December 2005 Number 77

Inside this issue:

MultiSearch — What It Can Do For You


The NEW MultiSearch feature allows searching across many different databases in one discipline area AT ONCE! MultiSearch also helps with database selection for a topic area.

Let's say your topic is ethanol production.

  1. Visit the library's homepage.
  2. Click MultiSearch.
  3. Select the subject area of databases.
    For this topic, the default
    "Science" works fine.
  4. Enter search terms in the dialog box and click GO!

By selecting the group of science databases, you will be searching for the articles in thousands of journals and for books through databases such as:

Academic Search Elite
Applied Science and Technology Full Text
MasterFILE Premier
Business Source Elite
ABI/Inform Global

And the library’s book catalog -
ALL AT ONCE!

The result list gives a ranking of each article, the author, title, year, and the database that retrieved the article. Clicking the action’s "Find It!" button assists you in locating the article online, finding a print version of the article, or obtaining a copy of the article through interlibrary loan.

Please don’t hesitate to call the library's Reference Desk with questions, 342-1668, or e-mail us by clicking "Ask a Librarian" from the homepage.

Bring Your Classes to the Library!


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Please contact your division librarian or call John Berg, 342-1355, to schedule a time to bring your classes to the library's lab, B-6 on the lower level. Librarians welcome the opportunity to lead students in developing skills in researching, evaluating sources, avoiding plagiarism, and citing resources.

Please note timing is everything, and typically these classes work well in conjunction with assignments requiring research. So call and schedule your classes soon!

Congratulations!


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Library student employee scholarship award recipients:

Helen Skemp Scholarship:
Joshua Swart, Animal Science Major, graduating December 2005
Molly McGraw, Business Admin. Major, sophomore in February 2005

Curtis/Daniels Scholarship:
Keri Kluck, Business-Finance & Management, graduating December 2005
Dale Humphreys, English/Writing/Editing, junior in November 2005


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-Please Remind Students-
The Library and its labs have extended hours
before and during exam time!

Borrowing Materials from Another Library


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The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department of the Karrmann Library is at your service, quickly obtaining from other libraries around the state, materials not held in this building or available full text online.

Universal Borrowing (UB) retrieves for you - typically within only 2 or 3 business days - books held in other UW System libraries. UB is available through the Library Catalog.

Visit the ILL web page for more info, including how to have the full text of journal articles delivered to you, either online or hard copy.

"Find It!"


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When searching one of the library's subscription databases, such as Applied Science Full Text or Humanities Full Text, you may see a "Find It!" button. This service will allow you to link more easily to the full text of the article (in another database), check the Library Catalog for the journal, or submit an electronic interlibrary loan request!

For more info, contact the Reference Desk, 342-1668.

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Staff Picks - What We're Reading

Reviewed by John Leonard Berg, Coordinator of Public Services


Sourcebook for Genealogical Research by Foster Stockwell

This title is available through Interlibrary Loan and UB, free and fast services (see above).

A Sourcebook for Genealogical Research provides a concise introduction to one of the most popular hobbies in America today. While expert researchers may discover some helpful leads in the handbook, the novice is going to experience the greater benefit. Stockwell, a publishing consultant, has organized some 270 individual concepts, themes, and practices into a coherent, alphabetically arranged handbook. All entries are well written and uniformly presented, including helpful "see also" references and suggestions for further information.

A sampling of covered issues include: Adoption Records, Cluster Genealogy, Orphan Train Systems, Homestead Act of 1862, Railroad Retirement Records, Genealogical Websites, and Fraternal Organizations. Every American state and each Canadian province is individually considered. The computer and electronic entries are knowingly limited by the author due to the instability of the Internet environment.

The handbook fosters creative ideas and alternative strategies for the beginning genealogist. Stockwell includes a short, albeit dated, bibliography of referenced sources and a helpful index.

Kay Young, Editor
608.342.1134
young@uwplatt.edu