Love is in the air! What kind of love am I talking about? Laser cutting love, of course! The laser engraver/ cutter is one of the many features in the I-Create Lab that can be used in a variety of creative ways. With the laser engraver/cutter, patrons and community users can cut natural wood, acrylic, glass, and even denim. The laser not only cuts but also engraves these materials. The photos below show examples of engravings and cuttings that took…
On this day of love and romance, I offer an alternative means of celebrating. Don’t misunderstand, I respect the concept of love and those deep connections (why some need a special day to make a big deal out of these things, I’m not altogether sure - not cynical); but a number of years ago, I was introduced to a new way of celebrating Valentine’s Day. A friend of mine, who despite being in a stable and loving relationship, felt a…
You’re stuck in traffic, people are cutting you off, and you’re not sure if you will make it to campus on time. Cruising down the bike lane, you see a cyclist. Unimpeded by traffic, they whiz past you with ease. You’re left wondering, “Should I get out of this cage and start biking to the university?” Yes, yes you should. But why? Well, for starters, Cycling is a great way to cut the cost of gas, so say hasta la…
The I-Create Lab sees all types of people daily, from students looking for help on a project to community members curious to see what the lab has to offer. One of the I-Create Lab's regulars is Graphic Design Major Colton Warren. Colton not only utilizes the I-Create Lab for classwork, but he is also able to transform his digital art into something tangible to sell; stickers! Colton is a sticker fanatic, "I love stickers already, so I wanted to convert…
It’s a new year, and that means it’s the perfect time for new year’s resolutions! One of my bigger resolutions is that I would really like to make time for myself and start a new hobby. As a mom of three small boys I have been craving that quiet, peaceful, me time (especially after 2 weeks of winter break at home with everyone!) The problem is, I’m not sure where to start in picking a new hobby, or how to…
Winter Break is here!! I know what you’re thinking. It’s time to sleep in, stay in your pajamas, and veg-out the entire live-long-day! Talk about living the life of Riley! I’m here to enable you and say, “Yes, you should do all of that.” You’ve spent an entire semester working on papers and projects, studying for tests, putting in hours at work; you deserve to just enjoy your break. It’s time to kick back and chill out. Pull out the comfy…
Hopefully, if you’re reading this blog, you’re a fan of the Mary and Jeff Bell Library. Our library here at TAMU-CC is an important resource for your academic work. It’s also a great place to study, look at terrific art exhibits, hop on a computer and get those assignments done, or grab a print job on your way to class. But there’s another library that is also very important: our local public library. What’s public about a public library? It’s…
"Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!" - Super Mario Bros. Ohhhh Toadstool, you innocent yet still somewhat annoying bit of fungus you. While your pile up acrobatics were impressive, your "princess is in another castle" comments were frustrating. If you haven't figured it out yet, we're talking video games this post. While I would never claim to be the best, I have been a fan of video games since I could hold that rectangular Nintendo controller…
Do you ever wonder how many items the library has available for use? Or would you like to know how many people come into the library a year? Here are some interesting statistics from 2018-2019! During a normal week in the Fall and Spring semesters the library is open 108 hours. Although our highest usage is during the middle of the day, we do have plenty of early birds and night owls who take advantage of our extended hours. The…
What is Open Access? Open access (OA) refers to information that is digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. This can include journals, books, databases, and more. Why did the open access movement begin? There are several reasons, like most things, one is due to cost. Between 1986 and 2011, serial expenditures rose 402% (see graph). For four decades, subscription prices have risen significantly faster than inflation and library budgets. Another reason for the open access movement…