Good news about EBSCO

For the past few weeks, we've been having trouble with full-text downloads from the EBSCO databases. These very important research instruments include : Catholic Periodical and Literature Index, New Testament Abstracts, Old Testament Abstracts, Academic Search Complete, and the Religion and Philosophy Collection.

The problem arose when people were using these programs off-campus and connecting to our network through the proxy server. It was possible to search for articles using these databases, but when you tried to download the full text as a PDF file, it would time out without ever finishing the download. Grrr!! But our tenacious IT people have figured out how to fix this, and the programs seem to be working properly now.

A similar problem arose recently with the Digital Karl Barth Library, and that also seems to be fixed. So, hooray! Three cheers for our IT problem-solvers!!!

Paula

Due Date Reminders

At Circulation our loan reminder notices are computer generated and emailed each weekday morning exactly one week before the due date. However, Morton Library was closed the last two weeks in December so reminder notices for January/February due dates did not go out. Christmas break is the only time throughout the year that the library is closed for an extended time.

Our library uses 3 methods to inform patrons of their due date:

*The loan receipt which is offered to each patron at the time of checkout.
*Email reminder notices sent out one week before the due date.
*Access 24/7 to your library account to renew items, view due dates, check for fines, view loan history.

Please let our Circulation staff know if you would like for us to show you how to access your library account 24/7 through our website. We will be glad to assist you.

Rachel

For VCU students

Are you a VCU student? Has your professor sent you here to look at the ancient Palestinian pottery in our collection? Or are you a medical student looking for a quiet place to study for your MCATs?

Whatever your interest, we are happy to welcome VCU students to our Library. We have reciprocal arrangements with some other academic libraries in this area (including University of Richmond and Randolph-Macon) allowing our students to visit them and borrow from their collections, and vice versa.

When you come here, please bring a dated student ID that clearly identifies you as a current student. Use the intercom at our turnstile to ask Circulation to allow you to enter. If you can provide all of the information needed, the Circulation Supervisor will be able to issue you a key-card to use to open the turnstile on subsequent visits; the card will be valid for the current academic year.

Paula

Staffing in IRC Next Week

I will be out of the office from January 27-30 attending the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators conference in San Antonio. In addition to stimulating speakers, I am able to take advantage of the many resource displays from a wide variety of publishers. The material I am exposed to at APCE frequently finds its way back into the curriculum section of the IRC. This is an excellent conference that keeps me in touch with the resources (and questions) that educators are finding helpful in the church as well as those that they wish the church produced.

During my absence, Norma Calvo will be in charge of things in the IRC and she can help you with anything you need. If you have questions, please call her at 278-4317 between 8:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Ann

ILL Loans and Returns

Starting immediately you may now check out your requested ILL loan books at the Circulation desk. Circulation is now the one-stop place to check out all of your library materials.

Also, you may return your ILL books at the Circulation desk. When the library is closed you may return books in the drop box outside, next to the front door.

Rachel

ILL Moving to the IRC

We welcome all students and faculty back to campus after our holiday closings and would like to update you on some changes that will be made in services and staffing in the IRC.

Effective immediately, all ILL borrowing and lending services will be a part of the Instructional Resource Center work and will be handled by Lisa Janes. Many of you know Lisa as a friendly face at the Circulation Desk, and she will continue her work at Circulation on a flexible basis for the next several months. But Norma and I are glad to welcome Lisa's public service interest and experience to our staff part-time as she takes immediate responsibility for ILL services.

Beginning Monday, January 12, Lisa will be working in the small office at the top of the stairs in the IRC from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. each day. Although it might be tempting to want to talk to Lisa at the circulation desk in the morning, please try to use that afternoon time to contact her about any ILL resources you might need.

We hope you will be patient with us as we learn new responsibilities and we hope to provide you with the same capable ILL service you have been used to receiving!

Ann

Now it's the HVAC system ...

Welcome back to campus for the New Year! During the break, some repairs were made to the heat and ventilation system in the Library. Unfortunately, some fine tuning is still needed ... it's roasting hot in here!

Parts of the building are really uncomfortable, and we apologize. Our Physical Plant staff are working on it and hope to have it resolved soon.

Paula