Triboro News

Yes, midterms are just ending. Now is the time to regroup. 

Take some time to go outside and refresh yourself. In Colorado it is finally starting to feel a little cooler. 

Outdoor activities stimulate creativity, be it a brisk walk, a hike, or even just sitting in the sun. Spending enough time outdoors, with more frequent exposure to sunlight, enables the body to synthesize Vitamin D, a nutrient that is beneficial for healthy bones and a sound immune system.

Beyond the physical, spending time outdoors has deep implications for mental well-being. In an age of high stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue, nature stands as an antidote.

Take some time for yourself and breathe. 

When you have a lot of sources to manage, you can use the tools within Ebsco and Jstor to store your articles and books, but that can be cumbersome. Instead, you might try a manager like Zotero 

With most citation managers, you can import the citation, or the whole pdf, and tell the manager which style you want to use. If you are switching between Chicago Manual of Style and APA, this can be a lifesaver. 

You can also create folders for different topics, or classes. 

There are a number of managers. You can see a list on this page. Zotero is easy to use, but managers like Paperpile work closely with Google docs. Take a look and see if one might benefit you.

How did it happen that it is already week 3. Almost midterms!

Some of you may be nervous about the research you are doing. To that end, let me walk you through my research process. It might give you some ideas. 

First, I like to see what I already know about a topic. A mindmap is a great way to draw what you know. Then you can see gaps and make a plan. 

Second, yes, I like the internet. It's a way to start. It is quick and dirty and very often wrong, but sometimes you get something good. 

Third,  at this point I have an idea of what I don't know. I make a list of topics where I need more information. An online encyclopedia is a help, but again, be careful. It is very easy to edit Wikipedia, for example. 

Next, I get into the library databases with a plan. It is good to have a plan. I go first for the topics I don't have a lot of information about, then I look at the big picture. 

MEANWHILE, I am saving everything I find in Zotero. I will talk more about Zotero next week. 

Join us today and tomorrow for Mind Mapping and Pictionary!

Today in the library from 1-3 and tomorrow online.  Email learning@rmcad.edu for the link. 

Hi everyone!  

I thought I would go ahead and answer some of the things we get asked the most when students start at RMCAD:

1. How do I access the library databases: 

Log in to the RMCAD portal. Click on "RMCAD School Resources" from the navigation menu on the left-hand side of the page. Then, click on "Academic Databases." This will bring you to a list of links to the academic databases that the library provides to RMCAD students. If you're having issues opening the links, make sure your pop-up blocker is disabled! 

2. It doesn't work for me. 

Yes, it will. The popup blocker can be hidden. Trust me when I say this is the issue 99.99% of the time.

3. How do I make an appointment with the SLC?

The scheduler is here: https://rmcad.mywconline.com/ You will need to make an account with your RMCAD email address. Then choose your topic and schedule for when you are free. Please actually show up when you make an appointment. If you are having trouble with time zones, you can reach out for help (learning@rmcad.edu)

4. How do I get an ArtStor account?

Email the library@rmcad.edu and  we will get you set up. 

5. Where are my textbooks?

This one is complicated. Many of the textbooks ARE available through the library databases, but not all of them. Your class should have detailed information about access, so read your syllabus. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the library@rmcad.edu. 

6. I found a book in the catalog, but I'm an online student. 

Unfortunately, we can't mail our books to online students, but we can help you find a library near you that has the book. Just ask.