Top Tens of 2011: Top Ten Fish Mascot Pictures

2011 Top Tens: Top Ten Fish Mascot Pictures

You might think this Fish Photography post is a little tongue in cheek, but little did you know how busy the library's beta fish has been in 2011. From updating our website to wearing a pink backpack, this little guy did his fair share of work!

Our mascot is named W. T. l'Orange, by the way. Stands for Wiggle Tail. He's French.

There was a slight misunderstanding when we had a BBQ this summer. Our Mascot was not to be on the menu.	Time To Go To School Fish!
This was Get Out the Vote Fish. No one knows what that phrase actually means.	This is Potassium Awareness Fish. Semper Potassiumus.
I know this looks horrific, even cannibalistic, but W.T. was just doing a photoshoot for Cabella's. He didn't actually go fishing for his cousins.	W.T. went for a boat ride with Frosty the Snowman. It was alright.
Here is the Fish ringing in the 2011 New Year. In reality it was dark in here, since the library was closed over break, but whatever.	For Halloween 2011, W. T. dressed as a fish in a hat.
We constantly are updating content on our website. The Fish helps out where he can.	I've run out of clever things to write. If you're still reading this far down, I commend your dedication to our beta fish. Perhaps you would like to clean his bowl?

Top Tens of 2011: What People are Reading

2011 Top Tens: Top Ten Books Read
Saint Mary’s students, faculty, and librarians are an erudite bunch. Just look at the exciting titles most checked out from our collection over the past year!

1. Learning in adulthood / Sharan B. Merriam
2. The flock / Joan Frances Casey
3. Introduction to rubrics: An assessment tool to save grading time, convey effective feedback, and promote student learning / Dannelle D. Stevens
4. Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice / Derald Wing Sue
5. Clinical handbook of couple therapy
6. Textbook of neonatal resuscitation / John Kattwinkel, Ed.
7. Walk out, walk on / Margaret J. Wheatley
8. Organization development and change / Thomas G. Cummings
9. --exciting 7 way tie--
   Solution-focused therapy / Bill O'Connell
   The ghost map: The story of London's most terrifying epidemic / Steven Johnson
   Where we stand: Class matters / bell hooks
   Farewell my Subaru: An epic adventure in local living / Doug Fine
   Assessment and treatment activities for children, adolescents, and families
   Blended learning in higher education / D. Randy Garrison
   Race, class gender: An anthology

Top Tens of 2011: Searching for Us

2011 Top Tens: Searching for TC Library’s Website from the Internet
No surprises here! Although apparently our qualitative/quantitative page is a favorite of people around the nation. We got these search terms from our Google Analytics account.

1. saint mary's university of Minnesota
2. smumn blackboard
3. smumn
4. smumn library
5. smumn.edu
6. st marys university mn
7. st. mary's university of minnesota
8. qualitative research vs quantitative research
9. www.smumn.edu
10. saint mary's university

---

2011 Top Tens: Top Ten States using TC Library’s Website (excluding MN and WI)
From California to New York, it seems the whole United States is finding us online. Read below to find out how many visitors we got from states around the nation.

1. Illinois (836 visitors)
2. California (591 visitors)
3. New York (553 visitors)
4. Texas (472 visitors)
5. Missouri (391 visitors)
6. Iowa (325 visitors)
7. Florida (270 visitors)
8. Pennsylvania (260 visitors)
9. Ohio (253 visitors)
10. Michigan (237 visitors)

Top Tens of 2011: Top Ten Busiest Days of 2011

Top Tens of 2011: Top Ten Busiest Days of 2011
Did you know that every time someone walks through the doors of TC Library we make note of that? Well, we do as long as our heads aren't buried helping people at the computers or answering a question over chat or email. So while our methods are perhaps a little inaccurate depending on how much multitasking we're doing on the desk, we do try to keep track of library space usage. In other words, we totally spy on you!

This top ten list is useful for those students and faculty who need to see and be seen, be en vogue, if you will, on the most popular days in the library.

