Enhanced FirstSearch
interface adds convenience
FirstSearch
is a search system provided through VIVA (Virtual Library of Virginia),
offering access to dozens of databases in various subject areas.
With over 40 million records of materials held in libraries throughout
the world, WorldCat is the most-used FirstSearch database.
Some of the new features
added since July are:
- Limiting to Old Dominion
University holdings: In WorldCat and ArticleFirst,
you have the option to limit your search to materials we own.
- Connecting to the
catalog of the Old Dominion University Libraries: You can now
make a direct connection to the library catalog to get call number
and availability information.
- Searching across
three databases simultaneously: You may choose to search up to
three databases at the same time.
- Unlimited truncation:
The * (asterisk) is now available for unlimited truncation. Instead
of typing salary or salaries you can now type salar*
and retrieve both possibilities.
- Online thesauri in
WorldCat: You can use the Subjects icon for help identifying
the appropriate subject terms for your search.
- Relevance ranking:
You can rank your results by relevance or date.
FirstSearch continues
to provide Interlibrary Loan requests, e-mail features, and online
help screens. If you need help using FirstSearch or have questions
about the new interface, call the reference desk at 683-4178.
Faculty, staff and students
invited to Surf 'n' Turf in January
Faculty,
students, staff: the university community is invited to learn more
about the library over the lunch hour. "Surf" sessions will teach
you some of the best techniques for searching electronic databases,
the library catalog, and the Web.
"Turf" sessions are
tours of Perry Library and help you get the lay of the land. You
will discover some of the most important areas of the library and
how to use them effectively. These tours are held at 12:30 PM on
Thursdays, January 18 and 25.
"Surf" sessions help
you learn the basics of searching the online catalog, periodical
databases and the Web. These sessions are held at 12:30 PM on Tuesdays,
January 23 and 30.
Surf 'n' Turf sessions
are informal and designed for interested individuals, not whole
classes. Meet in the lobby of Perry Library near the poster.
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Hundreds of electronic
periodicals newly available
Electronic
journals and magazines continue to be added to our growing collection.
Notable among recent additions are 644 full-text titles added to
the InfoTrac databases, a number of them being difficult to find
elsewhere. The diverse publications include American Sociologist,
Black Renaissance, Chemical Engineering, Counseling & Values, Journal
of Sports Sciences, International Economy, Patient Management and
Saigon Times Magazine.
Document delivery service
for all faculty
The
Perry Library has expanded the availability of the UnCover document
delivery service to include all faculty, in addition to distance
learning students. UnCover is a commercial document delivery company
which supplies articles from its database of nearly 9,000,000 articles
from over 18,000 journal titles. Through the Perry Library's arrangement
with UnCover Company, faculty may order articles at no charge if
the total listed price, including the copyright fee, is $25.00 or
less.
From the library Web
page Library Services option, faculty may click on UnCover
for Faculty Use. Distance learners should choose Library
Services then click on Distance Learning, then on UnCover
Document Delivery The material is delivered directly to the
requester via fax. Some articles may be available in electronic
format that can be down loaded as PDF files. Requests for articles
from journal titles and volumes in the University Libraries' collections
will not be accepted by the UnCover ordering system. If distance
learners need such articles, they can order them through Interlibrary
Loan Services using the request form in UnCover. Faculty and students
also have the option of purchasing articles directly from UnCover
at the listed price.
For more information
on this service, call Wayne Burton at 757-683-4171 in Interlibrary
Loan Services, or e-mail questions and comments to wburton@odu.edu.
Distance Learning Corner
The
library provides a Web page just for distance learning students
and faculty at http://www.lib.odu.edu/ services/disted. Here you
can obtain copies of our handbooks, advice on getting materials
delivered to you free of charge, a description of resources and
services available and ways to contact the library for assistance.
Be sure not to miss out on this valuable information!
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