Researching those Decade assignments just got a whole lot easier with the addition of PCU to our database subscriptions! Pop Culture Universe is a fascinating digital library of information on American and world popular culture--both past and present. Teachers are increasingly using popular culture to engage students in reading, writing and research and this database provides a safe way for students to investigate topics of great appeal without the bias, advertising, suggestive content or questionable authorship of commercial and fan sites. Content includes more than 300 full-text volumes of material. The ABOUT PCU page has a series of 4 short videos on getting started, searching PCU, browsing PCU and search results in PCU. Another value-added element of Greenwood databases is the Skills Center page, where you’ll find tools for both inside and outside the classroom and library. The three areas of the Skills Center are Student Resources, Teacher Corner and Reading Room. Their purpose is, first, to improve students’ research and writing skills and, second, to enhance the value of Greenwood’s databases. Explore the fun inherent in studying pop culture--it'll put a grin on your face. As one of the endorsements on the website said: "Pop Culture Universe. If it’s…Peachy, The Bee’s Knees, Swell, Nifty, Slick, Mean, Smooth, The Most, Cool, Neat-O, Groovy, Far Out, Dyn-o-mite, Rad, Bitchin’, Mint, Stupid Fresh, Dope, Fly, En Fuego, Phat, Off The Hook, Hot, or Awesome…you’ve come to the right place."
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Database Changes -- Part 2
Researching those Decade assignments just got a whole lot easier with the addition of PCU to our database subscriptions! Pop Culture Universe is a fascinating digital library of information on American and world popular culture--both past and present. Teachers are increasingly using popular culture to engage students in reading, writing and research and this database provides a safe way for students to investigate topics of great appeal without the bias, advertising, suggestive content or questionable authorship of commercial and fan sites. Content includes more than 300 full-text volumes of material. The ABOUT PCU page has a series of 4 short videos on getting started, searching PCU, browsing PCU and search results in PCU. Another value-added element of Greenwood databases is the Skills Center page, where you’ll find tools for both inside and outside the classroom and library. The three areas of the Skills Center are Student Resources, Teacher Corner and Reading Room. Their purpose is, first, to improve students’ research and writing skills and, second, to enhance the value of Greenwood’s databases. Explore the fun inherent in studying pop culture--it'll put a grin on your face. As one of the endorsements on the website said: "Pop Culture Universe. If it’s…Peachy, The Bee’s Knees, Swell, Nifty, Slick, Mean, Smooth, The Most, Cool, Neat-O, Groovy, Far Out, Dyn-o-mite, Rad, Bitchin’, Mint, Stupid Fresh, Dope, Fly, En Fuego, Phat, Off The Hook, Hot, or Awesome…you’ve come to the right place."
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Database Changes at PLYMC -- Part 1
I've been updating the database page on the library's website and want to invite you to take a look and (more importantly) begin using our new resources. We had a rigorous spring database preview event this year and I'd like to thank all of you who participated. Your suggestions, opinions and "votes" helped select and deselect databases for our electronic collection. In this first round of additions please note:
Global Issues in Context brings users a balanced assortment of articles, reference materials, original documents, video, audio, maps, images, statistics and more to support their quest for current, authoritative and reliable information on the nations and peoples of the world. Take the Guided Tour and use the Search Tips to learn more about this spectacular resource that will be useful to students, travelers, business persons and all who have an interest in world events.
Our subscription to Global Issues in Context comes with a year's free subscription to the History Resource Center, with its individually or cross-searchable component databases for U.S. or World History.
History Resource Center: U.S. brings together a broad collection of full-text periodicals, reference works, primary documents and scholarly analysis into a virtual library covering the most-studied events, issues and current information about U.S. history. Included are timelines and chronologies and special research guides for students and faculty. History Resource Center: World is a comprehensive collection of full-text periodicals, reference works and primary source documents covering world history topics from pre-antiquity to the present. This virtual library provides credible multicultural, global and research-based content to study world history. It is cross-searchable with History Resource Center: U.S. and like it, has a research guide for students and faculty. There is an extensive section of Help Using History Resource Center available on both databases.
Global Issues in Context brings users a balanced assortment of articles, reference materials, original documents, video, audio, maps, images, statistics and more to support their quest for current, authoritative and reliable information on the nations and peoples of the world. Take the Guided Tour and use the Search Tips to learn more about this spectacular resource that will be useful to students, travelers, business persons and all who have an interest in world events. 
