Free Trial of APA Manual Online

Posted on September 26, 2025 Written by

It’s time to get exCITED about the APA Manual Online!  From now until October 14th, the Ross Pendergraft Library is offering access to the online version of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association a.k.a. the APA Style Manual (7th edition).

Try the APA Manual Online

Available for a limited time to all ATU users, the APA Style Manual Online features the searchable full-text of the entire manual, cover to cover.  Users can navigate by page number, table of contents, and use the search box to find out how they might cite an Instagram post.

Cover of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 7th edition.The APA Manual Online also includes “Lessons” to guide you through common topics like citing Journal Article References, Citing References In Text, or using Direct Quotations and Paraphrases.

By creating an optional personal login, you can also bookmark sections, highlight phrases and paragraphs, and add your own notes to different areas of the manual.  The Manual is also mobile friendly and looks great on a smartphone or a tablet.

For more information on the features of APA Manual Online, you can view this video tutorial of all of the features:

If you like what you see in the APA Manual Online, give us your feedback by emailing us at askus@atu.libanswers.com.  You can also call us, text us, chat at us via the Ask Us webpage.

Remember, you have until October 14th to try this out!  For all other databases, including new databases, see our A-Z Databases Page for library resources fit for your next bibliography.

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What’s New in the News?

Posted on February 14, 2024 Written by

The Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center is test driving a new source of newspapers, both historical and current, with NewsBank.  Read all about it here:

http://infoweb.newsbank.com/best/febhp

The collection features a search box that you can use to find the What, When, Where, and Why’s of the world from both today’s news and historical newspapers.

An image of a search box featuring the text: "NewsBank provides a comprehensive collection of reliable news sources covering a wide array of topics and issues"

Explore results from national newspapers, college newspapers, state and local papers, plus videos, audio, and other formats.

Screenshot of results from a search for "Taylor Swift" featuring results that include videos, newspapers, college newspapers, and audio.

Explore the “hot topics” section to find focused news on Hispanic Life in America, Black Life in America, the San Francisco Chronicle Collection, and the Cannabis NewsHub Research Edition.  You can browse newspaper results by subject or location.  Sources also include newspapers from around the world, in multiple languages.

Want to find something closer to home?  The database includes access to 93 newspapers in Arkansas, including the Arka Tech, the Courier, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the Arkansas Times, and college and city newspapers from all over the state.

News article result from the Feb. 14th issue of the courier. Headline reads: "Tacos 4 Life hitting ATU campus".

Currently, the only way you can read back issues of the state’s newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, is to use microfilm or browse the bound copies from more recent years.  This interface finally makes searching and accessing the state’s newspaper of record online possible within the library.

Give it a try between now and Feb. 29th when the trial ends.  You can let us know what you think by emailing us, texting us, calling us, chatting with us, or whisper-yelling your feedback to us from inside the library.

For more database trials or newsworthy stories, follow us on social medias: Instagram, Facebook, or X.

 

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New Online Resources During Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted on March 25, 2020 Written by

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: Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

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

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Gross Anatomy and Pretty Statistics

Posted on November 6, 2018 Written by

This November, test drive more database trials to dive deeper into the human body and the body of statistics.

Visible Body

Right now until Novemer 16th, explore the human body—inside and out—through the Visible Body databases.  These visual tools allow nursing, health, and art students peel back the layers of skin to navigate the human skeleton, muscles, organ systems, and more.

A screenshot from Visible Body showing a skinless human skull displaying the Tracheal cartilaginous rings

Each interface includes clear labels of each body part, descriptions, and the ability to download images, add notes, and draw. Rotate, move, flip, zoom in, and click on different pieces to explore further.  The Visible Body offers animations for many of the systems of the body, including muscle contractions, joint movements and more.

