5.B.5 Computing and communications services are used to extend the boundaries in obtaining information and data from other sources, including regional, national, and international networks.
This is our last indicator in the element statement on Information Resources and Services, and addresses our electronic connections for using and obtaining resources. After this we will move on to a new area to examine. So look at our website, our online catalog, our online databases, remote access, interlibrary loan.
Let's keep this ball rolling!
Edited February 2, 2009
Here is some information on how the library uses computing and communications to extend boundaries using regional, national and international networks.
Regionally – As one of the Affiliate Libraries of the University of Montana, we share library systems (Voyager by Endeavor Cataloging and Circulation) and servers for all cataloging, circulation, and course reserve records for our library. This consortium provides our students access to an web based catalog to view what is in our collection and easily see what is available from other UM libraries. Also, this affiliation gives us access to approximately 40 databases (25,000 journals, 56,000 electronic books, etc) and remote access to these databases through proxy server service.
Statewide-- we join with other libraries in Montana to cooperatively purchase around 40 electronic databases and downloadable audiobooks, all delivered through remote communication networks.
Nationally --We are a BCR (Bibliographic Center for Research) member, another affiliation through which we purchase information such as our Encyclopedia Britannica, delivered via internet communication.
Internationally – As an OCLC member (Online Computer Library Center – “Not for profit computer service and research organization whose systems help libraries locate, acquire, catalog, and lend library materials”) we contribute our holdings records and use this computerized network for resource sharing, borrowing items for our students, staff, and faculty from libraries in our affiliated group, in our state, around the country, and theoretically from other places in the world. This also allow us and our students to access the Montana Library Catalog, a catalog of most libraries' holdings throughout our state and to access WorldCat, the catalog of the world's libraries.
Locally – and perhaps most importantly, we use our library website as a portal for all these resources, organizing access to these services and resources from any computer in the worlds.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Oh my goodness -- we have access to much information via our computers, internet, data bases, and so on. Through our library's virutial collection, I can listen to a bird song in order to help identify a bird I've seen; I can check for sewing machines reviews; I can find articles and books on PTSD; I can show students an online dictionary in my classroom. There's art available to us. I can find out about the girls' school in India where my step-mom is teaching. Students can find nursing articles, business articles, statistics, historic newspapers, anatomy and physiology sites, career information, medical information, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and on and on. And they can find these things from home through remote access.
When I think of the small, musty, library I went to each weekend as a child, I am simply in awe of what we can do from our small, in terms of physical space, library.
I know that I sometimes need help in accessing this virtual material -- but that help is available.
We need to celebrate the ever expanding boundaries of our libary.
I agree with Suzanne, we have many resources available through our library. One of the biggest factors is letting students know what is available. How do we let people know when we get access to a new database. I know i am oblivious to such things. I know the resources and services are there through this Self Study, however, i think i used the library once when i attended school here. It was very painful
Danny, I know that most English composition teachers and College Success instructors invite Janice to their classes to talk about how to use the library and what's available. I use Janice's powerpoint in College Success.
I think Janice sends out notices of new data bases, but I'm not sure students see the relevance. Maybe we could put examples of what the data bases can do for school work and for life issues, those close to home for students.
I do think too that being in the library is less painful the more students are aquainted with it -- perhaps a one credit course for gen ed folks so they get used to using the library. And maybe we could encourage trades and others to breing students here. I know Harold has brought his construction students over to the library.
I think too that "fun reading" and perhaps dvd's might get people in the door as well. Also, people have often had bad experiences in public or school libraries: overdue notices, being sushed. We might explore ways to help people over those old experiences. Ours is a new and better place with great staff.
Danny makes a really good point and we do need to make more of an effort to get the word out. We have had limited success with Info Express, but I think the reader boards are reaching more students. All campus emails help also, but unfortunately people tend to not pay attention if they don't think they need it. So Suzanne's idea of targeting our announcements in a "this can help you . . fix you car, wow your girlfriend, etc" is a great way of trying to publicize these resources more. And we have to be more friendly and helpful when people do approach us.
By the way, great conversation, group!
Post a Comment