| The Internet and Higher Education, by Patrick Wilkinson |
| Homecoming 2002: Home on the Range, by Renee Sengele |
| Hold it! New Options in the Library Catalog, by Sarah Neises |
| Holidays in the Browsing Room, by Karen Reiter |
| U.S. Patriot Act and Libraries, by Mike Watkins |
| Polk Library Hours: Thanksgiving Recess |
| DVDs and CDs Added to Polk Library's Collection, by Renee Sengele |
| Archives to Receive Campus Video and Audio Collection, by Joshua Ranger |
| Historical Primary Materials Online, by Sarah Neises |
| Staff Highlights |
The Internet and Higher Education
Patrick Wilkinson
wilkinso@uwosh.edu
Most college students (70%) use the campus library web site for at least some of their assignments. They are most likely to use full text journal articles (67%), the library’s catalog (57%), and databases and journal indexes (51%). The vast majority (89%) of students also use the library’s print resources of books, journals, etc. In fact, most faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students (90%) think that printed resources will be important into the foreseeable future.
Most students think that student/faculty communication has been improved by email. Many students (75%) “have used email to get additional information and clarification about an assignment.” Roughly half of college students (46%) have expressed ideas to teachers that they would not express in class.
Recently there have been three studies published regarding college student and faculty use of the Internet. In total, the studies describe how the Internet has changed, improved or hindered academic life according to faculty and students. Although in some cases the findings in one study appear contradicted by another study, there is a large amount of consensus between the studies regarding faculty and students' views of the Internet and its role in research and communication.
First, the Online Computer Library Cooperative (OCLC), the largest library cooperative in the world, published a white paper in June on “The Information Habits of College Students.” Harris Interactive conducted the study using the responses of 1,050 college students ranging in age from 18 – 24 years old. It is available at http://www2.oclc.org/oclc/pdf/printondemand/informationhabits.pdf.
Second, in September, the Pew Internet & American Life Project published “The Internet Goes to College: How students are living in the future with today’s technology.” Princeton Survey Research Associates conducted this study in 2001 and 2002 by using surveys and direct behavioral observation. It is available at http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=71.
Third, in October/November, the Digital Library Federation and Council of Library and Information Resources published a summary report and 158 selected data tables on “Dimensions and Use of the Scholarly Information Environment.” The full data tables (659) will be available later. The report and tables are available at http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub110/contents.html.
Investigate these reports for more
information.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Homecoming 2002: Home on the Range
Renee Sengele
sengele@uwosh.edu
Titan spirit was in full force at Polk Library this October, in celebration of Homecoming 2002 at UW Oshkosh. The highlight of the library's Homecoming activities was the first-ever Polk Library Homecoming float. In keeping with this year's Homecoming theme, "Home on the Range: See what's cooking at UW Oshkosh", library staff donned their chef's hats and aprons, broke out the grill, and urged students to "Get Your Homework 'Well Done' at Polk Library" (see photo below).
Library staff also put together a display in the lobby which featured a "Recipe for Research from the Kitchen of Forrest R. Polk" (see text of recipe below). The display and an accompanying brochure also highlighted some of the cookbooks available in the Browsing Room and some interesting cooking web sites.
Polk Library is "serving up" great information every day. Come check it out!
(Above: Library staff wave and throw candy to paradegoers at the Homecoming Parade; photo by Jim Labre)
|
Polk Library Recipe for Research 1. Preheat research process by reading
assignment carefully and consulting helpful reference librarian.
|
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Hold it! New Options in the Library Catalog
Sarah Neises
neises@uwosh.edu
It can be discouraging to search the Polk Library Catalog only to find that the item you need is checked out to another patron. Polk Library to the rescue! We have two new online options to help you get your hands on items that are checked out. Recalls and Holds are the two new features of the Polk Library Catalog. Here’s the difference:
A Recall is used when you see that an item is checked out to another patron for a long period, for example an entire semester. If you don’t want to wait until the next semester to get an item, place a Recall, and the patron who has the item will be sent a notice asking them to return it. From the time of checkout, patrons are guaranteed at least 21 days with an item, and when they receive a Recall notice they have 10 days to return an item. So, from beginning to end, a Recall could take 31 days. All items and all patron categories are subject to Recall requests. You will be sent an notice telling you when an item is back in the library for your use.
