Reference Services http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/ Providing reference referral and training services to all library types across the state of Minnesota en Copyright 2008 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:38:54 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Will Google search favor Google content Arnoldy, Ben. Will Google search favor Google content? The search giant’s new online encyclopedia raises concerns about conflict of interest. Christian Science Monitor, August 6, 2008.

http://tinyurl.com/5sm4qh

 

An excerpt:

 

"'This is a step too far,' says Danny Sullivan, editor in chief of Search Engine Land. 'Google’s job started out being a service that points people to other information, and that remains their primary job – not to be providing the information themselves.'...'They really didn’t need to do Knol,' says Sullivan. 'What you really want sometimes is for Google to say no to itself.'"

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/08/will_google_search_favor_googl.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/08/will_google_search_favor_googl.html Fellow Librarians' Publications Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:38:54 -0600 Consumer Reports -- Now with No Embargo!!!! Direct from Cengage Gale's blog, The Sizzle :

"Gale is extremely pleased to announce that our partnership with Consumers Union of the United States, Inc. has been revised to continue to offer Consumer Reports titles in full-text – but now with no embargo. Through this newly revised license agreement, users will no longer have to wait 90 days to read current issues of Consumer Reports titles through InfoTrac, our renowned periodical program.

Consumers Union (CU) is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization, whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers. Consumers Union publishes Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports on Health, Consumer Reports Money Adviser, ShopSmart Magazine, and Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide.

Consumer Reports titles can be found in the following acclaimed Gale resources: General OneFile, Academic OneFile, Popular Magazines, Health Reference Center Academic, Business & Company Resource Center and the Student Resource Center products, among others. Full-text for current issues is available without embargo for current InfoTrac subscribers beginning today. "

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/08/consumer_reports_now_with_no_e.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/08/consumer_reports_now_with_no_e.html ELM Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:59:50 -0600 July Reference Notes
The extended JulyEBSCOhost 2.0 – It’s Here!, ELM and RPC are now on Facebook!, LITA (Library Information and Technology Association) Top Technology Trends at ALA, New Archived Webinar Announced: Podcasting Update, An Interview with Sue Colten, A New Day is Coming, LOEX 2008 and more!   issue of MINITEX Reference Notes is up on the web and ready for viewing!  This month’s issue includes information on the
 
To link to the current or past issues go to http://www.minitex.umn.edu/publications/refnotes/ .
 
Don’t miss out on this timely information!
]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/july_reference_notes.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/july_reference_notes.html Publications Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:31:52 -0600 An Interview with the Quintessential Children’s Librarian

 Kristen congradulating Sue at her retirement party.

My story of librarianship is similar to many others. I have a relative that is a librarian, my aunt, Sue Colten. Sue retired this past May from Hennepin County Library after 42 years of service. Yes, that isn’t a typo. Sue worked in the HCO system since she began as a shelver at the age of sixteen. Being the quintessential children’s librarian, Sue reflects on her career, aspirations and retirement plans. 

Sue's Podcast:  Download file

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/an_interview_with_the_quintess.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/an_interview_with_the_quintess.html On the Road With MINITEX Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:24:20 -0600 EBSCOhost 2.0 is here! EBSCO has released EBSCOhost 2.0 today.  When accessing EBSCO you will now be searching the EBSCOhost 2.0 interface which is more user-friendly and intuitive.  MINITEX Reference Services staff are offering webinars to introduce you to the changes.  For more information or to register click here.  EBSCO also offers tutorials and information on the new interface here.

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/ebscohost_20_is_here.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/ebscohost_20_is_here.html ELM Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:40:44 -0600 EBSCOhost 2.0 Dear EBSCO Customer,
In just a few days, the long-awaited EBSCOhost 2.0 interface will be fully implemented. Its brand new look and feel, based on extensive user testing and feedback, will provide you with the most powerful, clean and intuitive interface available. This is the first redesign of the EBSCOhost interface since 2002, and its functionality incorporates the latest technological advances.
We have created a wide range of tools and information to streamline your transition to the new design:
We hope that you and your users enjoy the clean new design of EBSCOhost 2.0, and welcome your feedback.

Visit EBSCO's Support Site (http://support.ebsco.com) to learn about new features, search among thousands of FAQs, download Flash tutorials, Help Sheets or User Guides, or communicate with Technical Support at any time, using the EBSCO Support Form (http://support.epnet.com/contact/askus.php).


]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/ebscohost_20_1.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/ebscohost_20_1.html ELM Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:33:10 -0600 Do-It-Yourself Projects Enhance Learning

Do-It-Yourself Projects Enhance Learning by Geoff Butterfield has several inexpensive tech tricks that yield big classroom dividends.  A sample of some, include a $15 steady cam and the Soda Bottle Rocket (from Make).  The author suggests several websites that give step-by-step instructions for hands-on projects.  The websites include: Howtoons, Instructables, Tech Savvy Teachers, and many others. 

