ELM Blog http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/ Electronic Library for Minnesota ~ News & Updates en Copyright 2009 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:29:30 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.25 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Gale Provides Free Access to H1N1 Information Gale is providing free access to Global Issues in Context and dozens of eBooks from the Gale Virtual Reference Library in an effort to make reliable information regarding the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu, available. Librarians can install a free widget - found at www.gale.cengage.com/flu/ to their homepage, Facebook page or blog.

This free widget will be available to your community for as long as H1N1 is considered a national emergency. We will attempt to notify all accounts prior to the trial's expiration.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/11/gale_provides_free_access_to_h.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/11/gale_provides_free_access_to_h.html Free Resources on the Web Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:29:30 -0600 EBSCO's Continuous Pandemic H1N1 Coverage Early in September, as public concern about Pandemic H1N1 and the upcoming flu season began to grow, the medical and nursing editors from EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) responded by offering the latest evidence-based, flu-related information for free.

As the pandemic expands, we continue to offer free flu information resources, located at www.ebscohost.com/flu. We are pleased to provide public support via continuously updated, evidence-based clinical information from DynaMed and Nursing Reference Center, EBSCO's clinical and nursing point-of-care databases, along with patient education information in 17 languages from Patient Education Reference Center. Please visit this site often, post links to the site on your home page, and feel free to share, post, and email this link to your colleagues, patrons, family and friends.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank those who have provided such positive feedback from this effort. To learn about EBSCO's editorial processes for systematically identifying, evaluating and selecting evidence, visit this page.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/11/ebscos_continuous_pandemic_h1n.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/11/ebscos_continuous_pandemic_h1n.html Free Resources on the Web Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:26:32 -0600 Historical Minneapolis Tribune and Elm4you.org ProQuest has restored access to the Historical Minneapolis Tribune via the Elm portal, elm4you.org

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/11/historical_minneapolis_tribune.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/11/historical_minneapolis_tribune.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:47:25 -0600 Optional Statewide Resources Attention Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota libraries and schools!

More Connections for You

You may have seen the OCLC announcements about two "quickstart" options for libraries:

  • ContentDM Quick Start

  • WorldCat Local Quick Start

Did you know that most libraries and schools in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota qualify for both of these options because of the Minitex group subscription to the OCLC FirstSearch Base Package, which includes WorldCat? While these services are available at no charge, there may be significant staff time and other resources needed to implement these project-type options.

OCLC's CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software can make everything in your digital collections available to everyone, everywhere. No matter the format--local history archives, newspapers, books, maps, slide libraries or audio/video--CONTENTdm can handle the storage, management and delivery of your collections to users across the Web.

As a FirstSearch Base Package subscriber, many libraries in the Minitex region are eligible to receive:

  • The CONTENTdm software hosted by OCLC

  • Three Project Clients for building digital collections

  • 10GB of storage for up to 3,000 digital items

If you find that your requirements exceed any of these limits, OCLC will work with you to review purchasing options to continue seamless growth of your collections.

OCLC has created training modules and provided resource information and the form to activate your CONTENTdm "quick start" hosted instance.


  1. Attend your free Orientation session
    This live, free Web session will teach you how to build your first CONTENTdm collection using your desktop browser. This session also will provide more information about your CONTENTdm "quick start" instance. You'll need a PC and an internet connection to attend. A question and answer period, along with a tour of the online help system, will follow the demonstration.

  2. Activate your CONTENTdm instance
    Are you ready to launch your digital collections? Do you have digital objects and metadata ready to upload to your CONTENTdm Web site? You can get started with CONTENTdm now.

    Complete this Web form.


  3. Attend a free CONTENTdm Project Client session
    After your CONTENTdm instance is activated, you should attend this live, free Web session to learn how to use the powerful client application to load batches of digital items, as well as more complex objects such as postcards, documents and books.