A Hold would be used when you want to be notified when an item is returned to the library. When the item you have placed a Hold on is checked in at the library, you will be sent a notice that it is at the circulation desk for you. You will then have approximately a week to pick the item up. If you don’t pick it up, it will be returned to the shelf. A Hold is only available for items that are checked out, not for items that are currently on the shelves.
Instructions for Placing a Hold or a Recall:
- To place a Hold or a Recall, start by locating the item in the Polk Library Catalog: http://polkweb.uwosh.edu/
- When you are looking at the record of an item (the title, call number, etc.), click the Request an Item button on the yellow toolbar at the top.
- Enter your 16 digit Titan Card number, type your Last Name, then click the Login button.
- Choose a request type from the menu – Hold or Recall.
- At the next screen, click Submit Request, and that’s it! You will be sent a notice letting you know when an item has been returned for your use.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Holidays in the Browsing Room
Karen Reiter
reiter@uwosh.edu
With the holidays fast approaching, you can quickly become stressed. Shopping, parties, relatives, and the flu season can take a toll on your holiday spirit. Take a little time for yourself! Curl up with one of these holiday books found in the Browsing Room. Stay warm and enjoy.
- Christmas Train by David Baldacci
- This Year It Will Be Different: A Christmas Treasury by Maeve Binchy
- Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
- Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
- Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
- Home for the Holidays by Johanna Lindsey
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
U.S. Patriot Act and Libraries
Mike Watkins
watkins@uwosh.edu
Under the provisions of the Patriot Act, the Federal Bureau of Investigation can obtain an order "requiring the production of any tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) for an investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution".
Although libraries are not specifically mentioned in the act, this provision would apply to library circulation records and computer hard drives. In the past, particularly in the 1960’s and 70’s, libraries were subjected to similar types of searches. However, under the Patriot Act, the FBI does not have to show probable cause that the records being sought are in any way involved in the commission of a crime. “Probable cause” is the standard by which search warrants are issued. The order "shall specify that the records concerned are sought for an authorized investigation conducted in accordance with subsection (a)(2) to obtain foreign intelligence information not concerning a United States person or to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities". Subsection (a)2 mentioned in the clause states, "An investigation conducted under this section shall—``(A) be conducted under guidelines approved by the Attorney General under Executive Order 12333 (or a successor order); and ``(B) not be conducted of a United States person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States".
At this point no one knows how many libraries have had requests to provide information in accordance with the Patriot Act. Under the provisions of this section of the act, the persons approached to provide such information cannot tell anyone about the transaction. The law states that “No person shall disclose to any other person (other than those persons necessary to produce the tangible things under this section) that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has sought or obtained tangible things under this section. (215).” This section of the law has been interpreted to mean that individuals providing the requested information under the provisions of the act cannot tell other employees not involved in the transactions, significant others, news or media outlets, or any other person. It is because of this secrecy clause that there is no information available about how many, if any, libraries have had to provide information under the provisions of the act.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Polk Library Hours: Thanksgiving Recess
Tuesday, November 26 7:45 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday, November 27 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday, November 28 CLOSED
Friday, November 29 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday, November 30 CLOSED
Sunday, December 1 6:00 PM - 12:00 midnight (Extended study hours until
2:00 AM)
Fall I & II schedule resumes
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
DVDs and CDs Added to Polk Library's Collection
Renee Sengele
sengele@uwosh.edu
Two new collections of audiovisual materials are now available in Polk Library’s Educational Media Collection (EMC): Music Collection CDs and DVDs.
