Library Construction

Please pardon our mess. You may notice some noise and dust on the main level of the library close to the lobby. We are working to consolidate our offices for Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Once the project is done, both ILL Lending and Borrowing will be located on the main level of the library. This will allow for more efficient use of personnel and resources and open up space for another group study room (222) on the upper level of the library.

If you need a quieter area for studying, please try the lower or upper levels or areas on the main level that are not close to the lobby.

Linda Kott Information

Services Librarian

Librarians Participate at State Conference

Librarians from H. M. Briggs Library recently participated in the South Dakota Library Association (SDLA) Annual Conference held in Aberdeen, SD, October 7-9.

Laura Wight, Information Literacy Librarian, and Elizabeth Fox, Digital Information Services Librarian, conducted a session entitled “A Virtual Librarian in Every Classroom.”  They featured a variety of ways to provide virtual library information services, including Meebo chat widgets on Web and courseware pages, social bookmarking, online tutorials, topic-specific Web guides, and Web conferencing.  For more information view the following Web site http://lib.sdstate.edu/wight/virtuallib.htm or contact Ms. Wight at laura.wight@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5955 or Ms. Fox at elizabeth.fox@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5569.

Mary Caspers-Graper, Head of Technical Services, presented a poster session at the conference entitled “Selecting E-Books” that focused on the decision making process of e-book selection.  The poster detailed different purchasing options, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and relating decisions to the needs of library patrons. 

Linda Kott, Information Services Librarian, also presented a poster session.  Ms. Kott’s selection, entitled, “Less is More:  Content Selection in Library Instruction” addressed librarians who often try to fit too much information into one-hour instruction sessions.  Strategies for focusing content included employing outcomes, student-centered learning, and active learning.  Ms. Kott included information from her recent attendance at the 2009 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Immersion Program for Teachers. 

David Gleim, Dean of Libraries, finished a year-long term of office as the Chair of SDLA’s Academic, Health Sciences, and Special Libraries Section.  Linda Kott finished a year-long term as Section Secretary and was elected to the Chair position for the next year.

Linda Kott

Information Services Librarian

HM Briggs Library Web Toolbar

Access library and other research resources quickly from your browser using the free Briggs Library Toolbar! The toolbar is compatible with Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. The toolbar is very easy to install and updates quickly with a built-in refresh option. The toolbar is also easy to uninstall if you wish to remove it from your browser. The HM Briggs Library Toolbar provides searching and one-click access to:

* Library Catalog
* Library Databases
* Journals List
* Electronic and Paper Reserves
* Google Scholar
* Archives & Special Collections
* Government Documents
* Library Research Tools such as: Interlibrary Loan, Citing & Copyright, Distance Library Services, Renew Books Online.
* The main SDSU Web Page

Try it out today: http://lib.sdstate.edu/services/toolbar.html

Laura M. Wight, Associate Professor & Information Literacy Librarian

READ SPEAK KNOW

Celebrate the Freedom to Read during  Banned Books Week , September 26-October 3, 2009. Banned Books Week annually celebrates the importance of the First Amendment, the freedom to read, the freedom to access information and the freedom to express ideas without fear. Intellectual freedom provides the foundation for a free and democratic society to access and express multiple viewpoints regardless of popularity.

Librarians at SDSU are committed to intellectual freedom and unfettered access to information. In celebration of Banned books week, the library features displays on the Main Level and the Lower Level. Check out the Main Level East hallway display case and the Table Display in the lobby near the Information Services Office which includes the 2008-2009 Challenged Books List and examples of books that have been challenged in libraries, schools, bookstores, and communities. The Lower Level display outside the Government Documents Office explores federal publications related to the freedoms protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

See the American Library Association’s Issues & Advocacy pages for more information about Banned and Challenged books http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm.

Vickie Mix, Government Documents Librarian

EndNote for the Mac is here and so is APA 6th edition style!

EndNote X3 is now available for download for either the PC or the Mac. This software is designed to help researchers keep track of their references and to include those references in writing. This is an excellent tool for anyone who deals with lots of citations.

To access for faculty: log in to InsideState and go to the library’s site. On the right side of the screen, click on the Access to EndNote Bibliographic Software link. Click on the Install File and follow the directions.

To access for students: log in to MyStateOnline and go to the library’s box (in the My Academics tab). Click on EndNote Bibliographic Software link. Click on the Install File and follow the directions.

APA 6th edition: EndNote has finished the filter for the APA 6th style. You will need EndNote installed on your computer before installing the style. Go here to get the package. There are instructions for downloading and saving this style on this page. Be sure to read them.

There will be training on the use of EndNote in the library on Wednesday, September 30 12:00-1:00 and Thursday, October 1 4:00-5:00. Please contact elizabeth.fox@sdstate.edu to reserve a space at either of these sessions. Space is limited at these sessions.

~ELizabeth Fox

EndNote Bibliographic Software available from Briggs

The South Dakota Board of Regents has obtained a license for all students and employees of South Dakota State University for the EndNote Bibliographic Software.
EndNote is will help manage citations for research and writing and for bibliographies for classes. After the bibliographic information for references have been entered by downloading them from databases or manually entering it the “Cite-while-you-write” feature will automatically insert citations in the text and create a bibliography at the end. “Cite-while-you-write” works with Microsoft Word and Open Office. Even more amazing is that over 3700 styles including MLA, APA, CSE, Chicago, etc. and styles required for many specific journals are available for use in EndNote. Is it possible to change the citation style after writing the paper without laborious reformatting, just choose a new style and EndNote makes all the changes.
The software can be loaded onto your computer at work and home. Libraries of citations can be shared between computers or users by using flash drives or EndNote Web (an online limited version of EndNote accessible to anyone).
To load the software onto your computer, faculty should access InsideState and choose Academics and Briggs Library. On the Briggs Library InsideState page, the EndNote software is linked on the right side of the page. Students should check on MyStateOnline under My Academics in the Library box (if it is not listed here, e-mail Elizabeth Fox at elizabeth.fox@sdstate.edu). Two files need to be saved onto your computer. Once the two files are saved on your computer, you just need to double click on the ENX3Inst.msi file and follow the directions.

