Alkek Library News

Refworks workshops: Learn how to make your research paper reference lists

2009-01-22T10:48:00.008-06:00

It is the beginning of the spring semester so it is a great time to learn about the research tools we have to offer before you get in the middle of your research. If you don't already know about Refworks, you will wish you had once you know that it is a online citation and bibliography tool that you can use to help you organize and format your citations/references for your research papers in

This Blog Has Moved

2008-05-28T08:52:00.003-05:00

The Alkek Library Reference and News blog has now moved and this blog will no longer be updated. The new blog is now located here.The new blog has more features and is designed to match the look of the library's website. Please update your feeds and bookmarks for the latest reference and library news.Thank you.

Free Subscription to Cell

2008-05-15T09:18:00.000-05:00

Cell Press, an imprint of Elsevier, is offering a free print subscription to Cell. As a benefit of the site license to Cell Online managed by Alkek Library, any researcher, student, or faculty member in North America affiliated with our institution is entitled to receive a print subscription - normally a $179 value - absolutely free. To sign up for the offer, go to www.Cell.com/freesub.Cell is

Freeware Tip: Google Docs

2008-05-13T18:28:00.000-05:00

If you need a way to store your papers online to save the time of emailing an attachment back and forth to yourself, then you should try Google Docs. It is a free to use document application suite that gives you three applications including word processing, slide presentation, and spreadsheets. The applications are compatible with Microsoft applications so you can edit in either. The benefits

New Database: LGBT Life with Full Text

2008-05-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

LGBT Life with Full TextLesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues, such as civil liberties, culture, employment, family, history, politics, psychology, religion, and sociology.Incudes Full-text journal articles and approximately 100 full-text books.Some titles included in LGBT:Classics in Lesbian Studies, Gay Science: The Ethics of Sexual Orientation Research, Handbook of Research with Gay,

Library Hours for the Rest of Finals: May 1-6

2008-04-30T16:31:00.001-05:00

In case you didn't know, the library began staying open 24 hours starting last Sunday and will continue to remain open through Friday night, May 2 at 10:00pm.Other hours are:Saturday, May 3, 2008: 9:00am - 8:00pm.Sunday, May 4, 2008 : 1:00pm & the library remains open until Tuesday, May 6 at 5:00pm.On Tuesday, the library will close at 5:00pm and will begin interim hours for the rest of the

Celebrating Edwin "Bud" Shrake at the Southwestern Writers Collection

2008-04-25T16:53:00.000-05:00

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 — BOOK LAUNCHLand of the Permanent Wave An Edwin “Bud” Shrake ReaderBy Bud Shrake Edited and with an introduction by Steven L. DavisForeword by Larry L. KingThe best works by one of Texas’s most influential writers take center stage in Land of the Permanent Wave: An Edwin “Bud” Shrake Reader, the newest volume in the Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series published by the

Have You Downloaded the Library Tool Bar Yet?

2008-04-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

With the release of the library's new website, we also have available a tool bar that you can download into either Internet Explorer or Firefox web browsers. The tool bar has all the important library links added to it such as, the home page, library catalog, databases link, e-Books, eCommons, Periodical List, Hours and more.You can also monitor RSS feeds, search directly from the browser and

Texas Music at the Library: Reading & Live Music (Tuesday, April 22)

2008-04-17T13:02:00.000-05:00

TUESDAY, APRIL 22 The History of Texas Music by Gary Hartman3:30 – 5:00 pmThe Southwestern Writers Collection presents Texas State professor Gary Hartman discussing The History of Texas Music, with a book signing to follow. The event also celebrates The John and Robin Dickson Series in Texas Music, which is co-sponsored by the Center for Texas Music History and Texas A&M University Press.Don’t

Use Worldcat for Making ILL Requests

2008-04-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

Now you can use WorldCat to help you fill out an Interlibrary Loan request. The Full Record in Worldcat now includes a link that says: "Send ILL request to TXSTATE" (under Get This Item)When you find an item in WorldCat you would like to request clicking the link will automatically prompt you to login to ILLiad and then populates the request form for you then all you need to do is review it and

