Category Archives: Library News

New Upgrade to Digital Collections Interface

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The Temple University Libraries are pleased to announce a new upgrade to our Digital Collections interface. On November 1, 2012,  Temple Libraries will upgrade to the latest version of our digital presentation platform, CONTENTdm®.

Some of the new features of Version 6 are:

  • Streamlined interface: Users will be able to browse by collection or by thematic subject area.
  • Improved Search capabilities:  The default search options have changed, so that users that create a search can “drill down” by refining their search set with additional keywords.
  • Enhanced Faceting: Improved faceted browse and search results that are customized for each collection will help patrons to narrow down result sets by author, date, subject, and other relevant categories.
  • Tracking recent additions: Digital Library Initiatives, the Special Collections Research Center, and the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection are adding to Temple’s digital collections on a regular basis.  To keep informed of new additions, users can now subscribe to an RSS feed by clicking on the option to “receive updates” for the digital collection.

This new upgrade represents a large amount of behind-the-scenes effort from the Digital Library Initiatives Department and the Digitization Practices Group in coordination with other Library departments to design the layout and settings of this new interface. Many hours were spent troubleshooting software bugs and issues with our database provider, OCLC, and this work has led to improvements made to the software’s functionality. We believe that the wait for CONTENTdm® Version 6 has been worth it, as our patrons will benefit from various enhancements.

For questions about the new interface, or to suggest items to be digitized for inclusion in Temple’s digital collections, please contact Digital Library Initiatives at diglib@temple.edu .

Paley Library reopens Tuesday 30th at 5:00 pm

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As conditions improve following the wind and rain from Sandy, Temple’s main campus has begun to restore services.

Paley Library will reopen Tuesday 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.   Limited services will be available including book return and checkout, as well as computers.  All online journals and databases have been available throughout the recent weather emergency.

Ambler Campus Library and the Science & Engineering Library will remain closed on Tuesday 30th.

On Wednesday 31st, Paley Library, the Science & Engineering Library, and the Blockson Afro-American Collection,  will reopen and offer full normal operating hours and services. 
Power was restored Tuesday afternoon to the Ambler Campus, so the Ambler Library will also reopen on Wednesday for normally scheduled hours.
The Ginsburg Health Sciences Library and Krausz Podiatry Library will also reopen on Wednesday 31st.

Jonathan LeBreton, Senior Assoc. University Librarian

 

Temple Libraries close due to Sandy

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Due to the approach of Hurricane Sandy a state of emergency has been declared in Philadelphia and Temple University is taking steps to secure the campus in order to assure the safety of students and staff.

Sunday October 28th,  Paley Library will close at 9:00 p.m.  as will the TECH Center. The Science & Engineering Library will close at 5:00 p.m.  The Ginsburg Health Sciences Library will close at 9:00 p.m. and Krausz Podiatry Library will close at 6:00 p.m.

All libraries, including Paley and Ginsburg, will remain closed on Monday, October 29, and Tuesday, October 30 due to the severe weather forecast for Philadelphia.  

As the storm subsides, please watch for further announcements from Temple as to the re-opening of the campuses.

Jonathan LeBreton, Senior Associate University Librarian

 

 

 

 

Campaign 2012! All the Info You Need to Vote is Right Here!

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A red, white and blue button with stars that says "vote". We created Voter Information –2012 Election Guide to give voters at Temple quality information on the upcoming presidential election. If you are a first-time voter, you can find information in the guide about polling locations and voter registration. To stay informed on daily campaign developments, to read public statements made by candidates, and to see what is being said about candidates, you can read the RSS feeds from fact checkers, reporters, polls, and bloggers. If you are curious about the history and political theory behind presidential elections the United States, you can find information about these subjects on the guide and through links to other research guides. Checking this guide regularly will keep you informed before you head to the polls in November.

