Contact your instructors about their expectations regarding due dates and continuing work in courses.   Contact your library and ACE about finishing your projects, we can help you get back on schedule and track.

ACE Homework Assistance Form - schedule tutoring, ask for proofreading and editing, ask for advice

Library Ask a Librarian - look for a book, ask a research question, ask for advice

In-person facilities are located at the Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and Mayo campuses. If you are unable to visit in person, we are still able to assist via email, Teams, and phone interactions.

It's National Library Week!!   Thank you for making this library a vital part of our community college, by inviting us into your research, activities, academic time, and leisure every day.

The library remains closed during inclement weather.   The question and help forms remain open 24/7.  Responses may be somewhat delayed or occur on the next open day, virtual or in-office.   The search tools remain open 24/7. 

Closed Tuesday February 18 - Friday February 21

Students with quiet study needs may use their nearest public library for free WiFi and warm study areas.  You can find locations, hours, and services of your nearest public library here:  https://kdla.ky.gov/Library-Support/Pages/Public-Library-Directory.aspx

Our priority is your family's safety and recovery.  Contact your instructors about their expectations regarding due dates and continuing work in courses.  Below are some recovery resources to use during these times.  Contact your library and ACE about getting back into the routine as the crisis lessens, we can help you get back on schedule and track.

Recovery resources:

• General Kentucky Emergency Management: https://kyem.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
• Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: https://www.kentuckyvoad.org/
• Eastern Kentucky Flooding Resources: https://www.kyspin.com/eastern-ky-flooding-resources/
• SOAR Flood Resources:  https://soar-ky.org/flood/

The library and ACE close on Thursday, February 13 at 4:30 pm and re-open on Tuesday, February 18, due to an all-staff meeting and then a federal holiday.  Visit us this week on Thursday for all things academic!

🥶 Inclement Weather has delayed our post-holiday opening.  

The library will NOT open on Monday January 6 on campus.   Please refer to SNAP alerts sent to the college community for the latest information about availability.  This weather event is severe and may impact the library's services during the week of January 6 - January 10.  Please refer to SNAP alerts and local news regarding other questions about the Big Sandy campus open schedule. 

UPDATE: As of now, CLOSED on Monday January 6 and Tuesday January 7.  

On Wednesday January 8, Thursday January 9, and Friday January 10, we'll be virtually working, so questions can be sent to Ask a Librarian or Homework Help with assistance within the day.   Campus remains closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

We miss you guys, and we're trying to get back on campus, so stay safe and warm until that's possible.

All Big Sandy online search tools, like OneSearch and other databases, should be accessible online 24/7 during the holiday.  Students with printing or study needs may check on their local library branch's hours when the college is closed. Students with homework needs over the holiday are encouraged to use the service NetTutor.  It is found in Homework Help modules from Blackboard courses.  NetTutor is an accessible service during the holiday. Watch a video about accessing NetTutor through your courses. 

  All prizes found - Happy Holidays!!

☃️❄️  Find the Elf on the Shelf and Reindeer ❄️☃️ in one of your three campus libraries to win prizes, as we celebrate the end of the semester and the holiday season!  Monday December 9 - Thursday December 12, or while prizes last!  

The library/ACE on each campus will be CLOSED 

during the two week Institutional Closing.

Our doors shut at 12 noon on Friday, December 20 and we re-open at 8:00 am on Monday, January 6, 2025.  Campuses will be entirely closed except for brief daily checks.  

All Big Sandy online search tools, like OneSearch and other databases, should be accessible online 24/7 during the holiday.  Students with printing or study needs may check on their local library branch's hours when the college is closed. Students with homework needs over the holiday are encouraged to use the service NetTutor.  It is found in Homework Help modules from Blackboard courses.  NetTutor is an accessible service during the holiday. Watch a video about accessing NetTutor through your courses.   

The library/ACE on each campus will be CLOSED 

on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29.