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics is Now Available Online

2008-04-09T18:24:00.000-05:00

The Alkek Library now has access to the online version of CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 88th edition. It includes all the figures, data, and tables found in the print version. Tabular data can be exported to spreadsheets. Click on Help for details.Access is through the library's database pages or directly at http://libproxy.txstate.edu/login?url=http://www.hbcpnetbase.com/. Access from

Library gains access to the complete Nature Archive, 1869 to present

2008-04-03T16:09:00.000-05:00

Alkek Library has purchased to the complete Nature archive, 1869-1996. This purchase makes the journal accessible from 1869 to present, spanning 139 years of scientific world history.Search for Nature in the Periodical List or bookmark the link below:http://libproxy.txstate.edu/login?url=http://www.nature.com/nature/index.htmlNature is one of the most read—and cited—scientific scholarly journals.

Added: Hoover's First Research Industry Profiles

2008-03-31T16:27:00.000-05:00

The library is happy to announce the add-on of Hoover's First Research Industry Profiles. It's located within Hoovers.This is an industry survey style business database that breaks down the structure of an industry and its current challenges and opportunities.The reason we acquired Hoover's First Research Industry Profiles is the context that it gives to the industry information. Hoover's

Power Outage to Affect 1st & 2nd Floor April 5th & 6th

2008-03-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

During the weekend of April 5th and 6th, due to a problem with an electrical transformer, the 1st floor and some of the public access computers on the 2nd floor of the Alkek Library will have no power. The computers in the public lounge and all vending machines will be unavailable during this time while the transformer is replaced. The lights will be operating.We are sorry for any inconvenience

Library Purchases Springer Computer Science eBook Sets 2005-2007 and 2008

2008-03-26T14:42:00.000-05:00

Alkek Library has purchased the Springer Computer Science eBook packages for 2005-2007 and 2008. The acquisition of future years' sets will depend on budget and usefulness of the electronic format. With the purchase of these sets, Texas State also gets access to Lecture Notes of Computer Science from 1997 to present. The 1997-2004 access to LNCS will continue as long as we license the current

Proposed Website will Provide Overview of Dick J. Reavis Papers

2008-03-25T08:58:00.000-05:00

In September 2006, the Southwestern Writers Collection (SWWC) announced the opening of the Dick J. Reavis Papers for research. Since then, Reavis’s manuscript archive has become one of the most frequently accessed in the collection for one reason—his extensive research materials on the 1993 Branch Davidian-FBI standoff outside Waco, Texas, collected while writing his 1995 book, The Ashes of Waco.

Help Your Library and Win a Free iPod -- Take ebrary’s Student E-book Survey!

2008-03-18T10:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Texas State students:The library is working with ebrary to better understand e-book usage and needs among college and university students. We’d greatly appreciate it if you took a brief Student E-book Survey, available by clicking this link.The survey should take less than 20 minutes to complete, and almost all the questions are optional.To show appreciation for your time, you will be

Library Hours During Spring Break March 9-16

2008-03-09T10:08:00.000-05:00

Alkek Library will be open during spring break, although some service areas will be closed or open under limited hours.Library Hours for all service areas except the Wittliff Collections and SLAC:Sunday, March 9: CLOSEDMonday, March 10-Friday, March 14: 8:00am-5:00pmSaturday, March 15: CLOSEDSunday, March 16: 1:00pm-1:00am (Regular Hours) The Wittliff Collections, including the

Catalog Maintenance is Complete -- Catalog and My Account Available Again

2008-03-07T18:58:00.000-06:00

The catalog maintenance is complete. All functionality is restored, including searching, MyAccount features and database pages.Thank you for your patience during downtime.

