Library Hours for End of Semester & Holiday Break

The OCC Libraries will be open normal hours through the end of classes on Monday December 17. Please see the the campus libraries page for intersession hours and holiday break closures.  OCC Libraries will resume normal hours when classes begin on January 7.  Happy Holidays!

New Database: Literature Resource Center

The OCC Libraries now provide access to the Literature Resource Center database.  Literature Resource Center provides information on more than 130,000 writers and their works in all disciplines, time periods and countries. Use this source to find full-text biographical information, work overviews, literary criticism, reviews and more.

Connect to Literature Resource Center now.
See a video introduction to Literature Resource Center

LIB 1100: Information Research Methods

Did you know that OCC Libraries offers a one credit hour course taught by library faculty?

LIB 1100 students learn how to:

• become effective and efficient researchers and library users
• select the most appropriate research tools from a variety of library resources for any research assignment
• analyze and evaluate information to determine credibility
• cite sources accurately
• avoid plagiarism

Information literacy skills are essential for student success and can be used in your personal life!

Interested in taking LIB 1100 or ready to register for a class? Find more information here...

Thanksgiving Break Hours

The OCC Libraries will be closed during Thanksgiving break, Thursday November 22 through Sunday November 25.   For our normal hours or if you have any questions, please see the campus library contact page.

Free Student Success Seminars in November

Check out these free Library Success Seminars coming up in November. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to library research. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Orchard Ridge Campus
(see all Fall 2012 seminars for Orchard Ridge)

• Monday November 5 - Special Seminar: Pinpointing Keywords For More Relevant Search Results  Get tips on how to choose relevant keywords to search by.
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Royal Oak Campus
(see all Fall 2012 seminars for Royal Oak)

• Thursday November 1 - Library Homepage Hunt
  11:00-12:00 in Room C202
• Wednesday November 28 - Real or Get Real
  3:00-4:00 in Room C202

Southfield Campus
(see all Fall 2012 seminars for Southfield)

• Tuesday November 13 - Library Research Skills
  12:00-1:00 in 212E

Perplexed about voting? Want to fact-check?

Visit our freshly updated Political ScienceResearch Guide! High-quality websites on the guide will help you prepare for the November election. 

National Elections:  What are the major issues?  How does the Electoral College system work?  What are the major political parties?  How did my congressman vote on legislation?  Who is telling the truth?

Michigan Elections:  What are the state-wide ballot proposals?  Which voting precinct am I in and where is it located?  Who are the candidates for office in my district and how do they feel about the issues?  What are the election results?

The OCC Library Research Guides are a great place to start your research.  Visit our other Research Guides on other subjects too!

Ann Walaskay, Faculty Librarian
Oakland Community College

More Free Student Success Seminars in October

Check out these free Library Success Seminars coming up in October. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to library research. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Orchard Ridge Campus
(see all Fall 2012 seminars for Orchard Ridge)

• Monday October 8 - U.S. Government Resources @ Your OCC Library
  Discover how to enhance your research papers using Government resources.
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday October 15- Google Tricks & Tips
  Improve your search results using Google Advanced Search.
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday October 22- Evaluating Web Pages
  Evaluating Web Pages Learn techniques to determine if a web site has reliable information.
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday October 29- Special Seminar: Choosing A Research Topic
  Need a research topic? OCC Libraries have great resources to help you out.
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Royal Oak Campus
(see all Fall 2012 seminars for Royal Oak)

• Monday October 22 - Databases Loaded
  5:30-6:30 in Room C202

Southfield Campus
(see all Fall 2012 seminars for Southfield)

• Wednesday October 10 - Library Research Skills
  12:00-1:00 in 212E

Are you with the Banned?

The American Library Association’s 2012 Banned Books Week is Sept. 30 – Oct. 6.

Established 30 years ago, Banned Books Week highlights the importance of our freedom to read. Every year many books and other library materials are challenged by individuals and groups who think these titles should be removed from school and public libraries because of inappropriate content.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), 326 challenges to library materials were reported in 2011. Among the most frequently challenged titles were the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Why should you care about the issue of banned books? Banning a book from a library collection is a form of censorship. This year’s Honorary ALA Co-chair of Banned Books Week, journalist Bill Moyers eloquently states the dangers of censorship in a video essay on the importance of freedom of expression:

Censorship is the enemy of truth, even more than a lie. A lie can be exposed; censorship can prevent us from knowing the difference.

Interested in finding out more about Banned Books Week and Censorship?

Check out this interactive website from The Robert E. Kennedy Library at California Polytechnic State University

And the information available at the American Library Associations Banned Books site.

