MGCC Library Blog

The Fall 2021 semester is well underway, and we hope that you're taking advantage of the multitude of resources DSLCC provides! One of these wonderful resources is the Writing Center, located in the Library in Scott Hall. Read on for more information: Why you should use the Writing Center: They 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 strategies for improving grammar How to set up an appointment: Send an email to Sara Burkholder at sburkholder@dslcc.edu to request an appointment. Please be sure to include your name, question(s), and a requested appointment time in y...

The DSLCC Testing Center is currently proctoring the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) remotely via Proctorio. Students applying to the DSLCC Nursing Program must first take and pass the TEAS. Read on for more information! The ATI TEAS test comprises 170 questions set up in a multiple-choice format with four-option answers. Questions are designed to test the basic academic skills you will need to perform successfully in the areas of: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage. This semester's upcoming test sessions are as follows: September 20, 4pm September 27, 10am October 6, 4pm October 11, 4pm October 20, 10am October 25, 10am You may register by visiting https://atitesting.com/teas/register/ . Choose the TEAS Online option. Once you click the Register Now button, choose "Institution Remote Proctor - Nursing" from the drop-down menu. Next, choose VA from the state drop-down menu and then choose Dabney S. Lancaster CC. You will then be able to selec...

The Fall 2021 semester is officially underway! Of course, the last few semesters have been anything but normal, and we're excited to see everyone's (masked) faces in the library this Fall! Read on for information about some of the awesome services provided by the DSLCC Library. Books and Databases: Our library is home to over 34,000 books. All you need is your Student ID in order to check out books for research or to just read for fun. The general book collection is located in the stacks area in the back of the library, and we also have a popular reading section located in the front. We also offer a variety of databases that house peer-reviewed journal articles to assist you in your research. Search our catalog here . If you need assistance finding books or articles, feel free to ask a library staff member! Computers and Printing: Computers with high speed Internet access are available to use free-of-charge, for students as well as community patrons, and are located througho...

Did you know that Tutor.com is an amazing (and free!) online resource that's available to our students right from Canvas? Simply log in to myDabney, access your course within Canvas, and select the Tutor.com option to have 24/7 access to tutors! Once you've selected the Tutor.com option in Canvas, choose your specific subject in order to immediately connect with a tutor, either via chat or via chat+voice. You can also choose to schedule a tutoring session with a specific tutor of your choosing - be sure to choose your subject from the drop-down menu. Tutor.com tutors can assist you with things like studying, test prep, and homework help. Please note that they'll help you solve problems and reach the solutions on your own, without giving you the answers directly. The best part? Tutor.com is FREE to currently enrolled DSLCC students. And tutors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - except on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Reme...

Do you have a research project coming up and are unsure of where to start? Do you need help with citing your sources? Or maybe you have questions about using Zoom for your classes. Did you know that all of these answers - and more! - can be found in our DSLCC LibGuides ? We know that research can be a difficult process, and we want to make it as simple as possible for you. Our LibGuides, or Research Guides, are sort of like a one-stop-shop. You can use DSLCC's LibGuides to...: Begin your research and find credible sources for your project within hundreds of databases. Databases allow you to search for journal articles and other resources relating to your topic, and they can be found listed by subject (i.e. your specific program or course) or alphabetically . Learn how to properly cite your sources. There are different ways to cite sources, depending on your class, program, or your project's specific instructions. We offer LibGuides for MLA , APA , and Chicago Style citations...

DSLCC's Spring 2021 semester is now underway! This semester, like the last one, is going to look a little bit different due to the ongoing pandemic. But don't worry - just like last semester, we're here to assist you every step of the way. We know that the past year or so has been pretty tough on our students, but you're doing an awesome job of rolling with the punches. And you'll do an awesome job this semester too! Don't forget that we're always here to support you. DSLCC offers a variety of resources for our students, and I've listed several of them below. But first, I want to quickly refresh you on some of DSLCC's COVID-19 policies. Lecture-based classes will be online again for the Spring semester, and most college services will be offered virtually or by appointment only. So, if you're going to be coming to campus for any reason, don't forget: You'll need to fill out a COVID Student Screening Form before you arrive. Wear a face ma...

 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...

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...