Library Catalog Temporarily Unavailable - Search Worldcat Instead

2008-03-07T09:56:00.001-06:00

The library catalog is temporarily unavailable today, March 7, 2008, due to scheduled maintenance. Databases by subject are available, but access has been redirected to an alternate main page.You can still search the Alkek Library's holdings for books, dvds, and other materials using the database of library catalogs, Worldcat. To limit your search to the Alkek Library, check the box that says:

Library Acquires Region Free DVD player

2008-02-29T08:22:00.000-06:00

The Library has purchased a Region Free DVD player which can play a DVD from any region in the world. It is combined with a VHS player that will play PAL coded videocassettes. This player will reside in the Fourth floor Audio/Visual area near the Reserve desk. The Library will now be able to acquire AV material that is only available in alternate region formats. The player is now available

Dagoberto Gilb Reading at the Library (March 4, Tuesday)

2008-02-26T19:07:00.000-06:00

DAGOBERTO GILBReading & book signingTUESDAY, MARCH 43:30 pmThe Wittliff CollectionsSouthwestern Writers CollectionAlkek Library Seventh FloorFREE and open to the publicThe Wittliff Collections host acclaimed author Dagoberto Gilb reading from his new novel, The Flowers, published by Grove Press. The reading will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Books will be for sale courtesy of the

Importing Library Catalog Records into RefWorks

2008-02-26T09:36:00.000-06:00

RefWorks is a bibliographic management tool that enables you to save, organize and use your citations for assignments, research papers, and other academic work. Most of the article databases offer an option to mark citations and "export to RefWorks." What isn't so obvious is how to get records from the library catalog into RefWorks. The process is easy once you've done it a couple of times.

Mystery Writers & Live Music at the Library (February 23, Saturday)

2008-02-14T12:43:00.000-06:00

LONE STAR SLEUTHS DAYMeet & Greet with Fifteen Texas Mystery Writersplus Acoustic Noir Songs Performed LiveFEBRUARY 23, Saturday2:00 to 5:00 pmTHE PUBLIC IS INVITED to LONE STAR SLEUTHS DAY celebrating the new Texas crime fiction anthology in the Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series with UT Press. Fifteen of the contributing mystery writers and the three editors, Bill Cunningham, Steven L.

Library Collections Unite Under New Name: the Wittliff Collections

2008-02-13T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Southwestern Writers Collection and Wittliff Gallery are now The Wittliff Collections at the Alkek Library.When the Southwestern Writers Collection was founded at the university library in 1986, its collecting activities focused on the literature, film, and music of the region. It was only several years later that the collection of photographs of the Southwest and Mexico began to form, and

Library Research Grants Awarded

2008-02-11T13:45:00.000-06:00

Seventeen faculty members have been awarded Library Research Grants for materials to support their research projects. Members of the Library Committee, the library’s faculty advisory committee reviewed the proposals and recommended grants to the following recipients:Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour, Department of EngineeringDr. Ulrich E. Bach, Department of Modern LanguagesDr. Ziao Chen, Department of

Finding Reserve Materials by Using the "Hard Copy Reserve" Search

2008-02-06T16:33:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wanted to know if your professor has your textbook on reserve but you weren't sure how to find out? Did your professor tell you to read an article from a book that's on reserve at the library? Or do you want to know if there are any old tests on reserve to help you study for your next exam? Finding the answers to these questions got a lot easier last year when the new library

New Database: Encyclopedia Britannica Online

2008-01-29T20:13:00.000-06:00

Alkek Library has just added Encyclopedia Britannica Online to its array of databases. Besides the in-depth encyclopedia articles, the online version of the popular 32-volume print encyclopedia includes many additional resources :Merriam-Webster's Collegiate DictionaryMerriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Quotations The New York Times, BBC News, and SBS World News

Wilson Databases Redesign Interface

2008-01-22T10:46:00.000-06:00

WilsonWeb releases the “frameless” interface. Among some of the the enhancements you will see when trying the new interface, are the following: (from Wilson's news release)New enhanced layout and graphicsNew navigational features that will make the finding of information easier, faster and more successful. For example, you will see new clickable tabs at the top of the search results that allow

We Have a New Look!

