Distance Learning Library Services

Library Subject Guides

2007-09-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

Librarians are primarily responsible for helping others navigate information resources. In a higher education setting, it can be challenging to match researchers up with appropriate academic databases and other helpful resources. As a result, subject guides are essential when you're not sure where to turn for more information.

Typically, subject guides--sometimes referred to as "pathfinders"--collect lists of reference sources by type, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, manuals, handbooks, guidebooks, etc. Depending on the library or librarian that compiles these lists, they may be annotated. At University Libraries, our subject guides are annotated with the call number of the resource, aiding in its location within the libraries.

Ball State University Libraries is planning to upgrade our subject guides using a Web 2.0 application called LibGuides, developed by Springshare. Keep an eye out for demos and other features on the current subject guide page (linked above), or check back here for an update closer to the Spring 2008 semester.

Welcome Back!

2007-08-22T20:44:00.000-04:00

Greetings BSU distance learners and faculty! I'd like to kick off the 2007-08 academic year with an overview of the suite of services which are available to you from Ball State University Libraries.

Electronic Information Resources -
Find books, full-text articles, online reference materials, and more.

Reference services –
Contact a librarian via instant message, e-mail, or phone. Set up a reference appointment to get help with individual reference questions. Use the chat window to the right to talk directly to the Distance Education librarian (yours truly), or click the link above if I'm not available.

Library instruction -
Schedule a library instruction session for your students. Instruction sessions can be done virtually via Blackboard or other means suited to a distance education environment, by request.

Interlibrary loan -
Request items from other libraries for your use.
Tip: Many public libraries offer this service, too. Check with yours to see if it's a more convenient option for you.

Electronic course reserves -
Put digital copies of course material on the web. (Copyright restrictions do apply.) Students may access electronic reserves via this link, as well.

Copyright compliance assistance -
Faculty, do you need help understanding how to stay within “Fair Use?”
Students, are you not sure how copyright issues affect work done for classes at BSU?
Contact the Copyright Center for help.

Please visit our Distance Learning Library Services portal.

Check out our MySpace page for video tutorials, fun trivia, and more!

And remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Find What You're Looking For...

2007-08-01T20:49:00.000-04:00

The new library homepage makes it easy to find what you're looking for.

Click on the yellow Find button to see the University Libraries' options for access to a variety of information services available to you. They're summarized below:

Books: This section connects you with resources that help you find books owned by the University Libraries or other libraries in Indiana or around the country. You can also find out what new items have arrived on campus recently.

Course Reserves: If your instructor has put material on reserve (either electronically or in print), you can find it here.

Articles: You probably guessed this, but these links take you to our database listings and other tools to help you find articles in newspapers, scholarly journals, popular magazines, and other sources.

Research Tools: The links here will lead you to resources that can help get you started with research on various topics.

Digital Commons: This icon links to the University Libraries' Digital Commons.

Music, Movies, Software: Believe it or not, but we don't only have books in the library! Check out the link to the Media Finders to locate CDs, DVDs, and more.

Digital Images: These are general links to image collections accessible with your BSU log on credentials, or those cleared for royalty-free use. The University Libraries' Digital Media Respository is also linked in this section.

And there you have it, another section of the website illuminated for you.

Join me next week for another revealing look at a part of the new homepage. Until then, remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Get help with a click...

2007-07-25T21:23:00.000-04:00

When visiting the library homepage, help is only a click away.

As you can see in the image to the left, if you've got questions, we've got answers. Clicking on the violet Help button gives you access to several helpful services. I've highlighted a few for you below.

Ask a Librarian: This service provides you with ways to get in touch with a librarian who can help you find resources you need for whatever you might be doing. Whether it's research for a paper or you're just looking for something good to read, ask us!

How Do I...?: The links in this section can give you good information if you need help finding books, images, articles, or how to cite resources.

Finding Your Way: Need to visit Bracken Library or just curious about what it's like on the inside? You can access a virtual tour, get local maps of campus or Muncie, or driving directions. in this section.

Next week, look for another quick tour of part of the library website.

As always, remember you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Chat with the Distance Librarian!