1. Thurs., June 23rd. Art on Park opening this day.
2. Weds., Feb. 2nd. 
3. Tues., Jan. 25th.
4. Weds., June 29th. This is amazing, because we were closed for two hours at night. In case you care.
5. Weds., June 8th. 
6. Tues., July 12th. 
7. Thurs., Oct. 13th.
8. Tues., July 5th.  Interesting. Raring to go after an low key 4th of July weekend, I suppose.
9. Tues., Jan. 11th.
10. exciting 3 way tie!
    Weds,. June 1.
    Thurs., Mar. 3rd
    Mon., Jan. 10 First say of the semester.

Well, wasn't that a fun list?

New Year's Facelift: GVRL

Visit the new Gale Virtual Reference Library HERE.

Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) has a new interface. In early December, Gale "announced a totally redesigned user interface for Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL), its online ebook platform. After extensive user analysis and market feedback, the interface has been overhauled with improved navigation and organization, and a vibrant and engaging display to draw in students, researchers, professionals and general readers."

Lost? Watch a demo of the changes here.

Holidazzling New Books

In addition to being merry and caroling amongst the stacks, the librarians have purchased another round of patron-requested books. Check 'em out as you sip a glass of nog this holiday season.

• Intellectual character: what it is, why it matters, and how to get it / Ron Ritchhart; foreword by David Perkins.
• Outliers: the story of success / Malcolm Gladwell.
• Teaching reading to English language learners: insights from linguistics / Kristin Lems, Leah D. Miller, Tenena M. Soro.
• The nonprofit outcomes toolbox: a complete guide to program effectiveness, performance measurement, and results / Robert M. Penna; foreword by Ken Berger.
• The nonprofit mergers workbook: the leader's guide to considering, negotiating, and executing a merger / David La Piana.
• The Healing Power of Emotion: Affective Neuroscience, Development and Clinical Practice / Daniel Siegel.
• Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation. / Daniel Siegel.
• How we grieve: Relearning the world / Attig, Thomas.
• Multicultural Couple Therapy / Rastogi, Mudita.
• Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy / Walsh, Froma.
• The idea writers: copywriting in a new media and marketing era / Teressa Iezzi.

Thanksgiving Hours

TC Library will be closed over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Our hours are:

• Wednesday, November 23: 9am-12:00pm  (open for three hours)
• Thursday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Nov. 27: CLOSED
• Monday, November 28: Regular hours resume

                             ,+*^^*+___+++_
                       ,*^^^^              )
                    _+*                     ^**+_
                  +^       _ _++*+_+++_,         )
      _+^^*+_    (     ,+*^ ^          \+_        )
     {       )  (    ,(    ,_+--+--,      ^)      ^\
    { (@)    } f   ,(  ,+-^ __*_*_  ^^\_   ^\       )
   {:;-/    (_+*-+^^^^^+*+*<_ _++_)_    )    )      /
  ( /  (    (        ,___    ^*+_+* )   <    <      \
   U _/     )    *--<  ) ^\-----++__)   )    )       )
    (      )  _(^)^^))  )  )\^^^^^))^*+/    /       /
  (      /  (_))_^)) )  )  ))^^^^^))^^^)__/     +^^
 (     ,/    (^))^))  )  ) ))^^^^^^^))^^)       _)
  *+__+*       (_))^)  ) ) ))^^^^^^))^^^^^)____*^
  \             \_)^)_)) ))^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^)
   (_             ^\__^^^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^^^^)
     ^\___            ^\__^^^^^^))^^^^^^^^)\\           
          ^^^^^\uuu/^^\uuu/^^^^\^\^\^\^\^\^\^\         
             ___) >____) >___   ^\_\_\_\_\_\_\)         
            ^^^//\\_^^//\\_^       ^(\_\_\_\)

November's New Books

TC Library's current library display is all about new books! 
Come by and check them out or, if you see one or seven in the list below that you'd like to get your hands on, message or email us and we will mail them to your home. If the item is checked out, sign into your account and place a hold on it.
Just in time for a long Thanksgiving read-a-thon whilst the rest of the world watches football. (Including one very football-fanaticy-librarian, who shan't be reading over the break. Nay, she shall be shouting GO DUCKS!!!)

