A Reference Joke

A Day in the Life of a Reference Desk


Patron: "I am looking for a globe of the earth."
Reference: "We have a table-top model over here."
Patron: "No, that's not good enough. Don't you have a life size?"
Reference (after a short pause): "Yes, but it's in use right now."

Database trials

There's a long list of new resources to try on the Database Trials page. All of these databases are available off-campus to current SWOSU students and employees.

Citing Gov. Docs.

I have added a link on how to cite government documents on the Firefox Bookmark Toolbar. Please take a minute and review.

Printer

The printer has been messing up this afternoon. Periodically, a patron would let me know that the printer wasn't printing, and I would go turn it off and turn it on again. The patron would then resend the print job and it would print.

DVD-Roms

If someone comes in and wants to burn data to a DVD-Rom, they will need to use one of the new computers which have a DVD drive. The older computers can only view any existing data already on the DVD-Rom.

The PCs with DVD burners are A-H, V and W.

Printer problems

I've had a few patrons come and say that the printer wasn't working. After making sure that there wasn't a problem with the computer or the way the document was being printed, I turned the printer off and then on again, and it seemed to work fine. The only problem is that several patrons had printed a document more than once because the printer wasn't working, so I stood at the printer and tried to cancel documents that were printed more than once. I've told Frederic and he's going to see if the repair man can come again.

New Online Resource: Encyclopedia Judaica

The 2007 Encyclopedia Judaica is now available online through the library's social sciences resources page.

This resource contains over 21,000 articles that provide an exhaustive and organized overview of Jewish life and knowledge. Entries chronicle Jewish history, archaeology, literature, culture, theology, and practice from the distant past to the present. The Encyclopaedia includes extensive entries on Holocaust studies, the Bible, women's studies, Jewish mysticism, and social history.

The new print version is available in Reference, call no. R 296.03 E5632.
Please pass this information along to faculty who may be interested.

Printer Problems

The first paper tray on the printer keeps misfeeding paper causing a paper jam. If there is a jam, you might try opening the first tray and seeing if the misfed paper is there which often seems to be the case (if not, you might try the left side of the printer). To try and prevent this, it has helped to either keep less paper in the first tray OR to keep no paper in the first tray. Frederic said the printer company has been contacted about the problem.

Off-campus login page updated

The EZproxy library login page for off-campus patrons has been updated. Take a look ...

Let me know if there are any problems.

Jon W.

P.S. Remember that students login using their SWOSU Webmail username and password -- students do not use their SWOSU ID number. Only faculty and staff use their SWOSU ID. If an employee's ID isn't recognized when they try to log in, get their ID number and call me at 7074 so I can add it to the server.

Password for E-Journal??

I had a patron requesting an article from the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. The article was from August of 1996. Our periodicals list said we had access to it from 1994 on with EBSCOhost Electronic Journals Service. EBSCOhost then told me it was available through the publisher's website. I went to their website and found the article, but when I clicked to show the full article it prompted me to enter a password. I didn't find the password on the list here at the Ref Desk so I wasn't sure where to find it. The patron decided to use a different article but it would be useful to know the password for next time. Thanks.

CAAP

The Assessment Committee, General Education Committee, Provost, Associate Provost, and Student Government Association have all agreed that Southwestern should annually administer an outcomes assessment and a student engagement survey to Southwestern students. The chosen assessment tools are ACT’s Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) and the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

The CAAP will be administered to students at the Junior level by appointment mainly on October 23rd – October 26th, with an extension to November 2nd. We would truly appreciate your encouraging your Juniors to register for and complete the CAAP tests. They may register by calling 774-7084. A flyer is shown below providing other information and announcing $$$ CASH INCENTIVES $$$. Actually, students have A CHANCE TO WIN UP TO $700 FROM A POT OF $3400!!! We are advertising by way of emails, “snail mail,” posters, and hopefully YOU!

Information about the CAAP is on display at the Reference Desk.

