Category Archives: Library News

Music Everywhere and Anywhere!

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Ruckus.com is offering its music downloads free (and legal) to students! Previously a subscription-only service, Ruckus changed its business model to advertising revenue. In addition to over 2.1 million tracks of music, Ruckus provides social software that enables students to create and share playlists, browse playlists of friends and classmates, read comments on message boards, and recommend music. In addition to popular music, Ruckus includes significant collections of jazz and classical music. An email address with “.edu” is necessary to access the free service. For more information see:

“Big Labels Offer Free Music to College Students” from the New York Times
“Ruckus Network Offers Free Campus Access to Downloads” from the Washington Post
“Ruckus Joins Internet2 to Distribute Files for Academic Use” from the Chronicle of Higher Education

In addition to Ruckus, the Temple University music-loving community has access to exciting free streaming audio services!

African American Song – Documents the history of African American Music, including blues, early jazz, gospel, ragtime, and more!

Classical Music Library – Look for your favorite composer here! Or, browse by playlists that include music for particular artistic movements, instruments, moods, and occasions, even a “Lover’s Guide!”

Smithsonian Global Sound – Travel the world with music! Every continent is represented as well as music from Oceania and the Caribbean. Escape the winter cold with a Calypso from Trinidad or a sizzling hot Tango!

Let music fill your mind and heart this winter, and always.

-Anne Harlow

Library Catalog Update on the Horizon

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An update as of January 24, 2007: As previously announced, the Temple University libraries plan to launch an updated, improved interface to Diamond, the Libraries’ online catalog, this year. Our original timetable called for the update to launch in January, prior to the Spring Semester. We have delayed that launch in order to take advantage of system enhancements (including improved sorting of search results) incorporated in a new release of the software that powers the online catalog. This new release is now promised to us in February, so our timetable has changed. Please watch for announcements in March of a public preview of the new catalog — allowing you to try the new interface with current data and suggest any final changes. We now anticipate the final launch to occur after the end of the semester in May. Byron C. Mayes Head, Library Systems and Technology

Tech Center Librarians – Version 2.0

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The Libraries have revamped the “Ask a Librarian” Tech Center program. Beginning this semester we’ve moved from the 2nd floor lobby to Room 205A, a breakout room, in the general lab area. Three librarians — Susan Golding, Derik Badman, and David Murray — will alternate workshops and drop-in consultations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. all semester long.

Jan.18th- Feb 1st (T,W,Th) — Librarian available for drop in consultations

Feb. 6th, 7th, 8th — Better Grades in Less Time
You work too hard! Sharpen your research skills to cut down on time and get better results. Temple Libraries have the resources you need right at your fingertips. Join a Temple University Librarian for this session covering basic timesaving tips about using library resources.

Feb. 13th, 14th, 15th — Librarian available for drop in consultations

Feb. 20th, 21st, 22nd — 10 Ways to do Scholarly Research in Your Pajamas
Pizza delivery? Take out Chinese? Now you can get your research to go. Temple University Libraries offer thousands of online resources and services. Join the librarian to learn how to make the library come to you! Take out menu provided.

Feb. 27th,28th, Mar. 1st — Librarian available for drop in consultations

March 6th, 7th, 8th — (Spring Break)

March 13th, 14th, 15th — Getting Organized Online
Forgot about a paper that’s due? Forget to pay your phone bill or to call back that cute classmate? In this session a Temple University Librarian will demonstrate online applications that help you organize “to do” lists, events, and documents. Get text message or IM reminders! Access your calendar from any computer, anywhere!

March 20th, 21st, 22nd — Librarian available for drop in consultations

March 27th, 28th, 29th — Stuff You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Google
“Google gave me 8,956,441 hits. This stinks.” Decrease your frustration with Google by learning how to use it like any other library database. In other words, like a pro! In this session a Temple University Librarian will cover how to find books, journal articles, news, maps, and more through Google. Learn how to use Google’s advanced options to focus a search and get the most relevant results.

April 3rd, 4th, 5th — Librarian available for drop in consultations

April 10th, 11th, 12th — To Google or Not to Google
Google provides fast but often ineffective results. Will you really impress your professor by citing a Wikipedia article as a source for a research paper? In this session a Temple University Librarian will discuss the pros and cons of using Google for academic research. Discover how to just as quickly access more appropriate sources without over relying on Google. This session will cover a new open source Wiki alternative, as well as some of the more traditional reference tools that have been digitized for easy web access.

