Black Authors in ACC Libraries

In honor of Black History Month, we’re putting the spotlight on a selection of black authors whose work you can find in ACC library collections.

Nikki L. M. Brown’s Private Politics and Public Voices: Black Women's Activism from World War I to the New Deal provides a deep dive into the theme of this year’s Black History Month, “African Americans in Times of War.” The Association for the Study of African American Life and History explains that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the theme “explores the complex meanings and implications of this international struggle and its aftermath.”

Toni Morrison. Photo by Angela Radulescu.
Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Toni Morrsion’s novels are available at many campuses, and you can always have one sent to a campus of your choosing. If you’re not close to campus, you can view this video featuring Toni Morrison speaking about what it means to be a black female author from anywhere you have access to a computer.

A large portion of James Baldwin’s oeuvre can be found in various ACC libraries, including a CD audiobook version of Go Tell It on the Mountain.

A selection of Zora Neale Hurston’s novels and short stories can be found by searching our library catalog. Check out her autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road, for a fascinating look into Hurston’s life and work as a novelist, folklorist, anthropologist, and more.

Zora Neale Hurston. Photo by Bev Sykes
Licensed under CC BY 2.0

You can find Roxane Gay’s fiction works as well as her recent memoir here.

The Masterplots Series contains scores of stories and essays by black authors. You can find these books in the Reference Section at select campuses.

Finally, because we love libraries, here is a special spotlight on the writings of Audre Lorde. Lorde was a writer, LGBTQ champion, feminist, and… a librarian!

If you want guidance on exploring works by other black authors, stop by the library or chat with us online.

Request items from other ACC Libraries

Interested in requesting a book or DVD at another campus be sent to your preferred campus library? Did you find that the perfect source for your paper is on the shelf at your campus library, and want to be sure it isn't checked out before you arrive? You can now easily request a specific copy of that title be held or sent to any ACC Library!

Note: You cannot request textbooks from the Student Support Textbook Collection online.

Search the ACC Library Search Tool on the Library Homepage to find materials on your topic of interest.

After you have found the item you want, click on the title of the item.

On the next detail screen, you will see an option to “Request this copy” in the holdings grid. Click on the copy you want to request.

Login using your ACCeID and password. Other users, such as TexShare borrowers, use their ACC ID# or barcode, and their assigned password.

Choose the campus location where you plan to pickup your item. Click on the Request Item button.

After submitting the request, you will receive message whether the request is successful

 or not successful and why.

Note: When an item such as a Textbook is unavailable to be requested, a message like this one will appear.

When the item is ready for pickup, you will receive a message at your ACC email address.

NOTE on books/videos at other libraries: Items are pulled from shelves only once each morning (M-F). Campus mail delivery may take 2-4 days. If you require faster service -- or, if you have not heard from us within 10 days -- contact the library directly. Also note that items are not always returned by their due dates.  Items On Order will take longer.

NOTE on requesting books/videos that are checked out: Items are not always returned by their due dates. 

If you wish to suggest or request that a new title be purchased for the library, you can find more information here.

If you have any questions, you can get help 24 hours a day on our Ask a Librarian page! 

Library Services and Programs During Intersessions

The mission of Library Services is to support teaching and learning at Austin Community College by offering Services and Programs that will help faculty and students attain a successful learning experience.

Open Libraries

Library Services has one central campus open between semesters (where the Student Support Textbook Collection is). See this page for information on open libraries.

If patrons need to return material when libraries are closed, there are book drops at many campuses that can be used. Book drops at closed campuses are checked frequently during intersession to collect any returned items. (See this FAQ about returning library material.)

To support access to the Student Support Textbook Collection, Highland is the open campus library with staff from other libraries rotating in to staff the library. All library assistants staffing HLC during the intersession are trained in textbook policies and procedures.

Reference & Research Services

Reference Librarians provide assistance to students at the Highland Campus Library during the intersession.Chat service provides our students with assistance even when we are closed. The service provided after hours includes librarians who are trained in and are familiar with our resources.

We continue to answer email reference questions when we are closed as well for those who choose not to use Chat services.

As always, the ACC Library Services offers 24/7 access to the Library Web Site with links to such resources as:

• ebooks,
• online library catalog,
• subject guides to resources,
• research guides,
• online tutorials

In Addition:

During intersession phone messages and signage at all library locations are standardized, instructing students on which library is open and how best to reach them. Check flyer holders on library doors for "handouts" with hours and directions guiding them to the open campuses.

Fresh-grown Produce @ ACC?

