Reminder, Patrons: Mardi Gras Break!

Just wanted to remind you guys that Mardi Gras Break begins this Friday at 1pm, when the whole campus closes. We will be closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, February 3 through February 5.

We will reopen Wednesday, February, at 7:30am and remain open until 5:30pm. Classes and regular library hours will resume Thursday, February 7.

If you're planning to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans, please be safe and have fun!

Wall Street Journal trial

Carita Alexander has found us a trial version of the WSJ that will last until February 27th.

To log in to your trial, go to:
http://trials.proquest.com/ptc?userid=2529628

The password? Well, I wouldn't feel comfortable telling it to just anyone, but here's a hint: You know when someone puts a mat outside the front door? It's what the mat usually says.

Various things for the CBA

I've talked with various people at the CBA about their resources (mostly Finance). Here are some answers to questions they had:

Carita Alexander and I have figured out that EBSCO host does have access to the Journal of Finance in EBSCOHOST, from 1948 to the present. There's a limit to what can go here, though; it has to be out for a year before it appears in full text here. Otherwise, there is only an abstract. That's a limit set by the publisher of the journal.

Speaking of EBSCO, It has been suggested that we think about getting a different version of EBSCO's Business Source database, to see if one of the other versions might be better. Here are links to what EBSCO says about their products:

Business Source® Elite
Business Source® Complete
Business Source® Premier

I've looked at the list of titles for each, and in a nutshell Business Source Complete, which is what we currently have access to, has the largest number of titles.

Still speaking of EBSCOHOST... Ever tried the Enhanced Business Searching Interface (the link for that appears right under the normal Business Source completes link in the database list)?
Being used to and fairly happy with normal EBSCO, I never looked until recently myself. This provides faster access to specific kinds of resources:

I don't know if that's going to be of any help at all, but I sort of like it.


I've also taken a closer look at D&B Key Business Ratios as a provider of business ratios, which has solicited us. They say that they have 14 Key Business ratios. I'm unsure if I'm interested in this product, but it is one to consider.

About the Wall Street Journal...
When I heard the fairly shocking news that Rupert Murdoch acquired the WSJ some weeks ago, I thought 1) I really hope this doesn't destroy its integrity and 2) I wonder if that's going to complicate getting a new subscription? I've contacted the WSJ's customer service about options for access, and I'll have more to to say about that when they reply.

I've also asked Standard & Poor’s about electronic access to their Industry Surveys, which we have in print up to 2006.

Random Factoid: Vodka for Cleaning

The Dean and several of us reference librarians were chatting a bit this morning, which led to a discussion of cleaning habits. Some of us are more obsessive-compulsive than others, which led to a discussion of ways to clean clothes.

I shared this method of cleaning costumes that I learned from a costumer: sometimes costumers will spray costumes with vodka to "clean" them or freshen them up, when there isn't time to wash or dry-clean costumes between performances. The vodka dries quickly, doesn't leave behind any kind of scent, and kills bacteria, which cause smells. And it doesn't matter which vodka you use, so it could potentially be more cost-effective than frequent dry-cleaning!

And that's a random factoid from a librarian. :D

Coming Up Soon: Mardi Gras Break

So, library patrons, we are approaching one of the first big breaks of the semester: Mardi Gras! We will have special hours during Mardi Gras, which are posted on the ULM Library Homepage, but just in case you miss them: we will be closed Sunday, February 3, through Tuesday, February 5. We will reopen Wednesday, February 6, at 7:30am and remain open until 5:30pm. Classes - and regular library hours - will resume Thursday, February 7.

Anybody want to share their Mardi Gras break plans? I know this librarian is going to attend some parades and spend some time with family and friends!

Welcome back, library patrons!

Welcome back, returning students, faculty, and staff! Welcome, new students, faculty, and staff! I am sure we are all looking forward to the spring semester! Anybody want to share their New Year's Resolutions? Hopefully they will include devoting more time to studying, especially at the library! :D

January Book Display: Wild Diversity of Books From Your Federal Government

There is a small display on the 2nd floor, University Library, exhibiting the variety of interesting books published by the federal government: travel books, art books, a Hebrew diplomatic dictionary, quilting, folklife, water conservation, aviation, educational statistics, military hardware, etc., etc.

The books are on display near the central stairs on the 2nd floor (to the left of the elevator lobby).

All of the books on display--and hundreds of thousands more--government publications may be checked out by students, faculty, and staff, just like any other book. All the federal materials are listed in the iLink online catalog.

Check 'em out!

New U.S. Census Map Shows Congressional Districts

During this 2008 election year, you may find it interesting and illuminating to look at a new map issued by the U.S. Census which shows all the federal congressional districts.

The map has been posted on the north (exterior) wall of the University Library, on the 2nd floor, just beyond the map cases.

Enjoy!