Distinguishing between factual and untrue news sources

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Julie Humphrey

There were several untrue news stories circulating on social media during the recent U.S. presidential election. It’s important to determine whether stories and news sources are reliable and accurate. Librarians at Northern Essex Community College Library in Massachusetts created and shared this useful resource guide: http://necc.mass.libguides.com/fakenewsvsrealnews/fakenews

Fake News Story Infographic, Huffington Post

Fake News Story Infographic, published by The Huffington Post, by Nick Robins-Early, 11/22/16

This guide links to helpful articles, videos, case studies, fact checking sites, and suggests tips for evaluating news stories. If you have questions or need help determining whether a source is reliable, feel free to ask your friendly librarians. We’re always glad to help you find accurate information.

Sources for more information:

The Chronicle of Higher Education: “Meet the Professor Who’s Trying to Help You Steer Clear of Clickbait:” http://www.chronicle.com/article/Meet-the-Professor-Who-s/238441

False, Misleading, Clickbait-y, and/or Satirical “News” Sources by Melissa Zimdars, Assistant Professor of Communication at Merrimack College: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10eA5-mCZLSS4MQY5QGb5ewC3VAL6pLkT53V_81ZyitM/preview

NPR: “Students Have ‘Dismaying’ Inability To Tell Fake News From Real, Study Finds”: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503129818/study-finds-students-have-dismaying-inability-to-tell-fake-news-from-real

Huffington Post: “How To Recognize A Fake News Story: 9 helpful tips to stop yourself from sharing false information:” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fake-news-guide-facebook_us_5831c6aae4b058ce7aaba169

School Library Journal: “Truth, truthiness, triangulation: A news literacy toolkit for a “post-truth” world:” http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2016/11/26/truth-truthiness-triangulation-and-the-librarian-way-a-news-literacy-toolkit-for-a-post-truth-world/

What We’re Reading: Purity

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Meredith Lewis

Title: Purity
Author: Jonathan Franzen
Genre: fiction Continue Reading →

Book Club Meeting-Ms. Marvel

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Courtney Bippley

Hello, Durham Tech!

It’s time for the next Durham Tech Library Book Club pick! Make sure to stop by our libguide for information and a book club interest form!

The Library Book Club will be meeting on Thursday, December 1st, at 1 PM. The meeting will be held in the Schwartz room in the Educational Resources Center (Building 5).

This time we will be discussing Ms. Marvel, Volume One: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona. The first volume in a ground-breaking series that won the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics.

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she’s suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she’s comin’ for you, New York!

We have extra copies at the library circulation desk so come check it out!

Popular Author to Speak at Durham Tech!

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Courtney Bippley

Meet the Author!

November 15th, 9:30 AM

TLC Room, Phillips Building

The Durham Tech Library is thrilled to announce that Jason Porath, author of the newly published Rejected Princesses book (which is based on his incredibly popular blog), will be speaking at our campus. He will talk about his blog, his book, and be answering questions from the audience.

The event will be in the TLC room, building 3, at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, November 15th.

Click the book cover above to visit his website, and then get excited. Really excited.

Reasons to attend this event:

Jason Porath will be there.
Cool librarians will be there.
You will learn about awesome women through history.
You’ll have something to talk about at your next dinner party.
The book cover is a really nice shade of purple which bodes well.
You can buy copy of Rejected Princesses and get it signed.
That’s enough reasons, I think you should be convinced.

What We’re Reading-Ghost Talkers

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Courtney Bippley

This book was read by Courtney Bippley-Reference Librarian at the Main Campus Library

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowel

Why did you choose to read this book?

The premise of this book was intriguing to me. Using mediums to get intelligence from ghosts of soldiers seems like a logical tactic if ghosts were a real and reliable phenomenon.

What did you like about it?

I like that the book didn’t shy away from the culture of the time in regard to racism and sexism. The author worked these issues into the plot, characters, and setting in a way that felt real without overdoing it. I also liked that despite the WWI setting the book read more like a mystery than a war book. I wasn’t inundated with page after page of descriptions of soldiers dying in the trenches and other horrors of war. Instead, the author gives glimpses of this reality but stays true to the main plot.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

The ending of this book felt bittersweet to me, which is perhaps the best you can hope for from a book set in one of the world wars.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes alternate histories or fantasy books.

What would you pair this book with?

I would pair this book with a documentary on WWI spy tactics and a ring of salt around the house to keep ghosts away.

Books, New

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Courtney Bippley

We have a great crop of new books this month with something sure to please everyone. From the hipster cook to the DIY mechanic to the fiction fan there will be a book to catch your eye. Come check out our New Books shelf at the library where these books and more are waiting for you!