Tag Archives: Top News

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.

 

 

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.

Library Special Collections Boost a University’s Reputation

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Obtaining a great collection of papers from a scholar or organization or other types of unique materials can be a significant accomplishment for the special collections department of an academic research library. Increasingly, what makes an academic library unique or distinctive is the content of its special collections and archives. According to the New York Times article “In University Holdings, Entry to History and Culture“, these collections can also serve to enhance the reputation of the institution as a resource for global scholars. The article states:

U.T.-Arlington officials, meanwhile, hope their future William Blair Collection will bolster their library’s reputation as a repository for artifacts of black history. For universities striving to improve their reputation — particularly the handful, including U.T.-Arlington, vying to be the state’s next Tier 1 research institution — special collections can provide a boost. And for a general public largely unaware of the items stored in public universities, they can be a veritable treasure-trove.“Tier 1 is all about scholarship and recognition by your peers from around the world for the great and wonderful research that you do,” said Ronald L. Elsenbaumer, the provost at U.T.-Arlington. “And special collections bring that uniqueness to your university. Having those unique, scholarly activities going on that distinguish you, that’s important.”

The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) at Temple University Libraries is just such a collection of unique materials with a focus on 20th century Philadelphia history. With the recent addition of content from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News Archives and the papers of Lew Klein, the SCRC helps to build the reputation of Temple University as a unique research source for scholars. Visit the SCRC soon to learn more about the fantastic collections of unique primary research material waiting for you at Temple University Libraries.

“Philadelphia: Where to Turn?” Information Guide

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Love Park sculpture in front of fountain in downtown Philadelphia.Philly Goes to College Logo.Coalition Against Hunger Logo.

The “Philadelphia:  Where to Turn?” information guide provides information on services to help our city’s residents.  The guide lists where to find food assistance programs, shelters, and health services, as well as information on job-skills development, educational programs, and community centers, addressing the needs of many Philadelphians. The resources in the guide range from municipal and state programs to programs sponsored by non-profit organizations. These resources were selected for the free or low-cost quality services they provide. “Philadelphia: Where to turn?” also provides information on volunteering opportunities in the city. The guide will continue to grow as new services become available.

 “Philadelphia: Where to turn?” provides access to information on services available to Philadelphia residents who are in need of assistance. You can use this guide to find:

  • Food assistance
  • Shelter/housing
  • Health services
  • Educational opportunities (G.E.D., adult education, etc.)
  • Job training and employment opportunities
  • Legal help
  • Resources for New Americans (E.S.L.,citizenship test preparation, etc.)
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Community centers
Temple University Libraries would like to thank our library intern, Joseph Schaffner, for creating this guide.
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New Look and URL for E-ZBorrow

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As of today E-ZBorrow has a new URL.

It is https://e-zborrow.relaisd2d.com/gateway/TEMPLE.html

At the same time E-ZBorrow is introducing a new user interface that we hope will make searching and requesting easier and more efficient. While the search box is unchanged, the display of the results is more clear and on the left margin you can limit the search with a variety of screening tools.

Screenshot showing example of new E-ZBorrow search result screen (linked to larger version).

Notice the search features on the left side of the page

Once you select a book to obtain from the result list, you’ll see it is much easier to request that book.

Screenshot example of new E-ZBorrow single record result screen, (linked to larger version).

It is now easier to request an EZBorrow

We value any feedback you may have. If you would like additional assistance with E-ZBorrow contact pmyers@temple,edu or 215-204 -0749.

If you have trouble logging in or making requests please call 215 204 -0744.

Could Open Access Disrupt Traditional Scholarly Publishing

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It’s not often that the mainstream media takes up relatively unpopular higher education issues, so it comes with some surprise that U.S. News & World Report published a rather extensive article on the debate about the future of scholarly publishing. The article, titled “Is the Academic Publishing Industry on the Verge of Disruption?” provides a balanced look at both sides of the push for open access journal publishing.

Using interviews with both open access advocates such as Heather Josephs of SPARC and representatives from scholarly publishers such as the American Institute of Physics, the article provides an excellent overview of the current challenges of traditional scholarly journal publishing. It covers new business models for open access publishing and current and proposed government policies aimed at promoting the sharing of scholarly research funded by taxpayer dollars.

If you’d like to learn more about the current issues confronting traditional scholarly publishing, the challenges that both libraries and scholarly publishers face, and new models and ideas for a better scholarly publishing system, then give this article a read. If you do, let us know what you think (use the comments) by sharing your thoughts about scholarly communications, open access, and its impact on higher education. Do you believe that the traditional system is ripe for disruption, and if so, will open access be the disruptive factor?

Please Share Your Feedback On Our New Website

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After many years of maintaining its current website, the Temple University Libraries is poised to move to an entirely new design for its website.On Thursday, July 12, 2012 the new website made its debut. We hope you find the new design refreshing – and that it makes your experience using our library resources much better. Please use the feedback link in the upper right corner of the homepage to tell us what you think of the site – what can we continue to improve?

For the past several months a preview of the website has been available to the campus community, and we have received encouraging positive feedback about the new look of the website, which is more streamlined, less cluttered with links and makes use of more visual content.

Screenshot of proposed new look for the Libraries' web site.

Temple Libraries New Website Design

The Libraries’ Summon search, which is a great starting point for research in almost any subject area, is the focal point of the new homepage design. A tabbed approach allows for easy navigation to other types of search modes and other sections of the website. We’ve added the daily hours right on the homepage, and an instant messaging tool allows for quick communication with library staff when help is needed.

Please know that some areas of the site are still being refined, and it is possible you will encounter a broken link or some other minor problem. If that happens, please contact us – using the feedback link on the homepage – to let us know of any problem. We hope to keep improving our website so that all of our community members will have the best possible experience using the Temple Libraries.