April 17th, 18th, 19th — Librarian available for drop in consultations

April 24th, 25th, 26th — Citations Without Tears
Save time on your papers, and throw out all those long citation guides. Learn to use Refworks, a web based application (free to Temple students!) that allows you to easily and quickly gather your citations and organize them for the creation of bibliographies and in-text citations in almost any format– APA, MLA, Chicago, and more.

May 1st, 2nd, 3rd — Librarian available for drop in consultations

May 8th, 9th, 10th — Librarian available for drop in consultations

Please join us all semester long in Room 205A in the Tech Center! And please do let us know what you think of our new services.

—David C. Murray

New! Wilson Full-Text

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Temple University Libraries announce the addition of several new electronic resources, plus changes in a few familiar resources, providing enhanced and updated access to materials in core undergraduate subject disciplines.

Wilson OmniFile is a gateway database, offering integrated access to selected full-text articles and page images, plus citations and abstracts, from thousands of periodicals and journals available in these 11 H.W. Wilson specialty databases:

* Applied Science & Technology Index (formerly called Applied Science & Technology Abstracts)
* Art Index (formerly called Art Abstracts)
* Biological & Agricultural Index
* Business Index
* Education Index (formerly called Education Abstracts)
* General Science Index (formerly called General Science Abstracts)
* Humanities Index (formerly called Humanities Abstracts)
* Legal Periodicals Index
* Library Literature & Information Science
* Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature
* Social Sciences Index (formerly called Social Sciences Abstracts)

Because Wilson OmniFile is multi-disciplinary, researchers have access to information on virtually any subject, including Art, Education, Humanities, Law, Information Science, Social Sciences, Business, Biology, Agriculture, and much more. With its breadth of coverage and plentiful full-text availability, Wilson OmniFile is an excellent starting place for any project.

In addition, three other electronic resources are now also being provided by H.W. Wilson, offering a new interface and enhanced content:

* Biographies Illustrated Plus (formerly called Wilson Biographies Plus)
* Book Review Digest Plus (formerly called Book Review Digest)
* Essay and General Literature Index

Please feel free to contact a Reference Librarian by phone (215-204-8212) or online via Ask-A-Librarian for further information about these resources.

–Kristina De Voe

New encyclopedias online

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These are new titles from the Gale Virtual Reference Library. All GVRL titles are also linked from Diamond.

Encyclopedia Judaica, 2nd edition
Encyclopedia of Aging
Encyclopedia of Sociology
Encyclopedia of African American Culture and History, 2nd edition
Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice
Encyclopedia of European Social History
Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa
Encyclopedia of World Cultures

