Google Searching Tricks

A very useful feature in Google is the "site" search modifier. Using the word "site" allows you to specify a specific site or domain to perform a search.

For example, if I wanted to find a copy of the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar for Southwestern College, I could type the following into a Google search:

site:swccd.edu academic calendar 

The number one item on the results list is the PDF of the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar.

More Google tricks can be found in this article: https://searchengineland.com/top-10-search-modifiers-why-they-matter-what-they-are-how-to-use-them-173343

Enjoy!

Review by John Stanton, SWC Librarian 

Check It Out

Title: Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 : A Young Man's Voice from the Silence of Autism 
Author: Naoki Higashida
Publisher: Random House, 2017

Available for four week check out with your SWC photo ID card.
New Book Area Call Number: RC553.A88 H52 2017


Have you ever been curious about how other people see the world? What is their experience of everyday and unusual things? What does it feel to see color with music, or taste flavors when seeing colors?

Or living with autism?

The first movie that gave me an idea about the inner life of an autistic person was Temple Grandin. There are more movies and documentaries on this page https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/films-and-documentaries, that shed lights on this developmental disability. The majority of these films were created by people who were filmmakers, and people who had friends or relatives affected by this disorder.

However, the book Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 was written by a person who is autistic. Naoki Higashida’s autism was labeled severe and nonverbal. Because of this, he uses an alphabet grid to spell out words and sentences, which often can take a long time. Despite these difficulties, he won story-telling contests and published more than 20 books.

David Mitchell, who has a son with autism with similar severity, wrote this in the introduction of this book: “The title Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 is borrowed from a Japanese proverb about the merits of persistence, and the book offers experience, advice and hope. It pages map the limits placed by nonverbal autism upon its author’s life, but also describe how Naoki has been able to transcend, renegotiate or just learn to live with those same limits. The book shows how a disability can be turned into a field of endeavor and the pursuit of a purposeful life. If this is possible for Naoki, it may be possible for others, too.”

Review by Erika Prange, SWC Librarian 

Join us for 30 Minute Thursdays

(click image to zoom)

Join us on Thursdays for a FREE half hour workshop! All workshops are held at noon in Room L-244.

This Thursday we welcome you to the Library with our "Library 101" Workshop. We'll provide all the basics you need to know to get started with your research.

Ask your instructor if extra credit is available for attendance. We'll see you at the Library!

Have a question?

We can help.

Ask us now!

Chat with a librarian

Free research assistance

Available for all SWC students

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

We're open Saturdays!

Chula Vista Campus

Saturday Hours: 10 am - 2 pm

Check It Out

Title: The Psychology of Peace, An Introduction (2nd edition)
Author: Rachel MacNair
Publisher: Praeger, 2012
Format: eBook

"Despite our advances in technology and education, we still live in a world permeated by violence. This introductory textbook in the field of peace psychology addresses the psychological causes of violence and nonviolence, conflict resolution, nonviolent struggle, and the confluence of public policy and private lifestyles." -- provided by the publisher

The Psychology of Peace addresses the question "what causes violence, and what can be done to counter it?" In addition to providing an overview of psychological causes and effects of violence and non-violence, the text cites examples from history including wars and human rights movements.

The chapter entitled "Gentle Lives and Culture" offers several practical steps that we, as individuals, can take in our own lives in order to reduce the amount of violence in the world:

• improve listening skills
• parent with positive discipline
• reduce consumption of violence as entertainment
• eat a vegetarian diet
• perform positive social and environmental work 

Find this eBook in the library catalog or in the EBSCOhost eBook collection. eBooks are available remotely to all currently-enrolled SWC students, staff and faculty!

Review by Rachael Smithey, SWC Librarian

Career Confusion?

Are you ready to take the next steps in your college career?

If you are seeking information about vocational schools or universities, career guidance, or financial aid, SWC Library resources can help. Staff and currently enrolled students may access Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, a comprehensive database that allows you to cater your search to your needs.

Visit the Library’s website to begin searching today. Featured tabs include: Explore Industries, Plan Your Education, and Launch Your Career. Create an account and save search results to your folder for reference.

Get started today at www.swccd.edu/librarydatabases or stop by the Library for assistance!

Review by Tanya Carr, SWC Librarian

The Libraries are open!

SWC Library Hours:

Chula Vista
National City
Otay Mesa
San Ysidro

Library closed? We're still here!

We can help.

Ask us now!

Chat with a librarian

Free research assistance

Available for all SWC students

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Closed Until Tuesday

All SWC Libraries are closed Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 19, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, February 20.

Have a question during the long weekend? Ask a librarian chat service is available 24/7!

Welcome to Nexis Uni!

One of SWC Library's popular databases, LexisNexis Academic, is now Nexis Uni! New name, new platform. same content. Search global news, company information, and legal information. We’ve placed a direct link to Nexis Uni on our Articles and Databases website.


What does Nexis Uni search? 

This database contains news, legal cases, law reviews, company information and many other business, law and news publications ~ from over 15,000 full-text sources. Content includes sources such as the New York Times, U.S. Supreme Court decisions, company profiles, and SEC filings.

Is Nexis Uni available from off campus?

Yes! Southwestern Library resources accessed from off campus will first prompt the user for their Southwestern College MySWC username and password before providing full access.

How do I search Nexis Uni?

Users may search across ALL Nexis Uni resources at once, or search in specific modules (news, cases, law reviews, company info or a specific publication). Additional search tip and new feature tutorials are provided below


What are the new features of Nexis Uni?