The current trials at ATU Library include 4 separate interfaces:

  1. Anatomy & Physiology: This includes 12 body systems in 50 chapters, designed for core concepts of an undergraduate course in Anatomy and Physiology.
  2. Human Anatomy Atlas: This is a 3D anatomy reference app for healthcare professionals, students, and professors. Includes dental anatomy, lab activities, dissection tools, and the Gross Anatomy Lab that mirrors what you would experience in a cadaver lab (without the smell).
  3. Muscle Premium: Ideal for orthopedic specialists, kinesiologists, practitioners of sports medicine, physical therapists, and other professionals and students of muscle and skeletal function. Includes muscle index, muscle movement videos, and a pathologies section.
  4. Physiology Animations: A video reference atlas with 3D animations that communicate core physiology and common conditions.

A screenshot of the Visual Body database showing a mandible movement

Hurry and dissect these databases before the trial ends on November 16th!

Sage Stats

Need some statistics to shore that research paper?  Test drive Sage Stats—a data download and visualization tool focused on statistical information in the United States.  Includes social science data on U.S. states, counties, cities, and metropolitan statistical areas from more than 150 different government and non-government sources. It spans topics like employment, crime, religion, and education, and includes over 400,000 datasets from sources like Woods & Poole Economics, U.S. Census, American Medical Association, and more.

Screenshot of Russellville, AR location in Sage Stats showing population and data series

Search by Topic or Location.  Compare two or more data series using charts.  This database includes tools for citing, exporting, downloading, and sharing.  There are also guides for using Sage Stats in the classroom as well as video tutorials.

Screenshot of Sage Stats showing active SNAP participants by county in Arkansas

The trial for this resource ends on November 30th.

Statistical Abstract of the United States

The go-to source for the most common statistics on the American economy, demographics, education, prices, and more is the Statistical Abstract of the United States.  While the Ross Pendergraft Library has this bulky tome in print at the Reference Desk, from now until November 25th, you can browse key statistics for the United States from anywhere with an internet connection.

Screenshot of Statistical Abstract topics and tables

This online version is a compilation of social, political and economic statistics. The focus is on national data, but some tables cover regions, states, cities, and comparative international statistics. It is divided into broad sections such as Population, Health and Nutrition, Education, Foreign Commerce and Aid, Prices and many others.

Screenshot of Statistical Abstract table 437 : Voting-Age population

Each table identifies the source of the data and the citation.  Tables can be downloaded in .xls or .pdf format.

These databases will only stick around for a short while UNLESS you speak up via Ask Us.  If you like these, hate these, or want to test something else, let us know!  Stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more news and database trials in the future.

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On Trial

Posted on October 18, 2018 Written by

This month, the Ross Pendergraft Library is trialing many new databases up for purchase consideration for next year.  Now is the time for you to test drive and give your feedback on the resources important to you.

BizMiner – TRIAL EXPIRES OCT. 22

BizMiner produces industry statistical reports, offering industry financial analysis benchmarks for more than 5,000 lines of business and industry market trends on thousands more. … These financial and industry market trend reports are used by business valuation professionals, accountants, and business owners.

Have a business plan you need to write?  Use this tool to gather market information on thousands of industries at the national, state, and city-level.  Need to know what it takes to open a hamburger restaurant in Russellville?  Look up annual sales, market volume, employment, productivity and more:

Screenshot of Bizminer report for hamburger businesses in Russellville

Early American Newspapers, Series 1 (1690-1876) and Series 6 (1741-1922)

This trial includes full text, digitized access to nearly 1,000 titles including the Weekly Arkansas Gazette (1819-1876) and Arkansas Gazette (1987-1908).  Series 6 is currently the ONLY way to access earlier editions of the state’s newspaper without using microfilm.  This resource is valuable for finding primary sources to the historical events that shaped our country and region.  The database is searchable by keyword or users can browse by newspaper title, place of publication, article types, and languages.  Once a newspaper article is selected, users will view the original, digitized version of the newspaper (includes photographs, advertising, and more).