2007-07-18T19:37:00.000-04:00

Now you can chat with the distance education librarian personally using popular IM clients. When you open up AIM, MSN or Yahoo! chats, just send a message to jasonlibrarian.

I'm typically available from 1pm to 5pm and 6pm to 10pm, Sunday through Thursday. If you get stuck on a research question, are having trouble accessing databases, or have a reference question, I'm there to help!

Just remember: jasonlibrarian on AIM, MSN, or Yahoo!

UF4U: CardCat, Part Two

2007-07-01T18:06:00.000-04:00

I missed last week's post due to attending ALA Annual. Now, let's return to our regularly scheduled blogging.

Several weeks ago, I wrote about an easily missed feature of CardCat. Now, another change has come around the bend: user logins!

When you access CardCat from the links on the library homepage, you'll automatically be taken to a screen that asks you to enter your BSU username and password. If you'd just like to do a quick search of the catalog, you can do that without logging in by clicking the link close to the middle of the page, "Use CardCat without logging in." Check out the screenshot for a more detailed look.

So, why log in? Just like with everything else these days, customization provides flexibility that people enjoy. By giving you access to a CardCat "account, " there are many things that can be offered that couldn't have been before, like online renewals.

If you have something checked out, but can't make it in to the library, log in and extend your borrowing time. (Note that some items can't be renewed, or have limits to the number of times they can be renewed.)

There is a list of available features right there for you on the login screen. Poke around and see if you find something you like. CardCat login is just one more example of why you don't have to be in the library to use it.

Digital resources that are anything but common

2007-06-17T20:52:00.000-04:00

About a month ago, I posted about Ball State's Digital Media Repository. The Repository is one small piece of a much larger project called the Digital Commons (DC). This week, I'll highlight a couple of the services available in the DC that you might not have known about.

To access the DC on the new homepage, click the yellow "Find" block and click the "Digital Commons" link on the right-hand side of the yellow bar. You'll see a wheel with multi-colored spokes (see the screenshot). Clicking on one of the colored dots will take you to the resource indicated. Below are just a few of the possibilities.

Dissertations and Theses - You can find digital copies of these documents produced by Ball State students as requirements for their degree programs. Search dissertations and theses from other schools in the databases listed on this resource page.

GIS Resources - Discover all kinds of mapping information by following this link. Resources cover geographic information at the state, national, and world levels.

These are just two examples of the whole host of information sources available to you as part of the Digital Commons. Remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

New Library Homepage: a Rainbow of Information Options

2007-06-10T18:38:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed that the library homepage changed at the end of May. Now, five colored blocks and corresponding tabs organize information on the site. This week, I'll take you on a brief tour of our new digs on the web, and even give you an "easy button" if the changes are just too much for you to handle.

The Blocks

Find - As you might expect, clicking on this yellow block will lead you to information available from CardCat or one of our many academic databases, for example.

Help - Click on this purple block to ask a librarian for help, read our FAQ's, or take a virtual tour.

Resources for... - This red block breaks out information for audiences who might be using the library: students, faculty and staff, distance learners, etc.

About - Learn more about the library's hours, how long you can check something out, and more with a click in this green block.

New & Notable - You can read about current library news by clicking on the headlines in this blue block.

The Tabs

Once you click on a color block, you'll be taken to a page with a tab of the corresponding color. A great feature of these tabs is that the headings on the page appear on the right-hand side of the tab. Click on the heading, and you'll be taken to that section of the page. (See the example of the Find tab in the screenshot.)

The Easy Button

If you get stumped, you can always click on the link that takes you to the previous version of the homepage. If you're familiar with that homepage, it might make things easier to find.

The End of the Rainbow

You use the library homepage as your path to the pot of gold available to you as a student, staff, or faculty member of Ball State University: information. Remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it, and there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Your own virtual library

2007-06-03T20:06:00.000-04:00

We're back after a hiatus for the Memorial Day holiday.

This week, I'd like to highlight an alternative to the main library web site that you see when visiting from outside of the library. There is another site that has many of the same features of the "official" library page, but with an emphasis on resources for researchers. This, loyal blog-readers, is the Student Virtual Library,or SVL for short. To get there, just click the light blue logo on the left side of the main page (see the first screenshot).

