The State Library of North Carolina provides digital access to past issues of Our State magazine. You can browse full issues from when it was first published in 1933, as The State, all the way up through 2020. The most recent issues are available in print at PCC Library.
PCC instructors can now provide easier online access to high school, continuing education, or other types of students in their areas needing to study and prepare for things like the GED, TEAS, HiSET, ACCUPLACER, EMT, CDL, ASVAB, CLEP, ACT, SAT, NCLEX-RN . . . and so many more.
The Library can provide you with a custom link (or set of links) that you can pass along to your students, leading them to the exact tutorial, practice test, etc. that you want them to complete with fewer steps.
For example . . .
Students in a Pharmacy Technician class through Con Ed, can be sent a custom link (or set of links) from their instructor that allows them to directly access very specific modules. The student clicks the link and is taken directly to the login page for a specific practice test, tutorial, learning center, etc.
How is this better?
The custom links remove the extra steps of having to click the database link, login through the proxy via myPittCC (or with a generic proxy username/password), then spend time searching the database and sifting through the various results to find the exact test or tutorial that they need.
Why create an account?
Personal accounts make it so you can save your progress and return to finish later. The first step is to click "Sign In or Register to Begin." To create an account, enter a valid e-mail address and create a password. A student ID and course number are NOT required and the e-mail does not have to be one from PCC. Next time, just sign in and pick up where you left off.
Try it! 
Here are just a few examples of custom links that do not require you to login via the usual Library Online Database Access page, so that you can see how it works.
- ExCPT Practice Test 2
- Cosmetology Practice Exam 1
- TEAS Mathematics Practice Test 1
- Skeletal System Game
- Career Prep Center: Build Workplace Skills
- Core English Skills Center
There are literally thousands of individual tests, tutorials, study materials, and learning centers for which we can provide custom links. To see what's available, click the PrepSTEP link below, and when prompted, login to myPittCC. Create your own personal account to take tests, access tutorials, etc.
Provides access to both LearningExpress and PrepSTEP. Includes practice for the TEAS test, ACT, SAT, NCLEX-RN, licensing exams, developmental math and reading skills, basic computer skills, workplace skills, and more.
What's next?
We can create the links for you, or we can show you how to do it on your own. Contact Angela Davis (asdavis688@my.pittcc.edu) to get started.
Here's quick run-down of what's new in the Library for April 2024. For all the details, visit our What's New page.
Children's Books Online
The Comics Plus database now includes a huge collection of children's picture books. Topics include weather, using American Sign Language, diverse families, healthy lifestyles, manners, fiction, colors, cultural holidays, shapes, history, science, and much more.
NOTE: This database includes resources for all age levels, from Pre-K through adult.
New Print Books
Many new books have come in through our leased book program through McNaughton. They are currently on display on the 1st floor across from the Circulation Desk. Come check these out before they disappear. From romance to biography, there's a little bit of everything included in this latest haul.
Flipster Digital Magazines
You can literally flip through the pages (online) of the latest issues of National Geographic, Entrepreneur, Popular Mechanics, and Consumer Reports.
Artificial Intelligence: AI
AI ChatGPT, OpenAI, GPT-4...and the list goes on. What's all of this stuff anyway, and how can you learn more about it? That's easy! Visit our new Artificial Intelligence research guide and you'll find more than you ever wanted to know.
Dogwood Digital Library
This resource is shared among many NC Community College libraries across the state and new e-books and audiobooks are constantly being added. Learn more about Dogwood Digital and how you can access this growing collection of fiction (and even some nonfiction!) titles. Additionally, you'll find a growing number of comics, graphic novels, and manga as well.
What Is Open Education Week?
Open Education Week is a celebration of the global Open Education Movement. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the movement and its impact on teaching and learning worldwide.
How can we celebrate? Learn & Share!
Attend one of the many free online OE Week events that are taking place all over the globe, of which quite a few are being presented by or for community and technical colleges, or attend a session right here at PCC. You could also try searching for openly licensed materials that are available in your subject area.
Find something neat? Tell us!
List any interesting articles, infographics, textbooks, videos, courses, etc. that you come across. Simply add it to the PCC OE Week Padlet. Click the + [plus] icon to add your post (see the preview below). Feel free to comment on the posts that are already there and start a conversation!. I've found a lot of new things in the past few days and I'm eager to see what you guys will add.
Other ways to celebrate can include reading the latest issue of the OER Digest or go over to the CCCOER website for news and webinars, or visit SPARC and take a deep dive into Open Access, Open Education, and Open Data.
Happy searching...and learning!
Sincerely,
Angela Davis
PCC Instruction & Web Services Librarian and NCCCLA OER Task Force Chairperson
asdavis688@my.pittcc.edu | (252) 493-7366
Option 1: Print
PCC Library has a print subscription to The Chronicle of Higher Education. The most recent copy is routed to various administrators and faculty. Back issues are available.
Option 2: Online via Library Database
Academic Search Complete (EBSCOhost) and Opposing Viewpoints (Gale) include access to full-text articles from the Chronicle of Higher Education between 1999, and the present. However, there is a publisher imposed 30-day embargo on adding full text to these databases, so you will not be able to access the most recent issues this way.
