MGCC Library Blog

The DSLCC Library is currently closed due to the pandemic, and we miss our students! But did you know that you can always Ask a Librarian ? If you need assistance with an upcoming research project or if you have questions about using any of our online library resources, this is for you. On our site, you have the option to open a chat or to simply submit a question directly to us. Questions can be about focusing your research topic, beginning your search for sources, or locating more sources on your topic. Or if you have questions about how to use our online search features, you can also ask these here as well. Please note that Ask a Librarian is not to be used for medical or legal questions, and librarians do not provide opinions, interpretations, proofreading services, or citations. Please keep in mind that if you need questions answered overnight or outside of library hours, the librarian who assists you may not be from DSLCC. Also, please remember that the Dabney Library is current...

It's that time, again, folks. Yep. It's an election year. And this is going to be a big one. So, since today, Tuesday, September 22, is National Voter Registration Day , we thought we would share some resources to make sure that you don't miss out on this oh so important right. To start, you can check out the National Voter Registration Day website. From here, you can check your registration status and even go ahead and register to vote. You can also find lots of helpful resources  for safe voting during COVID-19 as well as ways to get involved in your community. Also, be sure to visit the Virginia Department of Elections . This site is a one-stop shop for Virginia residents, where you can: Register  to vote. Update  your voter information. Find  your polling place. Apply  to vote absentee by mail. Dates to Remember: Friday, September 18 - Early voting opens at local registrar's office. Tuesday, October 13 - Last day to register to vote. Friday, October 23 ...

 The Fall 2020 semester is now underway at DSLCC! It's definitely going to be different from past semesters, but we're excited nonetheless. With these new challenges, we just wanted to remind everyone that Dabney has some awesome resources available to assist you every step of the way, like the Achievement Center , Library , and Educational Foundation . The Writing Center  is also a phenomenal resource and is now offering online tutoring sessions via Zoom. Why you should use the Writing Center: Sara and Sherry are available to assist you at all steps  of the writing process! Develop and explore ideas Develop and support your thesis statements Gain writing strategies and brainstorm Acquire help with research Acquire help understanding assignment requirements Improve format, conventions, tone, and organization Create resumes, cover letters, personal statements, and scholarship essays Aquire help with proper citation and documentation (MLA, APA, and Chicago Style) Gain stra...

Summer is winding down, which means the Fall 2020 semester is upon us. And it's definitely going to be different than any other semester we've ever experienced. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of instruction at many colleges, Dabney included, will take place online. Sure, online learning has its downsides - instruction can't be as hands-on, students (especially first-year college students) miss out on the classroom experience, and it's more difficult to ask questions and have class discussions in real-time. This can be frustrating, but online learning truly has its perks, too. And while we're all in this together (hopefully temporarily) we should begin to appreciate the positive sides of learning online! First, you don't have to worry about what you're going to wear. Whether your class is online anytime or on Zoom with a set schedule, you don't have to think about finding a clean outfit that matches. You also don't have to think about what the we...

Information is everywhere nowadays. It's quite literally at our fingertips - easy to create, find, and share. While this definitely has its perks, it's so important  to know how to distinguish between sources that are credible and those that are fake. With a global pandemic still underway and protests against racial injustice and police brutality happening all over the nation, as well as being in the midst of a super important Presidential election year, we all need to remain informed and involved citizens. So, we've created a list of some of the most important questions to ask yourself when you come across news sources: Is this a satire or joke site? Check to see if the site on which an article is posted is a satire site, especially if it seems a little outlandish. The Onion is perhaps one of the most famous of these in the United States, but others include Big American News, CAP News, and National Report. A lot of times, these satire or joke sites will include a disclaim...

After the recent killing of George Floyd by a police officer -- along with countless others before him -- the nation has been breaking out into protests regarding racism and police brutality. One of the most important things, too, that we can do to combat racism is to educate ourselves, and there is no time like the present to pick up a book and learn all that we can. What effect does systematic racism have on the black community in this country? What does it encompass? What steps can we take, and what types of policies need to be put in place? We've put together a list of seven books that will help you to gain a better understanding of racism and the ways in which we can go about challenging it. Of course, this isn't a comprehensive list. There are  so many  books, articles, and essays about racism in the U.S. Please feel free to leave us a comment with any other books that you have found helpful. 1. White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk...

