The CPCC Libraries are using technology to better communicate and educate our library users. One way to assist students with specific library tools is by offering a variety of online animated tutorials. These short animations show the user how to perform certain tasks, like how to find an ebook in netLibrary. Our newest tutorial, called Dr. Cite Right, focuses on defining and avoiding plagiarism, a common problem in academia today. Dr. Cite Right was conceived by our library staff and then, using an Innovation Grant, was developed by a CPCC student, Alper Pekdemir, who animated the product in Adobe Flash using a vibrant visual style to appeal to our users.

Another way the Library is communicating with our users is through instant messaging. Over the summer CPCC Libraries began offering reference service through various instant messenger services including AIM, Yahoo! and MSN. IM a Librarian puts our patrons one click from chatting live with a helpful librarian.

The Library is also using two blogs to share information with our campus community. Our libraries’ official blog serves as a place for CPCC to learn about what’s new at the Library and get tips on how to find, evaluate and use information effectively. Our second blog, Bookmarks: Beyond the Page, encourages the CPCC community to share their opinions on recent leisure reading by submitting candid reviews and allowing others to comment on those reviews.

We also offer online access to The Historical New York Times, covering the years 1851-2003 -- every issue, cover-to-cover, searchable, with full page images that allow the user to zoom and pan.

Every year the CPCC Libraries strive to effectively use technology to develop and strengthen our services and our connections to our users.