South College Library Blog

Did you know that the South College Library offers students, faculty, and staff access to over 100,000 eBooks? This August, we’re celebrating books that connect us to joy, curiosity, and the powerful peace that comes from expressing ourselves clearly. Whether you’re exploring the roots of democracy, unlocking the magic of your own thoughts through writing, or seeking the courage to write your truth, our collection has something to inspire you. Writing well doesn’t begin with perfection—it begins with understanding. Let this month’s selections remind you that clarity, expression, and connection are all within reach. 

Political Grammars: The Unconscious Foundations of Modern Democracy by Davide Tarizzo 
What if the way we talk about “we the people” is more important than we think? Political Grammars examines how identity, language, and unconscious cultural structures shape the very idea of democracy. With a unique mix of philosophy, linguistics, and political theory, this book helps readers think more clearly about what unites and divides us. A compelling read for students interested in political science, communication, or how grammar shapes our sense of self and society. 

Writing and Desire: Queer Ways of Composing by Jonathan Alexander 
This beautifully reflective book shows how writing can be a radical act of self-expression, especially for queer and trans writers. Writing and Desire blends personal reflection and theory to examine how the act of writing reveals our deepest hopes for a better world. For any student who’s ever struggled to find their voice, this book reminds us that our longing, creativity, and identity can all live on the page. It's a powerful meditation on the emotional and political possibilities of writing. 

Exploratory Writing: Everyday Magic for Life and Work by Alison Jones 
Writing doesn’t have to be perfect—it just must be yours. Exploratory Writing makes the case for writing as a tool for self-discovery, decision-making, and joy. With quick and accessible prompts, this book helps you unlock your creativity and clarify your thinking in just minutes a day. It’s a great pick for students who want to reduce stress, spark ideas, and build confidence in their writing process. 

Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy: The Crisis of Information by Jutta Haider & Olof Sundin 
In an age of information overload, this book digs into what it really means to be media literate. Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy questions what we accept as truth, fact, and knowledge—and how those ideas shape our ability to write, think, and communicate. It’s essential reading for students in media, education, or library science, and anyone curious about how power, perception, and literacy interact in the digital age. 

What the Science of Reading Says About Writing by Jennifer Jump & Hillary Wolfe 
Want to understand the science behind how we learn to write? This practical guide offers research-based strategies for teaching writing with clarity and purpose. Though written for educators, it’s also valuable for students who want to understand how strong writing habits are built—and how reading and writing support each other. A great foundational resource for future teachers and lifelong learners alike. 

The Art and Architecture of Academic Writing by Patricia Prinz & Birna Arnbjörnsdóttir 
This book is a blueprint for academic writing success—especially for multilingual students or those new to scholarly English. The Art and Architecture of Academic Writing offer clear structure (the “architecture”) while also encouraging writers to develop voice and style (the “art”). With a focus on practice and process, it’s a great choice for students to look to improve their academic writing in a way that feels both structured and expressive.  

You can find these and more through the South College Library’s digital collection—where writing becomes a practice of peace, discovery, and connection. Whether you’re exploring your voice, building new habits, or unlocking the wonder of words, let this month’s reads remind you: you don’t have to write perfectly to write powerfully. Your story matters—and we’re here to help you tell it. 

In all honesty, we know writing can be stressful. Whether you’re trying to meet a page count, trying to sound like you know what you’re talking about, or just trying to put your commas in the right place, it’s easy to start feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. But the truth is - you’re not a bad writer, you just don’t know all the rules yet. And that we can definitely work with.  

Grammar isn’t there just to trip you up. It’s meant to make your writing more clear and powerful. Once you cover a few basics, the whole process starts to feel a lot less like pulling teeth.  

That’s where your friendly online library database steps in. We’ve got a full Grammar Resources Guide to help build your confidence, learn the rules, and write your papers with minimal stress.  

So, what exactly is grammar?  

Cambridge Dictionary defines grammar as “the rules about how words change their form and combine with other words to make sentences.” In other words, it’s how your ideas get translated into something others can understand. If you’ve ever had a teacher say “good idea, but it’s a little unclear,” grammar might be the missing link. 

What’s in the guide?  

