Stream Into Fall 2020

The Ross Pendergraft Library is preparing for the fall by finding more online resources for whatever the future brings.  In anticipation for a potential online environment for some classes, we have added a new collection of streaming films from Swank Digital Campus.

A row of film movie posters such as 3:10 to Yuma, Amelie, the Big Sick, Blade Runner

An initial collection of fifty Hollywood films have been added to the platform and reflect films slated to be taught and discussed for the fall 2020 curriculum.  These include international films, class films, and critically acclaimed films from a variety of genres.  Search for individual films in the search box or browse by genre for comedies, horror, crime films, drama, and more.

To access the films, go to the library’s homepage and select A-to-Z Databases.  From there, navigate to Swank by browsing our alphabetical list of databases or searching for Swank in the search box.

If you are off-campus, you may be first prompted to login with your Tech Username and Password.

If this is your first-time accessing Swank, you may be asked whether to enter as a student or login as a faculty member.  If you select “Student”, it takes you right to the main browse page.  If you select “Faculty,” you will be asked to create a separate account that enables you to request new movies for your class.  However, as a faculty member, you can always contact your librarian liaison to request new streaming films.

If you select a film, you can watch it immediately in the browser window, copy a permanent link, or copy an LMS link that you can use to embed directly into Blackboard:

A film description for "Do the Right Thing" highlighting the copy direct link and copy lms link

Each film includes the ability to display or hide subtitles.  If you want to watch on a mobile device like a phone or tablet, download the Swank Media Player from your app store.  Then navigate to the library’s Swank website on your device.

Swank Media Player app information, including logo that looks like a film reel.

If you need a bigger selection than Swank, the library has three other streaming video platforms from which to choose films and documentaries:

  • Academic Video Online – A large collection of over 13,000 films, documentaries, news reels, tutorials, interviews, and archive footage on a variety of subjects. Search for individual films or browse by channels.  Most of the content will be educational or documentary films.
  • Kanopy – A small collection of individual films requested by faculty for specific courses, for a limited duration.
  • Digital Theatre Plus – A specialized collection of full-length films of Shakespeare plays, modern dramas, and musicals. There are behind the scenes clips from theatre makers and study guides to help students understand plot, character, language, etc. Audio plays from the LA Theatre Works have now been added.

We also have an extensive collection of physical DVDs to check out whenever the library is open.  All are searchable via our online database, Find It.

During the break, we hope you stay safe, stay socially distant, and stay entertained with Swank Digital Campus.  The library is still open, and the librarians are still available to help you with research as well as our preferred ranking of all James Bond films.  Just reach out and Ask Us!

New Online Resources During Coronavirus Pandemic

During this unprecedented time where availability of online resources for teaching and learning is more critical than ever, the Ross Pendergraft Library has taken advantage of database trials and free offers to expand our collections, even if temporarily.

In the last month, we’ve brought online several databases–too many to feature here.  You can find an updated listing of new resources, updated resources, and database trials at our resource guide here: https://libguides.atu.edu/spring2020databasetrials.  A deeper dive into a few of those resources below.  Keep in mind, many of these resources are being offered until the semester is completed.

Kanopy

This is a streaming video platform available at the library through our A-to-Z list. Recently, this platform has been updated significantly and now features new videos such as The Great Courses and 16 other films and documentaries.  This newer content will be available for the next four weeks, but other videos are part of a licensed collection.  If faculty wish to order a film, they contact their departmental liaison or fill out the request form available on Kanopy via search.


Screenshot of Kanopy, featuring the Great Courses

JSTOR

The Ross Pendergraft Library now enjoys full access to all available JSTOR collections from now until June 30th.  JSTOR is a multi-disciplinary database featuring current and archived articles, primary sources, and ebooks.  Previously, we were limited to just a few of their collections like Arts and Sciences and Life Sciences.  But now, our access has expanded to articles in business, ecology, and a variety of disciplines.  We now also have access to primary source collections such as “Global Plants” and “19th Century British Plants.”  There are also several thematic collections on topics like Sustainability, Security Studies, and Lives of Literature.

Screenshot of JSTOR, a multi-disciplinary database

Social Explorer

Social Explorer is an online research tool which provides quick and easy access to historical census data and demographic information. It creates maps and reports to help users visually analyze and understand demography and social change throughout history.  The database will be on trial for the rest of the semester.

Screenshot from Social Explorer database showing that 21% of Pope County persons 18 years or older are smokers

Colonial State Papers

The Colonial State Papers offers access to over 7,000 hand-written documents and more than 40,000 bibliographic records with this incredible resource on Colonial History. In addition to Britain’s colonial relations with the Americas and other European rivals for power, this collection also covers the Caribbean and Atlantic world. It is an invaluable resource for scholars of early American history, British colonial history, Caribbean history, maritime history, Atlantic trade, plantations, and slavery.  This database is currently on trial until April 27th.