Periodicals Held Hostage

I have pulled issues for classes i'm teaching Monday morning from the following periodicals : Journal of Parasitology, Biological Reviews, Journal of Economic Entomology, Journal of Rural Health and Wired Magazine.

If a patron needs an issue(s) that is missing from the shelf, it will probably be in my office. Please give the desired materials to that patron(s). However, please leave me a note to inform me what has been removed. Thanks.

Audiobooks search limiter in the library catalog

A new Quick Limit for audiobooks has been added to the library catalog. The "Audiobooks" limiter restricts searches to items assigned to the Audio Collection location.

To see the full list of Audio Collection items, apply the audiobooks limiter and do a keyword search for sound?.

Pharmacy: Facts & Comparisons

The library has a subscription to the print version of Facts and Comparisons, but we don't subscribe to the online version. There's a link to the online F&C on the Pharmacy web page for the convenience of faculty and students have their own personal subscriptions. The description of F&C on the Pharmacy page has been updated to clarify this.

Jon W.

Update: Students are eligible for a free 1-year subscription to the online Facts and Comparisons. Faxed proof of student status required.

Printing 1-sided pages (Updated 10/1)

PCs A-H, V, and W have the latest printer drivers from Kyocera. On these PCs the option to print single-sided pages has moved from the Layout tab to the Basic tab. Follow these instructions to print single-sided pages:

1. From any application (Word, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.) click the File pull-down menu and select Print.
   
2. Click the Properties button to the right of the printer name.
   
3. Click the Basic tab. Uncheck Print on both sides and click OK. (This option is on the Layout tab on PCs I-U.)
   

That's it!

printing on one side

I have just been telling the students that they can just print one page at a time if they are unable to find the options to print one sided. This is only useful if they just have a couple of pages.

New signage needed

The new computers have a different print properties screen for printing on only one side of a page. We probably need to make a new sign to put over by the printer to instruct students how to change the print settings.

Pharmacy DI reference question

There has been a recurring question from the Pharmacy student working on a Drug Information assignment about whether we have Clinical Infectious Diseases. We have access to it on a database, but not physically here in the library.

MS Office 2003 compatibility with Office 2007

The library's PCs use MS Office 2003. The latest version of MS Office, MS Office 2007, uses new file formats for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. When I updated the PCs last week I installed the MS Office Compatibility Pack. The Compatibility Pack allows MS Office 2003 programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to open, edit, save, and create files using the new MS Office 2007 formats.

The Compatibility Pack has also been installed on the Reference Desk PC.

If you'd like to install the MS Office Compatibility Pack on your own PC, follow the instructions on this page.

Writing Center Relocated Tues., 9/25

Due to construction in the air ducts, the Writing Center has been moved to Study Room 2 on the second floor. They should be back in their usual spot tomorrow. Their hours for Tuesday, 9/25 are: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Public PC Updates

On Sept. 21 public PCs I-U were updated. Major updates include:

• Firefox 2
• Internet Explorer 7
• Acrobat Reader 8
• Windows Media Player 11
• Latest Flash, Shockwave, Java, RealPlayer, and Quicktime plugins
• MathXL (and other plugins) used with some Prentice-Hall textbooks
  
• Numerous Windows patches
• BIOS update to v.A08

PC N is in Systems because of a motherboard failure. New parts are on the way from Dell.

There are now three PCs outside the Instruction Room on the 2nd floor. These PCs are primarily for checking the library catalog and brief web browsing. (They don't print and they don't have MS Office installed.)

On Sept. 14, the eight oldest PCs (A-H) in the public area were replaced with new PCs. At the same time, two new PCs (V-W) were added at the hexagon.

Map and List of Classes at Ready Ref

Just so you're aware, we have a map at Ready Reference that is not yet cataloged.

Oklahoma Wildlife Management Areas W 2800.5 W673m 1998

We will have it cataloged soon. Currently it is on the bottom shelf of Ready Reference.