Once there, you're presented with several options. Search CardCat for "books & more," look at the Subject Guides for great places to start research, access electronic reserves, or view our academic databases by subject. Just choose an area of study from the list and click the "Go" button. You'll get a listing of databases covering that subject (check out the second screenshot).

Remember, if you're not sure which database to choose or need additional help finding resources, help is always available via our Ask a Librarian services.

Once again, this proves you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Three dimensions in two: BSU's Digital Media Repository

2007-05-20T20:02:00.000-04:00

Nowadays, we all expect information to be available online. For printed material like books or even photographs, it's an easy task to turn them into a format you can post on the web. But what about objects in three dimensions like architectural elements or anatomical models? Ball State University Libraries' Digital Media Repository (DMR) attempts to transform these 3-D items into digital formats that are searchable and browsable.

To access the DMR, click on the locations indicated in the first screenshot of the University Libraries homepage. (From the Digital Commons graphic, the DMR is located at the top center.)

Once there, you're presented with a menu of options to choose from. You can perform a simple search by keyword, or browse the digital collections if you're not exactly sure what you're looking for. An advanced search feature gives you more options, specifically the ability to choose individual collections to search in.

In addition to three dimensional objects, the DMR also contains scanned slides, film, audio files, posters, and more. An extensive help file is available, or if you need additional assistance, you can always Ask a Librarian. The DMR is another way you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Citations with Style and a Useful Feature or Two

2007-05-13T14:09:00.000-04:00

Synthesizing your own thoughts with the thoughts of others is common in most projects at the college level. To avoid plagiarism, you must report the external sources of ideas and information by citing them. We have several resources available to you that help put your citations in the proper format (check with your instructor for his/her preferred format). This week, I'll cover the resources available at the University Libraries, as well as point out some helpful features of popular databases.

As part of our Virtual Reference Shelf, we have a short list of resources that cover citing sources in two standard formats: APA and MLA.

You may not be aware, but some of our databases have help for putting citations in the proper format, too. For example, Academic Search Premier's Help file has detailed instructions for not only APA and MLA citation formats, but for Turabian (Chicago Manual of Style) and AMA, as well. To access the Help file,

Click on the link labeled "Help" in the upper right corner of the main page. Then,
On the page that pops up, scroll down until you see the "Citation Styles" section on the left, and click on the help topic of your choice. (See the screenshot for details.)

Another database, CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), illustrates a different example of how electronic resources can help you cite sources. When you run a search in CINAHL and click a title in the list of resulting articles, you have the option of printing or e-mailing the record to yourself. If you choose the e-mail option, CINAHL will let you pick the citation style you'd like to use. Take a look at the screenshot for more information. Note: This feature is also available in Academic Search Premier and other EBSCOhost databases.

A WORD OF WARNING: Contrary to popular belief, computers are dumb. They try their best to put these citations in the proper format, but goof up sometimes. Always double check that automatic citation-makers have put the parts of the reference (e.g., article title and dates) in the order specified by your instructor.

UF4U: CardCat

2007-05-06T13:59:00.000-04:00

You know how when you go to the library and are in the stacks looking for a particular book, and while you're searching the shelves, you stumble across an equally interesting book you'd like to check out? You'll be glad to know that even if you can't physically visit Bracken Library, you can still browse the shelves! This week, I'm highlighting another Useful Feature for You in CardCat, Ball State's online library catalog.

CardCat has a great feature where you can search items on the shelf near the one you're displaying on your screen. Just look for the Nearby items on shelf link on the left-hand side of the screen. See the screenshot for a clearer view.

So, when might you want to use this feature? Well, say you're interested in a book on a particular topic like "nursing management." You enter the search in CardCat and find a book you'd like to get via interlibrary loan. If you click on the Nearby items on shelf link, CardCat will show you a list of other items dealing with similar subjects which may relate to your original search. It does involve a little bit of good fortune to find useful items this way, but it can help you see what the library has on a broad subject, at the very least.

This is another great example as to why you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Interlibrary Loan: an Epic Library Service

2007-04-29T17:57:00.000-04:00

Last week, I alluded to an often overlooked service of epic proportions: interlibrary loans.