• Your brain at work: Strategies for overcoming distraction, regaining focus, and working smarter all day long / David Rock. © 2009
  
• Strengths-based batterer intervention: A new paradigm in ending family violence / Peter Lehmann, Catherine A. Simmons, editors. © 2009
• Culturally diverse and underserved populations of gifted students / Alexinia Y. Baldwin, editor. © 2004
• World religions for healthcare professionals / edited by Siroj Sorajjakool, Mark F. Carr, and Julius. © 2010
• The temperamental thread: How genes, culture, time and luck make us who we are / Jerome Kagan. © 2010
• Dreaming the myth onwards: New directions in Jungian therapy and thought / by Lucy Huskinson. © 2008
• Lean six sigma demystified / Jay Arthur. © 2011
• Contemporary body psychotherapy: The Chiron approach / by Linda Hartley. © 2009
• Food politics: How the food industry influences nutrition and health / Marion Nestle. © 2007

EBSCO Criminal Justice Database

Attention law abiding citizens! We have a new database!

Starting today, you can use EBSCO Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text. This new database contains over 200 full text trade magazines and journals. Topics covered include criminology, corrections, investigations, forensic science, substance abuse, and probation/parole.

Twin Cities Librarians decided to review ProQuest and EBSCO's criminal justice databases. In our review, we found EBSCO's Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text database to be superior for several reasons:

• EBSCO has more full-text titles than ProQuest.
• EBSCO searches yield higher numbers of relevant results.
• Everyone prefers EBSCO's interface (scientific fact).

Starting today, you have access to EBSCO's Criminal Justice database from our Databases A-Z page and the Security Management, Police Science, and Public Safety Administration subject guide. We have discontinued our subscription to ProQuest Criminal Justice Periodicals.

Closed Friday, November 4th

TC Library will be closed ALL DAY on Friday, November 4th. 
       We've got an exciting bookshelf installation going on that day, which means a huge mess of books, particle board, and power drills in the library. For your safety, we ask that you use the student lounge or computer labs upstairs in LaSalle Hall for computer use. You never know with librarians and power drills.
       Please email tclibrary@smumn.edu with any reference questions that day. We should be able to get back to you by the end of the day (if not, within 24 hours) with answers.

Wednesday, October 19th: Closed 9am-1pm

The library will be closed 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Wednesday, October 19th for a staff meeting. We apologize for the inconvenience!

New Books: Early October

What better way to spend the cold, fall days than inside reading a new book? Alas, Mother Nature is treating us to SUPER HOT AWESOME SUMMER WEATHER, so perhaps you can read some of our new books whilst reclining on a grassy knoll in the sun.

• Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage / 2005. By Stephanie Coontz
• Cover Letter Magic, 4th Ed: Trade Secrets of Professional Resume Writers / 2010. By Wendy S. Enelow
• Black Families in Therapy: Understanding the African American Experience / 2006. By Nancy Boyd-Franklin
• Dramatherapy and Social Theatre: Necessary Dialogues / 2009. By Sue Jennings
• The Psychobiology of Trauma and Resilience Across the Lifespan / 2011. By Douglas Delahanty
• Ignored, Shunned, and Invisible: How the Label Retarded Has Denied Freedom and Dignity to Millions / 2009. By David Smith
• The Elements of Resume Style: Essential Rules and Eye-Opening Advice for Writing Resumes and Cover Letters that Work / 2005. By Scott Bennett

Find It button down

Tuesday, 10/4. ALL FIXED! Terminator Arnold fixed Find It.


The Find It button in our databases will not be working Monday afternoon, October 3rd. We will update you when the linking system is back online.

I assume SkyNet has something to do with this.

Off Campus Database Access Down

ALL FIXED @ 4:40pm.

As of 4:00pm on Thursday, off campus library users are not able to access any of our subscription databases. You will receive this error message: Unable to locate address for databasename.com, please try again later.

Librarians are aware of the problem and will update you as we learn more.

Thanks for your patience. If you need to do research ASAP, please come to the Library or anywhere on campus to access our resources.