Below is the complete list of reference titles through the Gale Virtual Reference Library:
Africa: An Encyclopedia for Students , 4v, 2002
African American Almanac , 9th Ed., 2003
African-American Years: Chronologies of American History and Experience , 2003
American History Through Literature 1870-1920 , 3v, 2006
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 1, 2005
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 2, 2005
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 3, 2005
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 4, 2005
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 5, 1998
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 6, 1999
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 7, 2000
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 8, 2001
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 9, 2002
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 11, 2006
Business Plans Handbook , Vol. 12, 2007
Business Plans Handbook, Volume 10 , Vol. 10, 2004
Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy , 2nd Ed., 1999
CDs, Super Glue, and Salsa: How Everyday Products Are Made: Series 3 , 2v, 2003
Chemistry: Foundations and Applications , 4v, 2004
Cities of the World , 6th Ed., 4v, 2002
Contemporary American Religion , 2v, 1999
Dictionary of American History , 3rd Ed., 10v, 2003
Encyclopaedia Judaica , 2nd Ed., 22v, 2007
Encyclopedia of African American Society , 2v, 2005
Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History , 2nd Ed., 6v, 2006
Encyclopedia of Aging , 4v, 2002
Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy , 2nd Ed., 3v, 2002
Encyclopedia of American Industries , 4th Ed., 2v, 2005
Encyclopedia of American Religions , 7th Ed., 2003
Encyclopedia of Anthropology , 5v, 2006
Encyclopedia of Bioethics , 3rd Ed., 5v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Buddhism , 2v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion , 3v, 2005
Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice , 2nd Ed., 4v, 2002
Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior , 2nd Ed., 4v, 2001
Encyclopedia of Education , 2nd Ed., 8v, 2003
Encyclopedia of European Social History , 6v, 2001
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture , 3v, 2003
Encyclopedia of India , 4v, 2006
Encyclopedia of Irish History and Culture , 2v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World , 2v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Modern Asia , 6v, 2002
Encyclopedia of Philosophy , 2nd Ed., 10v, 2006
Encyclopedia of Population , 2v, 2003
Encyclopedia of Public Health , 4v, 2002
Encyclopedia of Public Health , 4v, 2002
Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America , 2v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Religion , 2nd Ed., 15v, 2005
Encyclopedia of Russian History , 4v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Science and Religion , 2v, 2003
Encyclopedia of Sociology , 2nd Ed., 5v, 2001
Encyclopedia of the American Constitution , 2nd Ed., 6v, 2000
Encyclopedia of the Great Depression , 2v, 2004
Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa , 2nd Ed., 4v, 2004
Encyclopedia of World Cultures , 10v, 1996
Encyclopedia of World Cultures Supplement , 2002
Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World , 6v, 2004
Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders , 2nd Ed., 2v, 2005
Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders , 2v, 2003
Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America , 2nd Ed., 3v, 2000
Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained , 3v, 2003
Geo-Data: The World Geographical Encyclopedia , 3rd Ed., 2003
Governments of the World: A Global Guide to Citizen’s Rights and Responsibilities , 4v, 2006
Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia , 2nd Ed., 17v, 2004
History of the American Cinema , Vol. 1, 1990
History of the American Cinema , Vol. 2, 1990
History of the American Cinema , Vol. 3, 1990
History of the American Cinema , Vol. 4, 1997
History of the American Cinema , Vol. 5, 1993
History of the American Cinema , Vol. 6, 1997
International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers , 4th Ed., 4v, 2001
International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family , 2nd Ed., 4v, 2003
Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying , 2v, 2003
Macmillan Encyclopedia of Energy , 3v, 2001
Major 21st-Century Writers , 5v, 2005
Major Acts of Congress , 3v, 2004
New Catholic Encyclopedia , 2nd Ed., 15v, 2003
New Dictionary of the History of Ideas , 6v, 2005
Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z , 2v, 2004
Reference Guide to Short Fiction , 2nd Ed., 1999
Reference Guide to World Literature , 3rd Ed., 2v, 2003
Science and Its Times: Understanding the Social Significance of Scientific Discovery , 8v, 2001
St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture , 5v, 2000
The People’s Chronology , 3rd Ed., 2005
Tobacco in History and Culture: An Encyclopedia , 2v, 2005
Water: Science and Issues , 4v, 2003
West’s Encyclopedia of American Law , 2nd Ed., 13v, 2005
World Education Encyclopedia , 2nd Ed., 3v, 2001
World Press Encyclopedia , 2nd Ed., 2v, 2003
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices , 3v, 2006
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations , 11th Ed., 6v, 2004

—Fred Rowland

Women Writers Online

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Take a look at this new electronic resource from Brown University’s Women Writers Project: Women Writers Online, a great source of writing by women going all the way back to the Renaissance (includes Renaissance Women Online). Here’s some more information about the database. And here’s an article about Women Writers Online from the journal Pedagogy: “Learning, Reading, and the Problem of Scale: Using Women Writers Online”. Fred

Ebsco and Ovid Connections Restored

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Full access to databases and full-text journals licensed from EbscoHost and Ovid was restored by Wednesday afternoon 1/17 for both on and off-campus users. As previously posted, on Tuesday 1/16 and Wednesday 1/17 access was disabled by an apparent attack on the domain name servers of various internet service providers (ISPs). Users on and off-campus clicking on our valid links or (or even manually keying in a url) found their browsers redirected to a commercial search portal instead of Ebsco or Ovid. On-campus access was restored as of Wednesday morning 1/17. Off-campus access was restored about 4:15 Wednesday afternoon. Library staff and Temple Computing Services continue to examine server logs and other evidence to diagnose the apparent mechanism and cause of this redirect attack and will develop an improved response plan for working with Temple ISPs to prevent recurrence. Again, we apologize for this interruption to library services.