WorldCat Local quick start provides a single search result that delivers your library's resources and those of other WorldCat libraries. WorldCat Local quick start offers libraries:

  • Display of a local library's holdings first in search results, followed by the holdings of other WorldCat libraries

  • Local branding of a WorldCat search box, URL and user interface

  • Links to an existing OpenURL resolver for access from the over 58 million article citations in WorldCat.org to the online full text to which libraries subscribe

  • Integration of existing OCLC delivery/interlibrary loan services (WorldCat Resource Sharing, ILLiad)

  • Interoperability with a single local library catalog for real-time item availability information and place holds

  • Access to the same social networking tools available on WorldCat.org


WorldCat Local provides libraries with the following additional functionality:
  • Group-level searching
  • Interoperability with a second integrated library system (ILS)
  • Additional integration of your library's print, electronic and digital materials, making it an even better way to help users find exactly what they want

Please note: Availability of interoperability features will vary by ILS. Interoperability is available now for most libraries with the following integrated library systems and methods: Ex Libris Aleph (Z39.50), Ex Libris Voyager, SirsiDynix Horizon, SirsiDynix Unicorn and Symphony, Innovative Interfaces Millennium and INNOPAC.

Libraries with other Web-accessible ILSs will benefit from features such as local branding, ranked search results and links to existing services now. Expanded access to real-time availability interoperability will be added in phases, beginning with a prominent link to library catalogs later in 2009 and a method for libraries to create their own interoperability with WorldCat in 2010.
To learn more about how you can make the process as fast and efficient as possible:

  • Read OCLC's Frequently Asked Questions document.

  • Sign up for one or all of these WorldCat Local-specific Webinars:

    • Introduction to WorldCat Local "quick start"

    • Ready, set, go! Tips for a successful WorldCat Local introduction

    • How to Customize WorldCat Local

    • Batchload Solutions for WorldCat Local "quick start"

  • Read the OCLC Service Configuration Guide to learn how to configure products and services to which you subscribe on the WorldCat.org platform.

  • Take a look at what WorldCat Local looks like and how it's working for Macalester College or the University of Delaware Library. Note: These two libraries subscribe to WorldCat Local.
    • While their sites include some functionality not in WorldCat Local "quick start," they do provide a general example of how the service works.
  • Watch a video of implementation and use experiences at active WorldCat libraries.

  • Sign up for e-mail updates about WorldCat and related services.

To find out more, visit the WorldCat Local quick start web page.

What next? Once you've read about the quick start services, watched the videos, taken the webinars, and signed up to undertake a project, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you. And, if you need some additional help or direction, don't hesitate to ask.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/10/optional_statewide_resources.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/10/optional_statewide_resources.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:16:26 -0600 New Statewide Databases Now Available! July 1st is here, and never have we been so excited about the beginning of a fiscal year. As of today, all 45 ELM databases are now available to be linked to directly by Minnesota library institutions. For links and instructions on how to set them up on your website, see: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/elm/access.aspx. These databases will be organized into the ELM portal at elm4you.org as soon as possible.

In the meantime, consider signing up for an intro to "What's New in ELM?" on our upcoming training sessions page.

Happy database searching!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/07/new_statewide_databases_now_av.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/07/new_statewide_databases_now_av.html Free Resources on the Web Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:15:49 -0600 Gale PowerSearch 2.0 To Be Implemented for All Customers in July 2009 from Gale:

Gale PowerSearch 2.0 Now Available
Since its launch in 2002, the Gale PowerSearch platform has offered comprehensive access to authoritative reference, periodical and primary source information. Gale has incorporated new enhancements, creating Gale PowerSearch 2.0, a platform providing even greater ease and giving more power to the user.

Gale PowerSearch 2.0 simplifies browsing through Gale's more than 20,000 publications, providing the ability to search across more than 150 million documents.

Improvements include:

  • Web 2.0 sharing tools including Del.icio.us, MySpace, Reddit, Digg, Facebook, Newsvine, Twitter and others to connect users with their community, allowing them to push interesting articles out to the Web to share with others
  • ReadSpeaker (text-to-speech technology), allowing users to have all articles available from within the platform read aloud to them. All articles are fully downloadable in MP3 file format and can be played on an iPod or other audio devices
  • Addition of "named user" functionality, allowing researchers to create custom profiles, name and save any search and modify RSS feeds on the product's homepage, thus facilitating ongoing research and supporting user's interests
  • Search results that incorporate portals of context sensitive multimedia (images, video and podcasts)
  • On demand translation of documents into 11 different languages, helping institutions support a global community of users

Current Gale customers can enable Gale PowerSearch 2.0 now by contacting Gale Technical Support at 1-800-877-4253, option 4. Gale PowerSearch 2.0 will be implemented for all customers in July 2009. Click on the "Find Out More" link on the Gale PowerSearch Web site www.gale.cengage.com/powersearch/.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/06/gale_powersearch_20_to_be_impl.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/06/gale_powersearch_20_to_be_impl.html Product News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:13:12 -0600 New ELM Databases Announced From the announcement:

On behalf of Minnesota’s State Library Services, Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN), the North Dakota State Library, South Dakota Library Network (SDLN), the South Dakota State Library, and itself, Minitex is pleased to announce our joint, 3-state participation in licensing the databases and database packages recommended by the Minitex Electronic Information Resources (MEIR) Task Force as a result of the Request for Proposal (RFP) that was issued in 2008-2009. These partners realize the importance of statewide access to a common suite of databases to the libraries and school media centers within and among the three states.

