In early October the UWRF library fully implemented our new and improved search interface called SuperSearch. SuperSearch is a tool with advanced features making researching more efficient and personalized.

With SuperSearch you can:

• search multiple types of informational resources simultaneously using a single interface. Instead of using the library catalog to find books, individual journal databases to find articles, and various e-resources and web portals for supplemental research materials, you can search for all of these all at once.

• Save individual records or lists of entire search results in your own personal e-shelf.

• Set up and save your own customized Search Sets or use sets already configured for specific disciplines.

SuperSearch has replaced the Journal Articles link that was the entrance point to all databases from the library’s homepage. All resources formerly found through this link will be redirected to SuperSearch.

Visit 5 Ways to SuperSearch Happiness for demos and tips or contact the Research Help Desk at 425-3343. If you would like to schedule an instructional class contact Tom Smisek at 425-3312.

During the Spring 2007 semester the Circulation Department began offering a laptop check out program. Currently, two types of laptops are available: Apple MacBooks (w/ 2GHz Intel Core Duo, 60GB hard drive) and Dell Latitude D620 Notebook (1.83GHz Intel Core Duo, 80GB hard drive). All laptops are wireless enabled and networked through the campus wireless network, Falcon Air. The program has been very well received with a total of well over 1300 check outs since beginning the program earlier this year.

Currently there are eight laptops are available for check out to students. They cannot be reserved in advance and are available on a first come-first serve basis. Because the program was funded by the Student Technology Fee, these eight computers are available to current registered students only. Check out periods vary from 4 hours, 4 hours overnight, 24 hours or the weekend.

A laptop check out program is also available to UWRF faculty and staff. Three Dells and one Apple laptop are available for up to seven days. Reservations can be made via email or by calling the Circulation Desk at 425-3321.

All borrowers must sign a responsibility agreement form. For more information, please visit the Laptop Check Out Program web page or call the Circulation Desk at 715-425-3321.

A Way to Search for NEW TITLES

The library has recently added a new search feature to the online catalog. Now, along with the Simple Search, Advanced Search, and Course Reserves tabs, you’ll see a “New Books” tab.

Click to see an enlarged image of the New Books search screen.

This tab allows you to see all new items the library has received over the past four weeks. Searches can be limited by location (Reference Stacks, Curriculum Materials Collection, Government Documents, AV Room, etc.) and by time span (up to 4 weeks). Results can be sorted by call number, title, or author. There is also an optional search that will let you look for terms in the title and author fields.

New Borrowing Privileges for Local High Schoolers

The UW-River Falls Chalmer Davee Library recently partnered with 25 local school districts to establish free access to library resources for high school students. River Falls High School media specialist Cheryl Hoffman played a pivotal role in launching this initiative. Sharing resources in this manner is hoped to inspire students to utilize the university library and perhaps to pursue an advanced education.

Students must fill out an application form and have a parent or guardian sign it before they can receive a library card. Application forms can be found at partnering high schools or at the UW-River Falls library’s Circulation Desk.

For additional information, please call 425-3321.

Celebrating Research, Scholarship & Creative Achievement (CRSCA) 2008 is approaching. CRSCA is an annual event sponsored by the Chalmer Davee Library, the Office of Grants & Research, and the Provost to honor the academic and creative achievements of UWRF faculty and staff. All faculty and staff are encouraged to submit books, journal articles, academic posters, playbills, works of art, etc. that have been published, presented, performed or exhibited in 2007. Submissions must be received by February 1st. Visit the CRSCA website to review complete guidelines and to submit your work.

Thanks to the undergraduate tuition differential initiative passed earlier this year the library was able to hire additional support staff to begin offering extended hours. As of September 4, 2007 the library began staying open until 1 a.m. weeknights as opposed to 11 p.m. Weekend hours have been extended as well. The extra hours have been very well received by our students. The entended hours do not apply to other departments within the library building such as the University Archives and Area Research Center. Visit the Hours page for more information.

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The Curriculum Materials Collection (CMC) has a brand new look! Sections of the CMC have been rearranged in order to make the collection more browseable.

• All CMC reference materials and CMC journals have been removed from the upper floor and integrated into the reference collection and journal stacks on the main level of the library.
  
• The CMC Historical books have been integrated into the regular CMC collection.
  
• CMC textbooks are now grouped by grade level and subject.
  
