COM Library

I bet you think you know how to evaluate information.  Just for giggles, ask yourself these questions: * Do you know how to tell if that article you found in a Google search is college appropriate? * Do you know how to tell if something is scholarly or not? * Is everything you read in the library's databases considered scholarly?  Is it all peer reviewed? * Do you have to cite a table you copied/pasted into your PowerPoint presentation? * What do you look for to determine if something is fake news or not? * Is all news media trustworthy and considered factual? If you don't know the answer to one or more of these questions, consider coming by to check out the books on display for Information Literacy Awareness month.  The library will be featuring both physical books and eBooks on this topic through October 31st.  For more information, check out these library guides: Media Bias, Find Your Sources, College Level Research, Propaganda, Fake Ne...

How can AI enabled databases make your research easier? It depends on the database, but AI features in databases can: * Help with brainstorming your question. * Provide summaries and key takeaways of books and articles.  * Get direct links to sources that answer your research question.  * Find more sources that are likely to support your topic. * Save your question so you an access it again. You can learn how to use our AI enabled databases step by step using our brand new guide!  https://libguides.com.edu/DatabaseAI /> Good to Know  Several database require that you create a free account and be logged in to use the AI features:  * Ask Chron * JSTOR * OneSearch * ScienceDirect   http://dlvr.it/TNfbWm

Just on time for National Cookbooks Month! Our latest guide is Cookbooks & Recipes. Get cookbooks, recipes, books from chefs that include recipes and watch how it's done videos. Here are a few examples of what you can find in the guide. Some resources must be accessed on campus or login with your COM account to access campus. * The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (eBook) * Texas Eats: the new lone star heritage cookbook, with more than 200 recipes (print book) * Try Thai Tonight Series (Season 1-5) (stream it on AVON) * How to Make Martha Stewart's Chicken Pot Pies (YouTube)   http://dlvr.it/TNf8QP

The issue of book banning is making headlines again now that school is back in session. Supporters of book challenges argue that schools should not expose children to sex, violence, drug use, race, or other topics they deem inappropriate for certain age levels. They argue that pulling books out of the school library is not book banning because students can get these books outside of school. Opponents of book challenges argue that removing books from schools is censorship and un-American. They say that reading controversial books and discussing controversial topics promotes critical thinking, encourages empathy, and provides a wider understanding of the world. What do you think?  Should certain books ever be banned in school? Watch the debate on Films on Demand (49:40). With 27 documented viewpoints, the library's Opposing Viewpoints database is a great place to get more information on what people think about this hot topic.   For more articles, videos and books/eBoo...

October is American Archives Month. Check out our collection of classic periodicals and streaming media. Read full text, full image top magazines: The Atlantic, Ebony, Jet, Life, The Nation, National Geographic, Newsweek, Time and Vanity Fair, or Texas newspapers El Paso Times and The Austin American Statesman. Stream archival films and newsreels from Films on Demand and AVON. Go to the Archives Collection.  Featured from the Collection * The Awakening of the Negro by Booker T. Washington, The Atlantic 1896 * Troubles of Mitchell (Stock market Crash), Time 1929 * Evolution of the speakeasy, Vanity Fair 1932 * The McCarthy Method, The Nation, 1950 * THE KING PLAN FOR FREEDOM: Protest leader M. L. King, Jr., stresses eight points to speed equality fight, Ebony 1956 * Apollo’s Great Leap for the Moon, Life 1969 * 'My God! They're Killing US' (Kent State), Newsweek 1970 * America’s New Beginning: Barack Obama Sworn In 44th President, Jet...

Did you know the library has a "library of things" that we can check-out to persons with a COM ID? The next time it's pouring rain outside, duck into the library and check out an umbrella to get around campus. Did your phone die and you forget your phone charger at home?  While in the library, check-out a phone charger to charge it. Math homework require a graphing calculator you don't have with you today?  Do your homework in the library and check one out from us. We have what you need to succeed!  We are here to help. Read more about COM library here. http://dlvr.it/TNYFSJ