Rather than looking through a book, here is the link to access our GovDocs info on line. There will also be a bookmark.
http://govdoc.wichita.edu/ddm/GdocFrames.asp
Click on Depository Selection and Directory.
Our depository number is 0497.
When you click on our depository number it then allows you to search our selection of GovDocs.

The bookmark is "SWOSU GovDocs List of Classes"

Ready Reference Maps & List of Classes

Just so you're aware, we have a map at Ready Reference that is not yet cataloged.

Oklahoma Wildlife Management Areas W 2800.5 W673m 1998

We will have it cataloged soon. Currently it is on the bottom shelf of Ready Reference.

Rather than looking through a book, here is the link to access our GovDocs info on line. There will also be a bookmark.
http://govdoc.wichita.edu/ddm/GdocFrames.asp
Click on Depository Selection and Directory.
Our depository number is 0497.
When you click on our depository number it then allows you to search our selection of GovDocs.

The bookmark is "SWOSU GovDocs List of Classes"

Electronic Citation Creators

There are several online (and one software-based) citation creators available that make citing a research paper easy and painless. They are able to cite print and non-print sources in APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian styles and all the user has to do is enter in the basic information of the item or even the ISBN. If you would like to play around with these, here are a few that were listed on the Library Blog:

• Landmarks Son of Citation Machine - Cites print and non-print sources for APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian
• KnightCite - Cites print and non-print sources including art, cartoons, videos, television programs, etc
• OttoBib - Cites books using the ISBN

There will also be a complete list available at the Reference Desk.

Troubleshooting Meebo

If you have patrons presenting problems with IM, you can direct them to the troubleshooting wiki Meebo has setup. If you can't identify the problem, direct them to Meebo's help email: comments@meebo.com. If it is hard to determine whether the problem lies with Meebo or their IM service, have them contact Meebo and their IM's tech support.

(Updated) EBSCO MEDLINE

9/11/07:
EBSCOhost MEDLINE keyword searches are working again.

9/10/07:
EBSCOhost MEDLINE keyword searches aren't working this evening -- searches for even common terms retrieve no results. (However, MeSH heading searches still work correctly.) I've notified EBSCO tech support about the problem.
Refer patrons to one of the other options for MEDLINE searching (such as OVID MEDLINE or PubMed MEDLINE) if they report problems with EBSCOhost MEDLINE on Tuesday.
Jon

KCDLonline Upgrade

KCDLonline is scheduled to be moved to new web servers on Wednesday, September 12, 2007.

There may be some instances while the move is taking place where their website will be inaccessible. Please contact one of the librarians if it remains inaccessable after Thursday, September 13.

Scholarship resources

A patron was looking for scholarship resources and there are three books at the reference desk that will be helpful if a similar request comes up:

- The Scholarship Book - R 378 Sch641 2004
- The College Blue Book: Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, and Loans - R 378.73 C686 2007 v. 5
- Scholarships, Fellowships, and Loans - R 378.3 S3681

Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach on Reserve

The 6th edition of the Pharmacotherapy book is currently on order, so I created a temporary record for the previously withdrawn 5th edition and have placed it on Reserve at the Circulation Desk so students can still access the information. The record can be accessed through the Library's Course Reserves page under LIB: Library Reserves from the Department list or you can click here.

The new edition will be permanently placed on the Library Reserve list once it has been processed.

Pathfinders 2007

The 2007 Pathfinders are in a folder on the desktop. They are in PDF format. If new copies are needed please have them printed in the appropriate color.

Updated Maps for Fall 2007

Updated maps of the Al Harris Library are now posted on our web site. When you print new copies of the maps for distribution at the service desks, I recommend using the high resolution PDF for greatest clarity.

So long Clinical Pharmacology; We barely knew yee

EBSCO no longer offers the drug reference database Clinical Pharmacology. Refer patrons looking for information on prescription and non-prescription drugs to Lexi-Comp Online. Lexi-Comp is easy to use and has monographs for both clinicians and patients. The library's Pharmacy resources web page has been updated to reflect this change.