2008-01-15T12:47:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the new library website. We hope you find the new design easy to navigate. The Start Your Research box is intended to help you search the library catalog, databases, and other information resources quickly. Through the headlline links we will be providing news about research tools, new databases and other information of interest to students, faculty and other library users.So let us

Southwestern Writers Collection acquires Cormac McCarthy papers

2008-01-14T20:01:00.000-06:00

The Southwestern Writers Collection (SWWC), a part of The Wittliff Collections at the Alkek Library, has acquired the papers of author Cormac McCarthy.McCarthy’s body of work includes some of the finest novels of our times. Critic Harold Bloom declares Blood Meridian (1985) “the authentic American apocalyptic novel,” stating, “The fulfilled renown of Moby-Dick and of As I Lay Dying is augmented

Happy New Year! Learn how to use Refworks before you start your research papers.

2008-01-09T08:10:00.000-06:00

First, I should introduce myself. My name is Tara Spies and I am the newest addition to the Alkek Library Information Literacy Instruction Team. I am a Reference/Instruction Librarian and my subject specialties are art/design, communication studies, and technology. If you have any questions about research in those areas you can contact me at ts20@txstate.edu or want to request an instruction

Library Acquires Two New JSTOR Collections, Arts & Sciences V and Business II

2008-01-09T01:04:00.000-06:00

JSTOR has been Alkek Library's most used database for several years in a row, and we are happy to announce that the Library has acquired two new collections, Arts & Sciences V and Business II. JSTOR is not a current issue database but instead provides access to complete runs of back issues, frequently to volume 1 of the journal.Arts & Sciences V will provide access to older issues of core

Alkek Library Launches New Database Pages

2008-01-07T23:03:00.000-06:00

The Library's database pages have been redesigned, and will hopefully be much easier to use than the old ones. The new database homepage features database subject listings by academic department and other major topic areas, allowing us to list the most pertinent resources for each subject. The new design also makes it easier to search for specific types of resources, such as images, company and

Library Adds Anatomy.tv, an Interactive 3D Model of Human Anatomy

2008-01-07T22:23:00.000-06:00

Anatomy.tv is a suite of 3D interactive models of human anatomy and pathology. Users may zoom, rotate and peel away layers to learn or visually communicate anatomical structures and kinetic functions. The nine anatomy modules consist of Foot, Hand & Forearm, Head & Nec, Hip, Knee, Pelvis & Perineum, Shoulder, Spine, Thorax and Abdomen. Each module has multiple Layers or Views and all come with

New Database: Anthrosource

2007-12-12T22:16:00.000-06:00

Developed by the American Anthropological Association (AAA), AnthroSource brings 100 years of anthropological material online to scholars, including: Current issues for 15 of the AAA publications, such as American Anthropologist, American Ethnologist, Anthropology and Education Quarterly, and Medical Anthropology Quarterly. An electronic archive of all AAA journals. Coverage is from volume 1 to

Library Hours and Closure @ Alkek During the Holiday Break

2007-12-12T08:58:00.001-06:00

Well finals have ended and another semester is over. Hopefully everyone is feeling good and preparing for the holidays. The hours for the library during this time are:December 11th -December 20th---------8:00am - 5:00pm December 15-16 -----------------------------------Closed December 21, 2007-January 1, 2008------Closed January 2-January 11 2008--------------8:00am - 5:00pm

Thanksgiving and Finals....

2007-11-20T13:53:00.000-06:00

Shortly after the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, everyone will be ready to settle in and prepare for finals. Starting on Dec. 2, 2007 the library will begin staying open 24 hours - the best place to study!We've been doing this now for about 2 years, after many requests from students. The service desks and computer lab close at the usual times and a security guard will be on shift from 1:00am to

NEW: Chicago Manual of Style Online

2007-11-15T10:19:00.000-06:00

Chicago Manual of New Style is now available online via Alkek Library databases. The resources contains the full text of the 15th edition of the manual plus the popular Chicago Style Q&A. The Quick Guide provides practical examples of Chicago-style citations in a concise format.