Library Hours

New Books = Fun

To our erudite readers:
TC Library purchases new books all the time, but we rarely alert the SMU community to our new purchases. Alas, we will change that right now! You may recall we have recently changed how we go about making purchases--read about this change here. It is called "Patron Driven Acquisitions."
Below are a few of our latest acquisitions. Click the link to find out what they're about and if they are available for check out. You can place a hold on one or all today!

• The emperor of all maladies : a biography of cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee. 2010.
• A real life : restoring what matters : family, good friends, and a true community by
  Ferenc Máté. 2011
• Rebuilding shattered lives : treating complex PTSD and dissociative disorders by James A. Chu. 2011.
• Stay healthy, live longer, spend wisely: Making intelligent choices in America's healthcare system by Davis Lui. 2007.
• Theory U : leading from the future as it emerges, the social technology of presencing by
  C. Otto Scharmer. 2009.
• Relationship therapy with same-sex couples by Jerry J. Bigner, Joseph L. Wetchler, editors. 2004.
• InterViews : learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing by Steinar Kvale, Svend Brinkmann. 2009.
  

Labor Day Hours

It's that time of year again: The bittersweet end of summer/beginning of fall. TC Library will be outside dabbling its toes in a lake; thus the Library will be closed on Monday (have to dry out the books).
Hours are below.

• Saturday, September 3rd: CLOSED
• Monday, September 5th: CLOSED
• Tuesday, September 6th: Regular semester hours resume.

New ProQuest Database Interface

ProQuest gets an upgrade. Click here to access a ProQuest database.
In August ProQuest databases revealed their new user interface. Improvement highlights include a cleaner look, more intuitive searching and search results pages, easier ways to limit to relevant search results, and an overall feel similar to another set of beloved databases--EBSCO. New features of ProQuest include:

• personal user accounts--save your research and access it anywhere
• persistent links to searches
• share your research on social networking sites
• customer-driver design

Below you'll find opportunities to learn how to use the new ProQuest database interface.

Online Training Materials

• TC Library's ProQuest database guide
• ProQuest's Quick Start Reference Overview
• ProQuest's in depth User Guide

FREE Training Webinars
Here is a great opportunity for students and faculty alike to go beyond the basics when searching in ProQuest.  Participate in free training webinars. Click the links below to learn more and sign up. Many times are available for you night/morning owls. You can also watch a recorded training session (but then you won't have the opportunity to ask questions).

• Click here to see dates and times of live and recorded webinars.
• Introduction to the New ProQuest Platform
• Upcoming times:
• Aug 30, 2011 9:00 am 
• Aug 30, 2011 8:00 am (French) 
• Sep 1, 2011 4:00 am (French) 
• Sep 1, 2011 8:00 am 
• Sep 6, 2011 1:00 pm 
• Sep 7, 2011 4:00 am 
• Sep 12, 2011 4:30 am 
• Sep 14, 2011 12:00 pm 
• Sep 15, 2011 4:30 am (Polish) 
• Sep 19, 2011 3:00 pm 
• My Research 
• Upcoming times: 
• Aug 31, 2011 4:00 am (French) 
• Sep 9, 2011 2:00 pm 
• Sep 12, 2011 8:00 am 
• Sep 19, 2011 12:00 pm 
• Oct 21, 2011 4:00 am 
• Nov 3, 2011 5:00 am

Hold Request Button on Hold

August 30th Update:
WORKS AGAIN! Just looks a bit different. Try it out.

You are currently unable to place holds on books in our library catalog. When you try, you'll get this error:

•  There was a problem with your Hold Request. Unable to create title level request. No available items associated with record.
  

Who even knows what that means. Don't panic. Instead, email tclibrary@smumn.edu or call 612-728-5108 with your hold requests and we'll take care of them for you.

The reason this error is occuring is because our MnPALS library catalog system was updated on August 24th, and, with all technology changes, there are some issues that need to be worked out. MnPALS is investigating the possible solutions and will fix this problem.

Friday, Aug. 19 Hours

Hello Library Users,

TC Library is open 9am-11:30am and 3pm-5pm on Friday, August 19th. We're closed from 11:30am-3pm due to the annual SMU Staff Picnic. We'll be open from 8am-3pm Saturday, August 20th. Last day of the semester!

