Library News & Announcements

Finals Week, Interim and Summer Hours

The Library will have regular hours during finals week (Monday, May 19 - Friday, May 23). 

The Library will have interim hours from Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, June 1. Interim hours are:

• Saturdays and Sundays: Closed
• Monday, May 26: Closed for Memorial Day Holiday
• Tuesday, May 27 - Friday, May 30: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm  

Regular Summer Semester hours begin Monday, June 2 and run through Saturday, Aug. 9. Regular summer hours are:

• Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - 10 pm
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: 12 noon - 6 pm

The Library is also closed for the following summer holidays:

• Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth Holiday

For more details, see the Library's Hours page or Ask Us!

Have a great summer!

Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi

Virtual Reality Headsets in the Media Lab

During the month of May, find out why Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are more than just for games. VR headsets can create a wide variety of immersive learning and self-improvement environments: you can get inspired to improve you mind and body with VR health and wellness apps; get active with action apps; or get curious with career apps.

The Media Lab has an HTC Vive VR Headset and a Meta Quest 3 VR headset that can both be checked out for in-Library use for 3-hours. So come by the Media Lab whenever the Library is open and immerse yourself in a VR environment today!

New Resource Alert - The Atlantic Online

We’re excited to announce a valuable addition to our digital collection: full access to The Atlantic online is now available to all students, faculty, and staff!

Founded in 1857, The Atlantic is one of America’s most respected magazines, known for its longform journalism, literary essays, and deeply researched reporting. Writers for The Atlantic include renowned journalists, scholars, and cultural critics who dig into topics ranging from politics and global affairs to technology, science, culture, and the arts. 

What does The Atlantic Subscription include: 

• Unlimited access on any device
• 12 Magazine issues in PDF
• 15+ Newsletters 
• Narrated Articles & Podcasts
• Digital Archive, from 1857 to today
• Daily Crossword
• Unlimited gift articles 

How to Access The Atlantic:

• Go to https://library.cod.edu/atlantic
• Login with COD credentials
• Available on the browser or on the app
• Need help? Check out our how-to guide here. 

Whether you’re researching for a paper, brushing up on current events, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon with a good read, The Atlantic offers something for everyone.

If you have any trouble accessing the resource reach out to us via chat, phone, or email (e-resources@cod.edu) for assistance. 

Submit Your Work to the 2025 Research Symposium!

Step up to the challenge and showcase your research at the 6th Annual Student Research Symposium! Compete for cash prizes, gain valuable presentation experience, and earn bragging rights. Don't miss this opportunity to make your mark – submit your work now!

At the Symposium, students will have up to 15 minutes to present their research work to the COD community, family, and friends, on Monday, May 12 from 5:30-10 pm. We'll provide welcoming spaces and snacks to all attendees. 

We are happy to provide a variety of cash research awards this year.  The first place winner will win $750, and we are offering an Original Research Award with a prize of $750.  Learn more about our awards here, including what you will need to submit,

Want to learn more?  Find out how to submit your work, compete for a research award, and learn more about the Symposium in general here. 

All student work must be sponsored by a COD faculty member. Submissions are due by 8:00 am Monday April 28 and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis up to the first 54 submissions. 

We're looking forward to seeing your work!

Share Your Thoughts on Library Spaces

The Library is reimagining our spaces, and we'd love your input! Follow the link below or scan a QR code in the Library to take our (short!) survey and share what spaces are important to you. 

Survey is open until April 15, 2025, and can be found at: https://cod.libwizard.com/f/2025-spaces

Questions can be sent to alaksk@cod.edu or venetisj@cod.edu.

Thank you for your time!

Discover What Draws You to the Library

What comes to mind when you think of the library? Maybe rows of towering bookshelves? While we certainly have those (and a fantastic collection!), COD Library is so much more than just a place to borrow books. In fact, you could say that everything draws people to our library.

This week, April 6-12, 2025, marks National Library Week, a time to celebrate the incredible ways libraries bring us together, ignite our imaginations, and support lifelong learning. Whether you’re a regular visitor or don’t even know if you have a library card, now is the perfect time to rediscover all that this library has to offer COD students, staff and community members.

Join us for these special National Library Week events. See schedule for details.

• Outlining – Tues., April 8th, 12-1pm
  Get an introduction to using outlines as part of the writing process.
• Creative Effective Prompts for Generative AI Tools – Tues., April 8th, 1-2pm
  This workshop will discuss the characteristics of effective generative AI prompts and teach attendees to create prompts that harness the full potential of generative AI tools.
• Blender Basics – Wed., April 9th, 1-1:30pm
  Learn how to take a simple cylinder and quickly turn it into a vase using Blender, a free and open-source 3D creation tool.
• Pop Up Library near the Cafeteria – Wed., April 9th, 10-1pm
  We're bringing the library to you! Stop by our pop-up location near the cafeteria to browse a selection of materials and learn more about our services.
• Snacks in the Library, Wed., April 9th, 10am-1pm
  Fuel your learning! Enjoy some complimentary snacks while you explore the library's resources.
• Create Your Own Poetry – Thurs., April 10th, 12-1pm
  Take a creative break and craft your own poetry using a variety of methods, including blackout, magnetic, and collage poetry.

First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week reminds us of the enduring importance of libraries in our society. Whether you're visiting to find the perfect study spot, research your next paper, or simply connect with knowledge and ideas, we are here for you. We look forward to celebrating National Library Week with you!

Preparing Personal Documents for Emergencies

Do you have documents handy in an emergency? Do you know which ones you might need?

Stop in the Media Lab during the month of April to find out how to store important documents securely in the cloud for sharing with your emergency contacts; discover how to create pocket size copies of scanned images; get state and federal resources about what to request, copy, or save; and get yourself prepared for when emergency strikes!

The Media Lab is open during regular Library hours.

Hokusai Research Guide

The Library has curated and published a Hokusai Research Guide in support of the upcoming Summer 2025 Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World Exhibit hosted by the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage.

This guide will extend and complement your visit to the exhibit by helping you learn more about Hokusai, the Ukiyo-e genre of art, pop culture connections, influences in manga and anime, and much more!

New Study Rooms for COD Students with Letters of Accommodation

In addition to the 16 study rooms available to all COD students, the Library offers two additional study rooms for students with disabilities who possess COD letters of accommodation (as designated by COD's Center for Access & Accommodations).

The Accessible Study Room (SRC 2021) is located on the Library’s main floor. This room can accommodate a student in a mobility device and/or a small group of up to 6 students. This room features an accessible workstation on a height adjustable table, a webcam with video chat software (headsets with microphones are available upon request), a dimmable floor lamp as an alternative to overhead lights, a moveable whiteboard, and a flat table with chairs.

The Low Sensory Room (SRC 3102) is located on the Library’s upper floor. This individual or small group study room has a maximum capacity of 2 and provides students with disabilities a place to work and study in a calming environment. The room features a whiteboard, a flat table with two chairs, a dimmable, an RGB color-changing table lamp, a dimmable floor lamp as an alternative to overhead lights, and a white noise machine.

Use the room links above for more information including how to book each room and where to check out and pick up room keys.

Do I Need a VPN?

Are you curious about using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? Do you want to know the pros and cons of using a VPN?

As more and more devices use public Wi-Fi connections, you may be asking yourself questions about whether your data is safe or do you need to take additional steps to protect it when using Wi-Fi networks. To get answers to these questions, stop by the Media Lab during the month of March to find out more about VPNs is and how you can use one yourself.

The Media Lab is open during the Library's regular hours.