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Libraries Closed until April 3

Spring Break
March 26 - April 2, 2017
All SWC Libraries are closed

Have a safe and happy spring break. We will see you back on campus on Monday, April 3!

Rumor Has It

Snopes.com started out as a website dedicated to investigating urban legends in 1995.  They have been in the business of investigating information (e.g. false stories) for over 20 years. 

In December 2016, Facebook announced plans to address the issue of false information being placed on social media.  Snopes.com is one of the third-party fact checkers investigating items that have been flagged as disputed by users. 

Information on their history, funding, and relationship with Facebook can be found below in their own words. A good way to research a topic is to look at a variety of sources, consider each point of view, apply critical thinking skills, and make up your own mind.

Want to know more about Snopes? Read the following FAQs from their site.

http://www.snopes.com/frequently-asked-questions/

Q: Is everything on this site about ‘urban legends’?

A: In a strict folkloric sense, no. Urban legends are a specific type of folklore, and many of the items discussed on this site do not fall under the folkloric definition of “urban legend.” We employ the more expansive popular (if academically inaccurate) use of “urban legend” as a term that embraces not only urban legends but also common fallacies, misinformation, old wives’ tales, strange news stories, rumors, celebrity gossip, and similar items. 

Q: Why do you have some true stories listed as urban legends"?

A: An “urban legend” is not the same thing as a “fictional tale” or an “apocryphal anecdote,” although many people mistakenly use the term in that sense (e.g., “That’s not true; it’s just an urban legend!”). A tale is considered to be an urban legend if it circulates widely, is told and retold with differing details (or exists in multiple versions), and is said to be true. Whether or not the events described in the tale ever actually occurred is irrelevant to its About Us page. Information about site- and folklore-specific terms that may be unfamiliar to readers is to be found on the classification as an urban legend. For example, the tale about a student who mistakes a math problem thought to be unsolvable for a homework assignment and solves it is an urban legend, even though something very similar did once happen in real life. The tale is still an urban legend, however, because over the years many of its details (i.e., when it happened, where it happened, the identity of the student, the reaction of the student’s instructor) have changed as it has spread.​

Q: Who creates the material for this site?

A: We have a small staff of researchers and writers dedicated to investigating and analyzing rumors.

Q: How do I know the information you’ve presented is accurate?

A: We don’t expect anyone to accept us as the ultimate authority on any topic. Unlike the plethora of anonymous individuals who create and send the unsigned, unsourced e-mail messages that are forwarded all over the Internet, we show our work. The research materials we’ve used in the preparation of any particular page are listed in the bibliography displayed at the bottom of that page so that readers who wish to verify the validity of our information may check those sources for themselves.

Q: Who pays you to maintain this site?

A: Snopes.com is (and always has been) a completely independent entity which is wholly owned by its operators and receives no funding in any form. We have no financers, sponsors, investors, partners, or donors, nor do we have any affiliation or relationship (financial or otherwise) with any political party, religious group, business organization, government agency, or any other outside group or persons. We pay all the costs of producing and operating this web site ourselves and derive our income solely from the advertising revenues it provides.

Q: Are you funded by George Soros?

A: No, we are completely independent and self-supporting; we receive no funding in any form from any person, group, agency, or organization. And we wouldn’t recognize George Soros if we sat next to him on a bus.

Q: Why do you display ads for the same things you’re writing about? Are you being paid to write those articles?

A: Some of the advertising carried on our site is supplied by Google’s AdSense program, a system that scans the text of web pages and automatically displays ads for products and services related to keywords appearing on those pages. We have no control over which ads Google chooses to display on any given page, nor do we have any business relationships with those advertisers. Also, since we have a large and diverse variety of advertisements rotating through our site every day, and we cover a wide range of topics on our site, occasionally an advertisement for a particular business or product may display on a page that includes editorial content about that same business or product out of sheer coincidence. We are not (and never have been) paid or provided with any other form of remuneration in exchange for writing about a particular topic.

Q: Why do you have advertising on your site?

A:We have no financers, sponsors, investors, partners, or donors, so advertising is our sole source of revenue. Without ads, we couldn’t afford to operate this site as a free resource for everyone.

Q: Some of the ads on your site promote disreputable advertisers or cause problems with my computer. Why don’t you get rid of them?