Online Access to Oxford Dictionaries

2007-11-15T09:54:00.000-06:00

The Library has just added Oxford Language Dictionaries Online, a new database providing instant access to Oxford’s top-of-the-line, unabridged bilingual dictionaries.Initially, the database includes the following dictionaries:French-English; English-French (The Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary, Fourth edition)German-English; English-German (The Oxford-Duden German Dictionary, Third edition)

New Library Website

2007-10-12T13:30:00.001-05:00

Have you noticed changes on the Texas State University's Webpages? Besides just the homepage, the university has been migrating into using a content management system for webpages found on the Texas State University server. All departments are required to move their webpages into the CMS. The main reason to move into a content management system is so content can be managed better and CM

New Databases

2007-09-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Alkek Library added many new databases in July and August:Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals from CSAindexes journal articles on architecture and design, including topics such as the history and practice of architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, historic preservation, and interior design and decoration.Computer and Internet Law Integrated Library from CCHcovers a variety of

Printing Tips

2007-09-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

There are questions that come up in the reference area pretty frequently and the most common computer/printer related questions deal with printing two different types of documents that have been downloaded.The first question is How do I print out Power Point slides in the handout style? In order to do this, you need to open up the print options of the PPT document you are viewing. Go to File>

Welcome back!

2007-08-21T15:46:00.000-05:00

In case you want to start the semester off with a fresh attitude towards library research, you might want to check out the general orientation tours and open workshop schedule.General orientation tours are open to anyone who wants to know more about the library. The times will be posted and all you do is show up at the reference desk on the second floor. If you have a specific interest you can

Links on the Catalog main page

2007-08-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

The library catalog's main search page has a few links that you might find useful. You can search the hard copy reserves by professor or course name/number. This can come in handy when you need to know if your professor has put your textbook on reserve or if there are any old tests to study or books to read, etc. You can also access the e-reserve from the catalog. Professors put electronic

Alkek Library Libqual Results

2007-07-26T10:44:00.000-05:00

The results of the LibQual survey have been tallied and the comments from the Texas State community have been distributed to the different departments. Some of you may know this already, but the survey the library used is part of a national survey instrument that was created by the Association of Research Libraries, not us here at Alkek. You can read more about it here.What Alkek is most

Email on Reference area workstations

2007-06-12T11:04:00.001-05:00

How many times have you been in the library, emailed an article to yourself, and then couldn't access the article to print it out because email was blocked on the second floor reference area computers? Well, not any longer...You can access all of your email accounts on the computers in the reference area as of last Friday. Also, the computers located by printer 10 are now requiring you to log

New Databases

2007-06-04T16:19:00.000-05:00

Here are recent databases added to the collection since the last post:Academic OneFile from GaleThis is a multidisciplinary database providing access to scholarly, trade, and general-interest periodicals. Full-text is available in the database for approx. 40% of the articles. Includes newspapers, newswire services, magazines, podcasts, and transcripts NPR, CNN, and the CBC. Includes full text

Alkek Flickr and YouTube Accounts

2007-05-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

Alkek Library now has a presence on Flickr. Some pics have been added and more will soon follow. We plan on using the Flickr account to show photos of events and things going on in the library. You can see what's up at the library by going to the flickr Alkek Library website. We would love to see your comments on the photos.Also, if you are interested in YouTube, you can find a couple of

Citeulike.org--Social software for academic papers

2007-05-04T11:01:00.000-05:00

Curious what other articles people are reading? Want to share interesting articles you are reading now?Use CiteULike to keep track of the academic papers you are reading, store them, and also share them with other people. It sure beats the piles of "I am going to read this eventually" and "I think this is cool but I haven't had a chance to pass it along to everyone" articles cluttering the desk.

In case you missed the workshop yesterday....

2007-04-25T12:36:00.000-05:00

In case you missed the workshop Using RSS and Blogs for Research, here is a link to the library's wiki page: http://www.library.txstate.edu/wiki/index.php?title=Using_RSS_and_Blogs_for_Research Using RSS is a great way to keep up with your favorite Website or Blog without going to each Website individually. Each time there is an update to the Website or Blog, you will receive a feed. Read more

Texas State University Emergency Response Policy

2007-04-18T13:07:00.000-05:00

In the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, President Trauth sent out the following email to faculty, staff, and students. For those of you who may not check your email, I have copied the email below:Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:Earlier this week, the Virginia Tech campus suffered an unimaginable loss when any members of the campus community were slain and many others were injured in a