AT&T agrees to net neutrality for two years

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Net neutrality is the principle that companies providing access to the Internet cannot discriminate between customers. For instance, consumers get the exact same service from their homes as ExxonMobil, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, HBO, Disney, and Dreamworks. Telecom companies claim that they cannot build the advanced Internet of the future unless they are able to charge extra for premium access. Net Neutrality advocates argue that the Internet was originally developed and built with taxpayer monies and should be seen as a public utility and that it has become, in essence, the public square of the twenty-first century. A multi-tiered system of access would not only limit free speech but also limit important new technologies. What would have happened if YouTube, MySpace, and Flikr had had to pay for premium service? What about the blogosphere?

In order to win approval for its $85 billion merger with BellSouth, AT&T has agreed to observe net neutrality for two years, a window of opportunity for advocates to lobby Congress for a law enshrining net neutrality as a guiding principle of the Internet. It will also put pressure on other telecom companies to follow AT&T’s lead. See: AT&T-BellSouth deal called “breakthrough” for consumers.

Below are some podcasts and web sites concerning net neutrality that you might find interesting.

Video from Save the Internet Coalition

Commercial from the Cable and Telecommunications Association

Don’t Regulate coalition that includes AT&T and BellSouth

Robert McChesney on COPE Bill working its way through Congress (on Democracy Now, May 8, 2006)

NetCompetition.org coalition that includes AT&T, BellSouth, and other cable and telecommunications firms
—Fred Rowland

TIME for Information Literacy

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Getting mentioned in Time magazine counts for something. Time garnered lots of attention with its “Person of the Year” issue that celebrated the year of Web 2.0. But for those who follow developments in education, the more significant issue could be the one that appeared on December 10, 2006. Its cover story focused on the need for revolutionary change in education. As academic librarians we were please to see this article because it acknowledges that for 21st century learners it’s not about finding information, but evaluating information to determine its value:

Becoming smarter about new sources of information. In an age of overflowing information and proliferating media, kids need to rapidly process what’s coming at them and distinguish between what’s reliable and what isn’t.

As educators, we can’t anticipate or expect that tech-savvy students will be able to critically evaluate the content they find as a result of their search engine research. It may only be that by integrating the teaching of research skills into the curriculum that improvements will be made.

Even Time noted the value of information literacy classes in the article:

Classes like this, which teach key aspects of information literacy, remain rare in public education, but more and more universities and employers say they are needed as the world grows ever more deluged with information of variable quality. Last year, in response to demand from colleges, the Educational Testing Service unveiled a new, computer-based exam designed to measure information-and-communication-technology literacy. A pilot study of the test with 6,200 high school seniors and college freshmen found that only half could correctly judge the objectivity of a website.

One mention in a mainstream media publication is nice, but information literacy is still far from being a mainstream educational practice. For educators and students, information literacy is far from a common phrase. At Temple University, we’re working to change that.

Steven J. Bell, Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services

Political Talk

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I heard an interview recently with Frank Luntz, the Republican language maestro who uses polling and focus groups to advise political candidates, organizations, and corporations on how to choose their words and frame their issues for the highest political impact. He’s got a new book called Words that work : it’s not what you say, it’s what people hear. He has recommended that organizations use the term “climate change” instead of “global warming”, “gaming” instead of “gambling”, and “death tax” instead of “inheritance tax” or “estate tax”. You might be able to still hear the interview here. Here’s the web site of Luntz’s research company. There are also some short articles by Luntz in Lexis Nexis Academic(sorry, can’t give you the direct links to the articles, LNA doesn’t enable that). In a Dec. 28, 2002 NTY article, Luntz describes how he was an advisor to TV’s “West Wing” for a while, giving direction on the script from a Republican point of view. The job didn’t last, evidently.

It occurred to me that it would be interesting to read the Luntz book along with books by linguists (academics) whose work has been associated with liberal causes, Geoffrey Nunberg and Georg Lakoff. Nunberg does a regular spot on Fresh Air, the NPR interview show. Temple has quite a few books by both authors. Nunberg’s most recent book is Talking right : how conservatives turned liberalism into a tax-raising, latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York times-reading, body-piercing, Hollywood-loving, left-wing freak show (Paley doesn’t have a copy of this, have to correct this). Lakoff’s most recent book is Whose freedom? : the battle over America’s most important idea.

And of course there’s George Orwell’s famous Politics and the English Language, written in 1946.

—Fred Rowland