A: We do our best to ensure the advertisements we carry on our site are as inoffensive as possible, and we filter out ads that advocate partisan political causes or candidates, flash excessively, contain adult material, play (non-user-initiated) audio, spawn multiple windows, automatically trigger downloads, install malware, or misleadingly claim visitors have won contests or report the presence of viruses or spyware. However, with several thousand different advertisers rotating through our site on a daily basis, we can’t possibly preview every advertisement appearing on our site (and vet all the sites they link to), so sometimes we’re not aware we’re carrying an ad that violates these guidelines until a reader points it out to us. (Some advertisers deliberately change their names from month to month or furtively switch pre-approved ad copy in order to bypass filters and fool advertising agencies and webmasters who have previously excluded their ads.) If you find an advertisement on our site that violates any of the guidelines mentioned above, please use our “Contact Us” form to send the details (e.g., name of the advertiser, description of the ad, a screen capture of the ad) to us, and we’ll investigate removing it from our site. Please note that without these details (especially screenshots) it is often difficult for us to identify a particular problem as many ads are geo-targeted to specific countries or regions of the U.S., and if the geotargeting excludes the area where we live, we can’t see the ads for ourselves.

http://www.snopes.com/2016/12/15/snopes-com-facebook-fake-news-initiative/

The growing proliferation of fake news and other misinformation via social media over the past few years has prompted a public outcry for better methods of discerning and coping with the spread of falsehoods — an effort which has long been central to our mission as the oldest and most trusted fact-checking web site on the Internet.

Since our inception in 1995, snopes.com has been dedicated to providing accurate, impartial analyses of rumors, hoaxes, fake news, propaganda, and whatever other forms false information may take.

On 15 December 2016, Facebook announced a new initiative aimed at confronting the increasing volume of misinformation online by enhancing users’ ability to report questionable posts and providing a mechanism by which their accuracy can be evaluated by third-party fact checkers and flagged where appropriate as “disputed,” so that social media users can learn more and make informed choices before sharing them. We have agreed to participate in this experiment alongside other well-regarded fact checking sites.

In doing so, the ownership and editorial staff of snopes.com wish to reiterate our commitment to accuracy and impartiality. Our core mission will not change. We expect to derive no direct financial benefit from this arrangement, nor will we ever relinquish our independence as a fact-checking organization. Our goal is to help empower Facebook users to better control and enhance their own online experience, and we believe that increasing the flow and visibility of accurate, vetted information is one of the best ways to do that.

Review by John Stanton, SWC Librarian 

Open on Saturday!

We are open this Saturday, March 25! Take advantage of one last study day at the Library before Spring Break.

On Saturday we are open 10 am - 2 pm.

We will be closed Sunday, March 26 - Sunday, April 2. Regular hours resume on Monday, April 3, 2017.

See you at the Library!

Spring Break

Spring Break
March 26 - April 2, 2017
All SWC Libraries are closed

Have a safe and happy spring break. We will see you back on campus on Monday, April 3!

More Scholarship Opportunities

Sick of eating ramen? Can’t afford your textbooks? Just tired of being broke? It’s time to start applying for more scholarships! There are so many scholarships available for many different types of need, but sometimes it can be daunting to find them. Enter the online library!

Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center is a great library resource you can use to get scholarship information. To access Ferguson’s, visit our Articles & Databases page. Scroll down the page until you see the link for Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center. Once you’re in the Ferguson’s database, click on the Plan Your Education link at the top, and you’ll see a link to Financial Aid Directories.

Now, you can search for particular scholarships or browse by your field of study or background. Below, you’ll see a snapshot of just some of the scholarship types that are available to students.

Other scholarship sites include:

• Scholarships.com
• FastWeb

And, be sure to check out the SWC Financial Aid Department’s page on Scholarships, as well:

Find your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and apply for some scholarships today!

Review by Lauren McFall, SWC Librarian

What is a Primary Source?

Primary sources, secondary sources -- what's the difference?

Join us for a free half-hour workshop on Thursday!

We'll provide a brief overview of how to find the right kind of source using the best tools available.

30 Minute Thursdays -- Primary Sources

Noon - Room L-244

Time to catch up!

Missing that hour we lost to Daylight Savings Time?

The Library can help!

• Saturdays. The Library is open on Saturdays 10 am - 2 pm. What better way to catch up than study rooms, air conditioning, computers, and librarians who are ready to help you with your research!

• Early Bird? The Library opens at 7:30 am, Monday - Friday.