Beth Garnsey, Faculty Librarian

Oakland Community College

Free Student Success Seminars Begin This Month

Free Student Success Seminars begin this month. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to student success, including library research, study skills, and interview skills. Ask your instructor about extra credit for these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information.

 

Orchard Ridge Campus Library

• Monday September 17 - Getting To Know Your OCC Library
  12pm-12:30pm in King Library: Learn about the library, our web page, how to get research help, and more!
• Monday September 24 - The OCC Library Catalog
  12pm-12:30pm in King Library: We’ve made changes to our catalog! Learn how to navigate your way around.

New Database -- Business Insights: Essentials

Designed for business professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and general researchers, the Gale Business Insights: Essentials database provides in-depth information on U.S. and international businesses, industries and products, combining current news, business reports, and trusted reference sources with robust, interactive analysis tools.

The newly designed Business Insights: Essentials replaces Gale's  Business & Company Resource Center.

Connect to Business Insights: Essentials now.
See a video introduction to Business Insights: Essentials.

Library Hours for End of Summer Semester

The OCC Libraries will be open normal hours through the end of classes on Wednesday August 22. Please see the the campus libraries page for intersession hours August 23-29.  OCC Libraries will resume normal hours when fall semester classes begin on August 30. 

Orchard Ridge Library Relocation, August 13-17

The Orchard Ridge Campus K Building will be shut down for electrical construction Monday, August 13th through Friday, August 17th.  The Library and ASC will be relocated for the week to Room G108.

G108  Library Hours for August 13 to August 17th:
Monday 8:30am to 7pm
Tuesday 8:30am to 7pm
Wednesday 8:30am to 7pm
Thursday 8:30am to 7pm
Friday 8:30 am to 4pm

Call to contact Library Staff
Library Circulation Desk  248.522.3525
Library Reference Desk  248.522.3612

You will not be able to access any print books or print periodicals from the OR Library.
Please visit us in G108 to:
•    Consult with a librarian
•    Use materials that are on Library Course Reserve
•    Request and pick up books from other campuses or libraries
•    Discuss library fines – Please visit the OR Campus Business Office to make payments
•    Use computers and printers
•    Faculty may still request Library Instruction presentations to be done in their classrooms.

New ebooks available now.

The OCC Libraries have added 273 new ebook titles this summer through the ebooks on EBSCOhost database.  See a list of all the new titles.

More information on ebooks at OCC Libraries.

Preparing To Take The Biology Proficiency Test?

If you are getting ready for the biology proficiency test, make sure you take advantage of the great resources available on the OCC Libraries Biology Research Guide.  Click the "OCC Dept Pages" tab on the research guide to see more information on the test, including the list of recommended study books.

More information on the biology proficiency test from the Biology Department...

Library Hours For The End Of The Semester

The Summer I semester ends June 27 and some of the OCC Campus Libraries will have modified hours. Please see the the campus libraries page for hours through July 2.  All OCC Campus Libraries will be closed on Wednesday July 4 for Independence Day. 

New Books At The Library

Check out some of the recently added titles in the Oakland Community College Libraries.

New Database: Naxos Music Library

The OCC Libraries now provide access to the Naxos Music Library, the world's largest online classical music library with streaming access to over one million tracks with over 1,000 new CDs added to the library every month.  In addition to the main Naxos Music Library, OCC Library users also get the Naxos Music Library Jazz collection with streaming access to over 65,000 tracks of jazz from more than 6,000 albums.  See an introductory video for this great new resource.

Free Library Success Seminars in May

Make time for these upcoming Library Success Seminars. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics related to student success, including library research and study skills. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Orchard Ridge Campus
(see all Summer I 2012 seminars for Orchard Ridge)

• Monday May 14 - Getting to Know Your OCC Library
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday May 21 - Choosing A Research Topic
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Raider One Card Is Here!

All this month, OCC students will have the chance to get their Raider One Card from the traveling mobile One Card Unit.  Check the schedule for times that the mobile One Card unit will be at your campus so you can get your card.
In addition to serving as your official College ID, the Raider One Card can also be used as a debit card for tuition and financial aid refunds, for campus print/copy services, and as your library card. To use your Raider One Card as your library card, just bring it to the circulation desk of any OCC Campus Library to have it activated. 
More information about the Raider One Card...

Library Hours for End of Semester

The OCC Libraries will be open normal hours through the end of classes on Monday April 30. Please see the the campus libraries page for intersession hours May 1-6.  OCC Libraries will resume normal hours when classes begin on May 7. 

Need help with your research? Ask a Librarian is online now.

