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The UMUC Information and Library Services Newsletter

Spring 2007 • Volume 7, Issue 1
Previous Issues

Contents:


From Kim Kelley 
Vice Provost and Dean, Academic Resources and Services

Dr. Kim KelleyWelcome to a new year and new semester that we hope will prove to be a rewarding and successful one for you. I want to highlight some of the exciting new services being offered since our last newsletter.

Quick search boxes have been added to the library’s Web site, allowing library users the opportunity to perform quick searches for articles, e-journals, and books right from the library’s home page.

As of this spring the library’s instant message reference service now allows library users who do not have a personal IM account to IM the library, using a tool called MeeboMe. Keep reading for more information on this exciting new application!

The Dorsey Station Library is now open and has implemented a print reserves service. See this issue of the newsletter for further information about this new service and other services provided by the Regional Services Librarian at the Dorsey Station library.

This issue of the newsletter also includes articles on database additions and enhancements, “hot” country reports resources, library presence in student clubs, the Information Literacy in the Natural Sciences workshop, the upcoming Google Universe workshop, the CTLA 607 faculty workshop, library liaisons, and information for faculty on library instruction.

We remain dedicated to providing the best services possible, and we value your comments about any of our services and resources. If you find something you would like to see improved, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Electronic Resources - What's New?

Ask a Librarian While You Search in a Database!

Now you can get immediate help while searching within certain databases by clicking on the "Ask a Librarian" link. The library has set up Ask a Librarian links in the following vendor interfaces; click on each to find out what databases can use this special feature:

The link is located in the upper right hand corner of each of the interfaces. So keep searching and ask us questions at the same time, without stopping your research...

Current Electronic Resources, New Interfaces!

Several of our electronic resources have come out with new interfaces, including:

Take a look at each and let us know what you think!

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Hot Sites... Country Reports

Find the latest news and information on countries of the world, including geographic, demographic, economic, communications, transportation and military information from these “hot sites.”

  • CIA World Factbook
    From the Central Intelligence Agency, this site provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies as well as maps and a guide to flags of the world. Country information includes an introduction to the country and sections on geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.

  • U.S. Department of State Country Pages A-Z
    Country listings include a link to the embassy page for that country, country background notes (including history of the country), news, maps and photo galleries. Links to information on the latest U.S. initiatives in specific countries are also provided.

  • BBC News Country Profiles
    Full profiles from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, as well as background information on key institutions. Profiles include audio or video clips from the BBC archives and a timeline of key events for each country.

  • The Economist Country Briefings
    The Economist magazine provides links to the latest news, profiles, history, political and economic forecasts, and statistics on numerous countries. In addition, links to important government and country specific news Web sites are listed.
  • Foreign Government Resources on the Web (University of Michigan)
    This award-winning site from the University of Michigan Library Document Center provides links to individual country information. Countries are grouped according to their region of the world. In addition, this site includes links to other related sites including background reading; embassies; constitutions, laws and treaties; news; and statistics.

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For Your Information...

Quick Search on ILS Web Site

Quick search is an exciting new addition to the ILS Web site. This new feature of the Web site allows you to search for articles, e-journals, and books directly from the library home page.  An article quick search will simultaneously search eight databases: ABI/Inform, Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, JSTOR, PsycINFO, ProQuest Computing, Science Direct, and SocINDEX with Fulltext for articles. The e-journal quick search will search e-journals to which UMUC subscribes. Book quick search will search catalogUSMAI.  This new feature of the library Web site is designed to save library users time by providing a fast way to access library resources that do not require in-depth research.

Instant Message (IM) a Librarian Service Expands With MeeboMe

Patrons who do not have a personal instant messaging account can now IM a UMUC librarian using MeeboMe.  This innovative application allows users to IM using a tool imbedded directly in ILS’s Instant-Message-A-Librarian page.  No software downloads are necessary.

Dorsey Station Library

The UMUC Dorsey Station Library, located in Elkridge, MD, is now open. This library is staffed Monday-Thursday noon to 9:00pm, Fridays noon to 5:00pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm. A reference librarian is on staff Monday- Fridays to assist with research needs. The library provides computer access to UMUC’s online, full-text databases and e-book collection. Comfortable seating and study carrels are available for quiet study. In addition, there is a small circulating collection and a small collection of journals and daily newspapers. Students and faculty may order books from other USMAI libraries and have them delivered to Dorsey Station.