This week, I'd like to take you on a voyage that will help you to navigate the sometimes daunting waters of the interlibrary loan (ILL) process.

First, you'll need a map. The ILL frequently asked questions page will answer basic questions you may have about this service and get you pointed in the right direction. Be sure to explore the ILL information specifically for distance learners.

Once you've got your bearings, you'll need to access ILLiad, the interlibrary loan system. Just enter your BSU username and password to log in. Next, fill in the registration page, making sure all required fields are complete. Most importantly, if you are enrolled in a distance education program select "Distance Ed Graduate" in the Status box. This guarantees your requests are handled as if you are not physically on campus. See the screenshot for an example of choosing your status. You only need to complete the registration process once, so if you need to log into the system again, it will remember your information.

After you're logged into (and registered for) ILLiad, you'll need citation information from the item you'd like to request. If you've clicked on a Find It button, this information will be automatically filled in for you. You can also get citation information automatically by clicking the "Request via interlibrary loan" link from an item record in WorldCat.

The ILL office asks that you allow one week before an electronic copy of a journal article is sent to the e-mail address you provided when you registered. If BSU doesn't own the journal, it may take up to three weeks.

Books owned by University Libraries can be mailed to your home address (you must pay for return postage). However, if an item has to be borrowed from another library, you must come to campus to pick it up, which may be an option for you if you live near Muncie. If you don't, check WorldCat to see if a library close to you owns the book you're looking for.

I hope this gives you enough information to chart the sometimes murky waters of interlibrary loans. If you have more questions about the interlibrary loan process, you can get in touch with me or contact ILL Services directly. ILL is a great example of why you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Window to Your WorldCat

2007-04-22T18:08:00.000-04:00

If you're using library resources at a distance, you may find yourself wondering how to get an item that's not available in a full-text format from one of the University Libraries' many databases. Say you've looked up a book in CardCat that's just not available. You could request the item via interlibrary loan, but you live in Iowa and can't justify a trip to Muncie to pick up material from Bracken Library.

Did you know there's a quick and simple way to see if a local library has the item you need? Did you also know that many public libraries offer interlibrary loan services to their patrons? Read on about the wonders of WorldCat.

WorldCat allows you to search thousands of library catalogs (like CardCat) at once, providing you with a list of libraries that own the item you're looking for. The first screenshot shows an example of the number of options available when
searching WorldCat.

After clicking the Search button, you'll get an item record like the one displayed in the second screenshot.

By clicking the link for "Libraries worldwide that own item," you'll get a detailed list of libraries and their locations (see third screenshot). Notice that the list of locations starts with libraries close to Ball State's location, then spirals out from there.

WorldCat is a quick way to locate books anywhere in the country (or the world). You can even use the information in WorldCat records to fill out your interlibrary loan request forms.

Access WorldCat from the University Libraries' databases page under the W's. If you get stuck or need additional help, check out the Ask a Librarian services. And as always, remember you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Useful Features For You (UF4U)

2007-04-15T18:04:00.000-04:00

This week, I'd like to point out a feature that you may have noticed while using some of the resources available from the University Libraries: Find It @ BSU.

When you click on this icon while searching a database offered by the University Libraries, you access a powerful tool that can help you to find the information you need.

An article citation in a database may not have full text available. Clicking on the Find It icon brings up a window like the one in the screenshot. There are typically 3 parts to a Find It window:

Full text - If a full text version of an article is available in a database other than the one you're searching, it will be listed here. Click on the blue "Go" button to be taken to the new database. Your results may vary when you click Go, so be aware that in most cases, you'll want to have the year, volume, and page numbers handy as you try to locate the link to the article.

CardCat - If a full text version is not found, clicking the Go button next to the CardCat section will run a search for the title of the magazine or journal (not the article) in CardCat. If BSU Libraries subscribes to that journal, a record for that title will pop up. Look at the Holdings information and that will give you the location of the particular volume number you need.

Interlibrary Loan / ILLiad - Clicking the Go button in this section will take you to the ILLiad login screen. Follow the instructions to request the article via interlibrary loan. Please be aware that if full text of the article is available, interlibrary loan will not appear as an option on the Find It screen.

