Meriam Library News

Katherine Mangan of the Chronicle of higher Ed writes that

"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a preliminary decision that rejects all 44 claims Blackboard Inc. made regarding the controversial patent it was granted for an online-learning system. If upheld, the decision could have sweeping ramifications for Blackboard's competitors and universities that use course-management software.

"The "nonfinal" decision was made public on Friday, and both sides will have a chance to comment before a final order is issued. Blackboard can also appeal the final decision."

Contributed by Aaron Bowen

As a student or faculty member you've certainly had this experience at least once or twice. It's midnight, you're hard at work doing research for a paper, and not having much luck finding the right resources. Or, you've found that perfect article, and can't figure out whether or not the library has the journal it was published in. The library is closed and there's no one to ask for help.

Don't despair! From the Meriam Library home page, research help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week just a mouse click away. The Click for Live Help button connects you to the 24/7 Reference Service, a nationwide service that enables you to chat online with a librarian any time, day or night. Librarians can help you construct a search strategy, choose a database, find information online, or figure out if the library owns a book you need. If your question involves "local" information (for example, "why can't I renew my books online?") the best answer you may get is a phone number or email address. The service works best for questions involving research strategies, how to find information on a topic, and "does the library have..." questions. So the next time you're stuck trying to think of a keyword to use in a search try chatting with a librarian. Any time!

Contributed by Liz Colson

We've all seen it. There, in the computer lab or on one of the computers by the reference desks on the second floor of the library, is a student hard at work conducting research for her midterm paper. And next to her, while she's buried nose deep in an article database, is a student buried nose deep in Facebook.

Continue reading "Social networks in the library" »

Harvard University's arts and sciences faculty voted unanimously February 12 to publish their scholarly articles online, making them available to the public at no charge. Under the plan, the university's library will oversee a newly created Office of Scholarly Communication that will serve as a repository for the material. Faculty members will retain the copyright to their articles, subject to the university's license, and can request a waiver of the license for particular articles in special cases.

Harvard's move is seen as giving a significant boost to the open access movement, which champions free, permanent online access to peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly material.

Continue reading "Harvard Faculty Approves Open Access Journal Policy" »

Deering Family, 1911

In the late 1970's, Ellen Deering established an endowment as a memorial to the C.E. Deering family. Her intent was to support research projects about the history of Northeastern California and the history of CSU, Chico, particularly the development and organization of the University Archives. Mrs. Deering required that copies of all projects funded from the Endowment be deposited in Meriam Library Special Collections.

Proposals or questions about the 2008/09 competition
may be sent to:

Carolyn Dusenbury
Ellen Deering Endowment Project Director
Meriam Library
CSU, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0295

or Emailed to cdusenbury@csuchico.edu
or Faxed to 530-898-4443

Applications must be received by or postmarked on May 2, 2008.

Proposals are reviewed by the Ellen Deering Committee. Successful applicants will be notified by June 15, 2008.

Deering Endowment Fund information and guidelines for applications are available here.
Download file
Contributed by Carolyn Dusenbury

Many patrons come into the Meriam Library with questions about the university itself. There is a lot of information specific to CSU, Chico on the Web. I (Aaron Bowen) have put together a brief list of some of these sources, as well as notes on what kind of information each resource offers and how to search or browse for information on each one.

Continue reading "Searching for information about CSU, Chico" »

This past Wednesday Jacqueline Carambat wrote a great article in The Orion called Early semester stress sting students. Even if you've not read it, you probably already know what it is about. Between scheduling classes, studying, thinking about an upcoming internship or study abroad program, and doing your best to take time off from everything that's going on, college is a 24-7 commitment. But you are not alone in feeling stressed by student life.

Continue reading "Under Pressure & Overwhelmed" »

Want to know how students feel about what goes on in the Meriam Library? Nicole Williams talked to Carolyn Dusenbury, the Dean of the Library, and to a number of students to get their take on student conduct in the library. The results of her investigation are published in the 2/06/08 issue of the Orion.

What sorts of experiences have you had in the library? Do you think it is a good place to study? Do you have any suggestions for improvements? Please leave your comments. We would love to hear from you.

Posted by Sarah Blakeslee

Can't find what you're looking for on the library's website, the ReSEARCH Station? Use the new Site Search function we recently installed on our homepage . Simply enter your term in the site search box, for example historic photographs, and press the Go button. Your first result takes you to the Special Collections page where you can access over 2900 digitized historic photographs. Site Search can be used to locate information on our website and direct you to search tools and databases. But if you're looking for books, use the catalog ; or if it's articles that are eluding you try our research guides which will help you find appropriate databases for your topic.

Contributed By Kathy Glanville

Have you memorized the Library ID number on your Wildcat Card?

If you have, you will be disappointed to learn that we have recently changed the authentication needed to access your Library Account from the Meriam Library Catalog. Whereas before you needed to enter the 14 digit Library ID number (20200*@#!***%#) on the back of your Wildcat Card, we have switched to Campus Portal ID access. Now you can securely access your Library Account from any computer to check on due dates, renew books, and save preferred searches, using the same ID you use to access your portal account and email. We think that's a plus plus!!

[The exception: if you are a guest patron you'll still be required to authenticate using your name and library barcode number.]

Contributed by Sarah Blakeslee

Want to get to know the library better?
Meet in the lobby at noon on any of the days below to take a guided tour of the building.
Friday January 25
Monday - Wednesday January 28-30
Monday - Wednesday February 4-6

If you can't fit one of these guided tours into your schedule, an MP3 library tour is available for downloading at http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/tours/audiotour/index.html or check out a player with the tour preloaded in Limited Loan on the 1st Floor of the Library. There is also a walking tour handout available on the 2nd floor.
{posted by Sarah Blakeslee}

In December we bid a reluctant farewell to Kathi Fountain, who accepted a position as a reference librarian at Washington State University, Vancouver. Kathi joined the Reference Department at Meriam Library in 1999 as the subject liaison to the Political Science and Social Work departments. She was also our resident expert on law and public policy. Kathi helped create, and taught, the Research Skills in Politics, Law and Criminal Justice class required for Political Science majors. We will miss Kathi's expertise, enthusiasm, and infectious laugh.

Continue reading "Reference Librarian Kathi Fountain Joins WSU" »