Going to a library doesn’t always make research easy. Even exploring the Internet can be painstakingly tedious -- sifting through pages of nonsense to find one or two worthy sources. Thankfully, Wesleyan students have the luxury of their very own reference librarians, Mary Carole Lynch and Jan Pace, who is also the director of library resources. "Our primary job is to help the students," Lynch said. Lynch and Pace both give one- on-one instruction to students on how to find reference material quickly and how to access material on the library’s electronic data base. There are also classes available for professors to bring their students to. The most common is an intro to research and library resources course which lasts a class period.

"We try to guide students through the different data bases the library has to offer and teach students how to distinguish between good reference material and the junk," Lynch said. Students tend to think that just because it’s posted on the Internet, it’s legit. A specialized course is also given where the reference librarians pull information that is geared to a specific class when showing students how to utilize the library. "We like to work with the professors as a joint effort," Lynch said. Currently, there are 19 classes already booked for Sept. and Oct.

"The biggest problem students face is they think they can get everything on the Internet," Pace said. "The three basic tools are books, periodicals and online materials -- students need to hoop up with a reference librarian to figure out which combination is best for what they’re researching." If the reference librarians are not available, Lynch said, "The staff is very friendly and always tries to help." The Hofheimer Library is also a part of the Virginia Tidewater Consortium and deals with Interlibrary Loans. "There are over thousands of libraries that cooperate and place their information into a shared database that all libraries can access," Pace said. Students may borrow material they need for research from any library that is part of these programs if Hofheimer doesn’t carry the material. Pace said, "We use this database on a daily basis, sometimes 10 or 20 times a day, depending on who needs it." Students can pick up pamphlets on this system in the library.
Contact: Mary Carole Lynch, Reference Librarian College: 455-3223 Email: mclynch@vwc.edu.
Jan Pace, Director of Library Services College: 455-3220 Email: jpace@vwc.edu.

Once upon a semester there was a student who we’ll call Jane. Jane found herself embarking on her senior year at Virginia Wesleyan unsure of what she wanted to do beyond graduation in May. Jane has a major, but no real direction as to a possible career yet. Jane feels overwhelmed and is in dire need of a little guidance. If Jane sounds anything like you, you’re in luck. There’s a place you can turn for help, and it’s right here on campus. Career Services, located in Village II, can aid you not only in career decisions, but also with things like resume writing, finding internships, interview preparation, employer contacts and applying to grad school. You will also find the career resource room in the Career Services office. Inside you’ll find a vast array of information on career choices, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, Praxis exams and much more.

Don’t have a major yet? Not sure what you want to do? No problem. The friendly staff in Career Services will help you identify your interests, skills and abilities. Karen Halman, the assistant director for Career Services said, "We can point freshmen in the right direction for a major." When asked what message she would like to get out about Career Services, Halman said, "We are not just for seniors." Several workshops will be hosted by Career Services this fall. Students can learn how to land an internship September 19 at 4:30 p.m. October 16. The program, "Dispelling the Myth: 'I Have No Skills!'" will teach students how to turn their talents and life experiences into marketable job skills. A Business and Social Etiquette workshop and formal dinner will be held October 30 to allow students to practice their dining etiquette skills. If you would like more information on any of these events or about Career Services call them at 455-3338. Career Services is here to assist all students and even alumni achieve their professional goals.

Your final project is due and you know your professor would appreciate a little extra effort (and so would your grade). You think about creating a more professional look by adding some fancy binding, but you don’t have the money to spend at those high priced printing stores. What do you do? Well, here is a simple solution. You can bring your project to Virginia Wesleyan’s very own campus print shop. What, we have one of those? Yes, we do and it’s located on the second floor of the Hofheimer building. The shop offers everything from making copies for students and clubs, creating table tents, binding reports and booklets, to even making transparencies for a class presentation. "We hope to give them (students) quality information and presentation, and it’s convenient," said Kathy Hunger, print shop personnel.

