IM or Text a Librarian

Students now may ask a Librarian questions via instant message or text. Below are the library's IM screen names for each major service. Plus, on the library's contact page is a Meebo box. You may input your question directly into the box (no need to open any IM program). Texting instruction are also provided. The librarians are on at variable times.

Add our screen name(s) to your buddy list.

• MSN - nsu_librarian@hotmail.com
• AOL - nsulibrarian
• Yahoo - nsu_librarian
• GTalk/Jabber- nsulibrarian@gmail.com

Finding Stats in Lexis-Nexis Statistical DataSets

Lexis-Nexis has repackaged its statistical database into a more functional tool, LN Statistical DataSets. If you are looking for statistics, start here. The interface is easy to use and interactive. You may select multiple data points based on criteria (year, location, etc). You may browse the contents of the collection, select subjects and variable of interest, and view your data in side-by-side tables and charts. Plus, you can download the data and charts into multiple formats/programs (Excel, .cvs, SAS, PDF, etc).

NOTE: Lexis-Nexis Statistical DataSets demo

Citation tool in Facebook

OCLC WorldCat has created CiteMe and WorldCat, a Facebook Applications. The CiteMe app is useful for citing physical items (books, videos, etc.) only. Select the CiteMe application from your apps list and search for the book title you want to cite. Once you find the book you want to cite, select the citation style (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago or Turabian). The WorldCat app does the same thing, but provides a bit more information about the title. For citing via the WorldCat app, select Format a Citation once you found the item you want to cite. The app is a lite version of WorldCat, which provides citation, library location and other information about each title.

Note: Always manually check the citation after using any automated citation tool. Facebook also has an article citation app, but it is not very good.

New books in the LIbrary

This spreadsheet lists the new books in the Williams Library. The spreadsheet is arranged by subject (select a subject area at the top of the page). The spreadsheet will be updated monthly. The books are located in the New Book collection, which is in the round room. You may also subscribe to the individual subject pages via RSS, which will automatically inform you of any updates/changes to the subject page.

NOTE: Video demo on RSS in Plain English by Common Craft

Renew books online

Did you know you can renew library books online? Before the library book/video, etc is due, use the library catalog to renew the item. Access the library catalog, select My Library Card (top of screen), login with 14 digit barcode (215...), which is on the back of your student ID, and password (your last name). Next select Loans and renew the item(s).
Renew books video demonstration

Basic Computing Tips

David Pogue's "Basic Computing Tips" is quite useful. This blog post provide basic computing and camera tips that everyone should know. Scan the readers' comments too. David Pogue is a technology writer for the New York Times.

Tuition & Fees database

The Chronicle of Higher Education has just created a database of undergraduate tuition and required fees of 3100 private and public universities, colleges, and community colleges. "This Chronicle.com - Tuition & Fees database shows the tuition and required fees at more than 3,100 colleges and universities in the academic years 2007-8 and 2008-9 as well as earlier years. For 2008-9, charges for both state residents and out-of-state residents are listed. The 2007-8 figures cover state residents only."

Bookmobile via burro

The NYTimes article, Acclaimed Colombian Institution has 4,800 Books and 10 legs, is about a man who travels around his Colombian province via burros to deliver books to people in remote areas. This story of Luis Soriano work biblioburro is wonderful and touches on the power of literacy.

South Dakota Election Guide 2008

This Election 2008 subject guide was created to inform faculty/staff and students about the candidates and issues citizens will vote on November 4, 2008. Last day to register in South Dakota is October 20.

The guide includes information on local, state, and national races. South Dakota's election also includes seven ballot issues (4 constitutional amendments, 3 initiated measures). Please review the guide and make suggestions.

Access eBooks for free

The Williams Library and others provide online access to electronic books (eBooks). The free services provide access to classics, historical texts, and other titles published before 1923 (i.e. copyright). NetLibrary houses current titles on a wide range of subjects. Browse and search these different eBook databases. Below is a list of ebook provides. More information is available on the ebook page.

• NetLibrary (NSU only)
  Collection of electronic books (13,000) covering a wide range of disciplines. The library catalog also includes NetLibrary records (In the catalog select the link in record to access the ebook).


• Oxford Scholarship Online (NSU only)
  Full texts of over 700 Oxford titles in economics and finance, philosophy, political science, and religion. The library catalog also includes Oxford records (In the catalog select the link in record to access the ebook).


• Project Gutenberg
  Project Gutenberg is the first and largest single collection (20,000) of free electronic books, or eBooks. Select Bookshelf to see the eBooks by category.


• Internet Archive - Texts
  The Internet Archive is a non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library, with the purpose of offering permanent access for researchers, etc. in the digital format. Texts is one aspect of the site. Also, check out the sub-collections in the middle of the Texts' homepage.


• Online Books (University of Pennsylvania)
  The Online Books Page is a website that facilitates access to books that are freely readable over the Internet. It also aims to encourage the development of such online books, for the benefit and edification of all.


• Google Books
  Google and its library partners are scanning books and making them available to the public. The out-of-copyright titles are available full-text (or All Text). Use the Advanced Search for more precise searching.