Classes have begun, and the fall semester is already upon us. No time to catch up on that sleep deprivation caused by OOD (Obsessive Olympic Disorder). Time to get all your Blackboard, email, and LORA passwords in a row.

Want to start this semester on the right foot? Use the library early and often to avoid living here during finals week. Throughout the semester, the Learning Commons team will be working to make your academic life easier, more fulfilling, and more enjoyable. So, keep checking here for our latest projects and hair-brained schemes.

–Beth

I don’t know about you, but I’m a poor student worker without any extra cash, so I have to manage my money. Watching and renting movies is my favorite thing to do, though!  So how do I do it on a budget?

Netflix and Blockbuster Online seem too-cool-for-school, and I would love to use them! But in reality, it’s yet another monthly expense that I just can’t handle or keep track of. Also, if you’re an on-campus student (like I was the past 3 years), I know that one’s mailbox and residence can change several times per semester…and having yet another piece of mail to change the address on can be an unwanted hassle. (Just keeping your mom updated on your mail box number is stressful enough!)

So I say this to you:  what could be better than a wide range of movie titles of numerous genres, all part of a catalog that is continuously expanding, and free to all Loyola students and members of the community?

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen…I have discovered that The J. Edgar & Louise S. Monroe Library Learning Commons has all of the above (and more!)  When I have a specific movie in mind, I look it up in the Online Catalog (located on the library’s home page.) If all I know is that I’ve got popcorn to pop and a hankering to escape from studying, I go in to the Learning Commons and browse the “Library DVD List” binder at the front desk or go straight to the DVD shelves (to the left of the computer cluster on the 1st floor) and peruse titles. Students (that includes you, Law, Nursing, and Grad students!) have a 3-night checkout for all the green-dotted DVDs and VHS tapes…and I don’t know about you, but three nights is plenty of time to find an hour for procrastination.

Also, don’t fret! The DVDs are not all “boring” educational films. The Learning Commons has indie films (”Amelie”), classic movies (”Some Like It Hot”), chick-flicks (”Pride & Predjudice”), action films (”V for Vendetta”), foreign films (”Volver”), documentaries (”Sicko”), musicals (”Chicago”), and the list goes on and on. They even have random fun DVD collections to watch, such as the complete seasons of “Six Feet Under,” “30 Rock,” or “Bridezillas.”

The moral of this story is: “Don’t pay when you don’t have to.” Discover the entertainment goodness the Monroe Library Learning Commons has to offer! Imagine…you can start checking out movies, and only have to pay for the popcorn and drinks! Check one out today. I’m most likely sitting at the desk, waiting to help you.

-claire

I don’t know about you, but the Olympics always bring out my international cooperation side. Which is a fancified way of saying that for 30 minutes every night until the closing ceremonies I’ll have the inexplicable urge to ditch work, learn all 6 official languages of the UN, and go take a job as a diplomat. Never mind that the closest I’ve ever come to international diplomacy is having both Taco Bell and Domino’s be part of the same dinner.

So, it’s that time again, and this time, I decided I’m going to make a legitimate attempt to learn a language- by reading magazines. Turns out, the Monroe Library has a super-sweet collection of foreign language magazines, newspapers, and journals. Interested in learning Spanish? Check out El Pais. German? Well, I think Stern Magazine is for you. And if French is more your thing, have a look at Paris Match, a French tabloid that I am pretty certain has had either Nicolas or Carla Sarkozy on the cover every issue for the last 6 months. There’s plenty more, too. Here’s how you look up foreign language periodicals in the catalog.

Of course, I act like I know this stuff off the top of my head, but in the ‘There’s no such thing as a stupid question’ department, I actually asked Beth how to do this. Beth, being a super-awesome reference librarian, happily complied, and now I’m taking credit for it. Anyway….

1) Go to the Library’s full catalog.

2) Under the search box, click ‘Advanced Search.’

3) In the drop down box marked ‘Language,’ pick the language you want to search for. In the drop down box marked ‘Material type,’ select ‘Periodical.’

4) Hit search, and presto! A list of periodicals in a given language!

Neat. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear some Thai food calling my name.

-aimee

The LC blog caught two prominent members of the team slacking off and checking out the Olympic medal count while on the clock. SHOCKING!

In other news, the super amazing digital camera and tripod that were used to take this scandalous picture are available for checkout at the LC desk. Ask us for details!

-aimee and beth

At the LC, we’re suckers for a sappy human interest story, especially if it has anything at all to do with the Olympic games. This year, the U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremonies is Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese refugee who at the age of six was abducted in order to become a child soldier. Lomong will be competing in the 1500 meter race.

Learn more about Lomong’s harrowing life story through newspaper reports by searching his name in our LexisNexis database. A great tutorial on using the system is available on the left when you first enter the database.

Does Lomong’s story inspire you to learn more about the plight of the Darfur region? Then check out one of these books from the library.

If you are ready to put away the Kleenex, try a lighter subject. Why not find out what other athletic standouts in prestigious events such as badminton and handball are carrying their respective countries’ flags?

The IOC’s Official List

-aimee and beth

This is the “jumping off point” for the Learning Commons blog at Loyola University, New Orleans.   

1)  What is a “Learning Commons?” 

We are the best, and newest thing, to come your way amongst the recent miriad of library advancements.  At the Monroe Library, we strive to provide “traditonal” library services and at the same time, we are committed to providing new models of what it means to be a library.  The Learning Commons encourages engagement with information in its various forms, reinforces the value of collaborative inquiry, creates new opportunities for community interaction, and supports student success at Loyola.

2)  Where Should You Ask Questions?

The LC (Learning Commons) is where you should feel free to ask ANY question.  We will direct you to where you can find research about anything:  freeway displacement, women in the 1960’s, the Christmas Tsunami:  you can find it all here!  At the Learning Commons desk, you can get assistance with standard circulation, reference, and technology questions. Users wanting or needing more in-depth knowledge are connected to appropriate experts, materials, programs, or workshops. 

The Learning Commons is a work in process, so please join us as we discover ourselves and expand your world!

-ria

If there is a topic you’d like us to write about, leave a comment here. We will write about any research or technology related questions you have.