ILS Staff News

ILS director Diane Fishman will be retiring at the end of January after 40 years of librarianship. Diane's career spans 27 years with the University System of Maryland libraries. She began at UMBC as an Associate Librarian, Reference, holding that position for 13 years.  From 1989-1997, she was at UMB, Health Sciences library, serving as Associate Librarian, Reference and Information Management Services and then as Manager, Information and Instruction Services and Coordinator of Reference and Electronic Resources. After a stint as Coordinator of Education and Electronic Resources at Montgomery College, she came to UMUC as Assistant Director, Public Services in 2000 and then appointed Director of Information and Library Services in 2005.  We will miss her and want to wish her well in her new endeavors!

Stephen Miller, former Associate Director for Electronic Services, has been appointed Director, Information and Library Services. Stephen will continue to serve as Associate Director for Electronic Services until this position is filled.

Barb Mann, Instruction and Information Literacy Librarian, will also serve as Interim Assistant Director for Public Services.


Please join us in welcoming the following new members of the ILS team:

Ed O’Donnell, our new Reference and Instruction Librarian, comes to UMUC from Providence College’s Phillips Memorial Library.

Laura Schlueter, our new Digital Services Librarian, comes to ILS from Lockheed Martin, where she served as Taxonomy Manager and Information Systems Analyst.

Deborah Newman has joined ILS as our Interlibrary Loan Technician.  She comes to us from Broward County (FL) Community College, where she served as a reference assistant.

Clare Miller joins ILS from University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she served as a library technician in several areas.  Clare now serves as our Circulation Technician.

ILS Presence in UMUC Student Clubs

Creating community and offering its students traditional college activities, such as academic clubs, is a challenge UMUC embraces on behalf of its students, who take classes online in the United States, Europe, Asia, and around the globe. UMUC’s Department of Academic Success manages about a dozen virtual academic clubs, and now Information and Library Services is contributing to that endeavor.

Online clubs enable UMUC students to network with peers, faculty, and professionals in academic disciplines such as business and finance, the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Students attend virtual seminars led by guest speakers, discuss news in their field of study, learn about career and graduate school opportunities, and participate in other professional development activities.

To help promote library services and teach information literacy skills, UMUC Information and Library Services is becoming a visible presence in the student clubs. The library’s liaison to the undergraduate sciences department has led a seminar, “Publishing Opportunities for Students,” in two clubs, Environmental Management and Psychology. The seminar informs students about undergraduate journals, types of articles students can submit, and subject-specific writing resources. In the Environmental Management club, the librarian also contributes to discussions on an ongoing basis, pointing out information resources and search strategies that will help students understand the topic at hand, from proposed changes to the Clean Air Act to the economics of global warming.

Response from students and faculty to library participation has been enthusiastic, and Information and Library Services is exploring ways to expand its presence in the clubs, which are an integral part of UMUC’s online, worldwide academic community.


Faculty Corner

Print Reserves at Dorsey Station

Beginning in the Spring 2007 semester, faculty who teach courses at Dorsey Station will be able to put books and other print items on reserve at the Dorsey Station library. Only items that cannot easily be converted into electronic documents are eligible for reserves at this location. Items may circulate for two hours or overnight. For more information, please see Dorsey Station Print Reserves.

Librarian Services at Dorsey Station

Megan A. Davis is the Regional Services Librarian for UMUC. Based at Dorsey Station, this newly created position is responsible for ensuring that all UMUC class sites are receiving the library services that they need. Megan will travel to any UMUC location in the DC-Metropolitan area to offer students, faculty and staff reference services or in-class instructional sessions. Megan can be contacted at dorseylibrary@umuc.edu or 443-459-3513.

Information Literacy in the Natural Sciences Workshop

ILS is planning a second CTL online workshop on Information Literacy in the Natural Sciences, for spring 2007. The workshop was first held in fall 2006, with twenty science faculty members participating. Here are some of the enthusiastic comments ILS received from workshop participants:

  • "This was a well organized and valuable workshop. I would recommend it to new and experienced UMUC faculty."
  • "This workshop more than met my expectations. I learned a lot that I am now incorporating into my classes!"
  • "I learned about some great resources and I got great feedback."

