As you begin the fall semester as a new student, or returning student, our Libraries and Academic Support Services staff want you to think of us differently. Your Madison College team of librarians, tutors and staff offer you services and resources that go well beyond what most people believe are the traditional roles in these spaces. As student learning evolves, so goes us.

We are a community learners and partners all working toward the same goal—your success. What you learn in our spaces also goes beyond the classroom. Yes, we have proven that using the library or working with tutors will help you get better grades, but what really happens is that your acquire lifelong learning skills. How so you might ask?

Using information today is more complicated than ever with “fake news”, false advertising, hacking, personal blogs and more. What you learn in any of our seven libraries, somewhat organically, is how to navigate this plethora of information so that you locate unbiased, accurate and helpful resources. It will help you with research for course work and papers, but it will carry over into your life. For example, using factual resources will help you choose who you think will make a good president, locate the best mortgage rates when you want to buy your first home or assist you in the job hunting process.  All of these decisions will impact your life, and perhaps, those of others such as a spouse or children. In the 2018 Student Satisfaction Survey, our libraries were ranked No. 1 in service and as a college strength. It’s important to be information smart and we will work with you to achieve that goal.

Our tutors, too, deal with real facts. Facts that will make you a more knowledgeable employee. Facts that will help you achieve the grades you need to transfer. Tutors also provide students with ideas for how to manage their time better and may be able to help you understand how you learn best. These skills will also transfer to everyday life. Our tutors in our five Student Achievement Centers are nationally certified. They go through extensive training to ensure they help you in the best way possible. They are the best of the best and hey will be available to you on the first day of the semester.

Libraries and Academic Support Services is always changing things up to ensure you have what you need.

• The library has just launched a whole new online catalog, WorldCat Discovery. You don’t need to go to Google anymore because you will find books, articles, videos, audio and more in the new catalog. What’s the difference? Every resource you find in the catalog will be authentic, accurate information that you can use without hesitation — unlike Google. We have done all the work for you!
• Our Student Achievement Centers will be adding professional tutors. These tutors are experts in their fields and exclusively dedicated to helping our students learn and succeed.
• Throughout the year we will gradually be working through processes for the closing of our Downtown and current South spaces in May of 2019 while at the same time preparing for our beautiful new spaces at Goodman South in Summer of 2019.
• We have added 10 more Chromebooks to our growing list of equipment and gadgets for students to check out.
• The Truax Library is piloting mobility printing. Want to print from your own laptop or device? Come to the Truax Library and give it a whirl.
• Look for our new Libraries and Academic Support Services podcast where we will play trivia, highlight student stories, talk with faculty, speak with local authors and dignitaries and more.

We are excited to see all of you back and look forward to working with you. We are here to help. Have a great semester.