Internet: Dictionaries

There are two free online dictionary sites to which I have turned time, and time again; each has some features which I really like:

The first is: http://www.onelook.com/ and the second is: http://yourdictionary.com/ .

Each of these sites offers great utility and will search single words across many different dictionaries, both general language and subject specific. Each of them either has information about languages within it, or contains likes to information about the history and foundation of many different languages, both living and dead. Both of them also offers translations for words (not, alas, phrases) from any one language to any other language.

Included are entomologies, synonyms, homonyms, antonyms and all the rest of the scholarly aspects of words and languages. But basically, they are web sites which are both very useful and fun and easy to use. The BSU Library also has a subscription to the Oxford English Dictionary which is the biggest and best dictionary of the English language. Go to the Library’s home page, select Article Indexes and Databases and scroll to the letter “O” to find it.

Adrien Taylor, Reference Librarian

Computer Use Policy

The Library is a popular and inviting space. However, because of our open door policy and numerous computer terminals, not all who visit the library have scholarly research in mind. In some instances library patrons use the computer terminals to access objectionable material, often of a pornographic nature, that others may find offensive.

The library strives to create a welcoming environment, and to ensure proper computer use we adhere to the Boise State University Information Technology Resources Policy, specifically section D, subset c under "Prohibited Actions":

Boise State University IT resources shall not be used for:
Visiting, viewing or distributing Internet sites or materials that contain obscene, pornographic, profane or sexually explicit information, pictures, or cartoons; and publishing, displaying, transmitting, retrieving or storing inappropriate or offensive material. Such is expressly prohibited unless identified and pre-approved in writing by the VP Academic Affairs and Provost as part of legitimate research, teaching, or academic pursuits. Contact the Office of the VP Academic Affairs and Provost to request written pre-approval.

The Boise State University Information Technology Resources Policy is available online.

Idaho Publications @ the Library

In 1988, Albertsons Library began work to create a comprehensive list of Idaho publications. The criteria for listed titles includes works by Idaho authors, about Idaho, or published by selected Idaho presses. An Idaho author is defined as a person who was born in Idaho, has lived in the state for two or more years, and/or has lived in Idaho at the time of publication.

Check out this great ongoing resource at the Checklist of Idaho Publications page.

Databases: EI Compendex

Inspec Archives are available as part of our EI Compendex (Physics & Egineering) Web subscription that now includes Compendex, Inspec and Inspec Archives to the library's research databases page.

Inspec Archive provides access to over 873,000 records spanning the years 1898 through 1968. Combined with the Inspec database, researchers are provided seamless access to over 9 million records covering more than 100 years of (1898 - Present), with 400,000 records added annually.

The combined Compendex®, Inspec® and Inspec Archive databases allow for searching on a broad range of topics within the scientific, applied science, technical and engineering disciplines. Coverage is from 1898 to present. The databases are updated weekly.

Peggy Cooper, Coordinator of Collection Development

Staff picks: Theatre websites

For some years now I have turned to two different web sites for information about "entertainment and entertainers". For film it is the Internet Movie Database. This is an encyclopedic treatment of all things film, including casts, crews, awards, biographical information, synopsis of plots and actions and reader contributed critiques.

It is without equal for US and Canadian film and not bad for other country's films, too (especially English language film). I really can't say enough good things about it - and it even links to Amazon if they know of a VHS or DVD source for it. It is NOT very strong for educational film, but does include quite a bit of documentary stuff.

The other one is http://www.allmusic.com, another excellent source for finding information about recorded music and biographical sketches of singers, song writers, record producers and the like. All types of music (classical, jazz, popular, hip/hop, rock, etc.). Again it is encyclopedic in nature (comprehensive coverage, brief articles).

Just now, I have learned of another such site, this one devoted to what some insist on calling the "legitimate theater". It is Internet Broadway Data Base. Again, casts, crews, theaters (buildings) playwrights, awards, set designers, the whole "cast", as it were. So three great resources for the humanities in general and these topics in particular. Great stuff and so far - free.

Adrien Taylor, Reference Librarian

Notice: Electronic Reserves Password Requirement

Effective immediately all library users will be required to log in to Electronic Reserves using their Broncoweb user name and password. Users will see the same blue login page, just as they do for database resources off campus. This restriction will assist our compliance with copyright laws.

Dan Lester, Network Information Coordinator

AnswerXpress Chat Reference Service

Do you have a reference question but you do not have time to come to the library? The library has another option for you—AnswerXpress.com, a chat reference service available to you 24/7. This service is staffed part of the time by librarians at Boise State and other libraries in southern Idaho.

Library staff will try to respond to your question using online sources and if the question cannot be answered quickly, someone will respond to you by email.

In addition to AnswerXpress, the library also provides an email reference service called AskUs available at: http://library.boisestate.edu/AskUs/ .

Databases: Family & Society Studies Worldwide

Family & Society Studies Worldwide™ is now available and listed on the Library's Article Indexes and Database page. This new database from EBSCO has replaced the old Family Index that is no longer produced.

From the EBSCO page:
Family & Society Studies Worldwide™ (FSSW), produced by National Information Services Corporation (NISC), is a core resource providing the most comprehensive coverage of research, policy, and practice literature in the fields of Family Science, Human Ecology, Human Development, and Social Welfare. FSSW covers popular issues as well as meeting the requirements of professionals in all fields of social work, social science and family practice.

Coverage spans from 1970 to the present indexing publications from a wide range of social science disciplines including anthropology, sociology, psychology, demography, health sciences, education, economics, law, history and social work. Source documents include professional journals, conference papers, books, book chapters, government reports, discussion and working papers, statistical documents, theses & dissertations and other sources. FSSW is an anthology of 4 database files providing access to over 846,080 records.

Peggy S. Cooper
Coordinator of Collection Development

Event: First Ph.D. Dissertation @thelibrary

The first Boise State University Ph.D. dissertation has been cataloged and is now available for circulation. The dissertation by Greg Arthur Oldenborger is titled: "Advances in electrical resistivity tomography: modeling, electrode position errors, time-lapse monitoring of an injection/withdrawal experiment, and solution appraisal."

The call number is: QC808.5.O43 2006. Copies of the dissertation are housed in both the general stacks and in Special Collections.

Staff Picks: Historical Statistics of the United States

In the first update since 1975, the Historical Statistics of the United States: Earliest Times to the Present has been issued in a new five-volume millennial edition. More than 37,000 annual time series tables are included on population, work and welfare, economic structure and performance, governance, and international relations. Each series is accompanied by documentation from a recognized expert.

This statistical set is packed with detail, from the number of pharmacists in 1850 to the annual precipitation in Grace, Idaho from 1895-1998. Whatever historical statistics you are seeking, you are bound to find them here. The Historical Statistics of the United States is located @thelibrary in the main Reference collection.

Vern Rutsala Poems @thelibrary

Framed broadsides of five poems by Idaho-born poet Vern Rutsala are on display in the Frank Church room windows on the second floor of Albertsons Library.

A native of McCall, Rutsala is the grandson of pioneers in the Finnish community of Long Valley. His family moved to Portland during the Depression, and he's lived there ever since. Among Rutsala's many awards are the Pushcart Prize. He was also a finalist for the National Book Award.

The broadsides are on loan from Lewis & Clark College in Portland. They will be on display until mid-July and you can see them whenever the Library is open.

Alan Virta, Head Librarian, Special Collections

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