A little bit of everything. Our librarians have pulled together some of our best resources and tools to help you demystify grammar, writing styles, and citations. Perfect for use whether you’re just brushing up before turning a paper in or doing a deep dive to feel more confident in your everyday writing.  

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:  

Grammarly 

This free tool is a writing lifesaver. It checks your grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and gives suggestions to help you sound more polished without changing your voice. You can even download the browser extension to help with emails and discussion boards. 

eBooks + Print Books 

We’ve got books that break grammar down in a visual, easy-to-follow way. Some of our favorites include: 

• The Infographic Guide to Grammar (colorful and visual — perfect for quick understanding) 

• Write Right! (concise and packed with examples) 

• Sentence Skills (great for practice and review) 

• Strategies for Successful Writing (covers grammar and research strategies) 

• AMA Manual of Style and other formatting guides 

Not sure where to find these? The guide has location info and links, and if you're stuck, a librarian can always help. 

Writing Tools 

Whether you’re writing a research paper, a discussion post, or even an email to your professor, we’ve got tips and tools to make sure you’re saying what you really mean. The guide includes help with sentence structure, clarity, tone, and punctuation. 

APA or AMA?  

Different programs may use different citation styles, and switching between them can be confusing. Our guides break down APA and AMA formats with examples, plus shows you how to properly cite your sources because avoiding plagiarism is just as important as writing a strong paper. 

You’re not in this alone 

Grammar doesn’t have to feel intimidating. We built this guide to make writing easier and to take some of the guesswork out of the process. Whether you’re trying to improve your sentence structure, avoid plagiarism, learn the difference between APA and AMA, or just stop second-guessing your comma placement, it’s all covered. 

And if you ever get stuck or want one-on-one help, reach out to a librarian. We're happy to walk through things with you, help you find a resource, or just give you a boost when you’re feeling stuck. 

So don’t let grammar be the thing that holds your writing back. Learn the rules, get the tools, and take your writing to the next level, with a little help from your library. 

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, from the news headlines to the apps on your phone. But did you know it can also be a helpful companion in your studies? Tools like ChatGPT can support your learning journey if you use them thoughtfully and ethically. 

Here at South College, we care deeply about academic integrity. The AI tools you might use, like ChatGPT, are incredibly powerful, but they are not meant to replace your own critical thinking or research skills. Think of them as a study buddy. They can help clarify tricky concepts or spark ideas, but they should never do the heavy lifting for you. 

Ways to Use AI to Support (Not Replace) Your Learning 

If you've ever stared blankly at a complicated journal article or dense textbook chapter, you’re not alone. One great way to use AI ethically is to ask it to paraphrase or simplify tough text so you can understand it better. You are still responsible for doing the actual work, like reading, analyzing, and forming your own conclusions, but this can help you get past that initial “what is this even saying?” moment. 

Another helpful idea is to use ChatGPT to organize your time. Try feeding it all your upcoming assignments and due dates, then ask for a sample study schedule. You can adjust the plan to fit your style, but it is a great starting point when things feel overwhelming. 

Need help brainstorming paper topics? You can bounce ideas off ChatGPT and get suggestions for themes or angles to explore. Just remember, coming up with the final thesis and arguments is your responsibility. 

Avoiding Common Pitfalls 

While AI can be a great helper, there are lines you should not cross. For example, at South College, if you use AI-generated content in your assignments, you need to properly cite it. Submitting AI-generated work as your own without acknowledging it could lead to academic penalties under the Academic Honor Code. 

It is also important not to use AI to do assignments that require your personal analysis, creative thinking, or moral reasoning. Your professors want to hear your voice and see your skills grow. AI is not capable of ethical judgment or genuine creativity. That is all you. 

Plus, avoid using AI for tasks that involve interacting with people, like interviewing subjects for a research project. AI might sound smart, but it cannot replicate real human experiences or emotions. 

Check Yourself Before You Submit 

A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, "Am I using this tool to understand and support my learning, or to do the work for me?" 

When in doubt, always check the South College AI Policy. You can find it in the Student Handbook or on our library’s AI resource guide. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and it will help you feel confident that you are staying on the right side of academic integrity. 

If you are curious to learn more about AI, we have a lot of additional resources available. From videos and documentaries to ebooks, you can take a deep dive into the history, use, and future potential of AI. You can find these through our AI library guide, which includes content from Films On Demand and carefully curated ebooks from the South College Library. 