It’s True. College Students Use the Library Website More Than Social Networking Sites

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Not that we’d ever run through campus shouting “We’re Number One”, but a set of data from the latest Chronicle Almanac does lead one to conclude that the greatest majority of college students indicate they use the library website at least once a week. While the students indicate they use a social networking site daily – only 90% of them can make that claim. That’s good enough for us to proclaim that we’re tops. And if it’s published in the Chronicle of Higher Education then it must be true.

Chart listing percentage of students by internet and computer activity on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Activities include: using the libraries web site, using presentation software, text messaging, social networking sites, and learning management systems, (linked to larger version).

The Library Website Tops Social Networking Sites

Top 10 Reasons to Use Temple Libraries

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The start of the new fall 2012 semester is a good time to remind Temple University students and faculty about the top 10 reasons to use the library. And we know that everyone can never get enough of top 10 lists, so here we go:

  1. Research tips for your majors and courses (go to our “Sources For Courses“)
  2. We’ve got one search box to rule them all (try our Summon Search)
  3. Books smell good. Like the smell of books. This is your kind of place.
  4. We know Philly! The Urban Archives is THE resource for photos, maps, manuscripts and more..
  5. Wireless Access. You can get wireless connectivity – and – borrow an iPad too!
  6. Escape the Dorms. Lots of quiet study spaces here.
  7. Online resources anywhere, anytime. Over 600 searchable databases, millions of e-books, streaming media resources and more.
  8. Never type a bibliography again. Learn how to use Refworks and the auto-citation formatting features of our research databases. Need help? Ask a librarian.
  9. Over 10,000 videos to watch. Stop by the Media Services Desk to learn more.
  10. Research help when YOU need it! Text! Live Chat! Email! Phone! One-on-One!

Not sure where to start? Download a copy of our 2012 Guide to Using the Library – and keep it with you at all times.

The Library Owl (stuffed animal) with a Library Book Bag full of books.

Be like the wise Library Owl. Know your Temple Libraries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facts at Your Fingertips: Check out our 2012-2013 Quick Guide to Library Services and Resources

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Check out our recently released 2012-2013 Quick Guide [PDF], a one-stop spot for essential library contacts, information, and more. This two-page “cheat sheet” contains a list of subject specialists, information on how to use our various collections and search tools, and more. For our new students, it will introduce you to the libraries and get you on your way to locating course materials and starting research. For returning community members, it is an essential reminder of where to find materials and who to contact for research assistance.

 

 

Welcome Class of 2016 – Join Us For ceLIBration

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Hard to believe it but it’s already time for Welcome Week at Temple University. Temple University Libraries is ready! We’re looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2016 to the campus and our Libraries. We’ll have our table at TuFEST which is a great opportunity to pick up some information about the Libraries and all the services and resources we offer to Temple students. – and meet our staff.

The high point of Welcome Week for us is ceLIBration.. What is ceLIBration? It’s two-hours of music, games, activities, and free food that celebrates the arrival of our new class of freshmen. Did we mention FREE FOOD. We’re also having a scavenger hunt that offers some pretty good prizes – and there are raffles.

WHEN: Friday, August 24
TIME: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
WHERE: Paley Library, Main Level, East Side

ceLIBration 2012 poster featuring an owl reading a book.

Come to Paley Library for ceLIBration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope you’ll join us for ceLIBration. You’ll be coming through Paley eventually. You might as well get started with ceLIBration.

Paley Library Will End Laptop Loans

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After many years of loaning laptop computers to Temple University students, the Paley Library will no longer loan laptops from its Circulation/Reserve Desk in the Tuttleman Building as of August 17th 2012. The decision to end the program was brought about by a confluence of factors. While this has been a valued service for many years, as more students bring their own laptops to campus there is a declining need to make laptops available for loan. To responsibly manage the Libraries’ budget we must make careful and informed decisions about the library services in which we will invest.Tablet computers, such as iPads, have grown in popularity, so we will be increasing the number of tablet computers available for loan. For those who still want to borrow a laptop, the TECH Center continues to have laptops available for short-term (three hour) loan periods.