~Elizabeth Fox, Digital Information Services Librarian

Where is the Information Desk and where do I get help?

The short answer is: The information desk is gone, but our librarians are available to help you at the Library Services desk (formerly Circulation/Reserves desk) in the lobby of the library. The new Library Services desk provides one location where students, faculty members, and others may get help with finding information, checking out or returning books, borrowing reserve materials, and other needs. The location of the desk, immediately inside the entrance in the lobby, enhances the visibility of our librarians, which makes it easier for students and faculty to find them. Merging circulation/reserves and information services in one location also eliminates the inconvenience of referring people from the circulation desk to the information desk and vice-versa. It also enables librarians at the desk in the lobby to take advantage of opportunities for assistance and instructional interactions that may never have happened at the former information desk. While checking out or returning books and reserve materials students may talk about their information needs and/or express frustrations with their research. In addition, some students are reluctant to approach a librarian for help, but they may feel more comfortable talking with a library student employee at the desk. These situations create easy “hand-off” opportunities for these students to get help from a librarian.

Of course, not all needs can be satisfied at the Library Services desk. Some people will still be referred to the Archives & Special Collections on the library’s upper level; or to the Government Documents Department on the lower level; or to the Acquisitions Department, Serials/Bindery Department, or the Dean of Libraries’ office on the main level. However we believe inquiring at the new Library Services desk is the most efficient way to begin any trip to the Briggs Library. BTW: The old Information Desk was dismantled in June, but not totally discarded. Parts of it live on after being repurposed to provide work stations elsewhere in the library.

Clark Hallman, Head of Public Services

Rachel Manzer Takes Charge of Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Services

Staff member Rachel Manzer has moved to a new position within Briggs Library. On August 3rd Rachel took charge of the library’s document delivery and interlibrary loan services. Rachel began working at the library in October of 2007 as our Interlibrary Loan Lending Technician.

The Document Delivery Unit offers a vital service to SDSU students, staff, and faculty by providing access to resources not owned by Briggs Library. When researchers discover that they need a resource that is not available through the library, they may request the item using the ILLiad (InterLibrary Loan internet accessible database) system.

Once patrons place requests, Rachel is in charge of all the behind-the-scenes work. With the help of student assistants, Rachel maintains patron accounts; verifies citations; ensures copyright compliance; and places requests with other libraries, commercial vendors, or the library’s acquisitions department. She also manages fees, coordinates delivery, coordinates returns, and handles problems.

The Document Delivery unit also lends Briggs Library materials to other libraries through a worldwide interlibrary loan (ILL) network. The network allows Briggs Library to participate in reciprocal lending activity with thousands of other libraries which helps the service operate economically. This means users usually do not pay a fee for the resources provided through Document Delivery or Interlibrary Loan. In her former position, Rachel worked with ILL lending, and, in fact, she will supervise that operation when the ILL staff vacancy is filled.

Congratulations to Rachel Manzer. Questions about specific Document Delivery (ILLiad) requests can be directed to Rachel in her new office (106C) on the main level of the library. For help with finding potential sources for your research or placing ILLiad requests please contact a staff member at the Library Services Desk, by phone (605-688-5107), by e-mail, or via instant messaging.

Linda Kott
Information Services Librarian

American History Video Collection added

Briggs Library was the lucky winner of a free subscription to the American History in Video collection from Alexander Street Press. The free subscription is for one year so we will have this collection through June 2010. We encourage everyone who has an interest in history or in watching videos to take a look. All you need is a computer and internet access (the faster the access, the better). According to Alexander Street Press there are more than 1470 titles in the collection. Content comes from commercial and governmental newsreels, archival footage, public affairs footage, and important documentaries.

Examples of videos available in this collection include a United News Release video from 1942 about American bombers taking off and landing from a secret Australian air base (as an Australian American, I found this particularly interesting); a documentary on Amelia Earhart including footage of her from the History Channel; and PBS’ Summer of Love documentary. There is something for everyone so take advantage of the collection now!

This database is linked in our Articles and Databases List under American History Video or click here.

~Elizabeth Fox, Digital Information Services Librarian

Wolfram│Alpha

Stephen Wolfram, developer of Mathematica, has designed a new Web tool called Wolfram│Alpha.  Although its interface looks like a search engine, Wolfram│Alpha is actually a computational knowledge engine.  Search engines, like Google, search the Web and list links as results.   Wolfram│Alpha produces results by making computations from its own knowledge base. 

Clicking on the sample topics links will give you ideas of how to use this tool in areas like mathematics, engineering, dates & times, money & finance, and unit & measures.  You can enter math problems, ask for conversions, compare stocks, produce a world map with life expectancies, assess the per capita income of Brooking County, etc.  Wolfram│Alpha has a blog, a community site, and a quick video overview to help users get started.

The producers of Wolfram│Alpha plan to expand its capacities in the future.  Their ambitious “long-term goal is to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to anyone.”  They also see opportunities to develop other forms of their product—to provide professional and corporate applications, to work with an organization’s internal data, and to work with mobile platforms. 

If you have any questions about research please contact a SDSU librarian.  You can contact us in-person at the Information Desk, send an e-mail, a text message, or set up an appointment. 

 Linda Kott
Information Services Librarian