At the end of the day, AI can be an amazing partner in your education. Just remember, it should always help you shine, not take your place. 

We’re excited to announce the launch of the South College Institutional Repository! The South College Institutional Repository, managed by the Department of Library Services, serves as a hub for the preservation and dissemination of scholarly works produced by the South College community. This digital archive facilitates the discovery of research and academic contributions from faculty, staff, and students.

The Institutional Repository serves to:

• Preserve and provide long-term access to scholarly output.
• Enhance the visibility and impact of South College research.
• Facilitate scholarly communication and collaboration.

While currently featuring graduate theses, dissertations, and capstone projects, the repository welcomes submissions from faculty, staff, and students across various formats.

The link to the IR can be found on the Library homepage.

Want more information about the Institutional Repository? See the Institutional Repository Information Page on the library website under the Resources tab. 

And if you're looking for a quick guide to searching the repository, we've created a handy video tutorial called "Institutional Repository 2025" to help you navigate and find what you need.

Take a moment to explore the Institutional Repository and see the amazing work being done here at South College!

It’s clear that the digital age is upon us, and information is moving faster than ever. Let’s take love letters and Valentine’s Day, for example. Although it is a holiday that lives in extremes (you either love to hate it or hate to love it) as soon as the Christmas decorations come down, stores are filled to the brim with pink hearts and chocolates for your love.  

At its onset, the holiday we celebrate today may have been unrecognizable to many of us. The earliest versions of Valentine’s Day are believed to stem from a pagan holiday, Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility. Men and women were paired together when their names were drawn from a hat, and “valentines” were exchanged. (Hiru News, 2024).   

Later, the holiday underwent a Christian makeover and was named for a Catholic priest whose deeds blur the line between fact and legend. Legend has it that when a Roman emperor outlawed marriage for young, able-bodied men, believing single soldiers served the empire better, St. Valentine secretly married lovers. He was eventually caught and executed, but not before penning a final love letter to his sweetheart, signed “Love, your Valentine.” (Salem Press, 2024).  

From there, the holiday grew into a widely celebrated day of love and romance. People continued writing handwritten notes for their valentines until the invention of the printing press, which made mass production of such cards possible.  

Fast forward to the late 20th century and the rise of the internet, and we see the emergence of email; a brand-new way to send a little e-honey. Declarations of love could now be shared not only with your valentines but also with 300 of your closest friends and family in the form of words, graphs, exploding GIFs, and much more. We no longer have to wait days or weeks to receive messages, and it is fascinating to think about how quickly the landscape of communication has changed.  

At South College, we are committed to staying at the forefront of the digital age. All the resources and methods today’s students and leaders need can be found on our library website. Whether you are looking for inspiration from a 17th-century poet on the meaning of love or the latest research on stem cells, you will find it cataloged within our vast databases.  

For example, I used our library database’s concept map tool to explore the history of Valentine’s Day. This is an excellent resource for beginning research on a topic. It generates a web of related topics that you can add to your search or expand into a new map with a different central focus. For visual learners, this tool is invaluable for connecting large concepts and data, enabling more holistic research. To access this map and other tools navigate to the library homepage, and under the search bar click “Advanced search”. You will find the concept map under “Research tools”.  

So, this Valentine’s Day, while reflecting on how love letters have evolved over centuries, consider exploring the library’s resources. You might just find inspiration for your next declaration of love or your next big research project!  

References  

History of Valentine's Day, and why we celebrate. (2024, February 14). Hiru News.   

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A782381925/STND?u=southcollege&sid=ebsco&xid=bb08259e  

St. Valentine’s Day. (2024). Salem Press Encyclopedia.   

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=566eccea-c07e-3b31-b370-cb0109e82176  

In today's digital age, information is everywhere. But how can we determine what's reliable and trustworthy? One crucial factor is whether a source has undergone peer review. In this blog post, we'll explore what peer review is, how it differs from popular publications, and why it's important for academic research. 

Peer review is a process where experts in a specific field evaluate the quality, validity, and originality of research articles before they are published. These reviewers, often referred to as "peers," assess the author's methodology, findings, and overall contribution to the existing body of knowledge. 