Find It button & Gale Databases

9/2/11 Update: Problem fixed!


SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS. Sometimes it doesn't. But you should be aware:

• Our suite of Gale databases is inaccessible when entered via the Find it button in another database or through Google Scholar. You get an error message that says the database is down. THIS IS NOT THE CASE!
• FIX: 
1. Enter the Gale database from our Databases A-Z page.
2. Do an article title search.
3. Retrieve your article!

Apologies for the inconvenience. We are working with Gale on it.

Database seemingly affected:

• Expanded Academic ASAP 

ILL Textbook Policy Change

As of Fall Semester 2011, the Twin Cities Campus Library is implementing a change to our interlibrary loan textbook-ordering policy. The policy is below. You can also read it here.

Though we understand that textbook prices are high, Twin Cities Campus Library will not order any edition of a book that is required in a course syllabus (in other words, textbook) through Interlibrary Loan for the following reasons:

• Interlibrary loan services are not intended for ordering textbooks.

Interlibrary loan services were established to assist students and faculty with borrowing supplementary materials for class related research.

• Purchasing textbooks is the responsibility of the student.

Similar to paying tuition and fees, acquiring textbooks and other required course materials is the responsibility of the student.

• Interlibrary loan services do not meet student needs for ordering textbooks.
  • Most libraries do not purchase textbooks.
    Most libraries do not purchase textbooks for their collections, including Saint Mary's. If a library does purchase a textbook for its collection, the textbook is often placed on restricted course reserve for use by their students.
  • Interlibrary loan books take 1-2 weeks to arrive.
    Because so few libraries own textbooks, we often have to request textbooks from out-of-state libraries. The process of requesting, shipping, and receiving the textbooks takes 1-2 weeks.
  • Students can only keep interlibrary loan textbooks for three weeks.
    Loan periods set by lending libraries do not allow students to keep a textbook for an entire course.

We welcome feedback and comments.

Free Books

Free books for Saint Mary's University students and staff!

What makes an August day even better? Lugging a pile of free books home in the hot, humid weather! Not only are individual book pages great at absorbing the perspiration you will no doubt shed as you carry the books home, but you can also read them once you've set them out to dry.

So come on down to TC Library! We have a whole big rolly-cart of free books for you. Many are in the fields of business and psychology.

EBSCO's Find It Button Unavailable

The Find It button and many java script functions in the search results of all EBSCO databases are currently unavailable when using Google Chrome AND Mozilla Firefox. Regarding Firefox, this issue may be limited to using the newest versions of Firefox available. Issues noticed with EBSCO databases when used in Google Chrome and Firefox:

• On the search page, the "Choose Databases" link does not work. You can't select multiple databases to search simultaneously.
• Hitting "Enter" after you type in search terms does not execute the search. You have to click the Search button.
• The Find It button in the search results for all EBSCO databases does not work.
• Choosing or expanding limiting options on the search results page do not work. These include the date slider-bar and any list to be expanding, like source types, subject and thesaurus terms, and publications.
• Clicking the link to go to the next page of search results also does not work. Awesome.

Until this issue is fixed, try using Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, or Opera.  This is an issue between EBSCO and Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox and a fix is not expected until Fall. EBSCO's support page says:

• Note: While many features may work using Google Chrome, EBSCOhost does not officially support the browser at this time. Full support for the Google Chrome browser is planned for Fall 2011.

Read more from EBSCO here.

We apologize for the inconvenience!

4th of July Weekend Hours

TC Library will be closed Saturday, July 02 - Monday, July 04 in honor of Independence Day. Regular library hours will resume Tuesday, July 5th.


 Have a safe and happy long weekend!

And don't worry, Will Smith's got your back.

Not sure what Jeff Goldblum's got. He'll probably bring some chips to your 4th of July BBQ. Yeah.

Thursday, June 9th: CLOSED 9am - 1pm

The library will be closed 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 9th for a staff meeting. We apologize for the inconvenience!