• CMC kits are being moved to the CMC historical shelves.

      See the new CMC area map.

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Several mineralogical articles written by UWRF Geology professor Dr. William S. Cordua have been added to the MINDS@UW project. Cordua's articles have appeared in the Leaverite News newsletter of the St. Croix Rockhounds in Stillwater, MN and have been frequently reprinted in other newsletters. Some have won regional and national awards through the Midwest Federation and American Federation.

View Dr. Cordua's articles or visit the MINDS@UW-River Falls homepage. If you are interested in submitting materials to MINDS@UW contact Cataloging and Metadata Librarian Heidi Southworth at 425-3924.

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Group Study Room 327C on the upper level of the library is now equipped with LCD projection equipment. Users can bring their own laptop or check out a laptop dedicated to users of Room 327 from the Circulation Desk on the main level. Users must also check out the remote control for the projection equipment at the Circulation Desk. Room 327 will remain open to library patrons unless it has been reserved by a group or individual wishing to use the projection equipment. For additional information or to reserve the room, please call the Circulation Desk at 425-3321.

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Two authors recently spoke at the library.

In late September Masha Hamilton read from her latest novel, The Camel Bookmobile. The book was inspired by Hamilton's visit to Kenya in which she traveled with "camel-mobile libraries," in which books are transported via camel throughout the region and distributed by traveling librarians. Masha is one of many who are involved in an effort to make reading materials accessible to the impoverished, semi-nomadic people living in northeastern Kenya. Book drives have taken place across the world enabling these mobile libraries to expand into more and more remote areas of Kenya where reading materials are in great demand. The library sponsored a book drive in conjunction with her visit. Thank you to everyone who donated books.

On October 17th, the library welcomed UWRF alumna, teacher, and author, Evelyn Klein. Klein read from her latest book of poetry, From Here Across the Bridge. Klein currently teaches and runs a reading group at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis.

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The library's ongoing book sale has lowered prices.

Paperbacks are now 25 cents-
Hardcover are now 50 cents-
Videos are now $1-

The book sale shelf is located in the front of the library near the Research Help Desk. Titles are added to the sale on a daily basis.

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The UW-River Falls Area Research Center & University Archives recently received a UWRF Foundation Faculty Grants Committee grant to purchase digital microform scanning equipment. The grant, which is funded by contributions from UWRF alumni and friends, will go toward the purchase of an ST-200 Digital Microform Scanner with a MOCA (microfiche & opaque card attachment), as well as a PC and laser printer. The purchase is welcome news to the ARC staff as well as patrons who are familiar with the drawbacks of using microform data. Modern digital scanning equipment offers many advantages over traditional reader/printers including automated operation, advanced editing and storage capabilities, and a more compact size, all of which contribute greatly to the overall experience of researchers.

Database Traffic: On the Rise

Thanks to a Student Technology Fee grant the library recently upgraded from Academic Search Elite to Academic Search Premier. This upgrade means a significant increase in the library's capacity to provide the UW-River Falls community with immediate access to high quality, full-text scholarly journals in a broad range of disciplines.

Just since the fall semester began, users have conducted 53,743 searches using Academic Search Premier and have accessed 664,643 abstracts and 141,122 full text articles!

Additional databases to show significant increases in usage over the past year include:

ABI Inform
Biomedical Reference Collection
BIOSIS
Criminal Justice Periodical Index
Ethnic Newswatch
GenderWatch
Hoover’s Company Records

LibraryThing is a website that allows users to catalog their own personal virtual library. It’s an easy, innovative way to keep track of books you’ve already read and books you want to read in the future.  You can also write your own reviews or read reviews by other members, join or create reader groups, share your library, and more.
 
Based on your personal library, LibraryThing can analyze and recommend books according to your tastes.  There’s even an amusing Unsuggester that “recommends” books that you would probably not enjoy. 

Using LibraryThing is easy and free. After a quick registration just enter a title or author and LibraryThing completes the catalog record for you.

Tour LibraryThing now!

    Ever wondered where the Chalmer Davee Library got its name?

Dr. Chalmer Davee (1903-1983), attended River Falls Normal School graduating from the three-year teaching program in 1922. He went on to become a commander in the U.S. Navy, a teacher and eventually a Regent for the UW System. Davee was primarily responsible for UWRF becoming accredited in the liberal arts in 1951. Read more...