Our doors shut at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 27 and we re-open on normal hours on Monday, December 2.  Here are ways to access services: 

Local homework help requests will be handled on Monday, December 2. Students with homework needs over the holiday are encouraged to use the service NetTutor.  It is found in Homework Help modules from Blackboard courses.  NetTutor is an accessible service during the holiday. Watch a video about accessing NetTutor through your courses.   

Students with printing or study needs may check on their local library branch's hours when the college is closed.  Search the public library directory by your county of residence to find the closest public library.   Library research and policy questions will be handled on Monday, December 2.

All Big Sandy online search tools, like OneSearch and other databases, should be accessible online 24/7 during the holiday.

During our welcome back week activities, the library held a contest to give away Big Sandy backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies.   Here are a few of our winners as they took their prizes.  Congrats on choosing Big Sandy as your college!

Supplies included the backpack, a reusable water bottle, pencils/pens, paper, sticky notes, calculator and protractor, and more, all to get our students started at Big Sandy.   

We've been giving students free goodies and the chance to win a backpack at Mayo and Prestonsburg.   Our staff love seeing you again!

This week, we gave away over 35 bottles and coffee cups, as students learned about checking out materials, ACE services like tutoring and homework help, copying and printing, library instruction, and general visits to our libraries.  

Are you new around these parts?

Welcome to Big Sandy Community & Technical College!  The library serves not only as a hub of activity for events and gatherings, but also to help you as you work toward your credentials.   Library staff are embedded with many BSCTC courses.  If you have a question about coursework, about departments and policies, or even a question about upcoming college events and happenings, please ask one of us – we'll try to point you in the right direction.  

ACE centers are in or near the libraries on the Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and Mayo campuses. If you are unable to visit the ACE in person, we are still able to assist via email, Teams, and phone interactions.  ACE Tutors help in understanding homework instructions, proofreading, questions about particular assignments, and a new set of eyes and ears as you complete your work.

You also have the option of submitting requests using Homework Help by clicking this link: https://bigsandy.libwizard.com/f/ACEform

Do you have a research question? Question about a book? Not sure where to start? 

Even if it is just finding a class or accessing something in BlackBoard, whatever it is, the library is here to help you.

Text us directly at: 606-328-6607

You can also access the Chat with a Librarian Direct Message box on our library homepage.

You can also find the Chat with a Librarian Direct Message box on our library services page.

Monday December 11 - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday December 12 - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday December 13 - LIMITED ACCESS DUE TO COLLEGE EVENT  8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Thursday December 14 - Pikeville and Mayo Libraries CLOSED; LIMITED PRESTONSBURG ACCESS DUE TO LIBRARY EVENT 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday December 15 - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Library and ACE are closed for Winter Break from Saturday December 16, 2023 - Monday January 1, 2024. This institutional closing affects all library services.   For students enrolled in J Term, we encourage you to seek help in NetTutor, a national tutoring service which is available in the Blackboard module Homework Help. Campuses will be closed to in-person visits. Students will have limited access to e-mailed responses from library staff during this time, and no response from telephone calls to office phone extensions.   Please reach out but expect response delays. 

Closed MONDAY JANUARY 1

re-open  Tuesday January 2  8:00 am - 4:30 pm

What does it mean to job hunt?   Many of our students are transitioning from full-time students to looking for employment.   The library has tips and tricks to get you started on your journey to a job.

Several library guides exist to help students who are looking for employment.   These guide contain lists of dos and don'ts, ideas, and sample resumes and cover letters.   From creating that first application to nailing the interview, you can ask any of your librarians or ACE tutors to review your materials as you make your way out into the world. 

Resumes and Cover Letters, Managing Your Social Media Profile, Interviews

The library has several books you can check out and take home to study. This way you have plenty of time to decide how to strategize for and prepare for your job hunt.

