Sunday, December 19, 2010

Biological Abstracts now complete!

Biological Abstracts, the premier database for the life sciences, is now searchable online from 1926 to the present, thanks to the Library's recent purchase of all backfiles. What does this mean? In the past, a BU researcher could search BioAbs from 1997 to the present online but would have to use the print indexes for materials indexed between 1926 - 1996. Now, researchers can search virtually all the life sciences literature, including biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, pre-clinical and experimental medicine, pharmacology, zoology, agriculture, and veterinary science, in one database containing over 11.3 million references.

To access Biological Abstracts, visit the Library's Find Articles and More pages, including Databases A-Z and Databases by Subject > Biological Sciences and other pages. As always, if you have any questions, please contact the Reference Desk at 570-389-4204.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Computers in the library

We've received feedback lately about some slow computers in the library.

First, thanks for letting us know about these computers.  We do want to hear about problems like this so we can fix them.

Second, now that we know about the problem, we are taking steps to fix it.  In order to do that, we will have to take the computers offline. We don't want to do this during finals week, so it will happen after the end of the semester.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Extended study hours in Library during finals

The Schweiker Room and the Gathering Place (next to Starbucks) will be open until 2 AM during finals. Please note: the rest of the Library will close at the usual time, 12 midnight. Only the 2 rooms will remain open later. If you have any questions, please call the Circulation Desk at x4205.

Over 50,000 e-books now available in *ebrary Academic Collection *

The ebrary Academic Collection, containing more than 50,000 e-book titles in all academic subject areas, is now available on the Library's web site. For a 'Quick Guide' on how to use, click here. For an 11-minute training video, click here.

The video will show you how to:




  1. Conduct a search – Use simple or advanced.
  2. Open a document – Click on the title name or jacket.
  3. Explore the document – Navigate to search terms, search the document for key words, jump to relevant chapters, flip through pages.
  4. Highlight text and take notes – Create a bookshelf (if needed) to save and organize your research.
  5. Use InfoTools – Link out to other online resources to expand your research.
  6. Print pages, and copy and paste text – ebrary provides automatic citations with a URL hyperlink back to the source.
  7. Manage, archive and share research – Organize your bookshelf and email folders to peers.
In the weeks ahead, look for more tips and pointers on how to get the most out of the ebrary Academic Collection!

ADAM Interactive Anatomy now on the Web!

The interactive anatomy teaching tool, A.D.A.M. Interactive Anatomy, is now available on the Web through the Andruss Library Web site. Go to Find Articles & More > Databases A-Z > ADAM Interactive Anatomy. The tool also includes a Multimedia Encyclopedia, a library of 3D images, and over 3,000 illustrations for teaching clinical concepts.
 
The database is paid for with Tech Fee funds and administered by Office of Technology, Technology Support Services, Desktop Software.
 As always, if you have any questions please contact the Reference Desk, x4204.

Free Coffee and Cookies during Finals Week!

Students! Take a quick break from your studying this finals week and stop by the Schweiker Room in the Library for free coffee and goodies. Professors will be on hand Monday through Thursday night, December 13-16, from 6 pm to 9 pm to dispense coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, and wisdom. So stop by, grab something to eat or drink, and say hi!

Coffee Nights are sponsored by the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF), the Friends of the Bloomsburg University Library Association (FOBULA), and the Global Awareness Society International.

Best Wishes and Good Luck!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Library Hours During Finals

Here is the library's schedule for the rest of the semester:

Thursday, 12/9:  7:30am-midnight
Friday, 12/10: 7:30am-9pm
Saturday, 12/11: 9am-9pm
Sunday, 12/12: 10am-midnight (after hours room open until 2am)
Monday, 12/13: 7:30am-midnight (after hours room open until 2am)
Tuesday, 12/14: 7:30am-midnight (after hours room open until 2am)
Wednesday, 12/15: 7:30am-midnight (after hours room open until 2am)
Thursday, 12/16: 7:30am-midnight (after hours room open until 2am)
Friday, 12/17: 7:30am-4:30pm
Saturday, 12/18: 9am-5pm

For additional information about the library's hours, you can view our Library Hours page.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Dust Settles

Thank you for your patience as we have been reconfiguring the 1st and 2nd floors.  We're almost done!

Updated floor plans, showing the new locations of the Reference Collection, Current Periodicals, and others, are now online.  You can see them here.

A few of the changes noted on the floor plans are still in the works.  Look for those next semester.   

Monday, December 6, 2010

Government Information Survey

Please take a few minutes to let Andruss Library know the value of the government material that we collect.

The Government Printing Office, the agency that oversees the distribution of government documents to Andruss Library through the Federal Depository Library program, has put together a survey on the value on government material in libraries.  You can access it here:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSLCRRB

The survey contains 16 questions and should take 10-15 minutes to complete. It focuses on how well Federal Depository Libraries, including Andruss Library, provide access, services, and collections relating to government documents.

Responses should be received by December 31, 2010. After the close of the survey, the Government Printing Office will send Andruss Library a report with the aggregated responses and comments.

Please contact Katie Yelinek, Coordinator of Government Documents, with any question. 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Library Quiet Zones

Are you looking for a quiet place to study or work on a research paper?

The 3rd & 4th floors of Andruss Library are designated as Quiet Zones. In accordance with student preferences and campus culture, the 1st and 2nd floors are more open for group work and social interaction.

If you are seeking a quiet location to study, please use the 3rd & 4th floors of Andruss Library. If there are problems on the 3rd & 4th floors with noise, we need your assistance and cooperation. When you receive a cell phone call - or a friend stops by - please keep it quiet and brief, or take the conversation elsewhere.

If someone else is not maintaining the Quiet Zone atmosphere, remind them of the quiet zone designation. If the noise persists, notify the staff at the Circulation or Reference Desks. They will investigate the situation. Library staff members also attempt to enforce moderation of noise on the 1st & 2nd floors. If you think that it is too noisy there, please consult with our staff.

Because Library staffing is often limited, we appreciate your help and cooperation in maintaining Andruss Library as a desirable place to be.