Announcement: "My Account" ready for use

2007-04-17T11:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the library catalog "my account" feature was launched. Now you can login with your net ID and password to check the status of your library account. You can renew books and check the due date for items to be returned. You can also view your reading history, modify preferred searches and change your personal information.This is a long awaited feature for the students, faculty and staff of

Exploring Google's "Even More" Page

2007-03-21T10:16:00.000-05:00

Google is probably the first place searchers go to find information on the Web, but how often do you click the "even more" link on Google's search page? Google offers many search features, advanced searching, and tools that most of us do not use on a daily basis. Did you know you can search mail order catalogs via Google? You can browse by the type of catalog, or enter a search term to search

LibQUAL Survey

2007-03-03T17:14:00.000-06:00

The library is currently conducting ARL's LibQUAL survey so please take the time to fill it out and send it back in. You will receive the survey link from Joe Meyer from Institutional Research or you can follow this link to the survey. It takes roughly about 10 minutes to complete and you can enter your email address (optional) to win a 30GB video iPod. (Five random winners.)We welcome all

2007-02-21T18:14:00.000-06:00

Here is the second half of an alphabetical list of databases added to the collection over the past year. To find these databases again, click the appropriate letter from the aphabetical list. The databases will also be listed under the subject heading most related to the content of the database: I-ZIEEE/IET Electronic Library from IEEE The IEEE/IET Electronic Library (IEL) provides access to

New Databases

2007-02-21T17:44:00.000-06:00

Here is an alphabetical list of databases added to the collection over the past year. To find these databases again, click the appropriate letter from the aphabetical list. The databases will also be listed under the subject heading most related to the content of the database: A-HAccounting Research Manager (Audit Public Version) from CCHAccounting Research Manager provides links to primary

Librarians on Facebook & MySpace

2007-01-30T21:38:00.001-06:00

Last Semester, a few Alkek librarians created profiles on Facebook and MySpace as a way of reaching out to the Texas State community and to network with others on theses spaces. Facebook is somewhat stricter in how someone can set up an account. You have to be yourself and not an entity. So my Facebook presence is dedicated to relaying news and events taking place at the library. For example

bubbl.us--brainstorming fun

2007-01-25T15:52:00.000-06:00

Here's another reason why looking up sites on del.icio.us is so much fun. I found a cute little brainstorming site called bubbl.us this afternoon. It's pretty easy to use, it's free, and it's web-based, which makes me hope it takes off or at least lasts a little while. At least long enough for Google to take it over.(apologies, x-posted to the Alkek Information Literacy Blog)

New Communication Studies items, part one

2007-01-19T10:38:00.000-06:00

After a bit of an icy start, we are finally beginning our Spring 07 semester! Here's part one of the new Comm Studies books and videos.Election 2000 [videorecording] : Florida Supreme Court hearings / executive producer, Roger Cook. Videocassette Shelves, Floor 4 KF5074.2 .E53 2000 Twentieth-century rhetorics and rhetoricians : critical studies and sources /

Happy New Year!

2007-01-05T15:47:00.000-06:00

Hopefully everyone is having a relaxing break in preparation for the upcoming spring semester. Alkek Library re-opened on January 3, after having an extra day off in remembrance of President Gerald Ford. Our hours will be from 8am to 5pm Monday - Friday until the new semester begins. We are closed on the weekends until the semester starts and also on MLK this year.For some interesting reading

Instant Messaging at Alkek

2006-10-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

Did you know you can IM a librarian at Alkek Library? If you follow this link you can see the 3 different handles the library has created for 3 of the IM clients commonly used. All you have to do is add the library's IM name to your "buddy list" and you can then get instant help.Alkek Library has been offering chat reference (or virtual reference-VR) since the fall 2004 semester and the

Looking for FREE Textbooks?

