Library & Computer Resources

Library and Information Resources
Computer Support

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Library and Information Resources
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CSU Chico has created a Library Regional Extended Campus center to service students not on campus. With the support of the Vice-Provost of Information Resources, the center director serves as students' single point of contact for all library and research assistance services. All students have access through the University Web site to the library catalog, indexes, and CD-ROM full text information services. While extended library hours are available during the summer residency, the online library services provide student access seven days a week regardless of the geographic location of the student.

With Chico serving as lead campus, all MFA students will be issued a CSU, Chico identification card. This ID card will provide access to the University library for graduate-level circulation privileges throughout the year. This ID card allows MFA students reciprocity with all libraries in the California State University system. Whether the MFA student resides near a CSU campus or not, s/he will be able to access library services throughout the state. In addition, all students have access to library loan searches. Once a book, journal, or article is identified, the student may call the extended campus librarian to have the requested item mailed directly.

A library orientation for MFA students is available online at the CSU, Chico Library Web site. In addition, students will be provided a complete campus library orientation option at the start of each summer residency. Regardless of the campus, therefore, students will be familiarized with local resources. The periodical collection in creative writing (literary journals, reviews, and magazines) is being steadily expanded by the Department of English through regular donations from a local small press publisher.

An additional information resource at CSU, Chico is the campus literary magazine, Watershed, which recently celebrated its twentieth year of publication, featuring works by students from consortium campuses. The magazine, produced by students in the Literary Editing and Publishing certificate program, will provide important hands-on experience as well as a venue for submitting work. Each consortium campus has its own literary magazine. CSU, Hayward publishes an electronic literary magazine.

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Computer Support
Due to the volume of MFA program materials available on the Web, students must have access to an Internet Service Provider in order to participate in the MFA. Students are strongly encouraged to own a computer with a web browser equivalent to Netscape version 3.0 or newer, or the Java-capable versions of other browsers.

The English Department’s computer lab at CSU, Chico will be available to MFA students throughout the summer residency, as will labs at each of the other consortium campuses. The consortium campuses have a full range of software tools to facilitate communication and collaboration among MFA faculty and students. In addition to student e-mail accounts that are Internet accessible, collaborative writing software programs, including First Class and Common Space, may be used.   An Online Writer's Community is available for enrolled students and faculty to post work and notices throughout the academic year.

CSU, Chico, Department of English | CSU Chico |
California State University, Chico California 95929-0250   530-898-5124
Carole Oles, MFA in Creative Writing Coordinator at coles@csuchico.edu

copyright 1999, 2000, 2001
MFA Creative Writing Consortium, The California State University

Webmaster - Kyle McDowell, km44@mail.csuchico.edu This page was last updated on October 2nd, 2001