Online Periodical and Journal Databases

Like many college classes, students are expected to do a research paper at some time during their studies.  One of the quickest and easiest resources is online articles from secure and dependable sources.  Our College provides access to magazines, journals, and newspapers which can be full-text or citation, they're easy to locate, and provides up-to-date information. Our library offers student access to two online subscription databases to assist them in their studies: Proquest and Ebscohost. These online databases offer collections relevant to our programs and can be accessed through the library’s webpage.


ProQuest is an online information service that provides access to databases covering such subjects as business and management, education, science, computing, medicine, telecommunications, the social sciences, and newspapers. A quick reference guide to getting started in searching ProQuest can be found at http://training.proquest.com/trc/training/en/onepageqrg.pdf or can be watched on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29vtatXdf9o compliments of Dalhousie University.


EbscoHost is an online database that provides access to full-text and citation information on databases that include references to health, business, education, and the arts. Ebsco also compiles licensed content directly from publishers such as Academic Search, MasterFILE, and Environment Complete. The CNA Campus libraries have created a basic search demonstration in the Ebscohost database - Academic Search Premier which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZ6jA7Nc-o. Tutorials on using EbscoHost can be located at http://support.ebsco.com/training/tutorials.php.

Memorial University Digital Archives Initiative

The Memorial University site is a repository of digitized resources that provides long-term preservation of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, articles, theses and dissertations, newsletters, newspapers, reference sources, and yearbooks.  The index of their collection can be viewed at http://collections.mun.ca/index.php . 

The index can be viewed by type, sponsor, or list.

Their collection includes literary, labor, theatre and the performing arts, women, post-Confederation Newfoundland politics and social organizations, and activities of Newfoundland society. It provides access to an extensive collection of digital objects in various formats such as image, audio, video, etc.

Let’s use an example, "a telegraph map of Newfoundland", to demonstrate how to search for a digitized item within Memorial University Digital Archives Initiative.

Simply key in “telegraph map” in the search box,

Refine your search by selecting “Centre for Newfoundland Studies – Digitized Maps” from the panel on the right, then select “Telegraph – Newfoundland and Labrador – Maps” also from the right panel.

Select Newfoundland map from the options displayed.  In this case, there was only the one map.

 
 
 
 

The following image is a digitized map of Newfoundland from Memorial University Digital Archives Initiative.

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All information in this posting was obtained at Memorial University Digital Archives Initiatives at http://collections.mun.ca/cdm4/about.php .

[1] http://collections.mun.ca/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/maps&CISOPTR=93&CISOBOX=1&REC.  Memorial University Digital Archives Initiatives.  Center for Newfoundland Studies – Digitized Maps. Web. 9 Nov 2010.

Smart Phones and Libraries - The Potential!

The iPhone by Apple Inc. is a prime example of a smart phone.

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It was introduced in 2007 and was one of the first to be controlled through a touchscreen. Actually it was the first touchscreen to offer a multi-touch interface that features an / a:

• Operating system (iOS) that allows it to run productivity applications
• Software that allows the creation and editing of office documents, download applications, take and edit photos, and create playlists of songs
• Web browser that allows access to the internet at high speeds
• Keyboard that is laid out the same as the keys on a computer keyboard
• Messaging that provides access to multiple email accounts whether personal or professional 

Apple Inc, just introduced the 4th generation iPhone that offers many more features. Information can be found at http://www.apple.com/iphone/.

Smart phones can be an asset and are a benefit to libraries because:

• patrons have anytime access to online library resources such as audio books, music, video and eBooks all of which are compatible with many smart phones
• they provide an opportunity to send text message notifications instead of or in addition to communicating over email and voice calls
• iPhone apps (web applications) can be used to support library initiatives. For example, SirsiDynix offers an app called BookMyne, http://www.sirsidynix.com/iphone/apps/bookmyne/ , that works for libraries on the SirsiDynix Symphony library management system and WorldCat Mobile, http://www.worldcat.org/mobile/default.jsp , another app, allows patrons to search the collections of libraries worldwide
• they provide libraries the opportunity to give and receive feedback quickly and at any time

[1] apple_iphone_3g-pictures-2424.php.  Apple iPhone 3G Pictures.  GSM Arena.  Web.  09 Nov 2010.



Intercampus Loan, Interlibrary Loan, and Document Delivery - What's this?

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Intercampus / Interlibrary loan (ILL), and Document Delivery is a service that we provide to our students and faculty. We request books or photocopies of documents that are owned by another library on their behalf. I guess you could say that we act as an intermediary; we locate a desired item, place the request, receive the item, check the item out to our student for a period of time, and then we return the item to the owning library. We usually only have requests for books and journal articles; however, other libraries may lend out other items such as audio and video recordings, maps, and microforms. These types of items may have a cost associated with them that we paid on behalf of our students and faculty.

Interlibrary loans consist of two actions: borrowing and lending.

As the borrowing library another library will fulfill our request by sending materials to us or will provide us with a reason why they cannot provide the requested materials.

As a owning library we send out items to other libraries who request to borrow or photocopy materials that are required by their patron. If it’s a case of an Intercampus Loan (loans between campus libraries across the island), these requests are quickly filled and the item requested is usually received within days. Interlibrary Loan requests between different libraries, on the other hand, may take weeks for the item to arrive at its destination. We use Canada Post to deliver our books or if it’s an emergency situation, we’ll ship via a courier service. Any photocopy requests are processed immediately via fax or scanned and sent electronically.

We take part in ILL because, honestly, we cannot afford to purchase every book that is required by our students and faculty, nor do we have the space to store an unlimited number of books and materials. As an academic library we house books and materials that are relevant to our programs of studies; however, there have been occasions when our patrons require materials outside the box. This is where ILLs come into play for our library.

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[1] Interlibrary-Loan.gif.  Interlibrary Loan.  Arapahoe Library District.  Web.  02 Nov 2010.