The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA, http://dp.la) is a virtual library that makes photographic and other resources available from libraries across the United States. It organizes these resources into themed exhibitions (such as Women with Wings: American Aviatrixes), a map and a timeline.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Summer School Reading: Textbooks On Reserve in the Library
Waiting for your books to arrive or need to save some cash this summer?
The library has many textbooks on reserve for you to borrow in-library for 2 hours at a time. Give us a call or stop by to see if we have something that can help you out for the summer semester!
Remember that we offer our regular library services over the summer as well, including research and citation help, inter-library loan, book check-out, a computer lab, and upstairs printing for $.05 a page.
Congratulations, Graduates!
All of the library staff would like to extend their congratulations to the Durham Tech Class of ’15! Continue Reading →
LibGuides are Shortcuts to Research
Did you know that Durham Tech library staff have created nearly 50 online research guides to help you with your assignments? Click the “LibGuides” link on the library home page to see them! Continue Reading →
America’s Pastime
It’s spring: the days are lengthening, pollen is in the air (and on sidewalks, cars … it’s everywhere!). After the darkness, dormancy and hibernation that mark winter, new life abounds in spring. In my neighborhood, azaleas are in full bloom: purple, shades of pink or white flowers, with bumblebees abuzz. I’ve seen fox kits, which were born under a neighbor’s shed, and a baby possum outside my backdoor. The yellow-bellied sapsuckers have left for cooler climates and other birds have returned to their summer home.
The return of spring also heralds the return of professional baseball in the United States. Continue Reading →
E-books … For Dummies!
Did you know that the Durham Tech library offers more than 200 e-books in the … For Dummies series? Here’s how you can find them. Continue Reading →
Best Books Read in 2014: The Durham Tech Faculty and Staff Edition
Check out our current window display showing off Durham Tech’s Faculty and Staff Best Books of 2014! Want to read something we don’t have or that’s checked out? Ask a librarian about getting it via interlibrary loan.
Click on a book for more details.
The Top Picks:
“enjoyed the philosophy and inner dialogue [of] the main character”
“a unique love story”
Find this book at PS 3570 .A657 G65 2013 at Main Campus when not on display
“tremendous” and “so well-written I found myself underlining and marking quotes that spoke images and concepts with grace and style”
“Oh, I liked that one, too. Put that down as my favorite.” – Multiple Library Staff Members
“a powerful, smart, and touching book”
“really made me think”
“enlightening and inspiring”
Other Best Reads:
For a complete faculty and staff best book list, click on the following link to view the PDF: Durham Tech Faculty and Staff Best Books of 2014.
Current Student IDs: Not Just for Main Campus Library Access!
Now that the first week of class is over (Congrats! You did it!), students should have stopped by the Security Office on Main Campus or Security Desk at the Northern Durham Center or Orange County Campus to order or update their student ID. Please be aware that students without updated Durham Tech student IDs will not be allowed into the Main Campus library starting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 (see below for more information on the ID policy).
However, a current student ID doesn’t just get you access to the books, DVDs, computers, CDs, and other perks of the Durham Tech library– it also can get you discounts at local and national chains, both in-person and online.
Locally (click on the links for more information):
- Need some drama in your life? Durham Performance Arts Center (DPAC) offers up to two tickets at a discounted rates for students of all ages with a valid student ID.
- Free bus fare for most students via the Triangle Transit GoPass.
- Movie buff?
- AMC Theaters at the Streets of Southpoint has discounted movie tickets for students on Thursday nights
- Northgate Theaters offers a $1.00 discount per ticket with valid student ID
- Carmike Cinemas offers a student discount (click pricing info on the linked page to see details)
National chains with local presences:
- Like Macs? Apple offers education pricing for students
- Are you a PC? Check out Dell, Microsoft, and HP‘s student shops.
- J. Crew stores and factories offer 15% off purchases with a valid student ID presented at check-out
- Moe’s Southwest Grill (call locations to get details)
(Be sure to check at national chains to see if they’re currently honoring student IDs as policies may vary.)
Investigate for yourself using the following lists:
- Business Insider’s “34 Discounts Every Student Should Use“
- PuckerMob’s “70 Things You Can Score with Your Student ID” and their additional list of “54 UPDATED Things You Can Score with Your Student ID“
- RatherBeShopping.com’s “50+ Places Where Students Get a Sweet Student Discount“
Good luck and happy saving!
More information on the student ID policy: Students may sign in at Main Campus library one time per semester with an alternate form of photo identification and proof of their current enrollment (syllabus, textbook, etc.). Current students may not sign in as guests— their names will be checked with the one-time pass list, and they will be denied entry if they have already used their pass this semester.
Please note that Durham Tech students taking classes on other campuses must still have a current student ID in order to enter the Main Campus library.
Pronunciator for Learning a new Language
The library has just added Pronunciator to its lineup of online resources. Pronunciator is a language learning website, which runs on just about any computer or device. On a computer you’ll need a browser with a recent version of Java and Flash, speakers and a microphone.
Simply go to the library homepage and choose “Articles and Electronic Resources.” Pronunciator is under “Literature, Languages, and Humanities.” At the Pronunciator homepage you’re prompted to provide an email address. When you do, it assigns you a student name and password. (Write these down.)
From there, select your native language and which language you want to learn. You can learn any of 80 languages. You don’t have to be a native English speaker to use Pronunciator: the software can provide instruction based in any of 50 languages.
Some languages’ courses are more extensive than others. For example, there are many learning modules for English speakers who want to learn Spanish, but far fewer for English speakers learning Azerbaijani. Every language option includes stock phrases (in categories such as “Absolutely Essential Expressions,” “Romance” and “Airport”). Some languages provide intermediate and advanced lessons as well as grammar and culture notes. Use Drills to practice listening, speaking, reading and writing. Use Quizzes to track what you’ve learned. Use Audio to download lessons and practice offline. One great feature of Pronunciator is that it can “listen” to your pronunciation and let you know how you’re doing!
If the user interface for Pronunciator is not intuitive, there is also a very thorough User Guide available.
So, check out Pronunciator and start learning a new language today!