Our subscription to Global Issues in Context comes with a year's free subscription to the History Resource Center, with its individually or cross-searchable component databases for U.S. or World History.History Resource Center: U.S. brings together a broad collection of full-text periodicals, reference works, primary documents and scholarly analysis into a virtual library covering the most-studied events, issues and current information about U.S. history. Included are timelines and chronologies and special research guides for students and faculty. History Resource Center: World is a comprehensive collection of full-text periodicals, reference works and primary source documents covering world history topics from pre-antiquity to the present. This virtual library provides credible multicultural, global and research-based content to study world history. It is cross-searchable with History Resource Center: U.S. and like it, has a research guide for students and faculty. There is an extensive section of Help Using History Resource Center available on both databases.
I'll be reporting on more changes in upcoming blog posts, but in the meantime...Have at it!
--Diane
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Free Resources from Gale Cengage During March for Women's History Month
Get to know the women who've changed our world....
Resources abound on this Gale database dealing with women's history that is free during the month of March to celebrate WHM. Find activities, biographies, featured titles, links, quizzes, and a timeline that goes to 2008. Also included is a special resource--Women's Rights on Trial, a source that contains 101 key trials of historical importance to American women since the settlement of the colonies. Find new biographies of the women on the campaign trail in 2008, as well as new biographies of the women who took the 2009 National Women's History Project honors. Check back each week for a new women's history quiz. All in all, a great resource for students and teachers, check out Women's History Month so you're ready for those March assignments.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Remote Access Now Available for Several Databases
Long-awaited remote access is now available for PLYMC patrons to several of our proprietary databases. American National Biography, Salem Health, Salem History and World Vital Records can now be accessed from the comfort of home. If you haven't checked out these databases yet, now is the time to do so--there is great information in them to recommend to your patrons.
World Book Adds Hispanica Saber Database
In addition to the regular Spanish version of the World Book Encyclopedia--World Book Spanish Edition-- that is intended for a younger audience, WB has now released Hispanica Saber a Spanish resource for older grades and adults. World Book Hispanica Saber is a comprehensive Spanish-language encyclopedia designed for native Spanish speakers, bilingual students and ESL/ELL program participants. It includes over 100,000 articles, more than 8,500 images and maps, and nearly 1,000 videos, animations, sounds and interactive media.Saturday, February 7, 2009
New Version of Learning Express starts February 9th
What's new in LearningExpress Library™ Version 2.0?
Easy-to-use interface:
The key difference between the current version of LearningExpress Library and Version 2.0 is the home page layout and organization. In Version 2.0, courses and tests are organized into intuitive Learning Centers, which group courses, tests, and other related content together in one place. In addition, users will be able to search for content at any time as well as view a list of all available resources on a single page. In Version 2.0, the "My Account" page will be replaced with the "My Center" page. Users will still have access to the same courses, tests, and reports as before. In fact, all current and completed tests stored in the former "My Account" section will now appear in the "My Center" page.
Improved online help and documentation:
In addition to making the new user interface easier to use and fully searchable, Version 2.0 also features enhanced online help. From "Getting Started" tutorials to topic-based help, Version 2.0 guides users through every step.
Easy-to-use interface:
The key difference between the current version of LearningExpress Library and Version 2.0 is the home page layout and organization. In Version 2.0, courses and tests are organized into intuitive Learning Centers, which group courses, tests, and other related content together in one place. In addition, users will be able to search for content at any time as well as view a list of all available resources on a single page. In Version 2.0, the "My Account" page will be replaced with the "My Center" page. Users will still have access to the same courses, tests, and reports as before. In fact, all current and completed tests stored in the former "My Account" section will now appear in the "My Center" page.
Improved online help and documentation:
In addition to making the new user interface easier to use and fully searchable, Version 2.0 also features enhanced online help. From "Getting Started" tutorials to topic-based help, Version 2.0 guides users through every step.
Just follow this link to view the Sneak Peak.
Free Access to Black History Month database during February
Thomson Gale publisher offers free access to it's Black History Month database each February. This is a wonderful resource that provides biographies, classroom activities, chronologies, literature links and more--for a one-stop shopping approach that students and teachers love. PS--the publisher does the same for Hispanic Heritage Month, Poetry Month and Women's History Month. Check it out at: Gale Cengage Learning Free Resources.
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