The MC Libraries will be CLOSED next Tuesday, May 21, 2013

FYI: The MC Libraries will be CLOSED next Tuesday, May 21, 2013 for the College Closing Ceremony and Professional Discipline Meeting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our normal operating hours will resume on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Please visit - http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/libraries/ if you need further information about contacting the library or our normal hours.

One Maryland, One Book Author, Peggielene Bartles, at the Gaithersburg Book Festival

Saturday, May 18th, 2013 - Peggielene Bartels, author of “King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village,” was born in Ghana in 1953 and moved to Washington, D.C., in her early twenties to work at Ghana’s embassy. She became an American in 1997. In 2008, she was chosen to be king of Otuam, a Ghanaian village of 7,000 people on the west coast of Africa. More information at:
http://gaithersburgbookfestival.org/

We're Looking for You! If you are a Library Technical Services Manager

Job Summary:  

     The Library Technical Services Manager oversees and coordinates the operations and activities of the Libraries centralized Technical Services Department, supporting all aspects and methods of technical services activities for a 3 campus/4 libraries library system.  As part of the Library Leadership Group, the Library Technical Services Manager works with and fosters collaborative and collegial work relationships with the Campus Library Managers and develops long term goals and objectives, and strategic directions for the Montgomery College Libraries.  

     The Library Technical Services Manager develops goals and objectives for the Technical Services Department, and implements new and provides oversight to existing systems and technologies.  The Library Technical Services Manager's responsibilities are college wide, system related and technical/procedural in nature, and the work involves leading and directing teams of employees in accomplishing the Libraries goals and objectives.  The Library Technical Services Manager assists in the development of the annual Libraries budget, oversees expenditures within assigned accounts, and assists in development of plans to effectively utilize Libraries resources.  The Library Technical Services Manager oversees the technical aspects of the Montgomery College Libraries electronic resources program, the Libraries cataloging program, and the library collections acquisitions program.  The Library Technical Services Manager directly supervises the Electronic Resources and Web Technologies Librarian and Library Technical Services Assistant Supervisor, indirectly supervises a staff of three Library Technical Services Assistants, and has oversight for onsite contracted services (currently includes cataloging and interlibrary loan services).

More information and preferred qualifications:
Library Technical Services Mgr #S03812: Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

Koran By Heart - Film and Discussion at the Germantown and Takoma Park Campuses - April 11th

The Montgomery College Libraries and Office of Student Life as part of the Arab American Heritage Month invite students, faculty, staff and the community for Koran By Heart.  An official selection from the Tribeca Film Festival, the film tells the story of the intense competition at the world's oldest Koran memorization contest, when the best and brightest kids from 70 countries across the Islamic world gather each year during Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt, to see who can recite the Koran with the greatest accuracy, passion and beauty. Just 10 years old, the main characters are remarkable, talented boys and girls from remote and volatile parts of the Islamic world—their future hanging in the balance amidst the controversies and divisions that engulf as their religion.KORAN BY HEART is a coming of age story about Muslim kids in modern times.

A Message from the Director...

March 25, 2013

Montgomery College Students, Faculty and Staff:

In February 2013, the Montgomery College Libraries posted a question at the entrance of our Libraries asking how we can help you succeed. In response, you provided us with feedback about changes we might consider in order to better support you.

The largest number of suggestions related to technology needs (hardware, software, etc.). The Libraries are actively working with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to make technology enhancements in the coming half year. OIT recently increased the number of web browsers available on the Libraries computers. Over the spring, OIT is upgrading network switches across the College, which will immediately improve desktop speeds. Over the summer OIT will upgrade all of our public computers. Also in the summer, the Libraries will implement software to require logging onto the public computers and establish computer session time limits. With this change, we will be able to assure that Montgomery County students, faculty and staff have more access to the computers in the Libraries, while still providing some access to the broader community. A longer term goal is to provide a common student experience by having essentially the same software available on both Libraries computers and in the OIT computer labs. This goal will take some time to realize.

The other large number of suggestions involved environmental issues to support student success. In 2013 our Libraries need to provide multiple options for students to complete their work. Noise control and the ability to do group work or individual work are specific challenges given our facilities. Each of the Libraries has group study rooms that can be used by stopping by the circulation desk and getting a key. The number of these rooms remains inadequate for the need. As a result, we are beginning to look at identifying ‘zones’ – areas where collaborative work would occur, and other areas that would be quiet areas for more solitary work. This approach may not work on all campuses, given that some of our architectural features very effectively transmit sound, rather than suppressing sound. We will also be looking at opportunities to provide various furniture types, to support study, as well as more relaxed settings to take a break in.

We did receive some suggestions about longer hours – We will be gathering data this spring to better assess the need. Some suggestions had to do with what books are purchased, whether we purchase textbooks, and how long students can borrow books. These comments have been passed along to staff for consideration.

There also were some compliments about our service. It’s great to hear when we are doing a good job! Thank you. Please keep giving us feedback! Let us know what you need.

Sincerely,


Tanner Wray


Director of College Libraries and Information Services
tanner.wray@montgomerycollege.edu

Prince Among Slaves screening, Germantown Campus

In honor of Black History Month, Montgomery College Libraries and the Office of Student Life will be showing the film, Prince Among Slaves, which will be followed by a discussion led by history professor, Kelly Rudin. This film is part of the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys grant, and focuses on the true story of Abd al Rahman Ibrahima, (1762-1829), a Muslim prince in West Africa, who at the age of 26, was captured and enslaved in Natchez, MS for forty years. The film brings attention to the fact that Muslims have been part of the history of the United States since colonial times. Please see the trailer to learn more about the film. Attendance will be recorded by "sign in" for extra credit assignments and attendance registration will be sent to faculty members via email. 

This event also meets the Faculty/Staff multicultural diversity requirement.  Register in CPOD or certificates will be available at the event.  

Light refreshments will be served.  Students, faculty, staff, and community members welcome.  

 Prince Among Slaves: Thursday, February 21st, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., HT 216.

Special Library Hours Jan 17-18

The Montgomery College Libraries will be closed on Thursday, January 17 until noon so that all Libraries employees can attend the College Opening and all day Friday, January 18, for Professional Development activity and Discipline meetings. Many Library services are available online at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/libraries/. 

For immediate assistance, colleagues across the region can assist with reference questions via links on http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/Sub1.aspx?id=31001.  This page also has a robust Frequently Asked Questions section that can provide answers to many questions.

MC Libraries Winter Hours

Library Hours for Winter Break and Term