It's true!!
ACC has a Continuing Education program in Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship at the Elgin campus!! This program focuses on ecological farming and small farm profitability. Students get real, hands-on experience growing a variety of heirloom fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Students have also set up Farmer's Markets at the Elgin campus and Highland Business Center to sell their harvest. Beginning in Summer 2017, this program conducted a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pilot that has been expanded into the Fall. For a small fee, subscribers to the CSA get a weekly delivery of fresh produce from the Elgin farm complete with a description of each item, storage and cooking suggestions.
Fresh, healthy, affordable, and growing, the Sustainable Agriculture program at ACC is on trend! Visit their Facebook page for more photos or learn more about Sustainable Agriculture resources.

Changes in Adult Education at ACC

Image from https://pixabay.com/en/adult-education-book-books-know-2706977/

Austin Community College has served as the primary sponsor of the Adult Education Program in Travis County since September 1973.  It is funded through federal, state and local (ACC) funds.  As a result, most people know that students can come to ACC to take free classes to prepare for and take the GED test to get their High School Equivalency Certificate.  The GED test has been around since the 1940’s, and was originally set up to help U.S. soldiers coming back from the war.   Over the years, it became nearly synonymous with “high school equivalency.”  But now in the last few years, options for students to get a high school equivalency diploma have changed dramatically.

The GED test was completely rewritten and the new version premiered in 2014.  The new test was more rigorous than the older version, and for the first time, the tests could only be taken on computer.  Around 2014 some new players entered the testing market too.  States across the country have been adding these tests as paths to a High School Equivalency Certificate.  In fact, in Texas the State Board of Education voted January 29, 2016 to award contracts to three separate companies to provide high school equivalency assessments.

Test takers may now select from one of the following three assessments:

GED test

HiSET exam

TASC test

You can find out more about the three tests and their differences at “Test Information at a Glance” on the TEA website.

In 2013, by legislative action, the adult education program in Texas was transferred from the Texas Education Agency to the Texas Workforce Commission.  While the TWC now oversees Adult Education and Literacy, the TEA continues to oversee the testing part and issues the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE).  This seems to be a better alignment for many of the students who are trying to get their high school equivalency certificate in order to get a better job.  That better job may even enable them to go on to college.

So, while the TWC Adult Education and Literacy program has oversight over high school equivalency educational programs, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) still manages the high school equivalency testing operation in Texas. You can learn more about Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency on the TEA website at Certificate of High SchoolEquivalency Information.

ACC offers two locations for students to sign up for and take the tests through the ACC Business Assessment Testing Center at the Highland Campus or Round Rock Campus locations.

In addition to helping students prepare for the test to get their high school equivalency diploma, theAdult Education Department also helps students through free classes in:

          ESL

         Career Pathways

         College Prep Program

The ACC Libraries support Adult Education students through materials available in print and online.  Study guides for all three test assessments are available.  There is a Research Guide for Adult Education that gives students tips on places to find help in studying for the different test sections, especially for Reading and Writing and Math.  It includes sources for ESL students and information on study skills and careers too.

Furthermore, the libraries provide study material and practice tests through two Databases. 

One is Learning Express. 

.

 Learning Express in particular covers all aspects of Adult Education, more than just study material to prepare for a High School Equivalency test.  It also covers ESL (preparing for the TOEFL), study skills and career exploration.  Additionally it has study material available in Spanish.

  The other is the Testing and Education Reference Center.

The Testing and Education Reference Center covers all three high school equivalency exams as well as tutorials in reading, writing and math.  It too covers ESL (preparing for the TOEFL) and career exploration.

Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)

Are you writing a research paper? Do you need background information about art, business, history, literature, science, or other subjects? Do you need a basic introduction to your subject, with overviews of the important facts and concepts? Then Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) is the resource for you!

Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) is a collection of encyclopedias and other online reference books that covers a wide variety of subject areas. Here you can search by keyword or browse hundreds of titles to find quick information for beginning your research!

Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) brings so many resources together in one database, it’s a great spot to start your research. No matter what topic you’re interested in, GVRL will likely have background information appropriate and helpful for you!

Have a question about how to use Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)? Ask a librarian! We're here to help you!

iPads @ ACC

Do you need a way to read one of the library's 50,000 ebooks? How about a way to access Blackboard on the go? Maybe you just want to watch the movie your Introduction to Cinema professor recommended.

ACC Library Services has wifi-enabled iPads available for student checkout at every campus! You can even choose between an iPad mini and a traditional 9.7 inch screen.

IPads checkout for 2 weeks just like a book! You can also renew your iPad up to 2 times. Just stop by the library, or call the checkout desk so we can make sure there is at least 1 tablet available if another student need it.