Madison Area Technical College Libraries

How Much $ Does the Library Save You?

2012-01-26T13:14:00.000-08:00

You might be surprised to find that the library is actually saving you some dollars during these tight times. Go to our Return on Investment calculator to see how the library helps our users save. Your answers are based on per monthly use. Have fun.
Library Return on Investment Calculator

Library Perks

2012-01-18T01:13:00.000-08:00

Library Perk
February 15

There is nothing like a hot cup of coffee to get you going. Our new monthly Library Perk event provides students with free coffee from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. So stop on by and enjoy a cup of joe with your peers in the library.

Just one of many "perks" the library offers to our students.

Kindle Fires Arrive

2012-01-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

As part of our ereader/tablet pilot project the library is pleased to announce we are now offering Kindle Fires for check-out to students [beginning January 17]. The Kindles are available only at Truax Library. Come in and browse the Internet, watch a video or read a book using touch screen technology. We have some reserve titles available on the Kindle.

Let us know what you think by filling out our short survey. Compare it against our iPads and nookcolors. Your use and feedback of the Kindle [and iPads & nookcolors] is important and will help us develop this program further. Enjoy!

Nookcolors Upgraded

2011-12-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

The library has upgraded the 5 nookcolors available for
students. Among the new features, NOOK Color v1.4.1 now offers access to streaming popular movies and TV shows through Netflix, comics and graphic novels, new PagePerfect™ NOOK Books™, reading NOOK Books in portrait and landscape modes, and many other enhancements. Nookcolors can be used to read ebooks, explore/play apps or search the web. Unlike our iPads, email and social media accounts may not be accessed on the nookcolors. Check out the titles and apps we have on the nookcolor. Nookcolors are for student use only and must be checked out from the main circulation desk.

We ask that you fill out our quick survey form so we can get a better feel for how well this tool can be used, recommendations for ematerial and your overall impression. Your feedback is very important during this trial period. You will be rewarded with a sweet treat for your help, too. They are pretty cool. Enjoy.

New Librarian Joins Staff

2011-12-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

Cristina Springfield recently joined our team. She recently received her Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a founding member of the UW-Madison's REFORMA student chapter. REFORMA is the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking. She completed an instruction internship with UW-Madison's MERIT library where she helped to create teaching materials for the library's new Interactive Whiteboards. She also completed an internship at Madison College’s DTEC campus. She will be helping with the library student computer help desk & technologies, reference, information literacy and collection development. Welcome!

iPads Fully Loaded

2011-11-28T13:10:00.000-08:00

Our 10 iPad2's are available for check out at the Truax Library. We recently added a lot of new tools in addition to the those that were already loaded. A sampling includes:

Numbers [productivity, like Excel]

Keynote [productivity, like PowerPoint]

Pages [productivity, like Word]

23,000 books

4000+ audiobooks

PacMan [game]

Green Bay Packer App

Unblock Me [game]

FreeSaurus [reference]

iTunes Movie Trailer

Fox News

CBS Sports

Calculator Pro [reference]

and more

Check them out. We also have iPad keyboards available for check out as well. Enjoy

Win a nookcolor!!

2011-09-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

All you have to do is Like us on our Facebook page AND like the posting about winning a nookcolor. Your name will be entered in a drawing for a nookcolor--a $250 value. Liking us on Facebook will give you an early heads up on new resources, services and events. It also gives you a behind-the-scenes look at library staff and our work. Join our Facebook community! We are 435 strong and counting.

Self-Guided Tutorials

2011-09-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

Learn the basics about the library and research processes by viewing our short online tutorials known as HOWLER. We know you are leading busy lives and we strive to provide all kinds of helpful learning tools for you. These tutorials are available 24/7 from any computer with Internet access. Learn how to:

* cite your research in your paper to avoid plagiarism
* search the Internet or library databases effectively
* evaluate information to ensure you are using credible resources

All of our tutorials include printable hand-outs and are captioned. If you have any questions please call our library at 608-246-6640 to speak with a librarian.

Book Sale Continues

2011-08-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Due to popular demand we have decided to make our Summer Book Sale into a year-round sale. Stop by our Truax Library and check out all the books, videos and DVD's that are available at bargain prices. New items will be added daily to keep things interesting. We are starting to unload some pretty good stuff as we are preparing our collections for the big move in 2013. Hardcover items are all $1.00. Paperbacks/videos/DVD's are only .50 cents. Items are located on the shelves that formerly held our audio titles near the back stacks.

All proceeds will go towards the Libraries Development Fund in Foundations. Help our little fund grow so librarians can spoil our students and staff.

iPad2, nookcolor,kindleDX

2011-08-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Coming very soon students will be able to check-out iPad2's, kindles and nookcolors. Check-out will be limited to in-library use at Truax Library. Students will be able to access e-resources from the library, ebook collections, specials apps [including fun stuff like Angry Birds and Doodle Jump] and more. Stay tuned for more information.