Screenshot of Weekly Gazette showing map of new Iron Railroad passing through Arkansas

Take a trip through Arkansas history with this important resource!  But hurry!  It expires October 31st, 2018!

English Reports (HeinOnline)

Looking for early English Law?  The English Reports delivers exact page images of the original bound reprint edition, containing more than 100,000 cases, together with the Indexes and Book of Charts. This series includes the nominate reports or common-law rulings from various courts in England from the Middle Ages to the 1860s. The reports themselves were published in the early 20th century and would fill multiple shelves.  However, you can access this entire collection online using multiple navigation tools, such as a Case Locator, Chart Tool, and an Advanced Search feature enhance the ease of access to specific cases. Also included in this collection is the Statutes of the Realm (1235-1713), along with Pre-1865 Law Reports.

Screenshot of English Reports interface

Review and judge this database until November 5th.

Seldon Society Publications and the History of Early English Law (HeinOnline)

This library includes the Selden Society Annual Series, Selden Society Supplementary Series and the Centenary Guide to the Publications of the Selden Society published in 1987. The Seldon Society dedicates itself to the study and publication of English legal history. It also includes more than 220 English Legal History Classics including abridgments, digests and dictionaries. Moreover, you will be able to access early English case law and link to other online publications in early English history.

Screenshot of title page of early English text

Perufe thif collection of fine Englifh legal hiftory before it expiref on November 5th.

Like them?  Hate them?  Make a case for these trial databases at askus@atu.libanswers.com.  You can also reach us via text, phone, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or in person at the Ross Pendergraft Library.   Remember, your feedback determines what resources we purchase and what we don’t.  So let us know!

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On Trial

Posted on August 31, 2018 Written by

The Ross Pendergraft Library has 2 new databases on trial for a limited time until September 22nd.  This is your chance to weigh in on new products under consideration for purchase by the Library.  Take these two new resources for a drive around the block, kick the tires, and look under the hood to see if it’s something we should take home.

Fold3

screenshot of Fold3

Fold3 is a military records archive providing access to the stories, photos, and documents of veterans of all military branches.  The Fold3 name comes from a traditional flag folding ceremony in which the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of veterans.  This database includes millions of records making it a valuable resource for historians, researchers, family members, military enthusiasts, and genealogists.

Coverage includes records from the Revolutionary War up until Operation New Dawn.   Search the extensive archive that includes draft registration cards, navy cruise ship records, homestead records, muster rolls, casualties, war diaries, pension records, the Pentagon Papers, and photographs from a variety of service branches and conflicts.

Image of Vietnam Memorial Wall, highlighting the name Charles McMahon Jr.

Users have the ability to browse records by title, time period, and geographic region.  A separate section of the site includes a memorials section, featuring an interactive search for names on the Vietnam Memorial, the USS Arizona, and U.S. Hall of Honor.

This database will be on trial until September 22.

Proquest Statistical Insight

screenshot of Statistical Insight

Proquest Statistical Insight contains indexed tables of data from international, federal, state and private sources made available for search and retrieval.  This product includes the ability to search government reports back to 1973, includes state and private reports back to 1980, and tables for 1999 to present.

To begin searching, type in a couple of keywords and view results by report abstracts or tables.

screenshot of a search in statistical insight

Search results can be further limited by dates, source, local area, and “Data  Breakdowns.”  Click Tables to view statistical information arranged in popular tables.  Most tables can be downloaded as PDFs or XLS files.

Table from Statistical Insight featuring the CIRP Freshman Survey

For more information about using Proquest Statistical Insight, see this handy guide: https://proquest.libguides.com/statistical_insight.  This trial will also expire on September 22nd.

If you like these databases and want to access them well after September, send us an email, a message, a text, or a tweet!  Or come see us the old fashioned way at the RPL Reference Desk.  We’d love to hear your feedback on these databases or any of our other databases and services.

