1.31.2006

Internet, Databases: ProCon.org & CQ Researcher

Want to get both sides of an issue? ProCon.org is an informational website that bills itself as a "nonpartisan, independent, and nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to inform the public about controversial issues using facts, news, and hundreds of diverse opinions in a pro-con format." Though limited to a few topics so far, each is replete with an extensive list of resources, background data, and time-sensitive information of the topic discussed.

Similar in scope and worth checking out for "hot button" issues is CQ Researcher, an informational research database available from the Library's Indexes to Articles and Databases page. CQ Researcher publishes 44 online essays per year, and covers topics of broad significance to American audiences, such as Capital Punishment, Immigration, environmental issues, and more. Each essay offers an overview of the topic in question, a chronology of events, a pro/con section, and an extensive bibliography. CQ Researcher is a great source for term paper subject ideas, and is available online from October 1991 to present.

1.26.2006

Internet: Online Word Processors

Have you used an online word processor recently? While not fully featured like most store-bought software, they are useful for their writing and editing features. Registering for one is simple, and once you begin you will find intuitive editing menu tools and simple graphics and colors.

Other features include posting straight to a blog, formatting your documents to HTML or PDF, and sharing your document with others through e-mail invites. As an online tool, your work is saved and available to edit whenever you have access to an Internet connection. Some of the more popular online word processors are:

  • Rallypoint
  • Writeboard
  • Writely
  • Zoho Writer

    Simple and easy to use, online word processors are great for writing and saving documents online, which makes editing and collaborating with others extremely easy.

  • 1.24.2006

    Databases: LexisNexis Congressional

    LexisNexis Congressional, one of the Library's online databases, is your source for congressional, legislative and regulatory information. With its new search interface, you can search for congressional publications (selective full text), bills, legislative histories, member biographies, committee assignments, voting records, and financial data, and search in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and Federal Register. The Library's subscription also includes indexing for historical Congressional indexes.

    You can search by keyword, bill number (for example, 107 H.R. 1727), Public Law number, Statute at Large, publication number or by SuDocs number. Indexing for historical Congressional publications can be searched back to the 1st Congress (1789-1791). To access LexisNexis Congressional, go to the Library's Articles Indexes and Databases page.


    1.20.2006

    Events: Brown Bag Luncheon

    Please join Albertsons Library and International Programs for the next International Connections Brown Bag Luncheon Seminar, to be held in the SUB Lookout Room on Wednesday, January 25th, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

    Professor Michael Bixby's presentation "Have Passport and Syllabus, Will Travel!" will focus on his teaching experiences abroad in Spain, Chile, and Italy.
    Light refreshments will be served, but please feel free to bring your lunch. Visit the International Connections website for future presentations.

    1.18.2006

    Databases: Safari Tech Books Online

    Albertsons Library has a new online subscription to Safari Tech Books Online to help you brush up on your HTML, XML, Java or other computer programming. A cooperative purchase with the Office of Information Technology, this online service allows you to access 172 full-text books on business, computer, and networking topics.

    Safari Tech Books Online is available through the Library's Article Indexes and Databases page. Although 3,600 titles are indexed in the database, the library subscribes to only the 172 titles under the "My Bookshelf" section. Select "My Bookshelf" first before you do a search.

    Off-campus users have to login using their current Boise State BroncoWeb login. The library has licensed four simultaneous users so always remember to log out when you are finished.

    MC/EW - Databases

    1.17.2006

    Albertsons Library's weblog: @thelibrary

    weblog nameWelcome to @thelibrary, the news and resources weblog from Albertsons Library. Our aim is to showcase news and resources available in Albertsons Library to the Boise State University campus and the greater Treasure Valley community.

    The library contains over 544,000 books and provides access to 140 online databases, over 87,000 bound periodicals, over 1,300 e-journals, and 6,493 current magazines, newspapers and other serials. The library's holdings include over 61,000 non-print materials (sound recordings, audiovisual materials, etc.), over 100,000 maps and over 150,000 federal government documents. In essence, the Albertsons Library maintains a significant collection of print, online, and electronic resources to help students, faculty, and the greater Boise community achieve goals commensurate with a metropolitan research university of distinction.

    This weblog is a collaborative effort by library staff to enlighten, inform, and disseminate important library-based resources to its users. We hope you find our efforts valuable to your academic growth @thelibrary.

    Memo Cordova
    Reference Librarian