Library News & Announcements

Library Spring Break Hours

The Library will be open over Spring Break with slightly reduced hours:

• Saturday, March 29: 9 am - 4:30 pm 
• Sunday, March 30: 12 noon - 6 pm 
• Monday, March 31: 7:30 am - 7:30 pm 
• Tuesday, April 1: 7:30 am - 7:30 pm 
• Wednesday, April 2: 7:30 am - 7:30 pm 
• Thursday, April 3: 7:30 am - 7:30 pm 
• Friday, April 4: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm 
• Saturday, April 5: 9 am - 4:30 pm 
• Sunday, April 6: 12 noon - 6 pm 

For more information, see our Hours page or Ask A Librarian.

Photo by Anton Darius on Unsplash

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.

Spring Events and Workshops

Library Announces Spring Series of Events & Workshops

Unleash your inner creator with the Art of Creating series at the library. Learn practical skills from crafting citations and infographics to mastering the art of research papers and even designing your own zines.

Join us as we learn and create together.

All are welcome. Many events are online so register to get the link.
Check our calendar of events for more details.
 

Questions? Please contact Christine Kickels, Reference Librarian, kickels@cod.edu.

COD Librarian Leads Charge on Textbook Affordability

College of DuPage Librarian Lauren Kosrow is leading the charge in open educational resources (OER), saving students over $7 million in textbook costs. Through grants and faculty partnerships, COD is creating free, adaptable learning materials, including a new math textbook complete with interactive online homework. OER materials not only reduce costs for students, but empower faculty to customize resources for better student outcomes.

Listen to the story at: How Northern Illinois Colleges are Trying to Cut Textbook Costs

Color Correction for Video

If you've taken video footage and noticed it looks washed out, too bright, or the atmosphere is the wrong color, you might benefit from color correction. Using color correction can improve filming mistakes or improve the realism of subjects shot on location. So stop in to the Media Lab during the month of February to learn to use DaVinci Resolve free video editing software for easy video color correction.

The Media Lab is open during regular Library hours.

2025 African American Read-In

Mark your calendars for a special celebration of African American literary brilliance! On Thursday, February 6th, the College of DuPage is hosting the 2025 African American Read-In, showcasing the inspiring works of novelists, poets, playwrights, essayists, and various writers.

Here's your invitation to immerse yourself in this literary feast:

Join us in the Library Alcove between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It's not just a reading event; it's a chance to be part of a vibrant community celebrating African American voices.

How to Participate:

1. Choose Your Reading Material: Delve into the masterpieces of African American artists. Whether it's a poem, essay, novel, story, or song, the options are vast. Need suggestions? Explore the Library's Beyond the Canon reading list or peruse the curated lists by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). See recordings and selections shared at our previous Read-Ins on the COD Library African American Read-In site.

2. Reserve Your Spot: Ready to contribute?  Sign up for a 10-minute time slot that suits your schedule. When signing up, share your chosen reading selection. No worries if you're undecided – you can always go back and modify your selection or time slot by creating a free Signup Genius account.

3. Show Up and Speak Out: On Thursday, February 6th, be there to bring the selected words to life. It's your time to shine!

Faculty, please encourage your students to attend—we'll have a sign-in sheet ready!

Thank you, as always, for supporting the African American Read-In at COD.

Meta Quest 3 VR Headsets for Faculty, Staff (and Students!)

COD faculty and staff can check out Meta Quest 3 Mixed Reality VR headsets from the Library's Distribution department. These can be used to run a session or class in the COD Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Room or, if the room is unavailable, they can be used to prep AR/VR materials from home. Multiple headsets can be checked out at a single time for class sessions to be held in a room outside of the AR/VR room if that is more convenient.

Students who want to check out a Meta Quest 3 can do so in-person or online through the Library's Media Lab for in-Library use.

New York Times Apps and Features

The New York Times Digital Edition offers subscribers full access to the newspaper’s comprehensive and high-quality content online, covering a wide range of topics such as news, politics, business, science, technology, arts, and culture. Available through the website and mobile apps, the digital edition allows users to read articles, watch videos, listen to podcasts, and explore interactive features like games and data visualizations. Subscribers also enjoy personalized content recommendations, offline reading options, and exclusive digital-only features such as specialized reports and commentary.

NYTs Features 

  News - NYTs News covers domestic and international news, politics, business, culture, technology, science, health, and more. The newspaper is known for its comprehensive reporting, investigative journalism, and opinion pieces. The Times in Print allows users to browse the print edition in digital form, never missing a moment in news coverage. Access is available on the web and the NYTs News app. 

   Audio - NYTs Audio features ongoing and limited series covering nearly ever major genre and interest. Podcasts include The Jungle Prince, Rabbit Hole, The Wirecutter Show, The Headlines, and many more. Access is available through the NYTs website and through the NYTs Audio app only available for iOS devices. Some podcasts are also available on Spotify and Apple Music. 

  Wirecutter - NYTs Wirecutter offers independent recommendations and real-world testing on a variety of products from coffee makers to headphones. It also explains the "why" and "how" behind the research so people can make an informed decision before purchasing a product. Access is available on the web or the NYTs News app.

  Cooking - NYTs Cooking is not just a recipe collection, it is an education tool meant to inspire home cooks of all skill levels. Recipes are expertly crafted and encourage community engagement through the recipe notes section so everyone can share their experience and offer suggestions. Access is available on the web, the NYTs News app, and the NYTs Cooking app. 

  Games - NYTs Games include The Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, Wordle, Strands, Connections, Letter Boxed, Tiles, and Sudoku. While the full NYTs crossword is not available the mini games are a great way to take a break and have some fun for a little while. Access is available on the web or the NYTs News app. 

The New York Times Digital Edition is a great way to stay up to date with the latest news stories, get inspiration for tonight's dinner, or just unwind with some games or shopping ideas. All COD students, faculty, and staff have access to the NYTs digital edition. Simply create an account with your COD email, click on the link in the confirmation email, and you are ready to start browsing. You can sign in and use your account across multiple devices so you can take your curated content with you where ever you go.