Two New Databases at Blackwell!

We are pleased to announce that two databases have been added to the library’s growing list of electronic resources for research and study. 

Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY)

Published by the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements at the University of Nebraska, the MMY has long been a standard reference for identifying and evaluating tests in the fields of education and psychology.  The electronic version, which covers the years 1985 to present (volumes 9 – 15), provides descriptive information and professional reviews of more than 2700 contemporary testing instruments.  Anyone who has struggled with the print editions of this encyclopedic work will be delighted with the convenience and accuracy of the online version.

The Times Digital Archive

From on-the-scene reports of the American Revolution’s “other side,” and firsthand accounts of Jack the Ripper, to London’s LIVEAID concert for humanitarian aid, the Times newspaper offers unique insights into events in the United Kingdom and abroad.  Published in London since 1785, the Times is the newspaper of record for the UK and one of the world’s leading dailies.  Two hundred years of the paper (1785 to 1985) can now be accessed through this new database which offers clear digital images of every page.  With something for everyone, the Times will be of particular interest for research in history, genealogy, economics, business, political science, sociology, literature, theatre, and the visual arts.

These, and all library online resources, can be accessed at http://www.salisbury.edu/library/databases/index.html or from the “e-resources” tab on the library home page.

Meet Blackwell Library's Newest Librarian!

Please join Salisbury University in welcoming Michael English to the library faculty. Michael comes to us from Florida Gulf Coast University and has a Masters in Library Science from the University of South Florida and a Masters in French Studies from University of Albany SUNY. Michael is our new Access Services Librarian so you will see him around the Circulation Desk. His office is BL129 and his phone is 7-0131. Stop by and say hi!

Pardon Our Dust!

You may notice some extra noise and commotion on the first floor of Blackwell this summer.  We are creating a new space to teach information  literacy classes and for students to work individually and in groups.  We removed the wall between the two glass rooms; one contained photocopiers and the other housed computers and microfilm/microfiche readers.  This new, bigger space will offer mobile furniture and a cart of netbooks as well as an instructor podium.  We are designing the space to be flexible for many different uses!

Because of the construction, access to our Accessibility Room is unavailable until the project is complete.  We have temporarily relocated the Accessibility machines just outside Office 129.  If you need any help with these machines, please contact Gaylord Robb.

The work should be completed sometime this summer.  Thank you for your understanding!

New Environmental Journal!

Blackwell Library is pleased to announce our new subscription to the journal Environmental History.

Dr. Mike Lewis says, "The Journal Environmental History is the journal of record for the American Society of Environmental History. It is the pre-eminent journal for Environmental Historians world wide – and the third most widely cited journal in History."

We are very excited to provide access to such an important resource. You can find the latest issue on the shelf in our Current Periodicals section! If you have any questions, please contact Susan Brazer, Science Librarian.

Blackwell Library's Top 10 of 2008

We hope everyone had a wonderfully happy and relaxing holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in the library in 2009! Although 2008 has come and gone, it's nice to reflect on the old year as we embark on the new one. So, we present to you our Top 10 of 2008:

10. New laptops
We have several new laptops available to check out for use in the building. We offer wireless internet access too!

9. New carpeting
So, maybe it’s purely an aesthetic change…but it looks great!

8. Citation Linker
This handy dandy tool will help you track down citations! Click here for more information!

7. New websites page
Our new web librarian has created an awesome delicious account for us to save and tag our favorite websites. You should definitely check it out!

6. Communication & Mass Media Complete
Not just for our Communications department, this huge database, chock full of full-text, is also great for many other subject areas including psychology, sociology, conflict analysis, and business.

5. Expanded Leisure Reading Collection
With all that free time you have, why not do some recreational reading? We have a vibrant and dynamic selection of both fiction and nonfiction that is sure to entertain and enlighten. Stop by and check it out on the main floor of the library.

4. RCL Titles
Last year we identified titles from the Resources for College Libraries list that are not owned by SU. Librarians ordered many titles from this list to boost the quality of our collection in each subject area. These new books began arriving in 2008 and you can find them on the shelves just waiting to be read!

3. Electronic Circulation Notices
No more snail mail circulation notices! Have a book overdue? You’ll find out ASAP through email!

2.Interactive library tutorial/Video tutorials
In 2008, Blackwell librarians created several new tutorials to help users learn about how to navigate the library and its resources. You can take the general library tutorial here, or check out the short video tutorials on a range of topics here.

1. New librarians!
Even though we have many fantastic books, journals, and databases, the best resources at Blackwell Library are our librarians and staff. We were fortunate to add to our family this fall with the addition of Michelle Oleson, Web/Digital Services librarian; Leigh Ann DePope, Serials Librarian; and David Ranzan, Archivist.

We look forward to bringing you the Blackwell Buzz in 2009!