In this issue:
Ask a Reference Question OnlineNew Databases at the Library
Minneapolis Campus
Student Profile
New Library Staff
Back Issues:
No.
7, Fall 1999 | No.
6, Spring 1999 | No.
5, Fall 1998
In this issue:Ask a Reference Question OnlineNew Databases at the Library Minneapolis Campus Student Profile New Library Staff Back Issues:
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In order to better serve
our users' needs, the College of St. Catherine Libraries have begun email
reference services. Starting in January of 2000, people from the
CSC community of students, faculty, and staff who are unable to come to
the library have begun emailing the library their questions, using the
form found on the Libraries' web page. The form is accessible by
clicking on Ask Us and then clicking on
the "Ask a Reference Question" option. It may also be accessed directly
at http://www.stkate.edu/library/ref/eref.html.
Simply follow online directions to fill out the email reference form.
The service is free to the CSC community.
Several uses for email reference are suggested. Reference librarians will 1) supply brief answers to factual questions, 2) suggest how to start researching a particular topic, including the most suitable databases or search engines, 3) help with technology glitches or passwords related to our databases, 4) suggest search strategies for maximizing the efficiency of online or library research, 5) help with citing books, articles, or electronic sources when writing papers , 6) explain library policies or procedures, (and much more). We do not do the literature searches or write the assignments, but give people the tools to do a much better job themselves. The "Ask a Reference Question" option has already proven useful to CSC community members doing oral presentations, research assignments, or writing papers, as well as those who are just plain curious. The service is coordinated by Jim Newsome, who says that "e-mail reference gives the CSC library user one more way to successfully access useful information from the library. " Responses to questions are usually made within 24 hours during the Monday-Friday work week, and often on weekends, as well. The library reference staff can also be reached at 651-690-6652, or in person during scheduled desk hours. |
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| America: History and Life and Historical Abstracts
are two separate online databases that have previously appeared in print
and CD-ROM formats. Both index journal articles, books, and dissertations
in the field of history. America: History and Life, published
since 1964, focuses on United States and Canadian history, from prehistory
to the present. Over 2,000 journals are indexed, including international
historical journals, state and local history journals, and selected social
sciences and humanities journals. In addition to journal articles,
America: History and Life also indexes over 6,000 book and media reviews and abstracts of dissertations. Annually, about 16,000 new entries are
added to the database, which makes it a very up-to-date research tool for
students and history scholars.
Historical Abstracts, published since 1954, uses the same search
features as America: History and Life, but instead covers world
history from 1450 to the present. The over half a million entries
include citations from 2,000 international historical journals, selected
social sciences and humanities journals, 3,000 historical book reviews,
and abstracts of dissertations for historical research. Every year over
20,000 new citations are added to Historical Abstracts.
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The Project MUSE database provides access to 45 journals
published by the Johns Hopkins University Press (JHUP), as well as over
60 journals published by other university presses. The subject focus
of Project MUSE is in the humanities and social sciences, primarily
literature, history, politics, philosophy and religion, culture and gender
studies, and the performing arts. You can perform a search in all
journals, or limit your search to one or more journal titles. You
can also browse through individual journal issues.
Currently, the CSC Libraries provides full-text access to articles--including all published photographs, charts, and tables--from the JHUP journals only. Coverage for most of these journals begins in 1996; for some journals coverage begins earlier. Access to articles from other publishers is limited to citation information, and coverage for these journals begins with the 2000 issues. 
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Written by Laura J. Frese and Deborah Kloiber
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This spring, Minneapolis Campus staff had the opportunity to assist students
and faculty
with some innovative new courses in the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most notable in this arena were classes focusing on diversity. In particular, Folk Art and Immigrants and Refugees allowed students to develop a very personalized and individual research topic on particular ethnic groups here in the Twin Cities. This type of assignment not only challenged the students, but also the library staff as we found creative new ways of investigating these multifaceted and complex areas of research. On another front, we have been working on getting the library in even better working order. Newly stream-lined areas include: a faster way of retrieving videos, a web-based audio-visual request page, and new labels and signs for our visually impaired patrons and student-workers. Hopefully these changes will not only make our library more patron-friendly but also free our hands to deal with the eagerly-anticipated new circulation system next year. We couldn't do much without good student workers. This year we
say a fond farewell to
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Sukanya, whose name means "good girl" in Hindi, has worked in the CSC
library since the fall of 1999. She was born in Nairobi, Kenya in
1980 and is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Pyne. While she is at home,
Sukanya enjoys the company of her parents, and also of her friends.
Sukanya came to the United States to obtain a good education. She enrolled at the College of St. Catherine after talking to many Kenyan women who were students of the college. They recommended it as a school small enough that students do not get swallowed up. Since many of her fellow Kenyans were attending, she also felt she would not be alone. The weirdest thing that she finds about the United States is that families do not eat dinner together. She discovered this one day with her host parents when none of the family was eating together. The best thing she discovered about the United States is that everyone is very open about everything. Nothing is hidden. This includes showing affection in public: people hugging and holding hands. She also likes the punctuality in America. "When they say 5:00, they are there at 5:00!" Though Sukanya likes punctuality, she was not one for being very punctual in Kenya! The worse thing she discovered about being in the United States is that she is too far away from family and friends. |
Written by
Belinda E. Lawrence |
I grew up in Missouri and Colorado but have lived in Minnesota for 14 years. I have a B.A. in English from the University of Northern Colorado. I recently completed a two-year novitiate with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and made temporary vows last December 17. I'm presently working on an M.A. in Theology here at St. Kate's, with a focus on Art as Theology, so I also take studio arts classes here most semesters. My primary medium is fibers, particularly free-form, original embroidery. I also do some woodcut relief printmaking. (There will be a show of some of my work at Carondelet Center in May--y'all come!) Before I entered the novitiate I worked for the St. Paul Public Library as a Library Specialist and also did some free-lance computer teaching. I read a lot of science fiction and enjoy gardening,swimming and computing. I live in a small house just a block north of the campus with two other sisters.
| Rita Schultz -- Library
Administrative Assistant, St. Paul Campus
What better day to start my career at St. Kates' Library than on Valentine's Day. The College of St. Catherine is not new to me. About 4 years ago, I returned from a 2-year journey where I taught English in Latvia, now a free country from its previous Soviet Union occupation. Upon returning, technology had changed considerably and I lacked the new skills for my previous occupation as a Desktop Publisher . While deciding what to do and where to work, I found myself working with a temp agency. My first assignment was at the College. Needless to say, I fell in love with the College - its people, its students, its campus, its mission. Later, I enrolled in Weekend College to pursue a second-major in Information Management. The temp assignment ended, for a year I worked full-time at the University of Minnesota and now I'm back to a place where I feel grounded. I have a B.A. in Philosophy and English and I'm still asking questions and seeking knowledge. I have a cat, a black cat who goes by Baiba. |
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