That's it for this week! Keep an eye out for other Useful Features for You highlighted in my weekly blog posts. If you have questions about this feature, feel free to use our Ask a Librarian services or leave a comment below.

As always, remember you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Distance Learning blog is back!

2007-04-08T18:15:00.000-04:00

Hello, everyone!

My name is Jason Fields, and I am the new Information Services Librarian for Distance Education at the University Libraries. I'll be updating the Distance Learning blog weekly either to draw your attention to new resources or to share a tip or trick with you regarding how to get the most out of Ball State's library services wherever you are!

So, let me start out with pulling back the curtain on two of our newest databases, PILOTS and CuminCAD.

PILOTS, or Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress, is updated monthly and deals specifically with the topic of post-traumatic stress and its effects. The range of literature dates back to 1871 and covers current information to date.

CumInCad, or the Cumulative Index of Computer Aided Architectural Design, gives you access to journals and conference papers in the field of computer aided architectural design. It's important to note that first-time users must create a new account with the "New users" link on the left-hand side of the page. The graphic shows you where to click the first time you visit.

Another new resource has been added to the Digital Commons under the E-Books node. From the resource's website: "Hebrewbooks.org was founded in order to preserve old American Hebrew books that are out of print and/or circulation. Many American Rabbis wrote seforim (Hebrew books) in the early part of the 20th century. They have long since passed away and in many instances so has their holy work.

Currently our mission has expanded to include all Torah Seforim ever printed. At Hebrewbooks.org you will be able to view and print the entire Sefer online."

And there you have it! Three new resources to try out when you have time, or need information. Remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Until next week....

February 2007 newsletter online

2007-02-11T17:18:00.000-05:00

The February 2007 of the Library Insider newsletter is now available at http://www.bsu.edu/ library/ virtualpress/ libinsider/. It includes the following articles:

Cardinal Scholar Selected as Name for the Ball State Institutional Repository, p. 4
Libraries’ Digital Commons Provides One-Stop Access, p. 4
Fourth Annual Copyright Conference Carries Continuing Legal Education Credit, p. 6
Oxford African American Studies Center Now in the Libraries, p. 7
Elaine S. Nelson Enjoys Challenges, Changes in Interlibrary Loan Services, p. 10
Recent Updates to the Libraries’ Mobile Web Site for Handheld Devices, p. 10

January 2007 newsletter online

2007-01-26T15:35:00.000-05:00

You can read the latest edition of the Library Insider newsletter at http://www.bsu.edu/ library/ virtualpress/ libinsider. The January 2007 issue includes the following articles:

Bookmark Café @ Bracken Library Opens January 8, 2007, p. 1
Portable DVD Players Available for Loan, p. 1
Update on Libraries’ Digital Commons for Desktop Access, p. 2
Digital Media Repository Offers Collection of Collections, p. 2
Exhibit about Muncie’s Civil Rights Movement, p. 4
Integrated Library System Upgrade, p. 4
Libraries’ Instruction Program Strengthen Student Technical, Information Literacy, p. 5
Staff College Provides Libraries’ Personnel Learning Opportunities, p. 5
Connecting with Students Using Web 2.0 for Collaborative Communication, p. 6
Libraries Expand SFX Link Resolving Technology, p. 7
Xrefer Features Ball State University Libraries in Upcoming Case Study, p. 7
Interlibrary Loan Response Time Continues to Improve, p. 8
Developing Custom PowerPoint Application with CONTENTdm API, p. 9
Libraries Add ZUULA.com to Libraries’ Favorites, p. 9
Chapbooks Now Cataloged, p. 10
Historic Chapbook Collection for Research, Learning, p. 10
Stephen Abram’s 25 Technologies and the University Libraries, p. 11
Videos, Public Service Announcements Highlight Libraries’ Programs, Services, Collections, p. 12
WIKI Facilitates Collaboration at the University Libraries, p. 12

Welcome back, BSU!