It's easy to contact a librarian to help you with your research questions.  Just visit the OCC Ask A Librarian page where you can get help with your research question from an OCC librarian by phone or email, or choose 24/7 live chat to connect to a librarian online whenever you need help.

Last Chance This Semester for Free Success Seminars

Here's your last chance this semester to take advantage of free Library Success Seminars coming up in April. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to library research. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Royal Oak Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Royal Oak)

• Thursday March 29 - Databases Loaded
  12:00-1:00 in C202
• Wednesday April 4 - Library Homepage Hunt
  12:00-12:30 in C202
• Tuesday April 10 - Real or Get Real – an Interactive Web Workshop
  5:00-6:00 in C202

Southfield Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Southfield)

• Monday April 2 - Citation Hustle: Style Your Paper the MLA Way
  12:00-1:00 in 212E
• Wednesday April 4 - Internet Power Searching
  12:00-1:00 in 212E

Highland Lakes Diversity & Inclusion Fair on Thursday March 29

The Highland Lakes Campus Diversity & Inclusion Fair will be held on Thursday, March 29 in the Student Center Arena.  Events include Human Library, free massages by Massage Therapy Program students, a henna tattoo artist, student exhibits on nursing, health care and mental health care around the world, and soup bowls.

Find out more about the Human Library here.

Check out this PowerPoint presentation for more information about this event.

View presentation at Slideshare

New Library Tutorial Videos

Get help where you need it, when you need it.  New tutorial videos are available on a variety of topics, including using the Library Catalog, periodical databases and other services.  You can find all of the currently available videos on the Library Tutorials page, or look for them on the list of all library databases.  Check back often, new videos will be added regularly.

And don't forget, you can always get online help with what you need from the library at the Ask A  Librarian page.

Construction Update: Orchard Ridge Library

The east entrance to the Orchard Ridge King Library will be closed beginning Monday March 5 for the duration of the J Building construction project, expected to last through November 2012.  The King Library will only be accessible from the west entrance in the lower level of the K Building.

Free Success Seminars coming up in March

Check out these free Library Success Seminars coming up in March. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to library research. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Orchard Ridge Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Orchard Ridge)

• Monday March 5 - Special Seminar: Choosing a Research Topic
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday February 20 - Special Seminar: Creating Keywords
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Royal Oak Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Royal Oak)

• Thursday March 29 - Databases Loaded
  12:00-1:00 in Room C202

Southfield Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Southfield)

• Tuesday March 20 - Research Basics
  12:00-1:00 in 212E

Please note library hours for Midwinter Break, February 27 through March 3.

The OCC Libraries will be open for limited hours during Midwinter Break, February 27 through March 3. 

Same Database, New Look: Omnifile Full-Text Select

Users of the Omnifile Full Text Select database may have noticed a change to the look of the database this month as the platform changed from Wilson to EBSCOhost.  While it may look different, the content is still the same and it is still a great resource for full-text articles on any topic.  Try it now, or ask a librarian if you have any questions about OCC Library resources.

More free Library Success Seminars in February

More free Library Success Seminars are coming up in February. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to library research. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Orchard Ridge Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Orchard Ridge)

• Monday February 13 - U.S. Government Resources @ Your OCC Library
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday February 20 - Google Tips & Tricks
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Southfield Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Southfield)

• Wednesday February 22 - Citation Hustle: Style Your Paper the MLA Way
  12:00-1:00 in A212E

Celebrate Black History Month Through Reading

OCC Libraries in partnership with The OCC Diversity Committees are proud to participate in the 23rd National African American Read-In the week of February 6-10, 2012.

OCC Students and employees are invited to hear readings or read a brief passage aloud from books written by African American authors. The goal of this event is to celebrate Black History Month and bring awareness about the contributions African Americans have made to the literary world. For more information, contact your OCC campus  library or checkout our flier!

See a list of reading resources

More about the 21st National African American Read-in

FREE upcoming Library Success Seminars

Don't forget to make time for these upcoming Library Success Seminars. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics related to student success, including library research, study skills, and interview skills. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars. See the Library Instruction page for more information about future seminars at all OCC campuses.

Orchard Ridge Campus
(see all Winter 2012 seminars for Orchard Ridge)

• Monday January 23 - Getting to Know Your OCC Library
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday January 30 - The OCC Library Catalog
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday February 6 - FREE Articles @ Your OCC Library
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Orchard Ridge King Library Highlights Portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Orchard Ridge Campus King Library displays a portrait, a vibrant montage of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.  Read more about the portrait and artist here.

See selected OCC Library resources
on Martin Luther King, Jr.