Academics & So Much More! Blog

Yep, we do—and it’s made just for you! Whether you're looking for research tips, study hacks, book recommendations, or updates on library events, our blog is your go-to spot for all things academic and awesome.

Why Check It Out?
🧠 Smart advice for crushing your assignments
📚 Hidden gems from our collections
🎉 Info on workshops, giveaways, and cool stuff happening in the library
💬 Real talk from your librarians (we’re cooler than you think)

New posts drop regularly, and we keep it short, helpful, and student-friendly.

👉 Visit the blog on the library website and bookmark it—you’ll thank us later.
Just a reminder: The blog is always being updated with fresh content, so check back often so you don’t miss out on tips, events, and exclusive library insights!

So you’ve got a research paper due. Do you:

A) Type your topic into Google and hope for the best?
B) Head to the library (or its website) and tap into a goldmine of scholarly resources?

Let’s break it down:

🔍 Google: The Fast Food of Research

• Quick and easy, but not always nutritious.
• You’ll find something—but is it credible?
• Ads, blogs, and Wikipedia might sneak into your citations (yikes!).

📚 The Library: The Gourmet Buffet

• Peer-reviewed articles, academic journals, ebooks, and expert help.  
• Access to databases like JSTOR, ProQuest, and more.  TCC Libraries offers many databases to help with all your research need!  Be sure to check out our A to Z Databases for all your research need.
• Librarians = your personal research coaches.  Access to a Librarian in-person and online.  If you need help with research after closing, be sure to check out Ask a Librarian!

🎯 The Verdict:
Google is great for getting started, but the library is where your paper levels up. Use both—but lean on the library when it’s time to get serious, cite right, and impress your professor.

The library is where you are! Today, library specialist Dominique M.  participated in the Monthly Doodle student engagement event at the Chesapeake Student Center. Students relaxed, socialized, connected through fun crafts and also learned about services available to them through libraries and tutoring.

Thank you Chiara W., Student Life Programmer, for the invite to your event and we look forward to the next one!

Check out our selection of fantasy novels, meet like-minded readers and make fantasy themed crafts at the Norfolk Library. September 24th from 1pm-4pm.

Hey there, paper warriors! 📝

We know formatting your college papers can feel like trying to decode ancient scrolls. But fear not! Whether you're team APA, MLA, or Chicago, we’ve got your back with this quick and quirky guide to making your paper look chef’s kiss perfect.

🧙‍♂️ Choose Your Style Spell

Different classes = different formatting styles. Here’s your magical match-up:

🧠 Pro tip: When in doubt, ask your professor. They’re the Sorting Hat of citation styles.

🛠️ Basic Formatting: The Holy Grail

No matter your style, these basics are your besties:

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt (classic and classy)
• Spacing: Double it up! -
  • To fix spacing highlight your paper
  • Make sure you are on the Home Tab
  • Then go to Paragraph and click on the arrow.
  • Under Spacing ensure the Before and After is set at 0.  Then change line spacing to double.
• Margins: 1 inch all around—no cheating!
  • To check to see if you have 1 inch margins all around your paper - click on Layout and then click the arrow under Margins.
• Indentation: First line of each paragraph = 0.5 inch tab
• Page Numbers: Top right corner (unless your style says otherwise) - To insert page numbers:  Click the Insert tab in Word and go to Header & Footer

🧠 Librarian Wisdom (a.k.a. Formatting Hacks)

• Don’t trust robots blindly: Citation generators are helpful, but double-check them.
  • To Format citations properly in Word
    • Be sure you have highlight the citations and that they are in alphabetical order by author's last name unless there is no author then it is by title.
    • Be sure you are on the Home Tab
    • Then go to Paragraph and click on the arrow.
    • Under Indentation, go to Special and select Hanging
• Save as you go: Formatting takes time—don’t lose your progress to a rogue laptop crash.
• Ask us anything: Seriously. We love this stuff.

Hey students! Whether you're a first-year finding your footing or a returning student balancing school, work, and life, your campus library has your back. This semester, we’re offering a lineup of workshops designed to boost your skills, save you time, and help you crush those assignments.

💬 These workshops are short, practical, and designed with you in mind—whether you're juggling school, work, or both. Plus, they’re a great way to meet other students and connect with friendly librarians who are here to help.

📅 Registration is required—secure your spot early! Visit the TCC Events Calendar to view the full schedule. Sessions are available online for extra flexibility.

From September 15 to October 15, we’re turning up the volume on stories, voices, and cultures that have shaped—and continue to shape—our world. Hispanic Heritage Month is a vibrant celebration of the histories, contributions, and achievements of Hispanic communities, and your library is the perfect place to join the fiesta!

📚 Read, Watch, Listen
Check out our recommended reading list, stream a film from our Hispanic Heritage collection, or tune into Latin music playlists that span genres from salsa to reggaetón. It’s a cultural journey—no passport required.

Check out some more resources:  

• Latin Studies Research Guide (TCC Libraries)
• National Hispanic Heritage Month (Library of Congress)
• Hispanic Heritage Month - (Smithsonian)
• Kanopy Video Collection

💬 Why It Matters
Libraries are all about stories—and Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us how rich, diverse, and powerful those stories can be. It’s a time to honor traditions, spark conversations, and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of our community.

So swing by, celebrate, and discover something new. ¡Nos vemos en la biblioteca!

Ever found the perfect book or article—only to realize it’s not in your library’s collection? Don’t give up just yet! Enter: Interlibrary Loan (ILL), your behind-the-scenes research hero. 🦸‍♂️📚

What is it?
ILL is like borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor—except it’s books, articles, DVDs, and more from libraries across the country (and sometimes the world!).  When using ILL be aware of your time with your assignment.  Books tend to take longer than getting articles.  

How it works:

1. You request the item:  https://tcc.libwizard.com/f/ILL_copy-2 
2. We track it down.
3. It arrives at your library.
4. You pick it up like a research rockstar. 🎸

Why it’s awesome:

• Access to millions more resources
• It’s usually free
• Saves you from buying expensive books or journals

So next time you hit a research roadblock, remember: if we don’t have it, we can probably get it. Just ask about Interlibrary Loan!

TCC Dual Enrollment students benefit from college academic support services delivered through an innovative program developed by TCC Libraries. High school librarians are provided with access and training on TCC Libraries’ resources and services to ensure Dual Enrollment students have access to the same academic support services as on-campus students. Now entering the second year, TCC’s program was the first of its kind in the VCCS. 

On August 27th, Chesapeake Librarian Michelle Brown presented at the annual city-wide meeting for high school librarians. Librarians from all seven Chesapeake high schools were in attendance for a broad discussion of library and tutoring resources & services, strategies for engaging dual enrollment students and faculty, and how TCC can better support our colleagues in the high schools.

Every September, we recognize Leukemia Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, support those affected, and promote education about blood cancers. At the library, we believe that access to reliable information and compassionate storytelling can empower individuals and communities alike.

📚 Learn the Facts Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It can impact people of all ages, and early detection and research are key to improving outcomes. 

We invite students, faculty, and researchers to explore:

• Peer-reviewed journals in hematology and oncology
• Books from our TCC Library catalog
• Databases like PubMed and ScienceDirect for the latest research

Visit our HealthPortal Research Guide to learn more. Together, we can support awareness, advance knowledge, and foster hope.