Page 4 – Mary and Jeff Bell Library Blog

Red Flags: How to Identify Predatory Publishing

Post author:Alexa Hight
Post published:March 15, 2022
Post category:Books & More Hello, from the Staff Library Hacks

What is predatory publishing? The term “predatory publishing” refers to an exploitative academic publishing business model that involves charging publication fees to authors without checking articles for quality and legitimacy, and without providing editorial and publishing services that legitimate academic journals provide, whether open access or not. If you are unfamiliar with the term “open access,” you can read about it in another blog post, but a quick definition of one model of open access, is that instead of having…

How I Choose What to Read Changed After College

Post author:Bell Library
Post published:March 9, 2022
Post category:General

How do books come to you? Do you pick up books based on the recommendations of others? Do you stick to one genre? Do you wait for a sign or serendipitous encounter? We all know reading is good for us, but how do we find things we actually enjoy? Reading for pleasure might seem like a far-off dream right now, but whenever you need them, here are some creative ways I jump from book to book. Your favorite author likes…

How to Celebrate Women’s History Month with the Bell Library!

Post author:Emma Drumright
Post published:March 2, 2022
Post category:Service for You Things to Do Today's Special

March is here which means Women’s History Month is here! Women’s History Month is dedicated to honoring contributions of women and girls across the ages. This year’s theme, Women Providing Healing and Promoting Hope, is a tribute to the work of health care workers, caregivers, and frontline workers as well as the ways women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. The National Women’s Alliance webpage has more information on this year's celebration and theme! Looking…

Beyond Distraction: Finding Focus in a Digital Landscape

Post author:Tara Carlisle
Post published:February 22, 2022
Post category:Library Randomness Things to Do

Most of what we do relies on digital technology, whether it’s to work, stay in touch with family and friends, or order takeout. And while we agree these technologies are very useful and fun, they also have a never-ending appetite for our attention to keep us engaged. For example, when we're trying to focus on the task at hand - researching a topic, studying for a test, completing a grant application – inevitably, an email, text, news flash pops up…

Why Are You Here?

Post author:Abel Cantu
Post published:February 15, 2022
Post category:Hello, from the Staff

I have posed this question to our student workers for years, it is not a difficult question, it is not a trick question, and I still receive glazed looks of confusion. Possibly, this question is too easy. Or maybe they feel that it should be common knowledge why people attend college, and everyone should know the answer to that question. That could explain why I have seen the “duh” expression from some of our student workers over the years. For…

How to: Heart Shaped Pillow

Post author:Bell Library
Post published:February 8, 2022
Post category:Hello, from the Staff Things to Do We Made This

Valentine’s Day is here! Many may disagree but Valentine is my favorite holiday with the hearts, crazy cards, and colors are so fun! No matter who you are spending it with or if it's a day full of self-care we at the I-Create lab want you to have an amazing Valentine's Day! I will be showing how to create a heart-shaped pillow perfect for every day and a very cute Valentine's gift! The best part is you can create this…

Tips for a Successful Spring 2022 Semester

Post author:Bell Library
Post published:January 26, 2022
Post category:General

A new semester means it’s time for acquiring new knowledge and making exciting discoveries - it also means ASSIGNMENTS! Assignments are more than just homework; they are an opportunity to put into practice what you learned and receive meaningful feedback from your instructors. Speaking of discoveries, did you know TAMU-CC students have various technologies to help with these assignments? In this blog post, Digital Learning and Academic Innovations would like to share some tips on how to make the most…

Happy New Year, Islanders!

Post author:Jennifer Anderson
Post published:January 19, 2022
Post category:News @ Your Library Service for You Tech in the Library

It’s always exciting to get a new semester started – the energy is off the charts! We’re all in this adventure together and it’s a great way to start the year off. If you’re returning to campus – welcome back! If you’re new to TAMU-CC, welcome to the Island! We’re finishing up some construction projects and putting some final touches on new library spaces. There are some really cool things happening in the library this year. We’ll keep you updated…

The I-Create Lab’s Most Well-Kept Secret

Post author:Bell Library
Post published:January 4, 2022
Post category:Service for You Tech in the Library Things to Do

While you may be familiar with many of the machines of the I-Create lab, there is one machine kept tucked out of sight in the backroom. The Chandler & Price Letter Press is believed to be from 1910 – 1921 though we do not have confirmed documentation for the dates. This large piece of equipment weighs over 1000lbs and rarely leaves its spot in the back room of the I-Create Lab. Just because it doesn’t leave the backroom, doesn’t mean…

The Blucher Collection: A Worldwide Research Puzzle

Post author:Bell Library
Post published:December 21, 2021
Post category:Behind the Scenes Hello, from the Staff

The Blucher collection includes papers from an early Texas family who was instrumental in the development of the Coastal Bend area. The Bluchers arrived in the mid 1800’s, saving their correspondence, legal paperwork, photos, and artifacts from their arrival until the late 1900’s. A prominent member of the family, Conrad Blucher, eventually left a sizeable endowment to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. While processing the Blucher collection, I have been able to experience history through the eyes of others through their writing,…