Welcome to the first week of the Summer 2020 semester! Because of the coronavirus pandemic, all Dabney courses have been placed online until Fall. Online learning may be new to a lot of our students, and even if it isn't, we could all use some helpful advice and reminders, right? The Library has put together a list of tips to help you manage your time and resources for more effective online learning. And don't forget: DSLCC's awesome faculty and staff are always here for you! 1. Establish a Routine Just like in-person classes have a set schedule, it's a good idea to create a routine for your online classes too. Choose a certain time of day that you know you're at your most productive -- maybe mornings work best for you, or evenings once your kids are in bed. It doesn't really matter when; just make sure that you choose wisely and stick to your routine as best you can. Set aside at least an hour per day, and use this time to complete your assignments, stu...

This post isn't necessarily library- or book-related, but in these uncertain and chaotic times of quarantine and social isolation, we thought we'd share some tips for remaining as stress-free as possible. We know how hard our students, faculty, and staff have been working during this pandemic (and always!), and we're so proud and so very appreciative of all that you do! We also know how hard it can be to balance your work life with your studies and family life, so here are some tips for keeping your cool: 1. Drink Plenty of Water I know how hard this one can be... when all you want is coffee or soda to just keep you going. But drinking lots of water is so important! Water is energizing, actually. And it's good for your skin, digestive system, airways, and all the other systems and cells in your body. While this might not be the most fun or the easiest way to take care of yourself, it's one of the most vital. So, be sure to drink plenty of water! 2. Ge...

It’s World Book Day, everyone! To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of nine awesome books from around the world that you can find at the DSLCC Library! 1. A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende - Spain Located in our Popular Reading section, “In the late 1930s, civil war gripped Spain. General Franco and his Fascists overthrew the government; hundreds of thousands fled over the mountains to the French border. Roser, a pregnant young widow, finds her life intertwined with that of Victor Dalmau, an army doctor and the brother of her deceased love. To survive, the two must unite in a marriage neither of them wants; Sponsored by poet Pablo Neruda, they embark on the SS Winnipeg along with 2,200 other refugees in search of a new life. Emigrate to Chile as the rest of Europe erupts in World War, they discover their trials are just beginning.” 2. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Nigeria Description from Penguin Randomhouse: “With effortless grace,...

It's National Library Week , everyone! The theme for 2020's Library Week is "Find your place at the library." Of course, this year, we're under stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, celebrating all the important things that libraries do is going to be a little different. Ways You Can Celebrate Libraries This Week: Check out some of the awesome resources the DSLCC Library offers: Ask a Librarian to answer any of your library- and research-related questions,  databases to help you find resources for your research projects, OverDrive to browse and check out awesome audiobooks, and  Films on Demand  and Feature Films for Education  to watch videos and movies for free. Remember, if you have any questions about any of these or need assistance, feel free to contact us at any time! Post about us on social media and use the hashtag #ThankYouLibraries. Post a picture of a book you checked out (pre-social distancing, of course) or maybe a p...

With the spread of the coronavirus, most of us have been stuck in our homes, practicing the new concept of social distancing in order to curb the spread. This has taken a lot of adjusting: classes switching from in-person to virtual, work going remote, and more. With all these changes, it's important that we all stop and take some time for ourselves to relax. And the DSLCC Library is here to help! We offer a variety of online resources to help you with your classwork and research assignments, but did you know we also have resources that just may help you with your stress relief goals too? 1. OverDrive The first of these awesome resources is  OverDrive . OverDrive is a service provided by the VCCS that allows you to browse and virtually check out thousands of amazing audiobooks. Using your myDabney username and password, you can search the catalog for fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, self-improvement, and more. If you love audiobooks, or if you're simply wanting to t...