PolyThinkers Pad » Library News http://www.poly.edu/library/blog fueling polythinking with library news, tips and more Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:30:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 en Thanksgiving Holiday Hours http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-holiday-hours/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-holiday-hours/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:28:08 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-holiday-hours/ The library will be closed on Thursday November 26 and Friday November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be open our regular weekend hours on Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 9 pm.

Want to contribute to Thanksgiving dinner but don’t have time to cook?  How about making a centerpiece:

turkey

 Happy Thanksgiving!

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-holiday-hours/feed/ Finding information on the web…without Google. http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/09/finding-information-on-the-webwithout-google/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/09/finding-information-on-the-webwithout-google/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:07:35 +0000 Ingrid web resources http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/09/finding-information-on-the-webwithout-google/ Google has no doubt transformed the way we find information on a daily basis.  Whether you need to know tomorrow’s weather forecast or find out how computers are made, Google is a quick and easy resource to turn to.

Of course, for in-depth academic research, your best bet is to use the library’s databases to find articles from scholarly journals and other trusted publications.  However, there is valuable information freely available on the web - the trick is finding the good stuff fast.

There are many different kinds of search engines you can use - each with their own strengths and weaknesses.  To help you sort out your options, the library has put together this guide to finding Web Sites.  In addition to popular search engines, you’ll find links to search engines that are science and engineering specific and focus on scholarly literature. You will also find links to subject directories and searching tips.

And don’t forget, anyone can publish a web site!  That is why it is especially important to be critical when evaluating information from the free web.  Here are some guidelines to help you evaluate information you find.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/11/09/finding-information-on-the-webwithout-google/feed/ Tell us what you think and win a $50 gift card! http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/30/tell-us-what-you-think-and-win-a-50-gift-card/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/30/tell-us-what-you-think-and-win-a-50-gift-card/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:07:06 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/30/tell-us-what-you-think-and-win-a-50-gift-card/ You have had a couple months to use the library’s new web site - now it’s time to tell us what you think.  What do you like about it?  What bugs you? Is it easy to find what you are looking for?  Let us know by taking this brief library web site survey.

girlatcomputerAt the end of the survey submit  your email address to enter a random drawing to win a $50 gift card to Amazon.com.  And you don’t even have to spend it on books!  Don’t delay, you must complete the survey by November 15 to be eligible to win.

In addition, you can volunteer for a web site usability study.  In exchange for about 30 minutes of your time you will receive a $15 Amazon gift card.  If selected, you will be asked to “think out loud” while you complete a series of tasks on the library web site.  Sign up at the end of the survey or email us at blibrary@poly.edu if you are interested in participating.

Thanks for your feedback.  Your input is important as we continue to evaluate and improve the site.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/30/tell-us-what-you-think-and-win-a-50-gift-card/feed/ How do I find Case Studies? http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/19/how-do-i-find-case-studies/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/19/how-do-i-find-case-studies/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:06:45 +0000 Ingrid reference http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/19/how-do-i-find-case-studies/ If you need help tracking down case studies, check out the new Case Studies page on the library web site.  You’ll find information on where to find articles and books containing case studies, both online and in print.

For those of you looking for Harvard Business School Case Studies, be aware that they are not made available to libraries (strict copyright restrictions ensure that they provide a large income stream to HBS).  More information on how to get copies of Harvard cases is available on the Case Studies page.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/19/how-do-i-find-case-studies/feed/ Coles Science Center Lecture: Pandemic Influenzas Past and Present http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:50:51 +0000 Ingrid NYU http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/ The Coles Science Center at Bobst Library Presents the Coles Science Salon Series

Pandemic Influenzas Past and Present:
History and Science, Science and History

by Eric L. Altschuler, MD, PhD
Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and
Microbiology & Molecular Medicine,
New Jersey Medical School,
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey

We are currently in the midst of an influenza pandemic. There were three such pandemics in the Twentieth Century including the great pandemic of 1918 which killed more people than any infectious disease in history. These pandemics taught physicians and scientist much about influenza and other infectious diseases. Now current science is able to shed light on past pandemics such as our finding and retrieval of antibodies from aged survivors of the 1918 pandemic and my current work using long ago frozen samples to find the strain of the 1889-1890 pandemic.

flu 1918

DATE: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
TIME: 6:00-7:00pm
PLACE: Avery Room, 2nd Floor, Bobst Library*

Please join us for the talk, followed by a discussion. Refreshments will be served.