Mobile Website Survey

This happens to me All. The. Time. I wake up at 2am thinking "what are TC Library’s hours on Thursday?" If only I was able to check their hours on my smartphone and go back to bed…but I cannot so I spend hours lying awake pondering the hours of operation. My cat hates it.
For this reason alone, TC Library is developing a mobile website. OK, actually, mobile computing puts learning into the hands of students, anytime, anywhere. Mobile content is convenient, proactive, and available at the user’s point of need. Higher education via mobile is the future.
In order to meet your needs and wants, please take this brief survey asking what you would like to see and do on TC Library’s mobile website. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE! Heck, you can even take it on your phone if you scan the QR code.

Memorial Day Hours

Happy Memorial Day SMU Community.
In honor of Memorial Day, TC Library will be closed Monday, May 30th.
Normal hours resume Tuesday.
Have a safe and happy long weekend--the unofficial start to summer!

Counseling & Therapy in Video still on semester break

5/10/11: All better now.

5/09/11: The streaming video database Counseling & Therapy in Video is currently not letting us access videos. While you can access the front page of the database, you are unable to perform searches or watch streaming video.
We will update you as soon as this issue has been resolved.
This database is likely skipping school and planting veggies in its garden, since Mother Nature finally decided to let Spring arrive in Minnesota.

SMU Authors

Hey SMU Community, Did you know you're surrounded by published authors? Even better, did you know that you can find a lot of those published resources right here in TC Library?

• Click here to find books and videos authored by your fellow students and faculty.

If you or someone you know (who is connected with the SMU community) has authored a book or video, let a TC Librarian know! We would love to add your item to our collection.

Also, please note how hip Shakespeare is to your right.

Closed over Semester Break

Twin Cities Library closed Friday, April 22 - Sunday, May 8

TC Library will be closed to students over Easter Weekend and the two week semester break. Ask a Librarian, our instant chat service, will NOT be available during semester break. Many services will still be available, however.

1. You can still access and order thousands of articles, books, and videos online.
2. Students waiting for items ordered through Interlibrary Loan can still pick up their items. Pick up your Interlibrary Loan items at the front reception desk of LaSalle Hall between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday-Friday. Bring your student ID card.
3. Interlibrary Loan requests will still be processed during semester break.
4. If you have questions for the librarians during the break, please email tc-library@smumn.edu

Computers will be available for student use in the Student Lounge and in all campus computer labs.
Enjoy your break from classes, and here’s looking forward to an outstanding summer semester!

Gale Databases Down

Wednesday, March 02: Databases working again.

February 28: Databases down in most Internet browsers. Access a weird text-based version of them using Google Chrome. Talk to a librarian to get Chrome installed on your computer.

Just like Jay Sean or even Kenny Powers, our suite of Gale databases is down today. We are aware of the problem but unless it fixes itself, we probably won't be able to rectify the situation until Monday. We'll keep you posted! Databases affected include:

• Expanded Academic ASAP
• Gale General Science Collection
• Educator's Reference Complete

Interlibrary Loan Unavailable-Sat., Jan. 29

Interlibrary Loan is unavailable Saturday, January, 29 due to a migration to a new catalog. Interlibrary loan book and article requests may be submitted on Sunday, January 30 and thereafter.

All items requested on Friday and Sunday will be received.

Thursday, January 27th: CLOSED 9:00 am-1:00 pm

The library will be closed 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 27th for a staff meeting. We apologize for the inconvenience!

MLK Day Hours

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., TC Library will be closing at 5:00pm on Monday, January 17th. Enjoy the holiday!

Psychology Databases via EBSCO

PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO are now searchable via EBSCO.

EBSCO is known for its user-friendly search features, ease of gaining access to full text, and the ability to set up personal research accounts and save articles, searches, and more. PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO are know for their depth and breadth of resources for psychology. Could database searching for our Couns/Psyc, MFT, and PsyD students be any better? Could research and reading be any more fun? Nay, could anything be any better or more fun? But I digress. Psychology-specific search limits like age, study methodology, and population group are available in these databases.

If you'd like to set up an appointment with a librarian to explore these databases, please contact us. See our PsycARTICLES/PsycINFO database search guide here.

Happy searching!