On Tuesday, 1 July 2008, our new access policies go into effect. Please be sure to read the details HERE.
Many people are questioning why we are making these changes. We all wish we could leave things just as they were, but circumstances outside our control are forcing us to limit access. It seems there is a lot of misunderstanding and false information being passed around ... we urge you not to believe every rumor you hear. We will try to clarify the issues for you.
Our Library Director, Dr. Coalter, will be happy to meet with anyone who has concerns or questions, and you may also express yourself here on this blog. We welcome comments and discussion. Just click on COMMENTS at the end of this post.
Paula
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
In the Good Old Summertime...
While many of the students who use Morton Library are having wonderful experiences in field work settings or getting new insights through clinical pastoral education this summer, we're already working hard to have many new things ready when you come back in the fall.
In the IRC, we have increased student help in the summer to help move our cassette conversion project along, so we hope to have a new range of compact discs ready for circulation by September. This is a period when lots of new fall curriculum comes in and Norma is busy getting that ready for your use in classes and church settings when you return. We're all updating our patron databases to make sure that our new Library access policies effective July 1 work as smoothly as possible. And we're two days away from a new budget year that gives us access to funds necessary to keep the collection growing.
And just so we won't forget the reason we're here, we've been glad to have the energy of the ECP students on campus for two weeks and look forward to welcoming our new language students in a few days. You remind us that even though the daily schedule may look a bit different from fall and spring terms, there are always students and faculty to serve and we're grateful to be a small part of your learning experience here.
Ann
In the IRC, we have increased student help in the summer to help move our cassette conversion project along, so we hope to have a new range of compact discs ready for circulation by September. This is a period when lots of new fall curriculum comes in and Norma is busy getting that ready for your use in classes and church settings when you return. We're all updating our patron databases to make sure that our new Library access policies effective July 1 work as smoothly as possible. And we're two days away from a new budget year that gives us access to funds necessary to keep the collection growing.
And just so we won't forget the reason we're here, we've been glad to have the energy of the ECP students on campus for two weeks and look forward to welcoming our new language students in a few days. You remind us that even though the daily schedule may look a bit different from fall and spring terms, there are always students and faculty to serve and we're grateful to be a small part of your learning experience here.
Ann
Friday, June 20, 2008
Video vs. DVD
This week, I had a request for a title we had in VHS format but that needed to be in DVD format to be useful to the student. This is one of the logistical and financial challenges in the IRC right now! Academic titles were slow to move to DVD, and our earliest feature films requested by students or faculty were primarily VHS as well. DVD as a format has many advantages over VHS as a teaching medium so one of the things on tap for this summer is evaluating the video collection to see what titles we have that we should repurchase in DVD format. If you have suggestions as we work on that task, I'd love to hear from you!
Ann
Ann
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Distance Learning : ECP and DMin
Are you an ECP student? Or a D.Min. candidate? If so, we salute you! We know how difficult it is for you to complete your degree while working and living far from the Seminary.
We also know that you have some special access problems when it comes to obtaining the materials you need to complete your course assignments and research. We try to provide orientation and training just for you, concentrating on the resources you are most likely to need. This year, for instance, we offered a for-credit course for the first time called "Research Methods for the Doctor of Ministry Project" (DMN 633).
Our online tutorials have students like you in mind. Also, special arrangements for ILL and access services are provided. Please let us know if you have other needs we can address.
Paula
We also know that you have some special access problems when it comes to obtaining the materials you need to complete your course assignments and research. We try to provide orientation and training just for you, concentrating on the resources you are most likely to need. This year, for instance, we offered a for-credit course for the first time called "Research Methods for the Doctor of Ministry Project" (DMN 633).
Our online tutorials have students like you in mind. Also, special arrangements for ILL and access services are provided. Please let us know if you have other needs we can address.
Paula
Monday, June 16, 2008
Summer Reading
We continue to expand our collection, even in the slower months of summer. Be sure to check out our “New Books” shelf (outside the Reading Reserve room, next to the Circulation desk) to view the latest additions to our collection.
Also, we have added a lot of new books to our "Sale" bookshelves located just outside the microfilm room, next to the Circulation desk. These “gently used” books have been donated by various local ministers and laypersons. Paperbacks are fifty cents and hardbacks are one dollar. What a bargain for summer reading!
Rachel
Also, we have added a lot of new books to our "Sale" bookshelves located just outside the microfilm room, next to the Circulation desk. These “gently used” books have been donated by various local ministers and laypersons. Paperbacks are fifty cents and hardbacks are one dollar. What a bargain for summer reading!
