Spend 30 Minutes with Us

Never been to the Library? 

Have a question about how to start your research?

Join us on Thursday for a Library 101 workshop. We will go over all of the basics you need to know about the Library. Ask your instructor if extra credit is available for attending.

Where: L-244

When: Thursday, March 2, at noon

What: Library 101

Have a question?

Ask us now!

Chat with a librarian

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Free research assistance

Available for all SWC students

Oscar Watch: Hidden Figures

Oscar Best Picture nominee, Hidden Figures, is based on a book that describes the experiences of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden -- four African-American women who, as mathematicians at NASA, contributed to some of America's greatest achievements in space.

Read the original inspiration for the movie, Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. It's available for four-week check out with your SWC photo ID card. You can find it in the New Book Area (call number:QA27.5 .L44 2016).

Interested in knowing more about these trailblazing women? Find detailed biographical information about each of them in the Library's Biography in Context Database.




There are even more resources available through your Library. Have a question? Ask a librarian!

Essay Contest - Win an iPad Mini!

College Book Essay Scholarship

The Friends of the Library sponsors a College Book Essay Scholarship each spring. Students are asked to write an essay on a topic related to the annual College Book, and the winner receives an iPad Mini! The scholarship application period ends on February 28, 2017.

To enter, you must first read this year's College Book selection: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It is available for 7-day check out at the Reserve Desks at the Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro Libraries. Ask for it at the Circulation Desk with this call number: E185.615 .C6335 2015.

After you read the book, read the prompt in the SWC Scholarship Application. You must write your essay and submit it by February 28, 2017.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Four SWC Libraries -- We are ready to help you!

We're glad you're here.

SWC Library Hours

January 30 – May 26, 2017

Monday – Thursday: 7:30 am – 9 pm

Friday: 7:30 am – 2 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm

HEC Otay Mesa Library

Monday & Thursday: 9 am - 4 pm

Tuesday & Wednesday : 11 am - 6 pm

Friday- Sunday: Closed

HEC San Ysidro Library

Monday & Tuesday: 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Wednesday & Thursday: 8 am - 11:30 am

Friday- Sunday: Closed

HEC National City Library

Monday & Tuesday: 8 am - 12 pm

Thursday: 11 am - 3 pm

Friday- Sunday: Closed

SWC Libraries Are Closed

The SWC Libraries are closed February 17 - February 20 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

"Alternative Facts" got you down?

Mark your calendar -- 30 Minute Thursdays begin March 2

Happy Anniversary!

Stop by the Library and join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SWC College Book.

All of the previous College Book selections are highlighted in our spring semester display. You may check out any of the books for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card.

This year's College Book selection, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, is available for 7-day check out at the Reserve Desks at the Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro Libraries.

The Friends of the Library sponsors a College Book Essay Scholarship each spring. Students are asked to write an essay on a topic related to the annual College Book, and the winner receives an iPad Mini! The scholarship application period ends on February 28, 2017. 

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Fake News?

We hear a lot about "Fake News" lately... what exactly is Fake News?

Definition of Fake News
Fake News is completely false information. It is created by an author who knows it is completely false information, but has purposefully attempted to make it look real to try to spread misinformation.

Why?

The motives for Fake News are either economic (the author makes money from advertising every time someone clicks); or political/social (the author wants to direct public opinion).

Fake News is NOT:

• Bias -- Information may contain opinion, but that doesn't automatically make it Fake News.
• News You Disagree With -- You may not like a particular news article, but that doesn't mean it's Fake News.

Examples of Fake News

Here are some recent examples of Fake News that are completely false and were created either to make money through advertising or because of a political/social agenda.

Bogus Ballot Stuffing Story

Pope Warns About Fake News -- From Experience

Want to know more about how to identify Fake News? Here's a handy quick guide, created by Michele Kirschenbaum, a Librarian at EasyBib.

We are also offering a 30-Minute Workshop on the topic of Fake News -- join us in Room L-244 at noon on March 16 or April 20.

For more assistance on this topic -- or any other aspect of your research -- Ask a Librarian!

Libraries Closed Feb 17 - Feb 20

The SWC Libraries are closed February 17 - February 20 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Library closed? We're still here!

Ask us now!

Chat with a librarian

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Free research assistance

Available for all SWC students

Check It Out

February 2017 is American Heart Month!

Did you know in the library’s collections there's a great title about this theme to check out?

American Medical Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease

Author: Martin S. Lipsky

Publisher: J. Wiley, 2008.

Main Library Stacks Collection Call Number: RC672 .L57 2008

This informative book provides guidelines on how to prevent or treat heart disease.  The American Medical Association highlights the most common forms of heart and blood vessel disease, suggests practical strategies to improve one’s health, and shares how women have unique heart disease risks.  

This book describes tips for a healthier life, including preventing, testing, and treating heart disease.  

Stop by the library to see more American Heart-related titles on display.

Cheers!

Review by Arnold Josafat, SWC Librarian

Welcome to the Library

Looking for a Textbook?

Looking for a textbook and want a deal? The campus bookstore is a great option for new and used textbooks, but you can always check textbook prices online.

Buy Textbooks
Use so called aggregated search engines, such as Chegg.com, ValoreBooks.com, Directtextbook.com, and Textbooks.com, where you can search for textbooks by title and edition, and compare prices among 50+ online vendors.

Rent Textbooks
Consider renting textbooks from online stores; the prices are reasonable and the rental options are endless – from 3 days to several months.

Borrow Textbooks
And don’t forget about your campus library! Many instructors place textbooks “on-reserve”; this means that you ask for them at the library counter and use them in the library for two hours.

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

Review by Svetlana Kondratenko, SWC Librarian

Today! Tours at noon and 4 pm

Stop by the Library for a brief tour of all of the wonderful services and resources that are available to you as a SWC student.

No need to sign up -- just meet at the Library entrance.

See you there!

Library Tours
Tuesday 2/7 - Thursday 2/9:
Noon
4 pm

Friday 2/10:
10 am

February is Heart Month

American Heart Month is an event focusing on heart disease, nutrition, fitness, and heart health awareness.

Visit the Library's display on the third floor of the Library. We have books, e-books, articles, and videos on this topic!

Join us for a Tour!

Stop by the Library for a brief tour of all of the wonderful services and resources that are available to you as a SWC student.

No need to sign up -- just meet at the Library entrance. See you there!

Library Tours
Monday 2/6 - Thursday 2/9:
Noon
4 pm

Friday 2/10:
10 am

Angela Davis is coming to SWC

SWC Speaker Series

Author, educator, and activist Angela Davis will be speaking at Southwestern College on March 15 at 6 pm in the Gym. The topic of her presentation is "Education vs. Incarceration."

The Speaker Series announcement of this event has information about how to obtain a free ticket.

In the meantime and in preparation for her visit, check out some of the books in the SWC Library by and about Angela Davis! Want to know more? Ask a librarian.