2007-01-08T17:57:00.000-05:00

As the Spring 2007 semester begins at Ball State University, we just want to remind you to check out these useful web services from your University Libraries:

Ask a Librarian: Available by chat, e-mail, or phone, librarians are here to help you find resources and assist you with your research.
Student Virtual Library: Gain quick access to the research-oriented resources at the University Libraries by using this web portal.
Distance Learning Library Services: This recently updated webpage provides you with information about library services for distance education students, faculty, and staff. Be sure to check out our latest offerings here!
BSU Libraries' Hours and Calendars: We're here for you most every hour of every day; use this listing of hours and calendars to find out the best times to call, IM, or e-mail us!
Digital Media Repository: This repository of primary sources and other digital materials was created by the University Libraries for Ball State students. We hope you find it useful!

We look forward to working with you to make the University Libraries part of your success at BSU this semester!

Ball State University Libraries hours during finals and holidays

2006-12-08T16:21:00.000-05:00

The library will observe special hours during finals and the holidays. (Click the image below to enlarge the calendar.)For a complete list of dates and hours the University Libraries will be open, please go to http://www.bsu.edu/ library/ article/ 0,,14625--,00.html.

New resource: Web of Science

2006-11-16T15:52:00.000-05:00

The University Libraries recently purchased a subscription to the Web of Science database. This research resource offers "cross searching of Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Arts & Humanities Citation Index back to 1992." Check out the database at http://www.bsu.edu/ libraries/ electronicresources/ databases.asp.

Thanksgiving Break hours

2006-11-16T15:51:00.000-05:00

The University Libraries will close at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, and reopen at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, in observance of Thanksgiving Break. Ask a Librarian services, including chat and email, will not be active during the Break.

For more information about the University Libraries' hours and calendar, please go to http://www.bsu.edu/ library/ article/ 0,,14625--,00.html.

November 2006 newsletter online

2006-11-16T08:23:00.000-05:00

You can read the November 2006 issue of the University Libraries' Library Insider online at http://www.bsu.edu/ library/ virtualpress/ libinsider/. Articles of interest may include:

Libraries Developing a Digital Commons Web Page, p. 2
Libraries Offer Access to the Homeland Security Digital Suite, p. 4
Find It @ BSU Points to Lexis-Nexis Academic Database, p. 4
Expanding Online Catalog to Handle Modern Bibliographic Information, p. 5
Teaching Archives and the Digital Media Repository, p. 6
Newly Created Media Finder Makes Finding Chamber Music Easier, p. 7
Libraries’ GIS Workshop and Assistance Connects Researchers to Data, p. 8

Check out the entire issue online today!

Fall Break hours

2006-10-27T17:01:00.000-04:00

Bracken Library will remain open as usual over fall break, except for closing at midnight on Sunday, Oct. 29, and Monday, Oct. 30. Stop by and see us if you're in town!

To see the University Libraries' hours and complete calendar, please go to http://www.bsu.edu/library/article/0,,14625--,00.html.

October 2006 newsletter online

2006-10-18T16:41:00.000-04:00

The University Libraries' October 2006 issue of the Library Insider is now available online at http://www.bsu.edu/library/virtualpress/libinsider/. Articles in this issue include:

Improving Customer Service: Saying "Yes" when "No" has been the Answer, p. 1
Automated Card-Swipe Locks are Key to Bracken Library's Convenience and Security, p. 1
Sights and Sounds of Learning in the University Libraries, p. 2
University Libraries' Instructional Services Program, p. 3
Information Fair Connects Students with Campus Organizations, p. 3
Computers and Library Information Systems for Access to Global Information, p. 4
Roy S. Simmonds Papers Added to the John Steinbeck Collection, p. 5
Personal Tribute to Roy S. Simmonds by Prof. Tetsumaro Hayashi, p. 5
Two Outstanding Steinbeck Scholars Receive Pruis and Burkhardt Awards, p. 6
University Libraries' Regularly Reported on by The Ball State Daily News, p. 6
Architecture Images Collection Strengthened by Donations, p. 6
Instructional Technology for Student Engagement, p. 7
Deyang City Delegates from the People's Republic of China Tour Bracken, p. 7
Libraries' Digital Media Repository Mentioned in Microform and Imaging Review, p. 7
ISI's Web of Science Interdisciplinary Citation Database Now Available, p. 8
Murry M. and Edith C. Wise Library Fund Established, p. 8
Supporting the University Libraries - Tribute with Books, p. 10