Music Collection CDs
Polk Library is now home to the collection of music CDs previously housed
in the Music Department. As soon as the entire collection is processed,
there will be about 1000 CDs available for students and faculty to check
out. The Music Collection CDs are shelved in their own section in the
EMC area and may be checked out for 28 days for students and a semester
for faculty and staff. In the library catalog, Music Collection CDs can
be found using a search for composer or title, or by adding “music collection”
to a keyword search (example: “music collection” and Mozart).
DVDs
DVDs are now replacing videocassettes for many film titles that we order.
About 70 titles have recently been added to the collection and are available
for use. The DVDs are shelved in the regular EMC audiovisual section
and can be checked out for 14 days with one renewal. DVDs are classified
in the same category as videocassettes in the library catalog, but a search
can be limited to only DVDs by adding the keyword DVD to the search terms
(example: dvd and Kubrick). As with videos, DVDs can also be searched
for by title.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Archives to Receive Campus Video and Audio Collection
Joshua Ranger
ranger@uwosh.edu
With the retirement of Doug Freshner, the University’s “man with the cam,” hundreds of hours of video and audio tape recorded over the past 18 years will be transferred to the University Archives for preservation. The tapes document various aspects of University life from campus ceremonies and building projects to student activities and visits from prestigious visitors. The University Archives will preserve many of the tapes, integrating them into our current collection of records of enduring historical, legal, administrative, and fiscal value. After selection and processing of the tapes is completed, the recordings will be available for research or duplication via the University Archives, 3rd floor south, Polk Library. Contact Joshua Ranger at 424-0828 for more information.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Historical Primary Materials Online
Sarah Neises
neises@uwosh.edu
Alexander Street Press offers two unique databases designed to provide access to historical primary materials. Clickable tables of contents make these two sources easy to browse online. The full text of the material is available online as transcriptions of the original documents. Searching of the full text of these sources is also available. These two sources are both works-in-progress, and new material continues to be added. Access to both databases is available here at UW Oshkosh courtesy of UW Madison.
Early Encounters in North America: Peoples,
Cultures, and the Environment
This electronic database is made up of “ . . . letters, diaries, memoirs
and accounts of early encounters between Native Americans and explorers
from around the world.” There are documents available from 1524 through
the latter part of the nineteenth century. This is an excellent source
of primary documents relating to Native Americans and early explorers.
You can browse the documents by encounter, places, fauna, flora, images,
peoples and more. Browsing can also be done by event, e.g. banquet, wedding,
kidnapped, etc.
British and Irish Women’s Letters and Diaries,
from 1500 - 1900
This source “ . . . includes the immediate experiences of 91 women, as
revealed in approximately 24,000 pages of diaries and letters.” The table
of contents gives you access to the letters and diaries by authors, years,
historical events (French Revolution, Indian Mutiny, etc.) or personal
events (mental illness, childbirth, etc). There is also a Showcase section
that provides links and images for some of the more notable parts of the
database.
You can find both of these resources in the listing of History resources on our web site (http://www.uwosh.edu/library/subjects/history.html). Both resources are available both on campus and off campus. Off campus use of library databases requires logging into the library web site with your university email username & the last 4 digits of your social security number.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Staff Highlights
Mike Watkins, Head of Government Documents, has been elected vice-chair/chair-elect of the Government Information Roundtable (GIRT) of the Wisconsin Library Association. GIRT "serves librarians and other library staff who work with the information provided in all formats by government agencies at the local, state, federal, and international levels".
Jeanne Foley, Head of Access Services, has been elected secretary of the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL) for 2003. WAAL is the official academic library division of the Wisconsin Library Association and a state chapter of the national Association of College & Research Libraries.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to Polk Library News Home Page
Polk Library News is a publication of Forrest R. Polk Library, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Renee Sengele, editor (sengele@uwosh.edu) 920-424-7331
Patrick Wilkinson, Director, Polk Library (wilkinso@uwosh.edu) 920-424-2147
Library Home Page | UW Oshkosh