Summer Cleaning

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Here at the library we are taking advantage of being closed so that we may provide you with clean areas for study and research.  The staff has been diligently dusting and vacuuming the book shelves all in anticipation of a new semester.  

See you all in August!

SWC libraries are closed

SWC Libraries are closed for the semester break.  

Libraries will open for fall semester on August 19. 

Have a question? Ask a librarian 24/7, even when the library is closed. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Need help?

Ask a Librarian

Real People

Real Help

24/7

Now that you've found the information...

... decide if it's good information. 

How to evaluate the quality of information in five easy steps:

Authority

• Is the author a qualified expert in the field?
• What is her/his occupation, position, education, experience?
• What are her/his credentials?
• Who endorsed or published the information?

Objectivity

• What is the purpose of publication? Does the material inform? Explain? Persuade?
• Are assumptions, personal bias and opinions clearly stated?
• Is information presented in a clear and reasonable fashion?
• Are conclusions supported by facts?
• Is the site supported by advertising or run by a business?
• Is the author affiliated with particular organizations, institutions, or associations?

Accuracy

• What were the author's sources?
• Was the work peer reviewed and/or edited?
• Is the work free of grammatical and typographical errors?
• Do facts and conclusions check out with other reputable sources?

Currency

• When was the work written and published?
• Are the author's sources up-to-date?
• Has the information been updated or revised?
• Is there provision for corrective feedback to the author?

Scope

• Is it clear what topics are covered?
• Are they covered in sufficient depth?
• What is their relevance to your research?

Have a question? Ask a librarian!

This Week in CQ Researcher

Telecommuting: Is working from home productive?

"Recent restrictions on telecommuting by tech giant Yahoo and retailer Best Buy are spurring debate over the merits of working from home. Some companies say allowing employees to telecommute reduces turnover and boosts profits. But Yahoo's leaders say collaboration and innovation suffer when everyone isn't in the office together. Advocates argue that telework has been crucial for parents and other caregivers struggling to balance work and family obligations. Yet, while the advent of mobile working — by smartphones, tablet computers and laptops — has helped workers remain productive, it also has led more and more people to labor long hours from home, often at night and on weekends. Global communication by email, videoconference and Skype has become so integral to business that some corporate leaders say they no longer see telework as a distinct form of work."

Read the entire report on the CQ Researcher database, which is accessible from off campus with the current passwords.

Have a question? Ask a librarian.

Check It Out

Politics and Society in Contemporary China
by Elizabeth Freund Larus
Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2012
New Book Shelf:  JQ1510 .L37 2012

"Elizabeth Larus begins with a broad sweep of China's modern history—from the imperial era to the present—providing essential context for understanding the current political environment. She then makes sense of the dramatic political, social, and economic changes that have occurred across some six decades. The result is a rich and detailed analysis that is both thought-provoking and accessible, appropriate for students at all levels." review from publisher

Check out this book for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card! Have a question? Ask a librarian.

Taking an online class for the first time?

Join us for an hour! We will cover the basics of what you need to know to get started with Blackboard and online learning.

No need to sign up in advance!