• A free self-registration option allows users to create a Nexis Uni account that will allow you to save searches, and set up alerts to track new content. 
• Annotate, highlight and save portions of documents: simply select the text you wish to annotate/save/highlight, and the changes will appear on the right hand side under the "Notes" tab.
• Save documents to folders and share the folders via email, download or Dropbox. 

Watch Nexis Uni Tutorials on YouTube 

• Beginning Search Tips
• How to Use the Advanced Search
• How to Annotate and Share Documents
• Navigating Your Profile Settings
• How To Select Sources and Create Permalinks

Got additional questions, or need more help?

Visit the Library during our open hours 
Ask a Reference Librarian! Use our 24/7 Ask-Librarian Chat service!
Email: library@swcccd.edu 
Telephone: 619-482-6397

Review by Tony McGee, SWC Librarian

Check It Out - The Valentine Edition

Happy Valentine's Day!

The SWC Library has many books about romance, love, and the history of Valentine's Day. Ask a librarian for assistance if you are looking for something in particular to read.

What Love Is: and What it Could Be is a book written by Carrie Jenkins about the emotional, the sociological and the biological aspects of love, and how love continues to evolve.

To check it out this book for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card, first go to the third floor and find it under this call number: BD436 .J46 2017. Then bring it to the Circulation Desk to check out.

SWC Libraries Closed Friday - Monday

All SWC Libraries are closed Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 19, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Regular hours resume on Tuesday, February 20.

Have a question during the long weekend? "Ask a librarian" chat service is available 24/7!

Free tours of the Library -- TODAY!

Get your questions answered and learn all about the services and resources available to you as a SWC student.

Click the image below to see the full schedule of tours. Just meet us at the front door and we will cater the tour to your group's interests.

See you at the Library!

Free Tutoring in the Library

It's the third week of classes -- can you believe it? Do you feel a little overwhelmed?

Make an appointment with one of our tutors on the third floor of the Library. It's easy! The tutors are available to help you with a wide range of topics. Call 619-421-6700 extension 5198 today, or just stop by the third floor ITC Desk in the Library to make an appointment.

See you in the Library!

Patient No More: People with Disabilities Securing Civil Rights

Visit our New Exhibit!

Check It Out

February is Chocolate Lover’s Month!

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

Luscious Chocolate Desserts 

Author: Lori Longbotham 

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2004 

Call Number:  Stacks TX767.C5 L65 2004
Available for four-week check out with SWC photo ID.

Lucious chocolate desserts is a great cookbook for the chocolate lover. The author provides at least 70 recipes using chocolate in pies, tarts, cakes, puddings, and more. She also shares how they can be made at home easily or be found in a restaurant. Anyone who loves chocolate will learn to distinguish between cocoa and cacao, store it properly, and most important taste its range from bitter to sweet. 

Come to the library to see more Chocolate Lover’s Month-related titles on display.

Cheers!

Review by Arnold Josafat, SWC Librarian

Do you like chocolate?

February is Chocolate Lovers' Month

Check out the Library's display on the 3rd floor -- we have books, e-books, videos, articles, and more about chocolate!

Need help looking for a book? Researching a topic?

Ask us now!

Chat with a librarian

Free research assistance

Available for all SWC students

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Two tours today -- Join us!

Free tours of the Library begin today! Meet at the front door.

Get your questions answered and learn all about the services and resources available to you as a SWC student.

Click the image below to see the full schedule of tours.

See you at the Library!

Check It Out

In celebration of Black History Month, check out:"Celebrating Black History" from Leland Melvin's NASA Blog.

Want to know more? We have an autobiography about Melvin in our New Book Area. You may check it out for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card.

Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances

Author: Leland Melvin

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 2017

New Book Area

Call Number: TL789.85 .M46 A3 2017

Leland Melvin is the only person in history to catch a pass in the National Football League and in space. Though his path from the gridiron to the heavens was riddled with setbacks and injury, Leland persevered to reach the stars. While training with NASA, Leland suffered a severe injury that left him deaf. He was relegated to earthbound assignments but chose to remain and support his astronaut family. His loyalty paid off: after he recovered partial hearing, he earned his eligibility for space travel. He served as a mission specialist for two flights aboard the shuttle Atlantis, working on the International Space Station. In this memoir, the former NASA astronaut and professional athlete offers an examination of the intersecting roles of community, perseverance, and grace that align to shape our opportunities and outcomes. Chasing Space is not the story of one man but the story of many men and women, scientists and mentors, who helped him defy the odds and live out an uncommon destiny. The life story of Leland -- chemist, athlete, engineer, and space traveler -- is a study in the science of achievement.

--from publisher

Available All Week - Tours of the Library!

Get your questions answered and learn all about the services and resources available to you as a SWC student.

Tours begin at 12:30 and at 4 pm. Just meet us at the front door of the Library!

See you at there!

Have a question?

We can help.

Ask us now!

Chat with a librarian

Free research assistance

Available for all SWC students

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

February is Black History Month

February is Black History Month

Black History Month is an opportunity to educate ourselves and to celebrate the historical contributions of black people in the United States.

The Library has many books, articles, and videos written by and about African Americans. View a small sample of books about black history in our Library display in the Reference Area near the main entrance.

Have a specific topic or author you want to know more about? Just stop by the Reference Desk and the reference librarian can help. Or chat with the reference librarian 24/7.

Also, the Library of Congress has partnered with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to update the U.S. government site. Newly found information, including family histories and audio of the voices of slavery have been added to the online features of the official Black History Month site.