To read the entire article, visit: http://www.edutopia.org/do-it-yourself-tech-projects#comment-39301 

 

 

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/doityourself_projects_enhance.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/doityourself_projects_enhance.html Intriguing Websites Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:17:59 -0600 Core Collection: Electronic Readers’-Advisory Tools As readers’ advisory has grown, so has the number of resources providing advice to the advisors. While many of them, such as the landmark Genreflecting (first published in 1982), serve as practical tools for librarians who are helping patrons find something to read, others concentrate more on theory and method. Libraries that provide RA services need to have both kinds of guides on hand. For this core collection, we’ve included two must-have classics, plus a representative selection of other current titles, several of which focus on a major genre or a specific audience. For electronic RA resources, see Jessica Moyer’s “Core Collection: Electronic Readers’-Advisory Tools.” >>read more

 

-From Booklist Online, July 9, 2008 by Mary Ellen Quinn

 

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/core_collection_electronic_rea_1.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/core_collection_electronic_rea_1.html Fellow Librarians' Publications Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:12:16 -0600 100 Unbelievably Useful Reference Sites From LIS News- 100 Unbelievably Useful Reference Sites You’ve Never Heard Of: Beyond Google, Wikipedia and other generic reference sites, the Internet boasts a multitude of search engines, dictionaries, reference desks and databases that have organized and archived information for quick and easy searches. In this list, we’ve compiled just 100 of our favorites, for teachers, students, hypochondriacs, procrastinators, bookworms, sports nuts and more.

Read more, at: http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/07/07/100-unbelievably-useful-reference-sites-youve-never-heard-of/

 

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/100_unbelievably_useful_refere.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/100_unbelievably_useful_refere.html Intriguing Websites Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:44:37 -0600 OCLC WorldMap From OCLC:

The OCLC WorldMap is a prototype system that provides an interactive visual tool for selecting and displaying international library holdings represented in WorldCat, and publishing, library, cultural heritage, and collection data.

The OCLC WorldMap allows users to select countries of interest, then to compare various library and cultural heritage data by country.

WorldMap will generate interactive graphs that compare several different kinds of data for up to four countries at a time. The data includes the number of:

* Holdings in WorldCat for titles published in each country,
* Languages represented in WorldCat for titles published in each country,
* Titles in WorldCat published in each country; or
* Libraries in each country (broken down by type of library),
* Library volumes in each country (broken down by type of library),
* Certified/degreed librarians in each country (broken down by type of library),
* Registered library users in each country (broken down by type of library),
* Library expenditures (in US $), for each country (broken down type of library),
* Cultural heritage institutions (museums and archives) in each country, and
* Publishers in each country.

Results are displayed on a new screen. In addition, the tabs for each country on the new screen allow viewing of the complete dataset for each country, and the sources for the data (N/A indicates no data are available). A key to the display (.pdf: 607K/6 pp.) is available.

The data for the map were generated from WorldCat and more than forty other sources. The non-WorldCat data in the prototype, however, may not be complete. OCLC is not responsible for incomplete or inaccurate data. If you know of other data sources that can be used to update our data, please let us know.

For more information on OCLC WorldMap

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/oclc_worldmap.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/oclc_worldmap.html Intriguing Websites Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:01:26 -0600 Media Specialists Matter Connie's Podcast:  Download file

During April, I had the opportunity to interview Connie Van Blarcum, media specialist at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, MN. During our conversation she commented on how she communicates with students and staff, partnerships she has developed, how she uses MINITEX Reference Services and other wonderful programs she has initiated at her school. One thing that Connie brought up was on how libraries need a prompt turn-around time; it is how we will stay in existence in the age of Google. 

We encourage every librarian to be the “voice” behind a MINITEX podcast and share your expertise and experiences with the greater community.  Podcasts are featured on the MINITEX Reference Services blog under the category “On the Road with MINITEX.”  If interested in participating in a podcast or you know someone who would be great to interview, please contact me.

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/media_specialists_matter_1.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/media_specialists_matter_1.html On the Road With MINITEX Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:49:59 -0600 Podcasting Update

      New Archived Webinar Announced: Podcasting Update

In this webinar I will discuss some one-stop websites for creating and hosting your podcast, if you haven’t begun podcasting already. I will also talk about some new resources that you may want to use to enhance your current podcasts, such as using Skype for long-distance interviews or a transcription service. It’s not to late to begin podcasting! 

To view the recording, visit: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/training/archived.asp#195 

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/podcasting_update.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/podcasting_update.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:59:00 -0600 Yahoo Answers An interesting article on June 29, 2008, The Oracle Collective, in the NYT about Yahoo Answers. 

"In fact, people ask the Web all kinds of crazy things, including “Does he love me?” (Mamay: “He’s 13, he doesn’t know what love is.”) Look over your own Google search history, if you can bear it. Embarrassment does not inhibit us, as it must have inhibited callers to the public library. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/magazine/29wwln-medium-t.html?ex=1372305600&en=117592c81c8d8a80&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/yahoo_answers.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/yahoo_answers.html Publications Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:52:35 -0600 Keeping in the know with the ALA Conference ALA Conference Logo  If you can't attend ALA here are some sites I found that contain some highlights, videos, blog posts, etc.: ]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/keeping_in_the_know_with_the_a.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/07/keeping_in_the_know_with_the_a.html Conferences Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:43:12 -0600 June Reference Notes The June issue of MINITEX Reference Notes is up on the web and ready for viewing!  This month’s issue includes information on the Midwest Library Technology Conference, 2008 Minnesota E-Learning Summit, Who knew? [We Did!] Mn/DOT Library is little-known gem, Site Visit Google Map, EBSCOhost 2.0 Arriving in a Month, Stock Up for Summer on Cool Tool Promotional Materials, ELM Portal Change and more!  
 
 
To link to the current or past issues go to http://www.minitex.umn.edu/publications/refnotes/ .
 
Don’t miss out on this timely information!
]]> http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/06/june_reference_notes_1.html http://blogs.minitex.umn.edu/reference/2008/06/june_reference_notes_1.html Publications Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:13:27 -0600