To help their students learn critical information literacy skills, participants in the workshop explore and discuss:

  • UMUC information literacy goals for undergraduates, and how they can be integrated into the science curriculum
  • How students can effectively and efficiently use library science databases
  • How students can critically evaluate scientific information on the free Web
  • Sample assignments that go beyond the traditional research paper

Each workshop participant has the opportunity to design an assignment incorporating information literacy goals. Participants then critique each others’ assignments in a supportive, collegial atmosphere. The workshop produces many creative assignments that will assist with science instruction and improve students' ability to find, evaluate, and use information for their coursework and careers.

Faculty in the natural sciences and environmental management will receive registration information for the spring workshop from their program director. If you have any questions, you can contact the workshop’s co-facilitator, librarian Robert Miller, or call 1-800-888-UMUC x7209.

Google Universe Workshop

Since its debut in 1998, Google has quickly become the Web’s most popular search engine and the first stop for many college students when doing research for their classes. This spring ILS will offer a workshop, "Google Universe: How to Make the Most of Your Students’ Favorite Resource," in which faculty will learn how to explain the pros and cons of using Google for academic research to their students; see how Google Scholar compares with library subscription databases; learn tips and techniques on using Google’s advanced search features; delve into the controversies and opportunities of the Google Books scanning project, and become acquainted with significant issues - including copyright considerations - surrounding Google Images.  This workshop will also familiarize participants with some of Google's most innovative products and services, such as Google Earth and Maps, and offer suggestions and examples of possible classroom applications. 

This eight-day online workshop will be offered from April 16-April 23, 2007. To register, please go to CTL's Faculty Development Workshops Web page.

CTLA 607: Beyond Library Basics: Choosing, Using, but Not Abusing Information Resources

Keep your eyes open for registration information for our Spring offering of our faculty workshop "Beyond Library Basics: Choosing, Using, but Not Abusing Information Resources," which will be offered online through the Center for Teaching and Learning. The workshop can be used for credit in the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Faculty Development Workshop Certificate Program.

Enlivened by scenarios and multimedia learning objects, this workshop focuses on easily finding and effectively and legally using information resources. It will be co-taught by Information and Library Services and Center for Intellectual Property staff.

The course includes tips and tricks for advanced database searching in your discipline and easier ways to select resources to create more successful assignments. You will discuss methods to better combat student plagiarism while learning how to avoid violating copyright law inadvertently yourself and will grapple with the challenge of getting your students to evaluate resources and cite them properly.

Library Liaisons

Information and Library Services provides library liaison services to UMUC faculty. We welcome the opportunity to work closely with faculty to provide tailored library services to individual classes, whether it be visiting your online or face-to-face class, assisting in adding information literacy components to specific course assignments or projects, or providing handouts or online resources customized to your discipline or current course topic.

Keep the liaison librarians in mind when you have library related questions, need extra help with research, or need instruction on how to use our resources.

Julie Arnold - Liaison to the Graduate School of Management and Technology

Ed O'Donnell - Liaison to SUS Business and Management Studies (BUSN)

Ryan Shepard - Liaison to SUS Computer Information Systems and Technology (CITE) and Professional Practice (PROP)

Robert Miller - Liaison to SUS Social, Behavioral, Natural, and Mathematical Sciences (SCIP)

In addition, Elizabeth Mulherrin, SUS Academic Director, LIBS150, is liaison to SUS Communication, Arts, and Humanities.

Instruction

As the spring 2007 semester begins, Information and Library Services librarians look forward to working with you and your classes, either face-to-face or via WebTycho, in the provision of library resources instruction. The transferable skill building and concept understanding that librarians offer in these sessions provides both a deeper comprehension and comfort level for your students in locating, evaluating, and using information relevant to their studies.

This preparation and reinforcement will hold your students in good stead as they deal with the vast amount of available information during their academic careers and as productive employees and citizens. Please complete the Faculty Request for Library Instruction form to schedule one or more sessions for your classes.

Questions? Comments? Need more information? Please contact Barb Mann, Interim Assistant Director for Public Services /Instruction and Information Literacy Librarian or Information and Library Services (library@umuc.edu).

We look forward to working with you and your classes!

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ILS Hours and Locations

Need to find us? Please visit Locations and Hours for more information.

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