Watch this space!

A huge new set of online databases with full-text e-journals content is in our future. This array of EBSCO resources will include the major comprehensive database Academic Search Complete, as well as specialized sets such as Education Research, Humanities International and Newspaper Source. We are delighted to report that it also will include EBSCO's Religion and Philosophy Collection, which we have been trying to obtain for a long time now.

We are still working out the final technical details. When we get everything functioning properly, we'll make a general announcement. But you blog-readers have seen it here first!

Paula

The Children's Collection

The Library has a small collection of children's books that are shelved in the hallway of the east side of the second floor. Because this collection is such a small part of the total collection, we have chosen to focus on religious books for children in our purchasing. We will have books that many public libraries will not have, so please remember this collection in your planning for preaching or teaching. We do have other children's books as well, and those can also serve as resources for ministry.

An excellent tool suggesting how you might use some of this collection can be found in JOY AND WONDER IN ALL GOD'S WORKS. This is a three volume set that takes every lectionary passage for all three years of the Revised Common Lectionary and matches it with a children's book. The set is out of print and impossible to find, and the book titles may be out of print as well, but it is still a very useful companion for preachers and teachers and I have a dream that some day we'll be able to do an updated version of this book online on the Library website!

Ann

Digital Karl Barth Library

The Digital Karl Barth Library is currently not accessible off campus. However, this resource is accessible while inside Morton Library and on campus.

We will post an update on this blog and the library homepage when the connection is restored. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Rachel

More about e-journals

Another way to access our full-text e-journals is through the indexing databases, such as the ATLA Religion Database, New Testament Abstracts, Old Testament Abstracts, the Catholic Periodical and Literature Index, Academic OneFile, Wilson Select Plus, Book Review Index, and the EBSCO Religion and Philosophy Collection.

If an article you want to read is available in full text, you'll find some link leading you to a PDF file, a GIF, or an HTML text. Look closely at the record for something that says "View Full Text" or an SFX button. The displays differ from one resource to another, so take a moment and look around. You might have to click through a few screens to get there.

For help with this, please ask our Serials Librarian Pam Wells, or our Reference Librarian.

Paula

Audiobooks

In the early days of books on tape, we made the decision not to purchase these because most titles weren't applicable to our academic program and because they took up lots of drawer space and were expensive. With books now being recorded on CD, there is less space taken up in storage, and the prices seem to have come down. In addition, I have been able to find more titles in the field of religion.

I'm curious about whether there is an interest in books on CD among our students. If you're reading this and have any thoughts, please share them!

Ann

Rush Request

Did you know that you may request a "rush" for a library book? As you search the online catalog for a particular book occasionally the status of that book may read "Cataloging", "Mending/Plastics", or "Preparations". This means that the book is located with our catalog librarians who prepare books for circulation.

Please let us (Circulation staff) know if you see this status listed for the book you wish to check out. We will place a rush request and contact you as soon as the book becomes available. The Cataloging staff works diligently to provide these books as quickly as possible for your convenience.

Rachel

Full-text e-journals

There are three ways to access the hundreds of full-text electronic journals in our collection. I'll describe one of those ways here.

On our Library's home page, you'll find a link that says "Electronic Journals" (in the left column under RESEARCH). A titles list offers over 150 full-text journals to which we subscribe. These come from various publishers, with different interfaces; some of them include full coverage with all issues online, which others offer more limited access.

When you reach a journal's site, look for clues such as Archive, Browse Issues, Online Access or a range of years, and follow these links to the available issues.

For individual help, contact Pam Wells or come by her office in the Reference Room behind the Current Periodicals shelves. You can also ask the Reference Librarian.

Paula

Curriculum Changes

Because of the high cost and short shelf life of print curricula, many denominations and independent publishers are moving to online material or material on compact disc. Unfortunately, they are distributing these sessions with the caveat that resource centers cannot circulate the material. So you may find curriculum in the catalog that says non-circulating. Please come ask for it because we can have you peruse it in the Center but we'll need to get it for you.

Ann

Reference Room

While you are searching for resources in the Reference room please make use of the re-shelving cart located in the center of the room. This cart is for any book or resource you no longer wish to use or check out.

Please do not re-shelve books or periodicals. The re-shelving cart in the Reference room and carts in the stacks are for your convenience. Our hard-working student library workers ensure these materials are properly re-shelved. Thank you!

Rachel

What's new? Lots, actually ...

Some folks have noticed that the new acquisitions display area is pretty interesting lately. Due to procedural changes in cataloging, new materials are coming into the collection faster than ever before. There are attractive new items in every subject area, from biblical reference to children's books.

New reference materials are displayed in the Ref Room, on top of one of the bookcases. New materials for the stacks come to the shelves near the Circ Desk. As you walk in the front door of the Library, these shelves are opposite the Palestinian pottery display case, to the left of the Circ Desk, just beside the elevator. Stop and have a look!

Paula

Making a Move

One of the more interesting challenges in changing media formats is that the great storage unit you have for one format doesn't quite fit the new format! As we work on converting some of our cassette collection to compact disc, we're fortunate that the cassette drawers can be refitted so that discs can be stored, but we did buy the last racks in the United States that fit those cabinets and there weren't enough to put in all the cassette drawers! Nevertheless, we're moving things into those refitted drawers as fast as we can, but it is a slow process and there are still some compact discs that haven't quite made it. If you find a compact disc in the catalog but don't see it in the drawers, please check with IRC staff to make sure that we don't have them stored in our offices while waiting for a space to become available! And thank you for your patience as we continue this important project.

Ann

October Exhibit

October is Theological Libraries Month and this month our spotlight is "The PCUS in China, 1867 - 1961."

Inspired by the Beijing Olympics in August, Paula Skreslet, Ted Winter and Robert Oliver prepared these displays from the Archives to include wonderful photos, artwork, evangelistic publications and weird objects donated by missionaries of the Presbyterian Church in the United States over the years.

Many UTS alumni and professors served in The China Mission, including Professor James Edwin Bear Jr., who wrote an extraordinary five-volume history documenting the church's work in China. Bear himself was born in China, as were many well-known leaders of the PCUS.

The China exhibit located in the Library entryway and atrium will continue during the month of October. Come and see it!

Rachel