Is it true?

2011-07-29T13:26:00.001-07:00

Is the Truax Library going to be moving? Well, yes, but not until 2013. A new library space is being included in the new Gateway project. A substantial addition to the Truax building will better support and improve/add new spaces for our students.

The library will be located on third floor and overlook the beautiful atrium. Librarians are working with architects, College planners and others to create a unique space that our students need and want.

Stay tuned. We will be keeping you all informed of progress on the new library through updates, pictures, video and more. Construction is slated to begin sometime in the Fall 2011.

We can't wait!

New Librarians

2011-07-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Please join us in welcoming two new librarians to our library staff beginning the first week in August. Dana Ryals [at Truax] and Autumn Hall-Tun [at West] will soon become familiar faces as you will see them providing reference & computer assistance, conducting information literacy sessions and much more. Welcome ladies, we are glad to have you on board.

Web Changes

2011-05-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

We have made some slight changes to the libraries website. We rearranged some things for a cleaner, more balanced look. In addition, we have added rotating photos of the all libraries, some new links and have highlighted all the ways you can Follow Us. Let us know what you think.

Play Ball!

2011-03-02T14:12:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when our WolfPack, Mallards and the Milwaukee Brewers take to the field of dreams. Check out some the ugliest baseball uniforms ever or more baseball pics courtesy of Life magazine. Go team!

Essays Under Review

2011-03-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of our students who submitted essays for National Library Week. Your essays were fabulous. The essays will be reviewed by a committee and winners will be chosen on Friday. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 11.

As part of our National Library Week celebration the library is once again sponsoring the 2nd annual Library Student Essay Contest. The grand prize is a NookColor with a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card to get your NookBook collection started. The prize for the runner-up is an original Nook and a $25 NookBook gift card. The third, fourth, and fifth place entrants will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

We are looking for the living stories of students who pass through the doors of our seven libraries. From the student who is discovering our resources for the first time at a session in the library to the student reserving a group study room to film her multimedia presentation, the stories vary just as much as those that surround us on our shelves and in our databases. In honor of National Library Week (NLW), April 10-16, we’d like to hear these stories from students in an essay contest. The theme we’d like students to focus on in their essay this year for NLW is Create Your Own Story @ Your Library. The essays will be judged on grammar and style, but, most importantly, on the stories they tell. How did your library experience impact your success in a class or generally as a student? (Hint: be specific about library services, resources, and interactions with library staff that have impacted your success). The essays must be typed and submitted electronically by Thursday, March 31 at 11:59pm. Please submit your essay to us at madisoncollegelibrary@gmail.com as a pdf, .doc, or .docx. Only one entry per student is allowed and submitters must be active students at Madison College. The word limit is 500 words. You must include the following information along with your entry in order to be eligible for a prize: · Name · Student ID · Phone number · Student email address · Primary Campus Essays will be judged by a panel of Madison College representatives who will announce the winners on Monday, April 11. Please be aware that all or parts of your entry may be used for promotional purposes. Good luck!

Student Art Work

2011-02-23T13:36:00.001-08:00

Come on in the Truax Library and check out all the artwork created by our very own students. It's absolutely fab! Lots of talented folks around here. Our hats off to all of the artists.

February is Black History Month

2011-01-31T21:39:00.000-08:00

Learn more about historical and cultural contributions of African Americans to the United States as we celebrate Black History Month. The library has some great reading, reference and video materials available for check out as well. Enjoy!

21st Century Email Arrives

2011-01-23T23:20:00.000-08:00

Need help setting up your mobile device? or perhaps your calendar? Get help from your friendly librarians in "Outlook Central" at your library with the new student email beginning Monday, January 24. Got questions about your old email [and we mean old]? Wonder what your new email address will be? No sweat! We have the answers. Many of us thought we might never see the Pack go to the Super Bowl again or that our students would ever get a top notch email system, but miracles do happen. Exciting times!!

Green and Gold Friday

2011-01-17T04:15:00.000-08:00

Calling all cheeseheads. Wear your favorite Packer jersey, cap, sweatshirt, etc. this Friday, January 21 to show your support of the Green Bay Packers. We want of sea of green and gold in our libraries as we head into the NFC Championship weekend. Treats will be available. Woot!

Libraries Closed on Monday, January 17

2011-01-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

All libraries will be closed on Monday, January 17, in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr. We will be back at it at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Have a great weekend.

Sneak Previews of Student Email In January

2010-12-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Drop by for a 30-minute overview of the new system and get some tips on how you can prepare for the transition to new student email on January 24. No sign up required. Treats will be included.