• Night Owl? The Library is open until 9 pm, Monday - Thursday.

• Tutoring. Tutoring is available in the Library. For more information, call 619-421-6700 extension 5198.

• Have a question? Can't make it to campus? That's ok -- librarians are ready to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Library's Chat Reference Service.

Got your tickets to Comic Con?

Going to Comic Con this year? Stop by the Library and check out our collection of over 80 comics and graphic novels!

Categories include:

Comics like The Walking Dead

Autobiographical comics like Tomboy

Graphic nonfiction like The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA

Graphic fiction like Summer Blonde

And even books ABOUT comics, like Graphic Novels: Everything You Need to Know

or Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel

 All of these graphic works are available for four-week checkout with your SWC photo ID card.

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

The Big Lebowski

The Dude Abides

Celebrate the anniversary release of The Big Lebowski this March by tuning into watch it using the Library’s Streaming Service, Swank.

 Never seen The Big Lebowski? This Coen Brother movie is a cult classic that many call a must-see. Roger Ebert called this film “weirdly engaging”. But, that’s just, like, his opinion, man. The movie focuses on protagonist The Dude: AKA Jeffrey Lebowski, who is mistaken for another person by the same name. There’s a loose plot involving a kidnapping, but what makes this movie special is the attention to its characters and the quotes.

Maybe The Big Lebowski is out of your element. Don’t be a nihilist - check out any of the fantastic films on Swank today! From comedy to horror, you’re sure to find a movie you’ll love!

Review by Lauren McFall, SWC Libarian

National City Library

The SWC Library at the Higher Education Center (HEC) at National City is open!

Stop by to see if we have your textbook on Reserve or for assistance with your research. A librarian are available whenever the Library is open.

HEC - National City Library Hours

Monday: 8 am - 12 pm

Tuesday: 8 am - 12 pm

Thursday: 11 am - 3 pm

See you at the Library!

30-Minute Thursday -- Join us!

Fake News: Be a Smart Skeptic

It's more essential than ever that we know how to critically evaluate information. These days, there are so many factors involved in both the production of information and the way in which information is disseminated.

On top of the variety in quality of information out there, we bring our own points of view to the conversation. We tend to seek out information that we agree with (confirmation bias). We use social media for brief updates, but we don't always read everything thoroughly. We might tend to rely on just one or two sources for news.

Join us on Thursday to learn more about how to avoid the Fake News trap! Learn how to be a smart skeptic.

 

Ask your instructor if extra credit is available for attending.

Where: L-244

When: Thursday, March 16, at noon

What: Fake News: Be a Smart Skeptic

We are open on Saturday!

Need to catch up? We have computers, study rooms, and research assistance at the Library for you! And don't forget the air conditioning. :-)

We're open on Saturdays 10 am - 2 pm.

See you at the Library!

Otay Mesa Library

The Library at the SWC Higher Education Center (HEC) at Otay Mesa 

Are you taking classes at the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa? Well the Library is here for you. Come see us upstairs in the 4200 building. Librarians are available to help you Monday & Thursday from 9:00-4:00 and Tuesday & Wednesday from 11:00-6:00.

Whether you need help with research, or printing, or just a quiet place to study we have 91 chairs and 26 computers just waiting for you. Need a group study room? We’ve got those too! With over 2500 books on the shelves and all the databases and e-books available system wide, we’re sure we can help find what you need.

The Otay Mesa Library houses materials to support the Nursing program as well as all the fire code regulation documentation you could ever want. It also has a full collection of materials on general subjects including history, sociology, humanities, literature, psychology, writing, and more!

Next time you’re on campus stop in and say hello. Don’t forget that we’re here for you after hours too! Students can get in touch with a librarian 24 hours a day from the library homepage (http://www.swccd.edu/library).

Review by Sarah Way, SWC Librarian

Check It Out

March is Irish-American Heritage Month! 

 Did you know in the library’s Ebooks collection there's a great title honoring this theme to check out?

The Columbia Guide to Irish American History 
Author: Timothy J. Meagher
Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2005.
Electronic Book Collection

This e-book is accessible through the library’s EBSCOhost E-book Collection. Go to the Articles & Databases page on the Library's website and select the Electronic Book Collection (EBSCOhost). Type the title information and click on “PDF Full Text” or “EPUB Full Text” to start reading on your internet-connected computer or mobile device.

