Welcome back to another semester at Arkansas Tech University! The Library has recently added new changes to our collections, services, and spaces to get you ready to face a new academic year. Here is what we did last summer while you were away:
We Added New Databases!
America’s News
Finally, we now have access to local Arkansas newspapers in full text and—depending on the coverage—with images and photographs. America’s News includes access to the current years of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as well as other local state newspapers. To learn more about this database, see our blog post from the trial, a video tutorial, or check it out yourself at: https://libguides.atu.edu/az/americas-news
Proquest One Business
This one-stop-shop for all kinds of business resources includes articles, industry reports, market research, company profiles, periodicals (like The Economist, or Arkansas Business), videos, ebooks, case studies and much more. This brings together ABI/INFORM, Hoover’s Company Profiles, and some of the smaller Proquest business resources under one umbrella. Invest some time checking it out: https://libguides.atu.edu/az/proquest-one-business
Pronunciator
Habla español? You could be doing it better with Pronunciator. This replaces Mango Languages as the campus’s language learning platform. It offers step-by-step lesson plans for 163 languages, ESL courses for 146 native languages, and American Sign Language courses. Users have to create an individual profile using ATU email. Phone apps are also supported. Ditch the Duolingo and start learning other languages with Pronunciator: https://libguides.atu.edu/az/pronunciator
We Moved Some Stuff Around!
The Reference Collection (1st Floor)
COMING SOON! We have reconfigured the Reference Collection for a new quiet study space. Located near the Research Help Desk, this collection consists of bibliographies, indexes, encyclopedias, and handy handbooks–elegant weapons from a more civilized age. In early September, new furniture, including cozy study carrels and comfy booths, will arrive to transform this under-utilized space into a more comfortable place to study.
The Current Periodicals Collection (1st Floor)
All of the current issues of our remaining print periodicals are now available at the beginning of the Reference Collection. Those giant shelving racks for current periodicals are gone, and a large conference-style table now fills the space it once occupied. If our current collection on the shelves doesn’t cut it, don’t forget our massive magazine collection online in Libby.
Documentary DVDs
Most of this collection has joined the rest of the DVDs in the lower shelves at the end of television series and televised plays. Documentary films about art and music are now located in the 2nd Floor Media Lab. More documentary films are available streaming online at Academic Video Online.
We Added New Services!
Check out stuff from the 3rd Floor Help Desk
Starting this fall, you will now be able to check out batteries for device charging, calculators, dry-erase markers, and headphones from the third floor help desk. You will still need to use your ID to check these materials out, and items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. But no more trips downstairs for those late-night study accessories.
Docking Stations On Every Floor
Bring your laptop and plug-in on every floor this semester with our docking stations. Enjoy the comfort of your own laptop with dual monitors, a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, and instant access to the printers. Each docking station is plug and play so you can quickly resume whatever you were working on at home within close proximity to our printers.
Request a Hold on Library Books
Starting on August 21st, we will begin expanding the ability to create Hold requests on physical items. Do you just need to pick up a few books on the way home? Do you want to be the first to snag that best-seller when it arrives? Use the “Place Hold” button in Find It to select a book to put on reserve for you:
While this service has normally only been available for items which are checked out or on order, you will soon be able to place Hold requests on any item held at our library or at the Ozark campus library. Once you find an item to “Hold” from our online database, Find It, click the “PLACE HOLD” button to complete the request. We will pull the book off the shelf and keep it at the Research Desk on the First Floor when you come in to pick it up at your earliest convenience. You will receive an email when the item is ready to pick up. *Note: Holds are unavailable for course reserves, laptops, or other items on short-term loans.
Stay on top of future news from your library by following us on Instagram or Facebook. Or come say “Hi!” to the table of librarians at Involvement Fair on August 19th at Tucker Coliseum.