October 5, 2010

What?

As of today, when you access Gale Virtual Reference Library via OSLIS, you will find 5 new eBook titles.  More information about each title is at the end of this email.

UXL Encyclopedia of Weather and Natural Disasters

UXL Encyclopedia of Biomes

UXL Encyclopedia of World Mythology

Facts on File Science Experiments: Environmental Science Experiments

Facts on File Science Experiments: Forensic Science Experiments

Why?

OSL had some extra money that had to be spent in a tight timeframe.  We looked for titles with a newer copyright date that supported core subject areas and focused on science since social studies/history is well-represented by our prior eBook selections.  We tried to stick mostly with Gale imprints because the prices were more affordable.  We also accounted for titles that we can already access via other databases; these include such eBooks as Experiments Central and UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History, which are both part of Student Resources in Context.  Finally, we tried to get titles with reading levels suitable for both middle school and high school students.  (There are not a lot of choices for elementary students.)  Note that these eBooks are only accessible by K12 libraries on OSLIS.  OSL allocated money for other projects that benefited public and academic libraries: downloadable materials for ODLC (Library2Go) and the University of Oregon newspaper digitization project. 

How?

To access the eBooks, just access Gale Virtual Reference Library on any Find Information page on OSLIS.  On the secondary pages, GVRL is a featured database.  On the elementary pages, you’ll need to click on PowerSearch to access the database menu and scroll to find GVRL. 

            http://secondary.oslis.org/find-information

            http://elementary.oslis.org/find-information

Need a refresher on how to use Gale Virtual Reference Library?  The next GVRL national webinar is October 22^nd at 11am our time.  Remember to register for this free 1-hour overview by clicking on the link in the calendar, scrolling to the bottom of the page, and clicking on Register. 

            Gale’s National Training Calendar: http://support.gale.com/gale/index.html (orange bubble, center column)

            Tutorial: http://www.gale.cengage.com/media/training/GVRL/GVRL1/GVRL.htm

            Search Tips: http://support.gale.com/gale/article.html?article=1741

            Navigation Guide: http://support.gale.com/gale/article.html?article=1890

Want MARC Records?

If you want to download MARC records for these eBook titles to your catalog, replace XXXX in this URL with your location ID and then click on the URL.  http://access.gale.com/marc_merge?invoice=16942969&locid=xxxx Your location ID is the Gale user name for your school district or private school.  It’s the same user name you give to students and staff for remote access to Gale. 

Another way to get your MARC records is to click on Click Here in the sentence found at the very bottom of the brown box on the homepage of Gale’s support site for Oregon libraries, and then follow the directions that pop up.

            http://galesupport.com/oregon/

If you need help with this, contact Gale tech support at (800) 877-4253 (press 4) or gale.consortium.installs@cengage.com.  Be sure to mention that you are part of the statewide contract in Oregon.

More Info about the New eBooks

U*X*L Encyclopedia of Weather and Natural Disasters: introduces students to the topic of weather and natural disasters, covering such topics as weather basics, weather phenomena, forecasting, and climate. This resource provides information on the scientific aspects of various types of disasters, including blizzards, earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes, volcanoes, and wildfires. (November 2007, 5 volumes)

U*X*L Encyclopedia of Biomes: offers detailed comparative essays on major biomes and their component ecosystems. Includes entries on land biomes and water biomes and covers climate, elevation, soil, water bodies, vegetation, animal life, food web, plant and animal adaptations, endangered species, human effects on the biome, and the effects of the environment on human culture and economy. (November 2008, 3 volumes)

U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology: entry topics include gods and goddesses, heroes and other key characters, motifs and global themes, major myths, and national or cultural mythologies. Coverage spans a diversity of cultures, including standard Greek/Roman entries as well as Native North and South American traditions, Norse mythology, Asian Pacific mythology, Judeo-Christian tradition, and Islamic and Hindu mythologies. (November 2008, 5 volumes)

Environmental Science Experiments: offers students and teachers the tools to explore various environmental issues; includes hands-on activities to learn more about environmental problems and what can be done to solve them. (May 2010, 1 volume)

Forensic Science Experiments: features experiments that will help students get a firm grasp on concepts in the field of forensic science. Each experiment is a self-contained unit with its own further resources, tips for the teacher, and links to the National Science Education Standards and allows students to think independently and build on their own base of science knowledge. (May 2010, 1 volume)

Please let teachers, staff, and administrators know.  If you have questions, please ask.

Thanks,
Jen

Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Library Development
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR  97301-3950
503-378-5011
jennifer.maurer@state.or.us