Category: General

Reynolds Libraries Promote A Healthy Mind and Body

Bike

Students at Reynolds Libraries are taking a holistic approach to their studies. Not only do they exercise their minds with the many resources the library has to offer, they exercise their bodies using the FitDesk stationary bike, found at both the Goochland and Parham Road locations.

Regular exercise not only enhances brain health, but working out before or after a study session awakens your mind and helps you retain information longer, potentially giving your test scores a welcome boost, according to the Scientific American.

So what are you waiting for? It’s science, ya’ll. 

Updated Library Website is live!

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We are excited to officially launch our updated website! After receiving feedback from students, faculty, and staff, the library site was updated to create a better user experience.

The new site makes navigating easier by having a persistent menu bar with all library links available no matter where you are on the site:

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We’ve also incorporated a prominent search box area that allows you to customize your catalog search based on what type of resource you are seeking – including Textbook Reserves. Additionally, you can now easily browse Popular/Best sellers, DVDs, and recently added books to the collection:

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Library Workshops and Events are now prominently listed on the new library homepage as well as the most recent social media posts:

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Some more exciting things to look forward to in the near future: more video guides/tutorials and an improved look for our Research Guides that will integrate more seamlessly with the rest of the website.

Please be aware that if you had previously bookmarked any links to specific library pages, you will need to update those to reflect the new URLs.  Otherwise, you may receive a “404” error page. If you have any trouble finding a particular resource, have questions, or would like to provide any additional feedback, don’t hesitate to reach us by phone, email, or in person.

New Library Website Preview

New website

Reynolds Libraries website is getting an exciting redesign.  We invite you to preview the new design at http://library.reynolds.edu/demo/index.html.

The redesign started about a year ago and was influenced by our observations from working with students, faculty and staff.   Efforts were made to adopt new web design and user experience trends.

We hope to officially launch the redesign this summer (May 2019).  We would appreciate your review and feedback by filling out the online survey.

You can also access the new website and survey from the links at the top of the current library website.

Community College Transfer Students Making an Impact at Elite Colleges

NPR recently reported on how Princeton admitted 13 transfer students this fall – the first time Princeton has done so in THREE DECADES!

Because of the success of those students, Princeton has decided to reinstate the transfer program by encouraging students from “low-income families, the military and from community colleges.”

Reynolds Librarians wanted to highlight some of the article’s findings and encourage you all to read it – and apply to Princeton!

  • Community colleges enroll 41 percent of all U.S. undergraduates.
  • 56 percent of Native American undergrads are enrolled in community colleges.
  • 52 percent of Hispanic undergrads are enrolled in community colleges.
  • 43 percent of African American undergrads are enrolled in community colleges.

You can find the article here: https://www.npr.org/2018/12/04/667381514/top-colleges-seeking-diversity-from-a-new-source-transfer-students

We are so proud of all of you!

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Scott Bakal for NPR

New Catalog is here!

Copy of Copy of Catalog notice

Reynolds Libraries has a new and improved online catalog! The new catalog can be accessed by conducting a search in the main search box on the library website, or you can access it directly with the following URL:  https://vcc-srl-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/search?vid=JSRCC

If you previously bookmarked the old catalog link, please make sure you update it to the new link.

There are a couple things to note at this time:

  • Database articles and electronic resources are currently being added to the system so in the meantime you will be better off searching individual databases by going to the A-Z databases page.
  • There will be forthcoming customizations made to the look of the interface (color schemes, logos, images, etc.) so thank you for your patience as we continue to enhance the look and feel!

As with the old catalog, you can use the “My Account” feature to renew items, check the status of current checkouts, and place requests.

In the upper right side of the page, click “Guest”:

then click on “SIGN IN” (you will then be taken to the MyReynolds login page; once logged in, you will be taken to your account)

We will continue to make updates and announcements regarding the new catalog and hope that you will enjoy the improved catalog!

 

Reynolds Libraries Featured by VIVA

Reynolds Libraries are a member of VIVA, the Virtual Library of Virginia. This crucial partnership allows Reynolds to purchase high-quality digital resources at a discount, in partnership with other colleges and universities in the state.

Reynolds Libraries was featured by VIVA in September 2017.

VIVA Featured Member Library: Reynolds Community College

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An interview with Hong Wu, Director of Library Services

What are three points of pride in your library?

    • Team Library! Our library staff members really care, work hard and reflect the diversity of our student body.
    • Students. A library isn’t a library without users! Reynolds students come from all over the world and have varied educational goals. Our students also have many challenges, including speaking English as a second language, working (many full-time), caregiving for loved ones, and returning to work after a career change or military service. Reynolds Community college is the place to get a start or a second chance.
    • One library, multiple flavors. Our campus libraries reflect their programs and locations. Downtown is Reynolds most urban campus, hosts the most popular laptop checkout program, and offers an amazing cookbook collection (thanks to the culinary program!) Goochland is our rural campus and features a robust horticultural print collection, which is included in the Council of Botanical and Horticultural Libraries. Goochland also houses Reynolds seed library. Parham is Reynolds most suburban campus, and offers students a large, light-filled space with plenty of desktop computers, multiple group study rooms. Parham is home to multiple special collections, including the Paralegal and ESL collection. Reynolds Libraries digital side-our library without walls—reaches distance students around the commonwealth, thanks in part to our VIVA membership. Remote access, eBooks and databases make location no barrier to education.

    What is the most popular spot in the library for users?

    • At all three campuses the group study rooms are incredibly popular. Students use them for both group and individual study, and they are always in use. We had over 13,000 students use the group study rooms in 2016-17.

    Which VIVA resource or service do we value the most, and why?

    • The EBSCOHost collection is essential. Our partnership with VIVA makes it possible for us to provide this high-quality resource for our students, a resource that they will continue to use after they transfer to a four-year university.

Want to see more beautiful libraries? Check out all of the member profiles on the VIVA site.