Have you ever finished reading a book that was so good you just couldn’t put it down? But then the book ended and the sequel wasn’t being published for another few months? What do you do in the meantime, just stop reading? No! You try to find another great book to read, and NoveList can help you find that next great read!

At its core, NoveList can recommend you a book based on another book or author you type into the search bar. It breaks books down into various genres, themes, and ideas and helps you find something similar. Take for example a book I just finished, The Time It Never Rained, by Elmer Kelton about a cattle rancher in 1919, faced with losing his farm, land, and cattle due to a 6-year drought.

As you can see on the side, NoveList already has a list of titles it thinks I’ll enjoy next, including The Range War of 82′, and Rio Tinto. However, if I scroll down the page just a bit, I can search again using some key terms that identify specific thinks about the novel I liked. Selecting the key words and searching again gives me even more titles to enjoy!

Keep refining your search with the tools available to find the perfect book for you! If we don’t have a copy available at the UAA/APU Consortium Library, make sure to place a hold on the book. Your library card can get you books from other libraries across the state, so no need to miss out on your next favorite book!

Happy reading!

Welcome to the fall semester!  We have good news: The Information and Research Help Desk is open for in-person service this semester. The librarians are available for helping you with your research and book/resource-finding needs.

Studying from home? You have options. The Virtual Research Desk is still alive and well! You can chat in real-time with librarians on the Ask Us page by clicking the green “Chat is Online” button. If you already started your search in the Quicksearch box, click the blue “Ask us! tab on the side of your screen to begin a chat session. You can also call at 786-1848 and email us using this form. If you have a particularly gnarly question, we can even Zoom with you!

For fall 2021, the In-person and Virtual Reference Desk will be available 9 am – 8 pm Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm Friday, and 1 pm – 6 pm Saturday-Sunday.

Need even more options to get help? Lucky for you, librarians are also available by appointment!

If you have a pretty specialized question in your field of study, we have specific librarians whose skills are best suited to particular subjects. You can find the list of subject librarians and which majors they serve here. You can book an appointment with a specific librarian by clicking on their name and following the prompts.

Have a great fall semester!

The sun is out and we know many of you are out adventuring. But in case you need something to do when you come home and crash at night. . .

Check out the Academic Video Online database!

This database provides access to thousands of videos, including theatrical performances, documentaries, and instructional videos. There are topics like cooking, counseling, medicine, the American Civil War, film, architecture . . . the list goes on!

Feeling arty? Take a trip to the opera with Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Want to catch up on past summer movies? Check out Call Me by Your Name and other Sony Picture Classics.

Still feeling the urge to learn something (you may be a little crazy, but OK)? Try Ken Burns’s Civil War from PBS.

And if you cannot possibly face using any educational resources in the summer, that’s fine! AVON will be waiting for you next semester.

Enjoy the summer, everyone!

Scenario: you’re assigned a persuasive essay on a real world issue, a speech where you have to argue a point, or you’re in a class debate. You need to find sources, but how are you going to find some basic info on your topic? Surely someone else has had to research this already, right?

You’re right, they have!

The Points of View Reference Center is available using your Blackboard login credentials, or whenever you’re on campus WiFi.

Here, you can find basic descriptions of common debate topics. There are also brief arguments for various sides and perspectives on hot-button issues. There’s information on abortion, health care, gay rights, animal welfare, the military, immigration, race, and much, much more. Basically, if it’s a topic that could stir up drama at an extended family dinner, you can find sources here!

So get to grips with your argument and read short summaries of different perspectives. It’s a great way to understand what you want to say/write better!

Welcome to the summer semester, everyone! It’s Hot Girl Summer out there, but we’d like you to know that the librarians are still available for helping you with your research and book/resource-finding needs.

The Virtual Research Desk is still alive and well! You can chat in real-time with librarians on the Ask Us page by clicking the green “Chat is Online” button. If you already started your search in the Quicksearch box, click the blue “Ask us! tab on the side of your screen to begin a chat session. You can also call at 786-1848 and email us using this form. If you have a particularly gnarly question, we can even Zoom with you!

For summer session 2021, the Virtual Reference Desk will be available 9 am – 7 pm Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm Friday, and 1 pm – 5 pm Saturday-Sunday.

Need even more options to get help? Lucky for you, librarians are also available by appointment!

If you have a pretty specialized question in your field of study, we have specific librarians whose skills are best suited to particular subjects. You can find the list of subject librarians and which majors they serve here. You can book an appointment with a specific librarian by clicking on their name and following the prompts.

You got this! Study hard and enjoy the Alaskan summer!