which fresh water may be less reliable."--Publisher's website.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Otay Mesa? Visit the Library!

Taking a class at Otay Mesa? The Library offers a variety of great resources for you.


  • Research help from a Librarian
  • Research databases, e-books, and books to check out
  • Books delivered from main campus
  • Textbooks for on Reserve (for some classes)


Otay Mesa SWC Library
Spring Semester Hours

Monday: 9 am - 4 pm
Tuesday: 11 am - 6 pm
Wednesday: 11 am - 6 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 4 pm
Friday - Sunday: Closed


Hours for all four SWC Library locations are posted on the Library's Hours webpage.

See you at the Library!


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Have a question? We can help!





Chat with a librarian
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free research assistance
Available for all SWC students

Monday, February 22, 2016

Library Jedi Academy... Coming Soon!


30 Minute Thursdays begin in March!

Join us for one of our quick library workshops to help you stay on target for success. Topics include primary sources, career jumpstart, Lexis-Nexis, and our all-new LIBRARY JEDI ACADEMY (Use The Force Wisely).

Workshops are held every Thursday at noon in L-244 -- no sign up is required, and you can ask your instructor if extra credit is available for attending.

See you at the Library!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Saturday? We're open!


Looking for a quiet place to get some work done? We are open 10 am - 2 pm on Saturday!

See you at the Library.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Book or Movie: Which did it better?




























The film “Unbroken,” was directed by Oscar winning actress, Angelina Jolie, and is based on the dramatic, yet incredible story of Olympic winning athlete and war hero, Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell). The film explores the survival of three American soldiers, including Zamperini, after their plane crashed into the ocean during a mission that occurred during WWII. After surviving the crash, they were captured and held captive by the Japanese military for 47 days. During their captivity, Zamperini and his fellow comrades endured torture and starvation, which I felt was amazingly portrayed by the actors who starred in the film, one of the many reasons why I enjoyed the film more than the book itself.

Not only were the effects of the film spot on incredible, but the set designers for the film did an amazing job in taking the viewers back in time to the early 1930’s and mid 1940’s, when WWII was occurring. As a viewer we were able to visually experience significant parts of Zamperini’s life, his years as a juvenile delinquent, his leading candidacy in breaking the 4-minute barrier in the mile run, the beginnings of his self-discipline and training for distance running in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and his enlistment in the United States Army Air Corps in 1941.

I think most can agree with me on this, which is that the best part of the film is when Louis Zamperini is at the peak of having endured so much torture and harsh cruel treatment from the Japanese POW camp and his biggest tormentor, Mutsuhiro Watanabe. In this part of the film, Watanabe scolds and forces Zamperini to stand surrounded by his American troops, and carry a large, heavy, wooden bar. Most viewers and readers expected Zamperini to drop the bar, since he is at his weakest in the film. This was also expected by Watanabe, who was hoping to humiliate Zamperini in front of the troops that surrounded him.

Little did we know that this was actually his most strongest and triumphant moment, he held the 6 foot wooden bar for 37 minutes! This enraged Watanabe, since he envied the strength and pride that filled Zamperini. This is definitely a moment of pride not only for Zamperini himself, but for his troops, the viewers and the readers of this book, definitely a wonderful moment recreated and captured on film that I was not able to visualize with such preciseness as the film did.

Review by Library Student Worker, Nereyda Perez

Thursday, February 18, 2016

What happened on the day you were born?



Want to find out what news events occurred on the day you were born?

You can view, download or print a copy of the front page of the New York Times for the date you were born!

Here's how:

1. From the Library's databases, select "Historical Newspapers New York Times (ProQuest)"
2. Select "Publications"
3. Select "New York Times (1923 - Current file)"
4. Under "Browse Specific Issues" click on the 10 year range of the year you were born (such as 2000 - 2009) and then select the year, month and day you were born
5. Under the first article displayed, click on "Full-text PDF"
6. Click the "Page View-PDF" tab
7. Under "Download PDF" click the Print icon to display the entire front page of the newspaper!
8. To download or print, click the Adobe Reader Download or Print icons

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

Rachael Smithey, SWC Librarian

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Which was better? The book or the movie?

Did you like watching The Martian starring Matt Damon, or did you prefer the page-turning suspense of the book, The Martian, by Andy Weir?

Join us this semester to cast your vote for your favorite book made into a movie! Tell us which one is your favorite, and which one you think did it better -- the book or movie.

Add your pick to the whiteboard by the entrance, and other students will vote on it too. 

Need some inspiration? Library staff members have started the ball rolling with their own favorites, on display this Spring Semester in the main entrance area of the Library!



Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Tour the Library!


Take a tour of the Library this week!

Tours are at noon and 4 pm. No need to sign up -- just meet at the main entrance of the Library. We'll give you all the basics you need to know to have a successful semester!



Check It Out -- Suicide Awareness Month

Did you know that Southwestern College has a support system for personal wellness and mental health? It's located in the Cesar Chavez One Stop Center. Free workshops and appointments are available to all SWC students.

In the Library’s glass display case on the upper floor that there's a great title emphasizing the theme of suicide awareness. It is called, Cracked, Not Broken. It was written by Kevin Hines and published in 2013. Its call number is: RC464.H56 A3 2013.

This book and many others on this topic can be found through the SWC Library’s Search the Library Catalog webpage.

View full imageCracked, Not Broken is an autobiographical account of a 19-year old who survived an attempt to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. In the book, the reader learns that the author’s mental illness (bipolar disease) was one factor in his decision to attempt suicide. But, more importantly, the reader learns how the author finds the will to live with the help of time, hard work, and others’ support. This book provides insight to one of many factors that can lead to thoughts of suicide or committing this act.

Come to the library to see more Suicide Awareness-related titles on display this month.

Review by Arnold Josafat, SWC Librarian

Friday, February 12, 2016

SWC Libraries Are Closed

SWC Libraries are closed Friday, February 12 - Monday February 15 in observance of Presidents' Day

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.




Have a question while we're closed? Ask a Librarian!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Suicide Awareness Month

February is Suicide Awareness Month.

Stop by the top floor of the Library to visit our display on this important topic. Any of the items on display may be checked out for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card.




Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Closed Friday - Monday



All SWC Libraries are closed Friday, February 12 - Monday, February 15 in observance of the Presidents' Day holiday.

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, February 16.

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

Monday, February 08, 2016

Tour the Library!


Take a tour of the Library this week!

Tours are at noon and 4 pm. No need to sign up -- just meet at the main entrance of the Library. We'll give you all the basics you need to know to have a successful semester!