What WAS New at OSU Libraries

What WAS New Archives | What's New

What WAS New: June 1998 - December 1998

Web Versions of Historical Abstracts and America: History and Life on Trial Through November

America: History and Life is a complete bibliographic reference to the history of the United States and Canada from prehistory to the present. Published since 1964, the database comprises almost 400,000 bibliographic entries, providing an incomparable research tool for students and researchers of US and Canadian history.

Historical Abstracts is your complete reference guide to the history of the world from 1450 to the present (excluding the United States and Canada, which are covered in America: History and Life). Published since 1954, Historical Abstracts has long been recognized as the leading bibliography for historical study in the world. Currently over 2,000 journals published throughout the world are covered in the database.

To access these databases, go to the http://0-serials.abc-clio.com.oasis.oregonstate.edu/. After selecting a database by clicking on its title, you will be prompted for a username and password:

  • Username: orbis
  • Password: prefbt

Databases on trial through November: Ethnic NewsWatch, Alt-HealthWatch and GenderWatch.

All three databases are provided by Softline.

Ethnic NewsWatch: News, Culture and History from 200 publications of the ethnic, minority and native press. 400,000+ complete articles dating back to 1990.

Gender Watch: Enlarging the Scope of Women 'R'. 125 international publications plus reports, pamphlets, papers and conference proceedings devoted to women and gender issues. Archival material dating back to the mid 1970's.

Alt-Health Watch: 120 international publications focused on all areas of alternative, holistic, complementary and integrated approaches to health care and wellness -- with images. Dating back to 1990.

The Softline Information screen displays logos for all three databases. After selecting a database, you will be prompted for a user ID and password:

  • User ID: orbis
  • Password: Arta

Library Photocopy Service Moves to Circulation Desk

The Valley Library Photocopy Service has moved its service point to the Circulation desk near the main entrance to the library. Patrons will now be able to check out books and drop off special requests for copy orders at one central location. As an added convenience, students and faculty will be able to charge orders to their university accounts. Self service photocopiers are still available on each floor and in the Photocopy Center on 2nd floor. Enhancements in the Photocopy Center include a self service color copier and additional duplex machines. For information about our services, please call 737-7309.

Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe Now Available on the Web

Oregon State University faculty, students and staff now have access to Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, a full-text resource that offers comprehensive news, business and legal information via the Web. It includes articles and transcripts for a number of newspapers, magazines and radio and TV news programs as well as legal material and other reference sources. OSU Libraries subscribes to the database through the Orbis consortium of libraries.

Library Signs Agreement to Switch Online Catalog System

At the end of July, 1998, the OSU Libraries signed a contract with Innovative Interfaces Inc. to provide a new online public access catalog (OPAC). It is hoped that the switch to the new system will occur in December of this year.

The decision to migrate from the Geac automated library system to the Innovative Interfaces system enables the Oregon State University Libraries to share resources through the ORBIS consortium. ORBIS is an online public access catalog that combines information from 13 Pacific Northwest academic libraries into a single unified database. The new Innovative Interfaces system includes a web-based catalog which will allow users to link directly to cataloged Internet resources and permits online borrowing privileges between 13 Pacific Northwest academic libraries in the ORBIS consortium.

Journal Lists from Survey of Faculty Now Available

The results of the survey of OSU faculty on journal use conduted in the Spring of 1998 are now available.

PsycInfo Now Available on Web

PsycInfo, the electronic version of Psychological Abstracts, is now available via the web. This web version of PsycInfo allows you to search for research articles in all areas of psychology from 1887 to the present. This new web access was made possible because of OSU's participation in the ORBIS library consortium.

Karyle Butcher Appointed as New University Librarian!

Congratulations to Karyle Butcher on her appointment as the Delpha and Donald Campbell University Librarian for Oregon State University and deputy associate provost of Information Services.

West Courtyard Now Open

Although still bordered by some fencing, the west courtyard is available for general use. This area accomodates plenty of covered bike parking and also houses the statue of Martin Kukucin, a Czechoslovakian writer.

Congressional Universe Added to Library Databases

Congressional Universe from Congressional Information Service (CIS) offers access to a variety of information by and about the United States Congress. With Congressional Universe, you can:

  • Search an index of congressional publications from 1970 to the present
  • Retrieve CIS Legislative Histories for public laws going back to 1970
  • Find testimony from congressional hearings
  • Track bills as they move through the House and Senate
  • Search the Congressional Record, Federal Register and US Code
  • Locate information about members, committees and votes taken on bills
  • Search the National Journal

New Food and Drink Policy

As of March 30, 1998, library staff will begin to enforce a new food and drink policy. The new policy is an effort toward preserving the library's equipment, furnishings and collections as well as creating a suitable study environment. Comparable to other university libraries' food and drink regulations, the Valley Library's policy reads as follows:

  1. The consumption of food and the use of tobacco products of any kind are prohibited in The Valley Library.
  2. Drinks in reusable, spill-proof containers are allowed in most areas of the library.
  3. Drinks are not allowed in designated areas of The Valley Library, such as Special Collections, map areas, and the Serial Set area in Government Documents.

Examples of acceptable drink containers will be on display in the main lobby area.

If you have questions about these databases or need a database password, contact Laurel Kristick at (541) 737-7276,