Had a great time with our Faculty, Staff and Students during our photoshoots! We snapped a few photos to share and look forward to seeing the final proofs!#BSCTCProud #Pathfinders #Photoshoot pic.twitter.com/s9lbHN8ft7

— BSCTC05 (@BSCTC05) March 31, 2023

distant chanting in the background, "one of us, one of us, one of us"

New ACE Tutors!

We are thrilled to welcome Kimberley Music and Paul Thompson to the ACE crew as our newest tutors/library specialists. You may have seen them around since just before Thanksgiving.   This spring marks the first full semester when their expertise will be available to students.  Here's a brief blurb about them:

Hello, my name is Kimberley. I recently graduated with an Associate of Science from BSCTC and from high school. I completed my junior and senior year of high school taking courses on the college’s campus as a member of the Floyd County Early College Academy. I plan to continue completing coursework with BSCTC to increase my subject matter knowledge. You can find me at the ACE on the Prestonsburg campus. 

Paul Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Montana State University and then went to work in the semiconductor industry as a photolithography engineer. After leaving the semiconductor plant, Paul earned his PhD in inorganic chemistry at Oregon State University studying the crystal structures of newly discovered compounds. One of the new materials he synthesized was converted by another team of scientists into a chromium-doped laser crystal. Paul went on to teach chemistry lecture and lab here at Big Sandy.  Paul  is happy to assist students with math and chemistry homework, or any other help he can provide. Having written several publications as part of his doctorate, Paul is able to proofread and edit student essays and papers on a variety of topics, including guidance in MLA and APA formatting and citations. 

Our ACE centers are open for either walk-in or scheduled sessions with our students.  Kimberly works at the Prestonsburg campus, and Paul works at the Pikeville campus.  You can find their contact information here.

Text or Direct Message a librarian today and we can get you started in the right direction!

Text us directly at: 606-328-6607

If you find yourself struggling, remember the ACE is here to help, so please reach out to an ACE team member for assistance with any assignment questions you may have.

• Diana Hall at (606) 218-1201 or dhall0252@kctcs.edu
• Jared Daniels at (606) 788-2864 or jdaniels0129@kctcs.edu
• Joseph Caldwell at (606) 886-7331 or jcaldwell0082@kctcs.edu
• Homework Help Form

It is hard to believe half of the semester is already over and so is spring break. It’s time to buckle down and focus on successfully completing your courses.

If you find yourself struggling, remember the ACE is here to help, so please reach out to an ACE team member for assistance with any assignment questions you may have.

• Diana Hall at (606) 218-1201 or dhall0252@kctcs.edu
• Joseph Caldwell at (606) 886-7331 or jcaldwell0082@kctcs.edu
• Jared Daniels at (606) 788-2864 or jdaniels0129@kctcs.edu

ACE centers are in or near the libraries on the Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and Mayo campuses. If you are unable to visit the ACE in person, we are still able to assist via email, Teams, and phone interactions.

You also have the option of submitting requests using Homework Help by clicking this link: https://bigsandy.libwizard.com/f/ACEform

Do you have a research question? Question about a book? Not sure where to start? 

Even if it is just finding a class or accessing something in BlackBoard, whatever it is, the library is here to help you.

Text or Direct Message a librarian today and we can get you in the right direction!

Text us directly at: 606-328-6607

You can also access the Chat with a Librarian Direct Message box on our library homepage.

You can also find the Chat with a Librarian Direct Message box on our library services page.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College campus libraries work hard to serve as a hub for providing academic and non-academic assistance to students. Types of assistance provided include food pantry bags (NEST bags), holiday presents, and the laptop program. This year the BSCTC libraries are partnering with faculty and staff to host their second annual present drive for students who might need help providing a holiday present for their children. Last year the present drive served over one hundred children, and we are getting close to serving one hundred children again. Judy Howell, Director of Library Services and ACE, stated that “it’s important for the College to meet all the needs of our students whether that be food, technology or presents for their children at this time of the year and our libraries enjoy providing this assistance to our students.”

