Trexler Library Scuttlebutt

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A Bi-Weekly Update
10/2/09

Why Use Trexler’s Electronic Reserves?

Bill Abruzzi has this to say about using the library’s electronic e-reserves for his anthropology courses:

“I like the Electronic Reserves system VERY MUCH!! It makes the readings much more available to students and, as a result, more of them do the readings. I usually contact the library at the end of each semester to see how many students have checked out the various assigned readings on reserve. It is unusual to find that more than 15-20% of students have checked out any of the articles on reserve. Last semester, when I began using the electronic reserves, that figure increased to about 50% (still less than ideal, but much more than previously). While not every student who accesses an article on line reads it, certainly the number has increased.”

As Bill says, the library’s e-reserves system provides a count of students accessing specific documents. Plus e-reserves takes the worry out of scanning, posting, and being copyright compliant. For more information on e-reserves, contact Chris Brady at cbrady@muhlenberg.edu.

Infomaniac Tip

Newest Tools from Google

Google has long dominated the market for internet searching. In recent years, tools like Google Docs have helped the company become a giant in the world of collaborative online applications, too. With the announcement of new applications like Google Sidewiki and Google Wave, Google’s reach into collaborative tools continues to grow.

What is Google Sidewiki?

Launched just last week, Google Sidewiki is “a browser sidebar that lets you contribute and read information alongside any web page.” Sidewiki entries are ranked for relevancy. Entries are linked to the poster’s Google account. While not technically a wiki, in that entries aren’t collaboratively created, the Sidewiki allows users to share helpful information about websites and areas of interest and expertise. A feature of the Google Toolbar, Sidewiki is currently available for the Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers. Download the Sidewiki fromhttp://www.google.com/sidewiki/.

Read more:

What is Google Wave?

Google Wave is “an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration.” Wave combines elements of instant messaging, email, wikis, photo sharing, and more in order to integrate online communications into one platform. Google Wave is currently in limited preview athttp://wave.google.com.

Read more:

Calendar of Events

10/12: Banned Books Reading. Sue Jansen’s Media and Communication class will discuss censorship of books for political reasons. (Trexler Library Preriodicals Reading Room, 3:00PM-4:15PM.)

10/13: Faculty and Staff Favorite Book Series: 2nd discussion in series, led by Kate Richmond. – “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak. Open to the public. (Trexler Library Periodicals Reading Room, 4:30PM-5:30PM.)

10/13: Banned Books Reading. Sue Jansen’s Media and Communication class will discuss censorship of books for political reasons. (Trexler Library Preriodicals Reading Room, 3:00PM-4:15PM.)

10/14: Banned Books Reading. Cathy Kim’s classes will discuss censorship of children’s and young adults books. (Trexler Library Preriodicals Reading Room, 1:30PM-4:30PM.)

10/15: Los Desaparecidos display in honor of Peter Sanders’ work on the subject. Sanders comes to campus to Miller Forum on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. to speak. (Location of display: Trexler Library A Display Case, on display through 11/15.)

10/16: Meditation Group. Open to the public. (Trexler Library Rare Books Room, 5:00PM-6:00PM.)

10/21: Banned Books Reading. Cathy Ouellette’s class will discuss censorship of books in Latin America. (Trexler Library Preriodicals Reading Room, 1:30PM-2:45PM.)

10/23: Meditation Group. Open to the public. (Trexler Library Rare Books Room, 5:00PM-6:00PM.)