In coordination with Elaine Kelash, Buyer, University of Minnesota Purchasing, Minitex will finalize license agreements with the following vendors for access to the following statewide electronic resources. These resources will be available beginning July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2012.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/06/new_elm_databases_announced.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/06/new_elm_databases_announced.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:01:48 -0600 Gale Software Maintenance, part II While this emergency maintenance should not affect any of the ELM databases from Gale, we thought we'd pass along the note anyway. From Gale:

"Dear Gale Customer,

As part of our ongoing platform development, an emergency software maintenance release will take place on Friday, April 17th, 2009. The work will begin at 4:30am ET and last until approximately 8:30am ET.

Customers who are accessing ChiltonLibrary.com during the 4:30am to 8:30am maintenance window may experience a brief interruption in service. All other Gale databases will be unaffected by this maintenance.

Sincerely,
Gale Technical Support"

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/04/gale_software_maintenance_part.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/04/gale_software_maintenance_part.html Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:35:12 -0600 Gale Software Maintenance Release Scheduled for 03/28/09 at 4:00am EDT Dear Gale Customer,

As part of our ongoing platform development, a software maintenance release will take place on Saturday, March 28th, 2009. The work will begin at 4:00am EDT and last until approximately 6:00am EDT.

Customers who are accessing online products during the 4:00am to 6:00am maintenance window may experience a brief interruption in service.

Thank you for continuing to support Gale and the products we provide.

Sincerely,
Gale Technical Support

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/03/gale_software_maintenance_rele_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/03/gale_software_maintenance_rele_1.html Technical Support Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:55:33 -0600 New/Upcoming EBSCOhost Enhancements from EBSCO:

Dear EBSCO Customer,

We're excited to announce the upcoming and existing availability of these EBSCOhost enhancements:

Coming Soon: Zero Results Prevention

Zero Results Prevention can be enabled within EBSCOadmin to run whenever a query returns no results. Alternately, users can set a Preference during an EBSCOhost session for Zero Results Prevention to function this way. For details on this new functionality, click here. (Trouble using this link? Try pasting this URL into your browser: http://support.epnet.com/support_news/detail.php?id=515&t=r&page=1.)

Search Box Builder

Did you know that you can create a search box to give users instant access to your valuable EBSCO online resources from EBSCO, which can be placed on any library web page. Read more about it, view the brief video and FAQ details, on this page. (If you cannot use this link, copy and paste this URL into your browser to access the page: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=1&topicID=1207.)

Ten Minute Training

This popular series of very short (ten minutes, really) online training sessions, each focusing on a specific EBSCOhost feature or functionality, is back for spring! The next session will be for library administrators who have access to EBSCOadmin, and wish to learn how to set up a default start page in EBSCOhost. The Default Start Page session will be held on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. If you are a library administrator with access to the EBSCOadmin module for your account, please reply to this email with your name, title and institution name to register.

Visit EBSCO's Support Site (http://support.ebscohost.com) to learn about new features, search among thousands of FAQs, download Flash tutorials, Help Sheets or User Guides, or communicate with Technical Support at any time, using the EBSCO Support Form:(http://support.ebscohost.com/contact/askus.php).

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/03/newupcoming_ebscohost_enhancem.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/03/newupcoming_ebscohost_enhancem.html Product News Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:51:04 -0600 New EBSCO IPs--Firewall Exception List from EBSCO Publishing:

Dear EBSCO Customer,
We are pleased to announce that, in accordance with our pledge to continually improve customer access to EBSCO products, we are expanding our IP address ranges.

IMPORTANT - Action Required: If you need to allow access through firewalls, proxies, filtering software or other security features, we ask that you please add these IP addresses (140.234.*.*, and 63.208.197.*) to your firewall exception list by March 1, 2009, to ensure full, unrestricted access to all EBSCO Publishing online products.