Additionally, BSCTC libraries have been working closely with the NEST to provide students with free pantry food bags and food cards food cards (when available) daily since September 2020. Students can pick up one food pantry bag per week at any of our three library locations on the Pikeville, Prestonsburg, or Mayo campuses. During this time the libraries provided over 600 pantry bags to Big Sandy CTC students.

To meet the technological needs of our students, the library has received around 150 laptops that can be checked out and used by our students. The libraries knew from student reports that some students do not have internet at home. The library is now providing access to MiFi’s (free internet) for our students. This program was in partnership with Brandie Davis one of our English faculty members. Each year the library partners with a variety of departments, faculty, and staff to serve the needs of our students. It is the goal of the library to be the hub of our campuses and student life on campus.

If you would like to share how we have assisted you or have suggestions about how we can serve you better please comment below.

New ACE Tutor!

We are thrilled to welcome Jared Daniels to the ACE crew as our newest tutor/library specialist.   He can provide assistance most frequently in person at the Mayo campus.    Jared writes:  

I have a B.S. in Psychology with a Minor in History from the University of Pikeville. I’m excited to be here at BSCTC and to help students through any obstacles they may find throughout their college courses. If you need someone to proofread a paper, work with you on history, psychology, or any other writing-intensive course be sure to stop by the Mayo Campus Library for assistance. 

Our ACE centers are open for either walk-in or scheduled sessions with our students.  His e-mail is jdaniels0129@kctcs.edu and he can be reached in his office in Building C, second floor, Mayo campus, at 606-788-2864.

A reminder about our free tutoring services:  Joseph, Joe, and Diana are available to help you on campus this fall.  If you prefer Teams, we can tutor you simply online.    Our ACE centers are open for either walk-in or scheduled sessions with our students.  We hope to see you soon in ACE!

Joseph Caldwell

606-886-7331

JCaldwell0082@kctcs.edu

Hi there! My name is Joseph, and I am a tutor / library specialist at the ACE on the Prestonsburg campus. I have a B.S. in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry and a M.A.T. in STEM Education from the University of Kentucky. I’m excited to be here at BSCTC and to help students through the rigors of college courses. Contact me if you need someone to proofread a paper or if you need help with math, biology, chemistry, physics, or any other course (math, science, and writing are my strong suits, but I’ll give it my best shot if you need help with anything else).

Diana Hall

606-218-1201

DHall0252@kctcs.edu

Hello, my name is Diana Hall. In 2011, after working for a local manufacturing company for 26 years, I found myself laid off and unsure of how I was going to provide for my family. I realized not having a degree was holding me back, so I enrolled at BSCTC in January 2012; where I earned an Associate’s of Applied Science, then I went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Small Business Management from MSU. While working in the ACE through the Ready-to-Work program, I realized how much I enjoy working with the students in the library and ACE and watching them succeed. So, after being hired by BSCTC to work fulltime as a Library Specialist, I decided to continue my educational journey and I am now working on a Master of Library Science degree through the University of Kentucky. 

Joe Sampson

606-889-4817

JSampson0023@kctcs.edu

Welcome to the ACE! My name is Joseph, and I am here to help you study for your exam, prepare for your next presentation, or finish today's homework assignment. My undergraduate degree is in math and so is my master's degree, but I really enjoy physics, computer science, and statistics. If you need help with any of these subjects (or any other) I would love to help make these classes a little less frightening and a lot more manageable. I taught a few algebra and calculus classes while I was a graduate teaching assistant and I am excited now to have the opportunity to focus entirely on you without stress from classes of my own. I graduated in spring 2020 so I know exactly what its like to have way too much homework, panic before exams, and stay up too late wishing I had someone who could help me get this problem done. If you can relate to any of this and need some assistance stop by the ACE and say hello. I'm here to help!