The Columbia Guide to Irish American History was originally published in print in 2005. It provides a historical overview, debates by various historians, an annotated bibliography, a chronology of key events, and a biographical glossary of important individuals. This work also compares the Irish experiences in Canada, Britain, and Australia.

Moreover, this title highlights Irish migration patterns and the impact of the Catholic Church on the immigrant experience. It also shares how Irish Americans influenced U.S. politics and modern urban popular culture. 

Come to the library to see more Irish American Heritage-related titles on display.

Slainte!

Review by Arnold Josafat, SWC Librarian

Irish-American Heritage Month

March is Irish-American Heritage Month

Visit our display on the third floor of the Library! We have books, e-books, articles, and streaming videos on this topic. Have a question about finding more resources on this topic? Ask a librarian.

Do What You Love

Still figuring out your career options? Join us for a free half-hour workshop on Thursday!

We'll show you some excellent resources about your dream career, and you may even discover a an inspiring career option that you haven't even thought of yet!

30 Minute Thursdays -- Career Research

Noon - Room L-244

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

A Good Movie To Watch

Databases aren’t just for research. Case in point, A Good Movie to Watch is a database about… you guessed it… finding a good movie to watch. 

Maybe you’ve exhausted your Netflix options or Hulu hasn’t paid off. Fear no more, because A Good Movie to Watch recommends movies based on the subscription service you already have. 

You’re probably thinking, isn’t Netflix a database, as well? And, you are totally right! I told you databases aren’t just for research. So why bother with A Good Movie to Watch database when your streaming services already give you movie recommendations? The reason is that, unlike the algorithms that are used to generate recommended films based on things you’ve already watched, A Good Movie to Watch handpicks films that are highly-rated and not as widely known. 

Pick a movie based on your Mood, browse Staff Lists, or use the Random feature to let A Good Movie to Watch do the work. I hit the Random link myself and was pleased with the results. If I were Roger & Ebert, I might give this database two thumbs up. 

https://agoodmovietowatch.com 

Review by Lauren McFall, SWC Librarian

Win an iPad Mini -- DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 5

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 March 5, 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 March 5, 2017.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Academic E-Books

Can’t make it to the library in person?  Do you need quality resources but the library isn’t open?

It doesn’t matter because your library has FREE FULL TEXT E-books!  Access them through the SWC Library website using the Library Catalog. or the Articles and Databases page.    

Remote access is available to over 38,500 books on a wide variety of subjects.  In the pictures below you can see one example of a display that was created for students interested in health sciences, nursing, or medicine.

 

Ask a librarian at the reference desk or chat with a librarian to find out how to narrow your search to find the E-books you need to write your paper or find that last great resource for your presentation.  You can also email questions to Library@swccd.edu

Review by Nate Martin, SWC Librarian

Check It Out

What are you saying without saying a thing? 

You can tell a tale with your body, and in this book, ex-FBI agent Joe Navarro will teach you how to read nonverbal communication like a pro. After reading the book you will be more aware of what other people are trying to hide or communicate to you, and also about your own involuntary hidden messages.

 

What Every Body is Saying; An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People
by Joe Navarro with Marvin Karlins, Ph.D.
Call Number; BF637.N66 N38 2008

Joe Navarro is an ex-FBI agent who specialized in nonverbal communication. The book is full of interesting real life examples of catching spies based on their body language.

The book is logically organized by going through the body parts from feet to face. Navarro tells the importance to find the base line for someone’s behavior and watch for changes.

The author explains that the most honest part of our body is our legs and feet, not our face. We learn how to hide our thoughts with facial expressions, but don’t think of hiding our leg and feet movements.

Next time you are at an interview, watch your leg/feet go into motion at an unpleasant question - if you can. The movement, or a sudden stop if you jiggled your feet, is automatic, and people often don’t even notice it.

The book is full with photos and figures of body language examples.

Southwestern College Library has two copies of this book, at the Main Campus library and at HEC National City. The call number is BF637.N66 N38 2008.

If you like to read more works from the same author, we have two ebooks available:

1. Advanced interviewing techniques [electronic resource] : proven strategies for law enforcement, military, and security personnel / by John R. Schafer and Joe Navarro. 
2. Hunting terrorists : a look at the psychopathology of terror / by Joe Navarro, M.A., FBI Special Agent (Ret.). 

Review by Erika Prange, SWC Librarian