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On Trial: Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print

Posted on November 17, 2017 Written by

From now until Dec. 14, take a look at the best resource for finding the right test and testing instruments for your research: Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print.

This online resource contains a bibliography to all known commercially available English-language tests currently in print.  It also features full-text reviews for more than 13,000 tests in psychology, business, education, and leadership.  This is the most comprehensive, interdisciplinary reference tool for any researcher interested in tests, measurement, and assessment.

To get started, search the database by keyword, test name, test category, purpose, and more.  Results can be limited by whether or not a review is available, subject, date of publication, and publisher.

Screenshot of test results

Each entry will feature a description of the test, prices, scores, population, purpose, and—in most cases—a comprehensive review of the test to help you determine its effectiveness, uses, and potential pitfalls.

screenshot of concussion vital signs entry

Currently, the library has Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print in book form in the Reference Collection.  The online version pairs the listings of all Tests in Print with the reviews of all published volumes of Mental Measurements, making this a one-stop shop for comprehensive test information without ever having to leave your home or office.

With the online version, you can search across all volumes and all 13,000 reviews with keywords and subject searches.  You can also capture and import reviews and content through the familiar set of tools common to all our EBSCOhost products: save, email, permanent link, and import into Refworks.

If you are not sure where to begin in your quest for tests, take a look at this research guide about Tests and Measures.  It includes information about other resources for tests as well as handy hints for finding unpublished & non-commercial tests.

Does Mental Measurements measure up?  You be the judge!  Let us know by texting us at 479-802-4876 or emailing the collection liaison for Behavioral Sciences and Business, Angela Black, at ablack9@atu.edu.   Hurry, the trial ends on Dec. 14th—help us test out this potential resource!

Mental Measurements Yearbook from EBSCO on Vimeo.

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On Trial : SPIE Digital Library

Posted on October 25, 2017 Written by

Interested in optics, photonics, energy, and imaging?  Focus in on the Ross Pendergraft Library’s newest database trial: SPIE Digital Library.

screenshot of the SPIE Digital Library

This database includes over 465,000 papers spanning biomedicine, communications, sensors, defense and security, manufacturing, energy, and imaging.  The most extensive research database available on optics and photonics, the SPIE Digital Library includes full-text access to not only peer-reviewed journal articles, but also technical papers, conference proceedings, and ebooks.  Coverage extends from 1962 to the present.

Unlike other scholarly article databases at RPL, SPIE also includes conference presentations—actual videos and presentation slides of the speaker.  The SPIE Digital Library includes 8,000 conference presentations, including many plenary and keynote presentations.

Screenshot of DE-STAR Planetary Defence conference presentation about blasting near earth objects with friggin laser beams

 

Users of the SPIE Digital Library will find many of the familiar options that other databases provide like Advanced Search and ways to limit search results by year, type of publication, keywords, author, or affiliation.

Search Results from SPIE DIGITAL Library

SPIE also offers clear tools to get citations into Refworks or another bibliographic reference manager.  Unfortunately, there is no direct connection to Refworks at this time, so you will have to download the citation and then import the reference manually.

You can also share the article via email, Facebook, and other social media platforms.  Just remember—this resource is only available to students, faculty, and staff at Arkansas Tech.

Take the SPIE Digital Library for a spin from now until December 18th, 2017.  If you like what you see with this resource, send us a message at Ask Us or alert the library liaison for your department.  Remember, we rely on your feedback to make future database purchasing decisions, so please drop us a line.

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On Trial

Posted on May 30, 2017 Written by

The Ross Pendergraft Library is now offering two new database trials until June 24th, 2017.  This is your opportunity to sample collections under consideration for purchase by the library.  Send your feedback to Ask A Librarian or if you are faculty, contact your subject liaison to voice your praise, concern, or indifference to the products listed below.