But how much is all of this going to cost? Not as much as you would expect. Black and white copies are $.04 and colored copies are $.06. If you need something bound, it will cost $.25 for the first 100 pages, $.30 for anything up to 200 pages and $.50 for anything over 200 pages. If you want black and white transparencies, they cost $.20, and colored transparencies cost $1.25. These prices are a steal, especially when you compare prices to Kinko’s. Kinko’s copying services are twice as expensive for black and white copies and $1.29 for color copying. Also, binding at Kinko’s starts at $3.95 -- that’s six times more expensive than binding more than 200 pages at the VWC print shop!

However, the inexpensive prices are not the only reasons for using the campus print shop. Another benefit is that all your copying needs can be met right here on campus -- that means no driving and worrying about traffic, or whether or not you have enough gas to get you back to campus. Using your campus print shop can be done in three easy steps: walk to the print shop, fill out a work request form detailing your needs, and turn it in. It’s that simple, and whatever you need will be done in no more than twenty-four hours. "It’s a cheap, convenient way for students to get things printed without leaving campus," said Junior Stephanie Dodgers. If you are interested in seeing what the print shop has to offer, there will be an open house Thursday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided, along with demonstrations and door prizes. If you are interested in volunteering for the open house, contact Kathy Hunger at 466-3266.

We’ve all had classes that give us a little more trouble than others and we have all felt that no one could make us understand. You may struggle with the dreaded chemistry, accounting, botany, or maybe your language professor still catches you speaking Spanglish. Whatever it is, we’ve all struggled at some point. So, what do you do when you need to get through the class from hell? Here’s a suggestion: take a walk to the Learning Resource Center and seek a tutor who may thrive on the same subject you dread. The Learning Resource Center, located in the Clarke Building, room 228, offers a variety of tools as well as tutors for every subject available at Virginia Wesleyan.

Jeff Waller, assistant coordinator of the Learning Center, as well as director of tutoring and a VWC math instructor, said, "There is usually a stigma that follows the word tutor. People think only dumb people need the help when in reality it is everyone who benefits from it. A-B students use tutors." Fayne Pearson, disabilities coordinator, assistant academic dean and coordinator for the Learning Center, is also available should students with disabilities of any kind have questions or concerns. "We all have at least three titles behind our name," said Waller with a smile. The Learning Center also has computers available for students. Tutors in the Learning Center have all succeeded in the subjects they are tutoring and the majority are majoring in their specific areas. Sometimes all it takes for a topic to click is a clear explanation from a peer. Waller encourages all students to utilize the Learning Center.

Certainly bring study groups as we have private rooms available for the students to use as well. Tutors are available at various times during the week in subjects ranging from science and mathematics to writing and business. Copies of the tutoring schedules will be available around campus. There is also an online version of the schedule available at www.vwc.edu/academics. Instead of struggling with your term paper or stressing over an upcoming exam, visit the LRC and get the help you need. A suggestion to students afraid of what their peers may think of them for going to the Learning Resource Center: think of it under another title, such as Let’s Really Click!

Counseling services consists primarily of two people, Molly McClurg and Bill Brown. Each have an office located in Pruden Hall in Village I and serves as support for faculty and students in need of someone to talk to. "We are always here for the students," said McClurg. "We handle all sorts of problems, which are always kept confidential." Brown and McClurg take a very active role in campus life as well. Several programs on campus take place because of their efforts. The most recent of these activities is the Certified Peer Educator Program which takes place in the Boyd dining center on Saturdays. This program gives students a chance to not only learn how to handle their own problems, but also teaches them to help their peers. "This is our second year doing this program," said McClurg. "We hope to one day soon make this a recurring program for the students." Both counselors want students to know that no problem is too small to come in and talk to them about. They also have pamphlets to read with outside referral information if you’re interested. "You don’t have to have a major issue to come to the counseling center," Brown said. "Some days are worse than others, and you just need to talk to someone who cares."

Contact: Bill Brown Campus: 455-5730 Email:bbrown@vwc.edu. Molly McClurg Campus: 455-3131 Email:mmclurg@vwc.edu.