Introduction to the FAFSA

If you're wondering how college financial aid works and particularly want to know more about FAFSA, here's a Khan Academy video for you to watch: http://youtu.be/7nKXXKn6jL8

Google Scholar

Do you like using Google Scholar? You can set up Google Scholar so that it will search the Grossmont Library Databases for scholarly articles. Woo-hoo! Here is how: First, you'll need to set-up your preferences. Go to Google Scholar. Click the Settings button Gear icon (upper-right) and then Library Links (left-side). Type Grossmont College into the search box and click Find Library. Check the Grossmont College Library - Get It! @ Grossmont box. Save your Scholar Preferences. To open full-text from off-campus, click Get It! @ Grossmont and then enter your Grossmont username & password. For a step-by-step view of this process go to SJSU Library's Google Scholar tutorial .

Textbook Reserves

Got textbooks? Check out the library's Textbook Reserves to see if we have a textbook that you need. If you don't find it on our shelves, you can request that we buy it. Go to the Reference Desk and fill out a Textbook Request form. We'll take requests over the next 7 days, until February 5. Then we'll go out and buy all the requested textbooks we can until our funds run out!

'Tis the Season...for Research Papers

Oh joy, it's that time of the semester when research papers loom. Did you know that you have librarians at your beck and call, just waiting to help you out? You can stop by the Reference Desk any hour that the library is open to get face-to-face help. Or you can get 24/7 online help by using our AskUsNow! service. Use your smart phone or computer to go to the Library website and click the AskUsNow! icon found on the home page.

Group Study Rooms

Studying for a test with your study group? Need a place to prepare for a group presentation or a speech? The Library has group study rooms that you can check out, equipped with whiteboards, markers, and some with PCs and TVs. Group Study Rooms on the 1st floor are available on a first-come-first-served basis and can be checked out at the Circulation Desk. Group Study Rooms on the 2nd floor can be reserved at the Media Desk for a particular day and time. There's even a single person study room that you can reserve. The Media Desk also has laptops and voice recorders that you can check out. We have what you need to succeed!

Trying to Think of a Topic for Your Research Paper?

If you need a topic for an upcoming research paper and inspiration hasn't struck, try browsing the topics found in the following sources. The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center gives you a list of all their topics when you click on "Browse Issues" from the top menu. CQ Researcher also gives you a list of topics when you click on "Browse Topics" in the top menu. Finally, you can get topic ideas from the New York Times Topics Page These lists just might spark that "ah-ha!" moment and help you decide on a topic for your paper.

Come Watch the Film, "Koran by Heart" on Tues., Oct. 29 at 1pm

The next Bridging Cultures: Muslim Journeys film will be shown in Griffin Gate on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1:00-2:30pm. Koran by Heart is about 100 of Islam’s best young students from around the world come to Cairo for the International Holy Koran Competition. Many are in their late teens, some as young as seven. Koran by Heart follows the progress of three scholars, a girl and two boys, all ten years old, as they compete against students who, in some instances, are nearly twice their age. Scheduled during Ramadan, the two-week event is both grueling and exhilarating. Koran by Heart captures the skill, determination, and faith of the young competitors, but never lets the viewer forget that they are children: the solemn girl we watch as she accepts a prize from the president of Egypt is the same high-spirited kid who squeals with delight on her first camel ride. Afterwards, come to the library and take a look at the library's display board, located by the Reference Desk, that shows all the amazing books and films available from this collection. Questions? Contact Nadra Farina-Hess at 644-7283.