Rachel
Friday, June 13, 2008
Developing a Collection
The Library has a collection development policy that helps guide our acquisitions. It is primarily based on the level of depth that we feel we need in certain content areas, but we also look at how certain titles fit into our collection as a whole.
In the IRC, there is an added layer of consideration, particularly in the acquisition of media material. Is the content being shared enhanced by the medium? For instance, lectures on video do not take advantage of the capabilities of videorecording in a way that a documentary does. This doesn't mean I don't occasionally buy recorded lectures, but it does mean I am most often looking for media material that could enhance what a real live professor can usually do better than a video.
In terms of curriculum, I am frequently looking for materials that I think students are likely to find in churches they may serve. This sometimes means that we are buying curriculum that may be weak in some areas. But that also gives students an opportunity to learn evaluative skills!
And, a significant consideration in collection development in the IRC is titles that you would like to see us acquire! Recommendations from faculty and students are a central part of the collection of media materials and I hope you'll keep on offering your suggestions!
Ann
In the IRC, there is an added layer of consideration, particularly in the acquisition of media material. Is the content being shared enhanced by the medium? For instance, lectures on video do not take advantage of the capabilities of videorecording in a way that a documentary does. This doesn't mean I don't occasionally buy recorded lectures, but it does mean I am most often looking for media material that could enhance what a real live professor can usually do better than a video.
In terms of curriculum, I am frequently looking for materials that I think students are likely to find in churches they may serve. This sometimes means that we are buying curriculum that may be weak in some areas. But that also gives students an opportunity to learn evaluative skills!
And, a significant consideration in collection development in the IRC is titles that you would like to see us acquire! Recommendations from faculty and students are a central part of the collection of media materials and I hope you'll keep on offering your suggestions!
Ann
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Periodicals Puzzle
Our Library is fortunate enough to have active subscriptions to more than 950 scholarly journals in the area of religious studies; a typical seminary library will have about 600. The ones we receive on paper are displayed in the Current Periodicals area, but people are often a little confused by the way they are shelved.
The journals are ordered alphabetically by title. The most recent issue faces you on the shelf. If you pull up the shelf, there is a space inside where the other issues of the current volume are kept. As soon as that volume is complete, the issues are collected, and then either sent to the bindery or moved directly downstairs to the Periodicals stacks area on Lower Level East. Down there, all of the back issues of these journals are shelved by call number, just like the bookstacks.
We also have more than 250 full-text electronic journals in biblical studies, theology and related areas. Some of these are available to you through the ATLA Religion Database and other resources on our Online Databases page, and another set can be reached through our Electronic Journals page. In addition, many titles outside the religious studies disciplines may be found through FirstSearch or MetaLib. Come and ask the Reference Librarian for more information!
Paula
The journals are ordered alphabetically by title. The most recent issue faces you on the shelf. If you pull up the shelf, there is a space inside where the other issues of the current volume are kept. As soon as that volume is complete, the issues are collected, and then either sent to the bindery or moved directly downstairs to the Periodicals stacks area on Lower Level East. Down there, all of the back issues of these journals are shelved by call number, just like the bookstacks.
We also have more than 250 full-text electronic journals in biblical studies, theology and related areas. Some of these are available to you through the ATLA Religion Database and other resources on our Online Databases page, and another set can be reached through our Electronic Journals page. In addition, many titles outside the religious studies disciplines may be found through FirstSearch or MetaLib. Come and ask the Reference Librarian for more information!
Paula
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
More on Instruction
I'd like to second Ann's comments about instruction ... our Library offers some excellent tools and resources, but if you don't know how to use them, they are more trouble to you than help.
We noticed that many of the problems people reported on their surveys could be traced to their lack of instruction in the use of our electronic resources. They'd never attended an orientation session or workshop, weren't familiar with our online tutorials, and experienced lots of frustration as a result.
Library catalogs and databases have not yet evolved to the point where their use is simple and self-explanatory. Until that day comes, you need help with them. Please, take advantage of the classes and other forms of training we offer.
Paula
We noticed that many of the problems people reported on their surveys could be traced to their lack of instruction in the use of our electronic resources. They'd never attended an orientation session or workshop, weren't familiar with our online tutorials, and experienced lots of frustration as a result.
Library catalogs and databases have not yet evolved to the point where their use is simple and self-explanatory. Until that day comes, you need help with them. Please, take advantage of the classes and other forms of training we offer.
Paula
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