American Periodical Series

This ProQuest database contains periodicals published between 1740 and 1940, including special interest and general magazines, literary and professional journals, children’s and women’s magazines and many other historically-significant periodicals.   Over 1,800 titles are indexed including Harper’s Bazaar, Benjamin Franklin’s General Magazine, America’s first scientific journal, Medical Repository.  It also includes historic issues of popular magazines like Vanity Fair as well as The Dial, Puck, and McClure’s.

The cover of the first magazine published in North America

The collection includes 89 journals from 1740 to 1800, covering America’s colonial past and establishment as an independent country.  Notable pieces include the serialization of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the writings of Edgar Allan Poe as contributed to the Southern Literary Messenger, and Nathanial Hawthorne’s first stories in the New England Magazine.

The cover of The Dial with the first published edition of T.S. Eliot's the Wasteland

The database goes further than most by including the digitized images of periodical pages.  Researchers can study the illustrations, typography, and advertisements.

The invention of the emoticon, 1881

In addition to full text searching, issues can be browsed visually, enabling the viewer to scan pages quickly to get a snapshot in time from first page to last.  Search within individual publications, issues, and across the entire collection.

A screenshot of browsing Puck magazine, a popular political cartoon serial from the 1800s.

Students and faculty hunting for primary source material relating to American history will hit pay dirt with the American Periodical Series.

New York Times with Index

The New York Times has published “all the news that’s fit to print” since 1851.  This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.  Search and find full-text articles up until 2013 without pouring over the library’s paper indexes and microfilm.

Read articles, editorials, advertisements and cartoons from the last 160 years in digital format.  Each page can be clearly read as though you were holding it up to your very own monocle.

Sinking of the Titanic announced

Browse an issue by specific date or use advanced searching to find articles by specific authors, keywords, or location and subject.  Travel back to a time when big fonts meant big news.

Nixon resigns -- headline from New York Times, 1974

If you enjoy the modern conveniences of hunting down primary resources from the comfort of your own sitting room, then please send a telegram or carrier pigeon to Ask A Librarian posthaste.  We rely on your recommendations to help us make tough decisions over which databases to keep, cancel, or purchase.  Remember, you have until June 24th until the trial expires, so send us your feedback soon.

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On Trial

Posted on April 4, 2017 Written by

From now until October 1st, access the world’s largest, fully searchable, image-based government document and legal research database:

HeinOnline’s Government Politics and Law for Academics 

The Ross Pendergraft Library is hosting a trial for this comprehensive resource containing U.S. Congressional Documents, U.S. Statutory materials, more than 2,300 scholarly journals, all the world’s constitutions, all U.S. treaties, collections of classic treatises and presidential documents, and access to the full text of state and federal case law powered by Fastcase.

All ATU factuly, staff, and students can browse by database name or browse by category:

Or search by keyword, author, title, or date. Select the Citation tab to search by citations, the Catalog tab to browse publications, or the Case Law tab to quickly search case citations::

The results display allow users to quickly narrow selections by type, titles, collections, and year.  Each results includes a brief display, highlighting the words used in your search so you can assess the relevancy of each article:

screen shot of database result

Each article includes options for downloading the PDF, emailing the document to yourself, as well as generating citations.   You can also view the number of times it has been cited by other articles, a way to gauge the relative importance of an article to the scholarly community.  Sorting results by “Number of Times Cited By Articles”, can push more significant articles to the top of your search results.  Something also rather unique to HeinOnline is the ability to sort by “Number of Times Accessed (Past 12 Months)”, allowing you to see what is most popular for other users of this database:

Once inside the article, users have access to all of the tools of other databases, including the citation information:

 

Need more legal help?  Sorry—librarians can’t give legal advice.  But we can help you with finding legal resources through this database or our other legal database, LexisNexis Academic.

You have until next fall to send us also your pro’s & con’s list with this database.  Do you like it?  Hate it?  Indifferent to its existence?  Tell us at AskALibrarian.  We need your feedback to build a case for or against this database.  Should we make it apart of our permanent collection? You be the judge.

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