***RSVP Required***
Go here: http://tinyurl.com/salon-rsvp

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/13/coles-science-center-lecture-pandemic-influenzas-past-and-present/feed/ Start your research with our new library guides http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:29:09 +0000 Ingrid researchweb resources http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/ Have you checked out our new multimedia library guides?  We currently have 18 guides on an array of topics from chemical engineering to copyright law.  These guides are the best starting points for finding articles, books, video, news, and more in your areas of interest.  Scroll through the sample guides below or browse the complete list.

You can access these guides directly from the library home page using the “Subject Guides” tab on the search box.  More guides are being added on a regular basis. If you’d like to see a guide for a particular area, let us know!

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/29/start-your-research-with-our-new-library-guides/feed/ Got Questions? We have answers! http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/14/got-questions-we-have-answers/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/14/got-questions-we-have-answers/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:52:58 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/14/got-questions-we-have-answers/ faqDo you know how to get an article not available at Dibner Library? What about how to renew a book online or find out which books are on reserve for your courses?

Find the answers to these questions and many more on the library’s new Frequently Asked Questions page.  If you have a question that’s not listed here ask us!

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/14/got-questions-we-have-answers/feed/ Work hard over the summer? We did! http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/03/work-hard-over-the-summer-we-did/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/03/work-hard-over-the-summer-we-did/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:58:02 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/03/work-hard-over-the-summer-we-did/ Welcome back! Hopefully you had a refreshing summer break and are ready to get cracking.  Here at the library, we’ve been busy over the last few months coming up with new ways to make it easier for you to get the information and services you need.

For all you returning students, you probably noticed the library’s web site has gotten a makeover. The new design is part of NYU-Poly’s web site overhaul. The site is a work in progress and we encourage your feedback to make it even better.  Do you find it easy to find what you are looking for? Is there something you would like to see added to the web site? Please let us know by leaving a comment below or email blibrary@poly.edu.

We have also been working on a variety of other projects, including developing new research guides, integrating more seamlessly with NYU libraries, and setting up SFX - a tool that simplifies finding full text articles in library databases (coming soon!).

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/03/work-hard-over-the-summer-we-did/feed/ Back to School Tips & Tools http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/31/back-to-school-tips-tools/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/31/back-to-school-tips-tools/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:56:23 +0000 Ingrid web resources http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/31/back-to-school-tips-tools/ Welcome Back! Another school year, another chance for a fresh start.  Taking the time to start the semester right can pave the way to academic achievement throughout the year.  A great way to kick off a successful semester is by becoming familiar with all the library has to offer.  Whether you’re a freshman or returning student, do yourself a favor by reviewing the Getting Started Guide.   Students who take advantage of library resources generally get better grades (unlike students who use facebook!).

fortune-cookie.jpg

One of the things you should take care of the first week of school is getting the textbooks you need.  Refer to our Where to Buy Textbooks Guide or you can take advantage of the library’s course reserve system.

Here’s a roundup of more useful tips and tools for you to check out:

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/31/back-to-school-tips-tools/feed/ New electronic collection: Synthesis Digital Library of Computer Science and Engineering http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:35:18 +0000 Ingrid biological engcomputer sciencedatabaseselectrical-computer eng http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/ The Dibner Library is pleased to announce the addition of Synthesis Digital Library of Computer Science and Engineering to its collection of electronic resources.  The collection consists of over 30 subject series in many areas of engineering, primarily related to electrical engineering, computer science, and bioengineering.

Each series consists of electronic books that synthesize an important research or development topic, authored by an expert contributor to the field.  The e-books (or “lectures” as they are called)  range from 50-275 pages and are available in PDF format.  They provide students and researchers a convenient way to get a better understanding of an area of interest.

The range of content level in Synthesis is intended to be fairly broad, from state-of-the-art research overviews to presentations appropriate for undergraduates or professionals seeking a review.  To find out more about the collection, read this detailed review.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/08/12/new-electronic-collection-synthesis-digital-library-of-computer-science-and-engineering/feed/