Summer Reading Program is over and
August has begun, and that means one thing: Back To School. Sorry to
bombard you with it, I know you've been seeing the signs in every retail
location since mid-July. The library is not trying to sell you a lunch
box, however. We want you to know about the library services and
resources available—for free—that can help you start the school year on the
right foot.
1. Computers, wi-fi, and printing. Public computers are available here in the library, and they all have internet access, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. All library users can start with a 55-minute session and, depending on how full the library is, ask for time extensions. For students with laptops, we have free wi-fi available to support your research. Many of the tables and work stations in the Heritage Addition and throughout the library are conveniently located next to power outlets, so pull up a chair. And if you just need to print, the library offers black-and-white printing for $0.25 per page, so you can hand those papers in on time.
2. Databases. The library offers a number of resources to help you find relevant information for your projects. Supplement in-class instruction with Mango Languages, now offering 49 different language courses. Access every issue, map, book, or movie made by National Geographic-- a great start for your projects in history, geography, and science. New databases that will soon be available through the library include CultureGrams (covering over 180 countries plus U.S. states and Canada), History Study Center (with reference material on 14 centuries of history), ProQuest Learning: Literature (180,000 full texts, plus criticism and biographies), and SIRS Discoverer (over 1,900 magazines, newspapers, and government documents from 1981 to present). All of the library's databases can be accessed from www.neill-lib.org/databases from anywhere: you just need your library card.
3. Print resources and other physical items. Remember books? The library still has those, too. Fiction for a book report? Check. Biographies on famous historical figures for a project? Check. Math books, science project ideas, and books about penguins? Check to the third power. Books are still great resources to get your project off the ground. Search the catalog from home at http://ipac.neill-lib.org/ to see what you can find. Begin with a keyword search for general research questions (“science projects,” “French history,” or “biomes,” for example), or try by title or author if you’re looking for a particular book (“Dickens, Charles,” or “The Giver”). Ask your librarian to show you the secret power of Subject Headings to super-charge your searches.
1. Computers, wi-fi, and printing. Public computers are available here in the library, and they all have internet access, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. All library users can start with a 55-minute session and, depending on how full the library is, ask for time extensions. For students with laptops, we have free wi-fi available to support your research. Many of the tables and work stations in the Heritage Addition and throughout the library are conveniently located next to power outlets, so pull up a chair. And if you just need to print, the library offers black-and-white printing for $0.25 per page, so you can hand those papers in on time.
2. Databases. The library offers a number of resources to help you find relevant information for your projects. Supplement in-class instruction with Mango Languages, now offering 49 different language courses. Access every issue, map, book, or movie made by National Geographic-- a great start for your projects in history, geography, and science. New databases that will soon be available through the library include CultureGrams (covering over 180 countries plus U.S. states and Canada), History Study Center (with reference material on 14 centuries of history), ProQuest Learning: Literature (180,000 full texts, plus criticism and biographies), and SIRS Discoverer (over 1,900 magazines, newspapers, and government documents from 1981 to present). All of the library's databases can be accessed from www.neill-lib.org/databases from anywhere: you just need your library card.
3. Print resources and other physical items. Remember books? The library still has those, too. Fiction for a book report? Check. Biographies on famous historical figures for a project? Check. Math books, science project ideas, and books about penguins? Check to the third power. Books are still great resources to get your project off the ground. Search the catalog from home at http://ipac.neill-lib.org/ to see what you can find. Begin with a keyword search for general research questions (“science projects,” “French history,” or “biomes,” for example), or try by title or author if you’re looking for a particular book (“Dickens, Charles,” or “The Giver”). Ask your librarian to show you the secret power of Subject Headings to super-charge your searches.
Our physical items aren’t limited to
books: Worried about finishing book reports? Start early with a Book on
CD. Need to work on a project while out of town for a school break?
See if we have a downloadable book on your topic. The library also has a large collection of
media, from classical CDs to help you focus, to DVDs, including foreign films,
Bill Nye the Science guy, and documentaries on a variety of topics.
4. Help. Your librarians are here every hour the library is open to help you. What can a librarian do for you? Help you narrow your topic and focus your research. Discuss good and not-so-good internet sources. Help you find the books on the shelves. Show you how to use databases. Help you print your paper. Refer you to other places to find great resources.
Plan ahead for your projects so we have plenty of time to help you! We'll help you make the 2013/14 school year a success!
4. Help. Your librarians are here every hour the library is open to help you. What can a librarian do for you? Help you narrow your topic and focus your research. Discuss good and not-so-good internet sources. Help you find the books on the shelves. Show you how to use databases. Help you print your paper. Refer you to other places to find great resources.
Plan ahead for your projects so we have plenty of time to help you! We'll help you make the 2013/14 school year a success!
by Sarah Morrison,
Adult Services Librarian
published 8-17-13 in Moscow-Pullman Daily News
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