GVSU Libraries Blog

Archive for April, 2007

Exam Cram: Extended Hours at University Libraries

April 6th, 2007

The University Libraries will be open late from April 16 – 26 in order to help you prepare for your exams! We will also be providing snacks and beverages.

Zumberge Library will be open 24 hours a day beginning at 7:30 am on April 16 until midnight on April 26. Zumberge will also host consultants from the Writing Center on April 16, 17, and 18 from 7-9pm.

Steelcase Library will be open:

April 15: 11am – 2am
April 16-19: 7:30am – 2am
April 20: 7:30am – midnight
April 21: 9am – midnight
April 22: 11am – 2am
April 23 – 25: 7:30am – 2am
April 26: 7:30am – midnight
April 27: 7:30am – 9pm
April 28: 9am – 3pm

Frey Library will be open:

April 16-19: 7:30am – 10pm
April 20: 7:30am – 5pm
April 21: 8am – 4pm
April 22: CLOSED
April 23 – 26: 7:30am – 10pm
April 27: 7:30am – 5pm

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Federated search and database trials

April 2nd, 2007

The University Libraries are currently looking at two federated search products. (Federated searching allows you to search several databases at once.) Since we are only trying out these products, they are set up on a smaller scale – these products currently only search across 12 databases and our catalog. If we decide to purchase either one of these products, we will have many more databases included in the search. These trials are available until April 22, 2007.

We are also considering three databases:

ERIC. We currently subscribe to this database through FirstSearch – this database trial is through CSA. The interfaces provided by each company differ, so try it out and let us know how you like the CSA interface. This trial is available until April 23, 2007.

Foundation Search and Big Online are two grants resources we are considering. While the content in these databases is similar to that found in the Foundation Directory, they include several unique features such as visual analysis tools that show the number of grants awarded by category/area, the number of grants by grant size, and year by year giving patterns. These two trials are available until May 4, 2007. You will need a username (grandvalley) and password (demo) to use this resource.