Biology Seminar Class Topic

I was told by Dale that several of these students are getting a jump start on their research. Just an FYI, I will be teaching this class on Sept 10th. Basically, Dr. Boggs is asking them to do a research paper on invasive species (animal, plant or microorganism). I recommend that you give yourself a refresher on BIOSIS.

Printer Failure

The printer is working in a haphazard manner.

Database Facelift: Ebsco/Lexis Nexis Academic

Ebsco & Lexis Nexis Academic have undergone recent additions and facelifts. Take some time to learn your way around the new changes.

New Online Drug Reference

The online drug reference Lexi-Comp Online with AHFS is now available through the library's pharmacy resources web page. Take a few minutes when you have time to go through the Lexi-Comp tour at http://www.lexi.com/web/toursol.jsp.

Keeping Up With Search: Google

I have added to the Firefox bookmark toolbar two links that I recomend for anyone working the Reference Desk: Google blog, which is the official blog of G; and Google Weblog a site that has been tracking Google since March 2002. As most of our students (and the rest of the world) rely on G, it's not a bad idea to keep abreast with what is new in the world of search.

Happy hunting

Frederic

Public PCs: Incorrect Time on Computers

Some of the public PCs are printing incorrect dates and times on web page printouts. This can be a problem for students with instructors who require the time and date on web pages the student turns in.

Here's the temporary work-around: If you're at the Reference Desk and a student needs the correct time and date on their pages, write the date and time on the paper and sign it.

Jon is working on a solution, but it won't be implemented until the interim, so be sure to let the students know about the problem.

Thanks

LinkSource and Business Source Elite

I'm configuring LinkSource for our EBSCOhost databases, starting with Business Source Elite. Right now, LinkSource links to the catalog and other digital resources may not work the way you expect them to, and the links may not always be present in the results list. Bear with me for a few days on this; LinkSource will be very cool when it's finished.

Jon

EBSCO EJS links and Internet Explorer

Links to EBSCO EJS are blocked for patrons using Internet Explorer on the public PCs. The EJS links work correctly with Firefox. I'm troubleshooting the problem.

Jon

Meebo

At the beginning of each shift on the Reference Desk please check the Status of Meebo to ensure that it is logged on as AVAILABLE.

Thanks,

Frederic

Organic Chemistry Class

Sseveral students have needed to find information on NMR and IR spectroscopy for their Organic Chemistry class. They seem to be finding what they need in The Sadtler handbook of infrared spectra / editor, William W. Simons:

Reference-Weatherford
Call Number: 547.3 Sa15s

Thanks to Jana for passing this information along.

PS

Be sure to keep promoting our new IM service, we have been getting one to two hits on the service as of late, so good job everyone.

F

IM Marketing

Whenever you engage with a patron at the desk, be sure to mention our new IM service. It's an easy way to get the word out and sell the service. Show them the link and tout its ease of use. We want students to use this new service, but they only will if we let them know its here.

Thanks

Frederic

Nursing Students Assignment

This past week we have had quite a few nursing students working on an nurse/biography assignment. The best source to consult is American Nursing: A Biographical Dictionary R 610 730922 AM355 Vol.1-2

Thanks,

Frederic

Merck Manual

We have ordered a new copy of the missing Merck Manual. The Merck Manual is used by our students involved in the Health Sciences. We also have online access to the Merck Manual through the Pharmacy databases.

Meebo Instant Messages Now Beep!

Good news... Brandon has added speakers to the Reference Desk computer so that we hear a
beep whenever someone asks an instant messenger question through Meebo.

IM Is Here

We now have IM capability at the Reference Desk. The new service can be found under the Ask A Librarian Link.

Be sure to keep an eye open for the blinking curser when a question is asked.

Copier Mainatinece

We have been asked by the custodial staff to seal any garbage bags containing toner from the printer. If you change the cartridge or empty the waste toner box, please tie the bag shut.

Thanks,

Search Capability

The Reference Desk Blog now has search capability. If you need to find a prior entry a simple keyword search will do the trick.