•Tuesday January 18th, 9 am - 9:30 am
Truax Room 230C Library Instruction Room

•Tuesday January 18th, 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Truax Room 230C Library Instruction Room

•Thursday January 20th, 9 am - 9:30 am
Truax Room 230C Library Instruction Room

•Thursday January 20th, 1 pm - 1:30 pm
Truax Room 230C Library Instruction Room

New Student Email Coming

2010-11-30T04:04:00.000-08:00

Madison College students will soon see their e-mail service user interface upgraded to Microsoft Outlook Web App 2010. The changeover is scheduled to occur January 24th, 2010.

Madison College librarians will be helping students at all campuses transition to the new system by offering workshops, one-on-one appointments and a comprehensive web site filled with frequently asked questions and much more. That web site will be launched within the week. The Libraries’ Student Computer Help Desk staff will also be available for assistance on-site and via phone, email, text message and chat.

Highlights of the new email:

Storage space for student e-mails will increase to 1 GB of storage and a maximum message size (including attachments) of 50MB, allowing you to send and receive larger files with your student account.

Experience using an email system that is widely used in businesses and schools.

You will have access to advanced e-mail organization, search, communication and social networking features.

Access to a global address list for students, faculty and staff.

You will be able to easily access their e-mail account from their mobile devices.

Text Us Your Questions

2010-11-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

Don't forget that you can text your librarians questions to (608) 554-4659. We will text you back.

Flash Coffee, Facebook & Twitter

2010-11-09T15:00:00.001-08:00

When you need a little pick me up...don't be surprised if a magical cup of brew is waiting just for you at one of your MC Libraries.

Madison College Libraries is announcing our "flash coffees" --offering our students free hot cups of coffee to help them get through the daily grind. This can occur at any of our campus libraries, anytime. The name of this caffeine-fueled event was inspired by flash mobs. Read more about this phenomenon in Bill Wasik's book And Then There's This: how stories live and die in viral culture.

Flash coffees are not announced ahead of time so like our facebook page or follow us on Twitter to get realtime updates that will let you know when a flash coffee is taking place! We might even have one as early as next week??
Enjoy!

Food for Fines

2010-11-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

Food for Fines has begun. Bring in any non-perishable food items to pay off overdue fines you may have. Each item is worth $2.00 in fines. The event does not apply to fees associated with lost or damaged items. All food items will be donated to a local pantry to help those in need. Get your library record cleared by giving back to your community. Everybody wins.

We Are Tweeting

2010-10-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

Your Madison College Libraries is now on Twitter. We will be sharing tidbits of information that you normally wouldn't get elsewhere about our services, resources, librarians, activities and just the day-to-day kind of thing. Follow us at: http://twitter.com/madcollegelib

Two New Faces at Truax Library

2010-09-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Renee

Hey, join us in welcoming two familiar faces at our Truax campus. Renee Anhalt, formerly at Fort campus library, and Jennifer Varshal, formerly at Portage campus library, are now part of the Truax Library fulltime staff of librarians. Welcome gals!!!

Text-to-Speech Option Now in Library's Ebsco Databases

2010-08-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ebsco has added text-to-speech (read aloud) support to our library databases--adding a valuable benefit provided at no additional cost to the user. Users will be able to take advantage of this new feature with any full-text articles available in HTML format. Text-to-speech support allows users to read along while a human-sounding voice speaks the text on the screen. The support toolbar provides significant assistance to those for whom text-to-speech capabilities are highly valued such as

English Language Learners
users with low vision
slight physical and/or learning disabilities
as well as eBook and PDA users

Recent studies have shown that students using literacy support tools demonstrated significant improvements in both reading comprehension and writing performance. Utilizing the text-to-speech feature via the EBSCOhost platform provides many advantages. Users have the ability to read-aloud by selected text, sentence, paragraph, or continuous reading with dual color synchronous highlighting (highlighting of the passage being read with a second color highlighting the specific word being read aloud at that moment). User control of read-aloud personalizes the learning experience for each user. Users can control reading speed as well as select between three different high-quality voices—American, British, or Australian. These options also enable teachers and professionals to incorporate the features as a tool for teaching English and reading.

Ask your librarian about this easy-to-use, helpful new tool.

A Library With a View

2010-07-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Our new library at West is open for business. We are located in a sunny location on third floor with a skylight and windows that overlook the atrium and the fountains. We are still settling in, but functioning pretty well.

The new library has an open computer lab, a quiet study room, librarian support and much more. Mark Luetkehoelter will serve as our fulltime librarian and Jennifer Varshal is our PT librarian. Stop on by for a visit and enjoy the view.

Hours for the library will be:
Mon-Thu, 7:30 a.m. -7:00 p.m.
Fri 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

We look forward to serving you from the west side of town.

New Hours for Downtown Library

2010-05-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

Our Downtown Library is changing things up a bit with new hours for the Fall semester. Stop by and visit librarians Deb and Virginia. They are awesome and always ready to help.

Downtown Library
M-R 7:30 - 7:00 p.m.
FRI 7:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Sat/Sun Closed