York University Learning Commons

04/01/2014

Give us your feedback and you could win $50!!

12/04/2013

An Oprah Guest in the Archives: Rohinton Mistry
By Anusheh Fawad

The Archives and Special Collections hold records of many famous Canadian individuals, including Rohinton Mistry an Indian-born Canadian writer. He is a world renowned writer who has won numerous awards including, the Governor General’s Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book and was short listed for the Booker Prize and the Trillium Award. Did you know that this famous writer attended York University? Rohinton Mistry graduated from York University with a B.A in English and Philosophy. In 1999, his novel “Such a Long Journey” was adapted for a film and released as a major motion picture. The best-seller was “Oprahfied” for his novel, “A Fine Balance” as he was added to the Oprah Book Club, an experience he describes as a gift. The Archives and Special Collections hold records of Mistry’s career as a writer including, financial records, publicity files, notes and drafts and translations of his published work. The ASC preserves these documents as evidence as they are an important part of Canadian history.

11/28/2013

11/28/2013

With final exams approaching, Learning Skills Services will be offering an Exam Preparation Drop-in Session on Tuesday, December 3rd from 11am-1pm and on Wednesday, December 4th, from 1pm-3pm. These hands on drop-in sessions are designed to provide students with valuable tips on their upcoming exams and final assignments. Students are welcome to drop-in with their course readings, syllabus, lecture notes or study aids, during the listed hours in Bennett Centre N204B. For more information on preparing for tests and exams, please visit our website at: http://lss.info.yorku.ca/resources/

Academic Success ResourcesAcademic Skill-BuildingTen Secrets of University SuccessUniversity Time ManagementReading Skills for UniversityNote-taking at UniversityPreparing for Tests and ExamsPrint MaterialsDownloadable BrochuresLearning Skills Services - Who Are We ?Mastering Group AssignmentsNote T...

11/26/2013

What in the world is Microfilm/Microtext ???

Hey! My name is Rob. I’m one of the new student ambassadors for the Learning Commons at Scott Library. I’d like to tell you a little bit about microforms. I think it’s a really cool format and a very smart way to store publications.

What are microforms?
• Microforms are any forms, usually films, containing ‘micro-reproductions’ of documents for transmission, storage, reading, and printing. Microform images are commonly reduced to about one twenty-fifth of the original document size!! (aka super, super tiny) You have to use a micro-text reader, supplied by the library, to magnify and display a microform document onto a monitor.

Why does the library use microform?
• It enables expanded access to collections without putting rare, fragile, or valuable items at risk of theft or damage.
This means that you can read the version of Albert Einstein’s paper on Relativity that was originally published by the National Library of Canada in Ottawa in the year 1920! (P.S. I’m kind of a physics nerd…)
• It is compact, with far smaller storage costs than paper documents. Normally 98 document size pages fit on one fiche, reducing to about 0.25% original material. When compared to filing paper, microforms can reduce space storage requirements by up to 95%!!
This means that libraries can hold massive archives while using almost no space at all. This enables storage of various newspaper publications from decades ago. Come check out what the Toronto Star published on the day you were born! Or explore what the New York Times covered on this day over 150 years ago. We have textual holdings dating back to the year 1851!! I think that’s super cool ;) Maybe you will too??? ;)

11/21/2013

Wondering how to write the perfect paragraph? Well, that's the subject of tmrw's writing workshop! (Nov 22) 11:30-12:30pm S312 Ross

11/21/2013

Hello fellow Yorkies, hope you are getting your studying done for exam time. Have any of you been to the library lately? It’s so busy. Did you know that the Scott Library has several quiet study areas located on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors? The study desks there also have outlets so you can plug in your chargers and use your own devices.

You may also find that sometimes you need a really quiet, or even silent, place to study. The second floor on Scott Library also has a Silent Study Hall especially for students who require complete silence to focus on their work. So the next time you are having troubles finding a quiet spot, be sure to check out these spaces for an awesome experience at Scott!

11/20/2013

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LCYorkU

The latest from Learning Commons (). The Learning Commons provides an integrated approach to support student learning at York. 2nd Floor, Scott Lib., York U

11/19/2013

Choosing where to continue your education is a critical element in ensuring it a positive step forward. Learn about resources and strategies for selecting a post graduate program that fits best with your expectations, interests and resources.

Location: Screening Room in the Sound & Moving Image Library, Scott Library

Time and Date: Wed, November 20, 3pm – 4pm

11/19/2013

Most people only use a tiny fraction of their brain power. Learn techniques to help you transfer all that course work information into your long term memory, along with the strategies you’ll need to retrieve the information when you most need it.

Come check out the Memory workshop happening in the Screening Room in the Sound & Moving Image Library, Scott Library

Thursday November 28, 4pm – 5pm

11/19/2013

Struggling with studying for your exams?! Come check out the Exam Prep workshop happening in the Screening Room &
Moving Image Library, Scott Library

Thursday, November 21, 11am – 12pm & Thursday November 21, 11am – 12pm

Multiple choice, short answer, calculations, essay style – which form is your personal nemesis? Whatever the format, midterms or finals, if you could use some help in preparing for exams, then this workshop is for you!

11/19/2013

Having diffculties choosing a topic for your essay? Or can't find resources? Check out SPARK!

SPARK is your guide to successful academic papers.

SPARK modules are:
• 8 - 10 minutes each
• Focus on research, writing and learning
• Include examples, templates, videos and more

SPARK can help at any point in the preparation of your paper.