LIBNEWS-L: New Resources and Services at Old Dominion University Libraries September 2, 2008 * New Data Collection: ICPSR * New Service: IM a Librarian * BLT (Brief Library Tour) -- Starting This Week * Graduate Student Workshop: Put the Library to Work for You!--Sept.3 & 6 * Tool Time on Tuesday: The Wonders of WorldCat -- Sept. 9 --------------------------------------------------------------- ==> NEW DATA COLLECTION: ICPSR (INTER-UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH) The library is happy to announce the availability of ICPSR (The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research). ICPSR encourages and facilitates research and instruction in the social sciences and related areas by acquiring, developing, archiving, and disseminating data and documentation relevant to a wide spectrum of disciplines. ICPSR provides numeric raw data for countless topics as well as bibliographies of reports and other publications based on that data. Here is a sample of data added in August: * CBS News Monthly Poll #2, January 1996 * Impact of Information Security in Academic Institutions on Public Safety and Security in the United States, 2005-2006 * National Natality Followback Survey, 1964-1969 * Statewide Profile of Abuse of Older Women and the Criminal Justice Response in Rhode Island, 2002 * Natality Detail File, 2005 [United States] The library now provides access to ICPSR Direct – a system that enables you to access ICPSR resources directly. In addition to the data sets, also available from the site are: * The Online Learning Center – teaching resources designed for live, in-class demonstration and/or supplemental exercises for students: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/OLC/index.html * The Minority Data Resource Center - MDRC provides data resources for the comparative analysis of issues affecting racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/MDRC/ * Online Data Analysis – ability to conduct analysis online without using statistical software or downloading full datasets: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/ICPSR/access/sda.html Access ICPSR from the library's "Databases" page or through the library's online catalog. Because it is available through library subscription, from home you will need to enter your ODU email address and UIN to gain access. If you have any questions, contact Judy Trump jtrump@odu.edu --------------------------------- ==> NEW SERVICE: IM A LIBRARIAN That's Instant Message! The Reference & Research Services Department is trying out a new chat service intended for use by ODU students, faculty and staff. In general, chat users can ask for help searching the library catalog, assistance selecting and searching appropriate databases, information about the library and its services, help accessing library resources from offcampus. Questions that are more complicated may be referred to other services such as Ask-a-Librarian (email) or Research Consultations (in person). Keep in mind that patrons at the Reference Desk have priority over IM users, who are taken in a first-come-first-served order. During our trial period, the IM service will be available Monday-Thursday 2-8pm, Friday 2-6pm. If you already use AIM, Yahoo Instant Messenger, GoogleTalk or MSN Messenger, you can contact us by sending your IM to the screen name "askodulib." Add us to your buddy list! If you don't normally chat, go to the "IM a Librarian" link from the library's home page under "Research Assistance & Instruction" and enter your question in the MEEBO box. -------------------------------------------------- ==> BLT (BRIEF LIBRARY TOUR) - STARTING THIS WEEK The library will offer instructional tours during the first two weeks of September. Designed for individuals, not whole classes, these 30-minute tours begin from the lobby of Perry Library and are led by reference librarians. This week, on September 2, 3, 4 and 5 the tours start at 3:30PM. Next week's BLTs are on September 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and will begin at 11:00AM. There is no need to register; just meet by the poster. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==> GRADUATE STUDENT WORKSHOP: PUT THE LIBRARY TO WORK FOR YOU! - SEPT. 3 & 6 Are you a grad research or teaching assistant? Learn how to obtain materials requested by your professor, obtain materials not owned by the library, charge photocopying to the department or to faculty grants, borrow materials in your professor's name, place materials on course reserves, and contact the library for the help you need. Choose to attend on Wednesday, September 3, or Saturday, September 6, 10:00-11:30 AM in Perry Library, Room 163. Registration is required. To register, contact Kathryn Boone at kboone@odu.edu or 683-4182. ---------------------------------------------------------- ==> TOOL TIME ON TUESDAY: WONDERS OF WORLDCAT -- SEPT. 9 Plan to attend our first TOOL TIME ON TUESDAY next Tuesday Sept. 9 in Perry Library, Room 151, 12:15-1:00 PM. Bring your lunch and learn about "The Wonders of WorldCat" which offers millions of items available to borrow. See how easily it works with our library’s Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services. For more information, contact Edward Wladas at ewladas@odu.edu. ------------------------------------------- Next Issue: September 9, 2008 ------------------------------------------- Find the Libnews-L archives at: http://www.lib.odu.edu/libinfo/publications/libnews