Ohio University Libraries News and Events

In order to improve access to the Learning Commons’ limited resources between midnight and 8 AM for Ohio University students, faculty and staff, the use of the Learning Commons will be restricted to these groups during our overnight hours. Between midnight and 8AM, everyone in the Learning Commons must carry a valid OU identification card and be prepared to present it if requested. In addition, computer access will be available only to OU faculty, staff, and students during these hours, i.e., the visitor login will not be available.

Over the summer there have been some significant changes in the lineup and appearance of databases available to the University community.

Database Lineup

Due to changes in statewide purchasing, we are losing two sources: Access Science (which includes the online McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology) and Britannica Online. (A side effect of the loss of Britannica Online is that we also lose access to two other Britannica resources, Annals of American History and World Data Analyst.)

Access Science is being replaced by Science Online, while World Book Web is taking the place of Britannica in our lineup of web-based encyclopedias.

There are also several new databases in a variety of subject areas:

• African-American History Online: a multimedia nline encyclopedia covering all aspects of African-American history
• Biography Reference Bank: a collection of biographical sketches from a number of sources
• Consumer Health Complete: a collection of reports, fact sheets, reference works, images, videos, etc. of health and medicine, written in non-technical language
• International Encyclopedia of Communication Online: a comprehensive encyclopedia covering all areas of the field of communications

ALICE Keyword Searches

The changes to our online catalog ALICE center around how Keyword search results are displayed. Previously, the results from Keyword searching were arranged in groups of 12 in reverse chronological order (the most recent titles first). The new arrangement of Keyword search results displays 50 at a time, organized by relevance— you can re-sort the results by date or title by clicking on the appropriate link at the top of the list of results.

EBSCOhost Databases

Our large family of EBSCOhost databases underwent a “facelift” around the middle of July, resulting in numerous changes. The default search is now a single-box Basic Search mode, with a number of search limiters visible. Advanced Search (previously the default) is still available by clicking on a link right below the search box. The Search Results page now has three columns, with the actual citations appearing in the middle, flanked by various options for limiting the results and “related information.” Other new and modified features include:

• an easily-available Search History
• a Preview Icon at the end of the titles in the Search Results list that lets you see most of the details of the citation without having to click on the link
• RSS feeds and alerts

As always, if you have questions about these changes, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to Ask a Librarian.

New/Additional Computers
This summer, all PCs and laptops in Alden Library have been replaced. The new PCs have more memory, a larger monitor, easier USB and headphone jack access, and the option to record DVDs. They are also faster and quieter. The laptops also have more memory, the option to record DVDs, and a longer battery life. We are adding fifteen additional PCs, bringing the total to 315 and twenty additional laptops bringing the total to fifty.

Logon Procedures
A new procedure will also allow us to extend the availability of our computers. Beginning on August 25, all those using Alden Librarys PCs will need to log on. This will enable us to prevent people from monopolizing a computer which they aren’t actively using. It will also allow us to restrict access between midnight and 8AM to OU faculty, staff, and students (beginning September 7).

• Faculty, students, and staff should log in with their OAK ID and password.
• Visitors should use library as the username and guest (case sensitive) as the password.
• Faculty, students, and staff who haven’t changed their OAK password in the past year or two may need to change it in order to be able to log on to library computers.
  • If you’re reading this message outside of the Library, change your password at https://technology.ohio.edu:9443/myaccount/changepassword.php
  • From a library PC, log in as a visitor (see above), then use the OAK password reset icon on the desktop.
• Workstations showing no keyboard or mouse activity for fifteen minutes will be automatically logged off. Any possessions left at the station may be removed to the nearest service desk.
• It is very important to log off when leaving the station! From the Start menu, select Log off.

Printing
New student printing services and fees were implemented on July 1. Students now pay a flat three cents per sheet for printing black and white 8.5” X 11” pages in the Library, Baker Center and the CSC computer labs. All printing fees are charged to the student’s bursar’s account. This change in fees was approved by the University Student Fees Committee and the Board of Trustees.

In the Library, two printing options that are enabled by this change in fees are duplex printing which costs five cents per sheet and black and white 11” X 17” printing which costs 6 cents per sheet.

In addition, students doing color printing in the Library are now able to charge that printing to their bursar’s account (instead of buying a vendacard to pay for color printing). Color printing will remain twenty-five cents per sheet for 8.5” X 11” and fifty cents per sheet for 11” X 17”.

Please disregard the Circulation Notice from August 7, 2008 indicating that all items needed to be returned or legal action would be taken. This was an errant notice, mistakenly sent out while trying to fix another notice and it should be disregarded. We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you have further questions, please call the Circulation Desk at (740) 593-2695.