Recently in Technology Category
As someone who works in a library every day, the answer seems obvious to me! But, I think the answer here is interesting to all. Some of my favorite passages (but be sure to check out the whole article!)...
If everyone can now carry a virtual library in his or her pocket, what happens to actual, real-life libraries? How are digital media changing libraries?
"The image of a library as a staid and outdated place is untrue," says Lisa German, assistant dean for Technical and Collections Services at the Penn State University Libraries. "Libraries are vibrant places, full of life and change," and with the rise of digital media over the last two decades, libraries have evolved accordingly.
"People are coming to libraries--at least to Penn State's libraries--as much as they ever have, if not more so," [German] says. What's changed is the way in which students use the library space.
Michael Furlough, assistant dean for Scholarly Communications at the Libraries, sees today's students collaborating more than their predecessors. Able to do solitary research from anywhere, students increasingly take advantage of the social aspects of the library, such as open study spaces and group meeting rooms. ... Digital media have helped transform libraries into communal spaces for students to research, discuss, and study together--which, notes Furlough, has made them much louder places than you may remember.
Massive digital databases have allowed researchers to re-discover overlooked knowledge, to make new connections among and within disciplines, and to find work they never knew existed.
As German and Furlough see it, one future role of the library and librarians will lie in helping students navigate a vast and shifting sea of information--a sea that only grows wider and deeper as digital media proliferate.
[L]ibrarians... still are invaluable guides for travelers exploring an ever-expanding virtual storehouse of information.
A number of these I am not familiar with, so they'll be a new year's resolution!
We know you're busy, and that most of you have your cell phone within reach right now (hopefully because you just saved our number)! And maybe you have a question like...
Does the library have the book I need? [Yes]*Or maybe you have a question with a short, quick answer like...
Does the library have any books available now on X subject? [Yes]*
What time does the library open/close? [Today, open 8am to 11pm]
How many counties are there in PA? [67]Eiche Library will be offering this service** on a trial basis from now through the spring semester. So, program our number (814-280-1941) into your cell phone and next time you have a question, just text us!
What year did women win the right to vote in the US? [19th Amendment passed in Congress in 1919 and was ratified by President Wilson on Aug 26 1920]
How many students are there at Penn State? [92, 613]
Eiche Library also continues to offer research assistance to students at Penn State Altoona in-person at the Reference Desk, by telephone, email, online web form, and AOL instant messenger.
* I'll assume that we have everything you need, or something similar, for these examples! :)
** Cell phone and service generously provided courtesy of Sprint/NEXTEL.
Book Covers: Cover art will display in your list of results and in the detailed record for the item, when it's available.
Book Previews: In the detailed record for the book, a link to the Google Books preview will appear, when available. There, you will be able to see a limited preview of books still under copyright and the full view of books no longer under copyright or made available by the copyright holder. For books with a limited preview, the amount you can preview is determined by the copyright holder. Of course, you can always get the "full view" by checking out your campus library's copy, or requesting a copy from another PSU library location using the "I Want It" button in The CAT!
Find a Copy in the Library: And while you're in Google Books, you can continue your search for more books on your topic, always being able to link back to PSU Libraries to check our catalog by clicking on "Find this book in a library." Books not found in the PSU library system may be requested though Interlibrary Loan.
Google Book Search contains millions of books--some you can see in their entirety, some with a limited preview, and some with no preview--but not every book owned by the PSU Libraries will be searchable in Google Books, and not every book searchable in Google Books will be available in the PSU Libraries. However, we will try to get for you any books you need for your research.
If you type in a series of tildes or "squiggles" (~~~~~) when using Microsoft World, it may automatically convert these to a zig-zag "border line" (see image to the right). You can use the auto-correct "lightning bolt" to undo the auto-conversion, or to stop all automatic conversion of this type. (Put your pointer near the beginning of the line above if you don't see the lightning bolt.)If you still don't see the auto-correct "lightning bolt," watch the short video below to see how to manually undo the border line. Start by placing your cursor in line of text above the border line.
This isn't exactly news... but it was new to me!
Did you know you can add value to your LionCash account (ID card) online using your debit/credit card?
The Eiche Library has two photocopiers--the one on the 2nd floor takes cash and the one on the 1st floor takes LionCash. Adding value to your LionCash account online can save you a trip!
Confused by the new Microsoft Office 2007 display? Trying to get your document to print single-sided? Try this:
Click on the symbol in the top left corner of your screen to get to your print options. Select print, then select print again, then click on Properties, then Layout, then under Print on Both Sides pick None. Click ok, then print. You may have to do this every time you want a single-side print, because the default print style for our printers is double-sided.
Ask one of us if you need help!
Michelle E.
