WVU Libraries News » 2011 » January

Term Paper Clinic Returns for Spring Semester

momaxwell@wvu-ad.wvu.edu — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:55:22 +0000

Students can get individualized research assistance with their papers at the WVU Libraries Term Paper Clinic. A librarian can help students think of paper topics, use databases, find sources, organize their research, and use citation systems like MLA or APA.

Students can request a time and library (Downtown or Evansdale) that fits with their schedules by filling out the brief request form at www.libraries.wvu.edu/instruction/tpcform.html

Librarians are generally available 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more info on the clinic: www.libraries.wvu.edu/instruction/clinic.htm

Tax Forms Available at Downtown Campus Library and Online

momaxwell@wvu-ad.wvu.edu — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:11:10 +0000

State and federal tax forms are available at the Downtown Campus Library. Ask for assistance at the Reference Desk. Forms and publications are also available online. For Federal resources: www.irs.gov/formspubs. For West Virginia resources: www.state.wv.us/taxrev/personal.html.

New! Full-Text Dissertations Available

ppugh@wvu-ad.wvu.edu — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:27:39 +0000

The WVU Libraries now offer dissertations from Proquest Dissertations and Theses Fulltext (PQDT), providing access from the Library web site at http://www.libraries.wvu.edu/databases to over one million full-text dissertations, downloadable in PDF format.

PQDT is an invaluable resource for graduate students and faculty, who until now had to borrow copies of dissertations through the Interlibrary Loan Service. It includes dissertations from 700 academic institutions, with full-text available online for those added since 1997.

More than 70,000 new dissertations and theses are added each year. In addition to full-text, the database includes listings for dissertations from 1861 to the present day, with abstracts for those from 1980 to the present.

Renew Library Materials on Smartphone

momaxwell@wvu-ad.wvu.edu — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:26:18 +0000

Imagine you’re relaxing with friends or eating dinner and remember that you have an overdue library book. No need to rush to a computer or the library. If you have a smartphone, renewing a book is just a few thumb clicks away.

The WVU Libraries’ Mobile Web now enables users to renew books via a Web-enabled phone.

“We surveyed students about what services they’d like us to add to the Mobile Web, and they overwhelmingly asked for the ability to renew books,” said Penny Pugh, Head of Reference for the Downtown Campus Library.

The WVU Libraries launched their Mobile Web site last summer. Available at m.lib.wvu.edu, or through the link on the WVU Mobile Web page, the site provides access to the Libraries’ online catalog, MountainLynx, and mobile versions of EBSCOhost and RefWorks.

Along with renewing books, the site enables smartphone users to perform library research, find a book, locate an available computer at the Downtown Campus or Evansdale library, and ask a librarian a question.

Finding a workstation is simple. Detailed maps of the Downtown and Evansdale library, updated continuously, show available computers.

Ask a Librarian connects users with a librarian via Instant Message, email, phone, or texting. The services are staffed 9 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; and 2-11 p.m. Sunday.

Texting is available on all phones with texting capabilities. Simply text a message to 304-220-0919.

“If you can get a cell signal, you can get help from a librarian,” Pugh said.