Academic resources available to students

Last updated on January 30, 2018

By Ashley Perham

Thigpen Library – Thigpen Library itself is an academic resource. On the second floor of the building, students will find thousands of physical books which can be sent to any Volunteer State Community College campus.
Study rooms – Students looking for a space to study or work as group have study rooms available. Scattered throughout the library are individual study spaces, including a room designated as “silent.”
IT Department – The college’s information technology department has an open computer lab on the first floor of the library with PCs, Macs, scanners, and printers.
Textbook library – A limited number of textbooks are available for use in the library. Each campus library has textbooks, but there are not textbooks for every class. The services page on the library’s website links to information on textbooks and other resources available for students including technology lending.
Library website – The digital gateway to the library is their website (volstate.edu/library). Here students will find a link to the databases and research guides. The research guides, curated by librarians, link students to the credible resources needed for their assignment.
Library databases – The library provides access to approximately 100 databases, which are available 24/7. Students can use these databases to complete assignments or gain a better understanding of a topic discussed in class. Databases consist of ebooks, streaming videos, and articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers.
Online resources – Students can use the library’s “New York Times Online” subscription to set up a free account and stay up to date with world events through their computer or a phone app. Lynda.com and LearningExpress Library can help students with the skills they need to be a successful student at Vol State.
Research help – Help with research is available in many formats in addition to the library research guides. Review a video tutorial, chat online 24/7, or stop by a library on your campus for help.
NoodleTools – NoodleTools is a website that helps students write papers by organizing their notes and correctly citing their sources. Access to NoodleTools is provided for Vol State students through the library website.
Learning Commons – The Learning Commons in the first floor of the library. The Commons offers tutoring in math, science, reading, and writing. Math tutoring is available from the Learning Support level up to calculus. Chemistry and physics tutoring is also available. Students can also get help with reading and writing through practice essays and reading lessons and tests.
Language Center – The Language Center at Vol State in SRB 205 is available to give students help with different aspects of writing essays such as thesis development, grammar, and style. French and Spanish tutors and resources are also available upon request.