In response to requests for additional options for safe and comfortable study spaces, the Bio-Medical Library and Academic Health Center deans will conduct a pilot project to provide extended 24/7 access to a portion of the second (tunnel) level of the library in Diehl Hall.

Beginning May 5, after the library’s usual closing time, an area of the second floor will be accessible to those who present a UCard. This area encompasses the public computers, some study tables, the small group study rooms, the casual seating near the entrance, and the rest rooms. Library services, such as photocopying, printing, circulation, and reference assistance, will not be provided during these extended hours. The print collection of journals and books in the stacks will also be inaccessible during these extended hours. Access control will be provided by a University security monitor stationed at the entrance to the second level. The library is also in the process of adding security cameras (expected installation date: summer 2007).

The pilot project will run through Fall 2007 finals, with progress evaluations of the project after Spring finals, May Session, Summer Session and Fall finals.

Posted by Christopher James at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Got a project to finish? Want help from an expert in a particular discipline? Need to use technology to enhance your work? You can do it all in one place: the University's SMART Learning Commons,a new way of conceiving and offering academic services.

The SMART Commons brings together an array of academic support services under one roof: course support, information literacy, writing support, technology support, and more. Peer Learning Consultants offer one-on-one assistance as well as group support for help in mathematics, sciences, statistics, economics, writing, German, Spanish, and library research. The SMART Commons also hosts short introductory workshops in Excel, PowerPoint, academic services, and library resources.

A SMART Commons has existed in Wilson Library since 2004, and SMART's newest location in Magrath Library celebrated its grand opening on April 25. Plans are in the works for a future Commons space in Walter Library.

Posted by Christopher James at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out these new e-resources in the sciences, all brought to you by the University Libraries:

-The Plant Cell (American Society of Plant Biologists)
-Agricultural and Biological Sciences backfiles
-Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics
-Environmental Impact Statements: Full-text and digests
-Aerospace and High Tech Database
-Materials Research Database with Metadex
-Wiley e-journal backfile collections

Posted by Christopher James at 05:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Install the U of M Libraries Toolbar

The U of M Libraries toolbar gives you easy access to a variety of library tools such as search access to MNCAT, E-Journals, and OneSearch, plus links to popular services and web pages like Your Account, Library Hours, Indexes and Databases, library news, library events and more.

Firefox instructions

Install the U of Libraries Toolbar

Install MNCAT search into Firefox and Internet Explorer 7

The Firefox search box, and the Internet Explorer 7 search box, gives you easy access to your favorite search engines including Google, Yahoo, and now MNCAT, the University Libraries catalog.

To install, simply visit the University Libraries web site, click the magnifying glass icon in the Firefox search box at the top of this window, and choose "Add U of M Libraries Catalog." That's it! We will be adding E-Journals and OneSearch soon.

Add MNCAT Lookup to Amazon Searches

Have you ever searched MNCAT looking for books you found in Amazon? This MNCAT Lookup tool will help streamline that process by showing in your Amazon search whether or not a book can be found in the U of M Libraries. The Lookup tool requires the Firefox browser and the Firefox extension Greasemonkey.

If an Amazon title is not located in the U of M Libraries a link will be provided to search for other editions of the book in MNCAT, the U of M Libraries catalog. Interested? To install this new (and free!) tool just follow these instructions:

Posted by Shane at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The MyLibrary view on the University's portal--a new initiative spearheaded by the University Libraries--changes the way users look at libraries. Read the UMNnews article.

Posted by Christopher James at 04:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)