Use Academic Search Complete
Quick Link: Go directly to the Academic Search Complete Chronicle of Higher Ed. Publication page (view by year, volume, issue, etc.).
Step-by-step instructions for getting to the publication page:
- Go to the PCC Library homepage (opens in a new window).
- Click Databases.
- Click the letter "A" then choose Academic Search Complete. You will be prompted to login with your myPittCC username and password.
- Once the database is open, click Publications in the top navigation bar.
- Skip the top search box on the next page. Look for the text box in the Publications section.
- Type Chronicle of Higher Education in the search box.
- If not already selected, click the radial button next to Alphabetical.
- Click Browse.
- Click the link for Chronicle of Higher Education.
- From this next page, you can choose to view articles by year, issue, etc.
- There is also a Search within this Publication link that will allow you to search by keyword.
- The Full Text section lets you know what dates are available as full text and whether or not there are any publisher embargoes.
Use Opposing Viewpoints
Quick Link: Go directly to the Opposing Viewpoints Chronicle of Higher Education Publication Page (view by year, volume, issue, etc.).
Step-by-step instructions for getting to the publication page:
- Go to the PCC Library homepage (opens in a new window).
- Click Databases.
- Click the letter "O" then choose Opposing Viewpoints. You will be prompted to enter your myPittCC username and password.
- Click Advanced Search.
- Click Publication Search.
- In the search box, start typing: The Chronicle of Higher Education. Click the title when you see it appear in the drop-down menu, or continue typing the complete title in the Publication Search box.
- Click Search.
- Click the link for The Chronicle of Higher Education.
- Click the drop-down menu to view issues from a particular year.
- Use the Search Within Publication box to search for articles on a topic.
If you can't find the article that you need, or you are having trouble navigating the database, please do not hesitate to ask a librarian.
Learn About Looking for Books!
It's a New Year and the Library has a new way to search for books. If you want to learn all the new features, come to this informational session! Please register in advance; it does not mean you are required to attend. Walk-ins will be welcome.
Location: In-Person at the Library, CWE 218 (2nd floor Instruction Lab)
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024:
- Register for the 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Session
- Register for the 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Session
Try out the new Library Catalog.
If you cannot attend on this day, please email Evan Schmoll at eschmoll241@my.pittcc.edu to schedule a time that will work for you.
Find out about some of our new books and databases by going to our What's New guide.
Image: Kirkjufell, Iceland; Cropped photo by Landon Arnold on Unsplash.
Library Catalog: Evergreen
We have changed over to an entirely new library system called Evergreen.
What does this mean for you?
- An updated look and more robust search features when searching for items located at PCC Library.
You may not even notice a difference, but just in case you do, the images below provide some guidance. You will find Library Catalog search boxes in all of the usual places and they function very similarly to what you are already used to. Enter a keyword or phrase, then click the Search button. If you find something you are interested in viewing, click the title.
The title page will show you more details about the book along with the call number, shelving location, and status. If the status is "available" then the book should be on the shelf. As always, a library staff member will be happy to help you locate items in the Library.
Learn how to . . .
- Place holds within the new catalog
- Renew your checked-out items
- To log in to the Library Catalog, you will need your PCC ID number and the last four digits of the phone number you used when setting up your library account. If you don't know this, or need to update your information, contact the Circulation Desk at (252) 493-7350 or pittlrc@email.pittcc.edu. If you don't have a library account, you complete the form online to start the process.
New Login System for Library Databases
What does this mean for you?
- A newly designed login screen when attempting to access Library databases.
- You will be prompted to login with your myPittCC credentials whether you are on campus or not. If you are already logged into the campus portal, you will not have to re-enter your credentials.
- A slight change in how you log in to databases from off campus. You will use your entire myPittCC e-mail address as your username and your same myPittCC password.
- If you experience any interruption in service, please Ask a Librarian for assistance.
- Instructors! Please take a look at how to update database links in your online courses so that student access is not delayed. We can help you with this! Contact Angela Davis at asdavis688@my.pittcc.edu
Read and Listen to Popular Books
Dogwood Digital Library, which is powered by OverDrive, is available for PCC faculty, staff, and students. It allows you to borrow a mix of popular fiction and non-fiction e-books and audiobooks. This is a shared collection of items from many North Carolina community college libraries and may be downloaded to most computers and mobile devices.
A myPittCC email account is required for access!
Get started. . .
- Learn how to use Dogwood Digital (and other ebook/audiobook databases) by visiting the Library's Leisure Reading Guide.
- Dogwood Digital uses the Libby App: For reading and listening on the go, get the Libby app.
- Guess what?!? If you already use the Libby app to access content from another library, all you have to do is add Dogwood Digital. You'll find step-by-step instructions on the Leisure Reading Guide.
Have questions? Ask a Librarian!
Want more? Go to our Find Books page to learn all about your options for accessing books in print and online through PCC. Don't forget, if PCC doesn't own a book that you need, you can get books (and articles) from other libraries through our interlibrary loan service - which is free!
Post Updated: 6/28/2023 by ASD
UNC TV Videos
The Films on Demand database includes some titles produced by UNC TV.
To find them . . .