While both peer-reviewed articles and popular publications aim to inform and educate, there are significant differences in their approach and content. 

Peer-Reviewed Articles: 

• Undergo a thorough evaluation by experts. 

• Written for a specialized audience. 

• Provide evidence and support for claims. 

• Adhere to strict publication standards. 

Popular Publications: 

• May not undergo the same level of scrutiny. 

• Written for a broader audience. 

• May not provide extensive references. 

• Have more flexible publishing standards. 

To identify peer-reviewed sources, look for journals that explicitly state their peer review process or have a mission statement outlining their commitment to peer review. Additionally, some journals may provide information about their review board. Finally, use reputable academic databases which often include peer-reviewed articles. 

To filter for peer-reviewed articles in the Library Search, check the Scholarly Peer-Reviewed box under the Refine Results>Limit to tab on your search results page. See screenshot: 

For more information about Peer-Review, explore the library’s Peer-Review Guide. 

Student Resources Web Page Adds Tutoring Resources

The General Education Department in cooperation with the college web team has added a Tutoring resources button to the Current Students page of the college web site.

Clicking on the button will take the viewer to a Canvas page that includes quarterly Math, Tech, and Writing Lab hours.

Links to Writing and Math Lab schedules on library pages will be updated to point to the Current Students page.

The library's tutorials have been updated with a new series of videos on formatting papers in the style of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

The series of six videos covers paper formatting, creating in-text citations, formatting short and long direct quotes, formatting references, and different kinds of sources.

For additional information on APA 7th formatting, check out the library's guide to APA 7th. Each library and resource center also keeps at least one copy of the APA Publication Manual available for reference.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by American Psychological Association

Call Number: REF BF 76.7 .P83 2020

ISBN: 9781433832161

Publication Date: 2019-10-01

The American Medical Association has released a new 11th edition of its style manual for 2020, and the library has updated its resources accordingly.

Copies of the new 2020 AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition, will be available for reference at all South College libraries and resource centers. The ebook edition is also available online.

AMA MANUAL OF STYLE, 11th EDITION by The JAMA Network Editors (Editor)

Call Number: REF R 119 .A533 2020

ISBN: 9780190246556

Publication Date: 2020-03-02

The AMA Manual of Style is a must-have resource for anyone involved in medical, health, and scientific publishing. Written by an expert committee of JAMA Network editors, this latest edition addresses issues that face authors, editors, and publishers in the digital age. Extensive updates are included in the References chapter, with examples of how to cite digital publications, preprints, databases, data repositories, podcasts, apps and interactive games, and social media. Full-color examples grace the chapter on data display, with newer types of graphic presentations and updated guidance on formatting tables and figures. The manual thoroughly covers ethical and legal issues such as authorship, conflicts of interest, scientific misconduct, intellectual property, open access and public access, and corrections. The Usage chapter has been revised to bring the manual up-to-date on word choice, especially in writing about individuals with diseases or conditions and from various socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, and sexual orientation populations. Specific nomenclature entries in many disciplines are presented to guide users in issues of diction, formatting, and preferred terminology. Guidance on numbers, SI units, and math has been updated, and the section on statistics and study design has undergone a major expansion. In sum, the answer to nearly any issue facing a writer or editor in medicine, health care, and related disciplines can be found in the 11th edition of the AMA Manual of Style.

APA 7th Edition Publication Manuals and Style Guide Available

Beginning Winter Quarter 2020, South College Libraries and Resource Centers have been equipped with the updated seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to support programs now using this style.

The library has also published a new APA seventh edition research guide to support students and faculty using the updated style.

As with the guide to the sixth edition of the APA manual, the research guide topics include:

• APA-style paper formatting tips and resources
• In-text citation formatting examples
• Reference list examples and formatting resources
• Examples of citations for references from specific databases

There are also a recording and resources from an in-service webinar conducted by library staff earlier in the year with an overview of the major changes from the sixth to the seventh edition, especially the notable changes in:

• General paper formatting
• In-text citation formatting
• Reference formatting

The libraries will continue to keep copies of the sixth edition of the APA publication manual and maintain the existing APA sixth edition research guide until all programs have completed the transition to the seventh edition.