This FAQ provides complete details of all URLs and IPs to use EBSCO

Visit EBSCO''s Support Site (http://support.ebscohost.com) to learn about new features, search among thousands of FAQs, download Flash tutorials, Help Sheets or User Guides, or communicate with Technical Support at any time, using the EBSCO Support Form (http://support.ebscohost.com/contact/askus.php).

Sincerely,

Marcie Brown
Technical Communications Manager
EBSCO Publishing
10 Estes Street
Ipswich, MA 01938

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/02/new_ebsco_ipsfirewall_exceptio.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/02/new_ebsco_ipsfirewall_exceptio.html Technical Support Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:32:20 -0600 EBSCO System Maintenance Dear EBSCO Customer,

Please be advised that this weekend, from January 31 through February 1, 2009, you may notice some intermittent access interruption, due to planned system maintenance.
We are conducting this necessary system maintenance during off-peak hours in order to minimize the impact it will have on our customers, and apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Visit EBSCO''s Support Site (http://support.ebscohost.com) to learn about new features, search among thousands of FAQs, download Flash tutorials, Help Sheets or User Guides, or communicate with Technical Support at any time, using the EBSCO Support Form (http://support.ebscohost.com/contact/askus.php).

Sincerely,

Marcie Brown
Technical Communications Manager
EBSCO Publishing
10 Estes Street
Ipswich, MA 01938

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/ebsco_system_maintenance.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/ebsco_system_maintenance.html Technical Support Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:34:23 -0600 Gale IP Update Message--New Addresses from Gale:

Dear Gale Subscribers,

In February 2009, Gale will be introducing a new set of IP addresses into our hosting facility. We are adding the additional IP address ranges to increase customer availability to our online products, add redundancy, and to improve system monitoring. These new IP address ranges will be used in addition to our already existing IP ranges.

If you use IP addresses to include, exclude, or filter web sites, you should add these new IP addresses to your firewall and/or proxy server configurations. Listed below is a complete list of the IP address ranges we will be using for our online databases.

Existing IP Address Ranges:
69.32.182.0-255
69.32.183.0-255

New IP Address Ranges:
69.32.226.0-255


This information can be referenced online using the following web address:
http://support.gale.com/article.asp?article=1164&p=10

If you have questions please contact Gale's Technical Support department at 800-877-4253 (option 4), or by email at gale.technicalsupport@cengage.com.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/gale_ip_update_messagenew_addr_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/gale_ip_update_messagenew_addr_1.html Technical Support Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:43:12 -0600 Gale Software Maintenance Release Scheduled for 01/17/09 at 3:00am CT from Gale:

Dear Gale Customer,

 

As part of our ongoing platform development, a software maintenance release will take place on Saturday, January 17th, 2009.  The work will begin at 3:00am CT and last until approximately 5:00am CT.

 

Customers who subscribe to Gale Virtual Reference Library and Literature Resources from Gale can expect significantly faster download times when viewing multipage PDF files.

 

Customers accessing these products during the 3am to 5am maintenance window may experience a brief interruption in service.

 

Thank you for continuing to support Gale and the products we provide.

 

Sincerely,

Gale Technical Support

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/gale_software_maintenance_rele.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/gale_software_maintenance_rele.html Technical Support Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:52:07 -0600 Gale IP Update Message--New Addresses from Gale:

Dear Gale Subscribers,

In February 2009, Gale will be introducing a new set of IP addresses into our hosting facility. We are adding the additional IP address ranges to increase customer availability to our online products, add redundancy, and to improve system monitoring. These new IP address ranges will be used in addition to our already existing IP ranges.

If you use IP addresses to include, exclude, or filter web sites, you should add these new IP addresses to your firewall and/or proxy server configurations. Listed below is a complete list of the IP address ranges we will be using for our online databases.

Existing IP Address Ranges:
69.32.182.0-255
69.32.183.0-255

New IP Address Ranges:
69.32.226.0-255


This information can be referenced online using the following web address:
http://support.gale.com/article.asp?article=1164&p=10


If you have questions please contact Gale's Technical Support department at 800-877-4253 (option 4), or by email at gale.technicalsupport@cengage.com.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/gale_ip_update_messagenew_addr.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/minitex/elm/2009/01/gale_ip_update_messagenew_addr.html Technical Support Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:12:21 -0600