2006-10-13T10:11:00.000-05:00

Did you make the decision not to buy your textbook this semester due to the high costs of them? Then you might be interested to know that there are a growing number of Websites that provide free online e-books. This article posted on the U.S. News and World Report Website discusses the rising costs of textbooks and how more and more students are looking for alternative ways to get their books

Google Scholar & Refworks

2006-10-02T10:37:00.000-05:00

Google Scholar is Google's way of searching scholarly literature in one place. It searches accross different subject areas and if searched through the Alkek Library's database page, will link to our electronic resources. Find out more about Google Scholar from the library's Google Scholar information page:Refworks is a bibliographic management tool that you can use when conducting research using

Change is Good

2006-09-14T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Alkek Library has undergone a lot of changes this summer. You may have noticed the library's new Website that went live over the summer. The re-design was based on the the results of a usability study that was conducted on the existing Website in the early summer of 2005. Hopefully the new Website will be easier to navigate and to find the library's resources. We welcome any comments or

New Database

2006-06-13T13:28:00.000-05:00

A really cool database for people who need to study for a standardized test such as the SAT or MCAT is the Testing & Education Reference Center . Here is the quote from the db:Prepare for the GED; civil service and military entrance exams; licensing tests for law enforcement, real estate, the postal service, and many other fields; plus college and graduate school admissions exams. Includes guides

Blended Librarian Webcast

2006-04-27T15:51:00.000-05:00

I just attended the Blended Librarian webcast, entitled "A Look at Newly Emerging Positions at Academic Libraries." It was really very fascinating. Some of the highlights were:-Literature Review Summary outlining trends in new librarian positions, primarily focusing on "blended" flavored positions like Instructional Librarian, Instructional Design Librarian, etc.-Interview/Case study of two

Tell us what you think....

2006-03-03T13:41:00.000-06:00

What would you like to know about the library? If you could receive the answers to your top 5 burning questions about library services, using the library, hours, or anything at all, what would you ask? I want to know what you think.When people come into the library, they are sometimes hesitant to ask questions about library services or for help in starting their research assignments. When I was

An Interesting Thing About Google Scholar.....

2006-02-16T14:43:00.000-06:00

I had an email come in to Ask a Librarian from a faculty member who was having a problem locating an article even though the citation, for the most part, appeared to be a good one. Here is the citation as it came in: Clark, D. (1999). Getting results with distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 12(1), 38-51. At first I thought it was probably just a mistake which would

Going Digital Native

2005-11-02T10:40:00.000-06:00

I was doing some research for a project and found these _really, really_ interesting sources online. They are mostly focusing on how to teach millennials. Mark Prensky has this extremely interesting take on younger ppl and how they process information, how to teach them, and how older ppl can connect with them. He calls this digital natives and digital immigrants. I ended up at his site from

aieee.

2005-10-15T13:27:00.000-05:00

it's saturday and i am answering email questions, and it is hard because the ppl i would normally go to ask about something are all gone. :(just out of curiosity, when ppl are trying to use Refworks from home and the direct export from the database does not work, what is the likely reason?if you know i'd love to know too.and where is bioone? i can't find it on the databases page--i found it in

interesting link

2005-10-03T14:05:00.000-05:00

this is really cool--http://www.gahooyoogle.com/. i found it while i was looking around to see what other libraries have in terms of podcasting stuff and mp3 library tours. it lets you search yahoo and google simultaneously.might be interesting to show ppl especially during library instruction sessions.-l

what about podcasting?

2005-09-19T14:46:00.000-05:00

i was wondering if it might be interesting or worth our while to try podcasting. i've been looking around at library related sites and curious about what ppl have to say.

just for fun...

2005-09-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

We don't always have to be all work and no play.... remember what that did to jack. This website is fairly amusing....and you might find it somewhat entertaining. I'm not sure how I even came across it... but it appears to be a website full of Texas facts, trivia and more by the co-author of Weird Texas.

2005-09-07T15:31:00.000-05:00

finding complete list of videosi noticed today that a patron wanted to see a list of all the videos we have here at the library and i knew that a colleague showed me how to do this one time before. what you do is type the term "feature films" into the search box and hit the subject button. this can also be done using the term "documentary films." of course you can also use tried and true method

what's asl?

2005-09-07T09:23:00.000-05:00

i was laughing the other day because i had read in one of the professional librarian journals about a librarian being puzzled during a chat ref session because the patron kept on asking "asl." then of course i started laughing harder because i found out it happened to another librarian i know.i have found that a few times ppl have logged into chat and just wanted to talk to someone, or ended up