Credo/xrefer browser search bar plug-in

For anyone like me who finds themselves looking up definitions a lot, you can add a plug-in search box for xrefer/Credo to your browser via this link:

http://www.credoreference.com/help/help.jsp?hs=30

This doesn't have use for our students or adjuncts who access remotely, but might it be worthwhile to promote this plug-in service to the full-time faculty and staff?

Restrictions:

• only works for computers located within the college network - will not work with remote access
• only works for IE 5+
• browser must be set to accept signed ActiveX controls
• security settings: Browsers need a security setting of medium or lower to install and use the Toolbar

Wimba sessions page

This is my first rough sketch of what should go on the Wimba sessions page. Please comment with suggestions for material to add, remove, and rearrange.

What are we calling these? "Live, online workshops for using library resources more effectively" seems kind of clunky.

* Introductory paragraph about using library resources effectively. Glowing talk about live sessions with opportunity to ask questions and try things for yourself.

* What is Wimba? What does it let me do? How do I get and use Wimba? Link to Wimba site. System requirements. Accessibility issues. Helpdesk contact info.

* Must take Helpdesk prerequisite session - why and how.

* Mini-catalog - sessions offered, when they're offered, basic learning objectives, class limit.

* Link to register for a session with the Helpdesk.

* Link to register for one of the library sessions (how do we verify they've already been through the Helpdesk session?)

Outreach ideas for Wimba Sessions

Outreach Ideas if we’re going to do this for individual students
· RSS feed at top of library website
· Library blog – little blurb included in each issue, which would link to a bigger item on it that we’d put out when we kick off the service
· Little blurb included in the signature at the end of reference questions
· E-mail to Center and CDL faculty. We can specifically ask them to encourage students they think might benefit from it to attend a session.
· College newsletter
· College newsfeed
· Blurb on the webpage that houses the service for which we’re offering Wimba training
· Stack of colorful cards plus a laptop playing a recorded session at the CLT table at Student All College
· Colorful card included in materials sent out to new students at start of term
· Send colorful cards to Centers so they can put them out for students, or even hand them out.
· Blurb on the Ask a Librarian page
· Blurb on the tutorials page (yet to be created)

Outreach Ideas if we’re going to do this only for classes
· E-mail to Center and CDL faculty
· College newsfeed
· College newsletter
· Blurbs on ESCnet, Mentorsite
· Little blurbs on all library pages targeted at faculty

Sarah

interesting discussion: Wikipedia as research resource

History News Network: http://hnn.us/blogs/comments/18864.html

Also has some good thoughts about using Wikipedia in discussions about evaluating information sources - perhaps use this kind of thing when we get back around to updating the Info Lit study?

software comparison guide

Wiki format for comparing features and seeing reviews of open-source and commercial software such as blogs, wikis, and more techical stuff too:
http://www.iterating.com/