Screenshot from a result in Colonial Papers detailing an exchange regarding Salem witch trials from Governor Sir William Phips to the Earl of Nottingham

At this time, many other new resources and database trials are currently being negotiated, and we will continue to update this page as more resources come online.  Check back with us or stay tuned by following us on social media: InstagramFacebook, or Twitter.

In the meantime, stay safe, keep calm, and research on!

Thanksgiving Hours

The Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center will be closing early Tuesday, November 22nd, at 9:00 PM and Wednesday, November 23rd at 5:00 PM (or whenever the University closes).  It will not reopen until Monday, November 28th, at 7:00 AM.  See our website for regular hours and upcoming finals schedule.

Despite the holiday closing, you can be especially thankful that many of our services and resources are available online, at any time, whether the campus is closed or open.  Below, we have listed just a few of the resources you can access from wherever your holidays take you:

two handsome plymouth rocks (chickens)

  • Statista – Be prepared for any family gathering with this handy resource for quick facts, statistics, and eye-catching infographics.  This specialized database, available on our A-to-Z database page, contains business, marketing, and population statistics from around the world.  Each chart or graph can be directly exported into Powerpoint, PDF, or Excel for an extra visual boost to your reports and presentations.  Data sources include Nielsen, Euromonitor, Experian Simmons, GfK, Ipsos Affluent Survey, Gallup, US government agencies, private companies, non-profits, and many more.statistic_id208104_average-cost-of-a-thanksgiving-dinner-in-the-us-1990-2016
  • PBS Video Collection—Veg out in your tryptophan stupor by selecting a film from this collection of award-winning documentaries and series.  Watch full-length content from any device on subjects such history, current events, psychology, art, music, and more.  Browse by topic or field of interest, or search for series or videos directly.
  • Research Guides—Get to the meat of library resources using our collection of subject and resource guides.  Find resources of all types in most of the major’s offered at ATU.  Each guide includes tutorials, top databases and resources, as well as citation help to get you through each stage of a research project.  Browse new books in the library our Popular Reading guide:

popular

Need face-to-face help?  Catch us before we close by stopping by at our Reference Desk, calling us toll-free at (855) 761-0006, or sending us a text at (479) 802-4876.  We are also available via email at askalibrarian@atu.edu for all your pre and post-Thanksgiving research needs.  Safe travels and enjoy the break!

Be More With PBS Video

pbs1

The Ross Pendergraft Library is thrilled to announce the recent acquisition of the PBS Video Collection.

Stream quality documentary films and programs produced by the leading educational video producer in the country.  The collection includes over 400 documentary films and programs, and each one can be streamed over any device with an internet connection.  Save yourself the trip to the library (or the store), and watch any of these videos on demand.

Included in the collection are some of the rich documentaries produced by Ken Burns, long-established programs like Nova and Frontline, and other educational films from a variety of disciplines.  Most of the available programs were produced in the last ten years, giving you more up-to-date content to use in classroom instruction.

Every film comes with a full transcript which is searchable across the database.  You can also send videos to a tablet or phone, share them via email, or embed them in a web platform like Blackboard.  If you want to create clips of videos or a playlist of clips, there are easy-to-use tools within each video for just that purpose.

pbs2

 

Do you have questions about this collection?  Want to know how to clip videos, create playlists, or embed videos into Blackboard?  Email us at askalibrarian@atu.edu.  For videos not in the PBS collection, try searching among the thousands of videos located in the Music Lab collection on the Library’s second floor.

 

On Trial

The deadline for our latest collection trial databases is closing in fast.  Take advantage of these free collections while they last:

Ebrary

Thousands of full-text, academic e-books are at your disposal from now until Wednesday, November 26th.  Browse titles in Business, Anthropology, Science, and more.  For more information about what’s offered, see their libguide, which covers search strategies, video tutorials, and more information about their titles.

PBS Video Collection

Be more with this collection of streaming videos from PBS provided through Alexander Street Press.  Browse your favorite episodes of Nova, or watch one of the award-winning documentaries from Ken Burnes, all from the comfort of your laptop.  Hundreds of documentary films are available through this collection, and each includes scrolling transcripts and the ability to make clips and playlists.  But hurry–this trial ends December 6th.

Birds of North America Online

Ornithologists rejoice!  You have access to the comprehensive life histories of over 700 species of birds breeding in the U.S. and Canada.  Search for birds by keyword or species to get a treasure of information including photos, illustrations, migratory patterns, distribution, and other basic information.  The database also includes video and audio recordings of birds, as well as data tables.  This database is the enhanced, online version of the paper version now roosting in the Reference collection.  You have until 12/15/14 to enjoy.

So let us know what you think through askalibrarian@atu.edu.  Your comments, criticisms, witticisms, praise, or blame help make the Library a better place for you, other students, and for the whole campus.  Email your friendly neighborhood librarian today!