7.29.2010

Listen now! Free mobile streaming music through library databases

Smart phone users, rejoice! Alexander Street Press, publisher of our streaming music databases Classical Music Library, Jazz Music Library, and Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries, has made their spectacular collections of high-quality streaming music available to the mobile user. By scanning QR codes, such as those in this blog post, you can launch right into specially selected playlists (for instance, the QR code at left links to a playlist for French Bastille Day; QR code below right links to an e-album of music from the movie Pride & Prejudice).

As you browse the database, look for the cell phone icon: . Clicking that icon from your smart phone will bring up the mobile player, while clicking from a computer will automatically generate a textable shortlink and scannable QR code for the album or playlist. Don't forget that these great databases allow you to create your own playlists, too! The only apparent drawback is that (unlike listening on your computer) mobile access only allows you to play one track at a time and can't run a group of songs in continuous playback -- but if you figure out how to do that, please let us know!

The service is currently available from the three above databases for all Android and iPhone devices, including the iPod Touch and iPad. Later in 2010, you can expect more streaming access! The publisher is planning to add its nine video collections, including American History in Video, Dance in Video, and Ethnographic Video Online.

If you want to learn more about QR codes, try watching this short, helpful video from CNet.

7.14.2010

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7.06.2010

New Digital Collection: Doc Roach Fire Collection


Spectacular fires, historic firefighting equipment, and Boise city streetscapes are among the images preserved in the Doc Roach Fire Digital Collection in Boise State University Library. A Boise city firefighter for more than 50 years, Doc was one of the few firemen who worked from the days of horse-drawn fire engines, witnessed the introduction of motorized equipment in 1912, and also used gasoline pump trucks. Doc Roach was not a photographer himself, but rather a collector of photographs documenting the fire fighters, equipment, major fires, and fire prevention education in Boise from 1911-1965. These photographs also document the growth of Boise from a small town to a city in the first half of the 20th century, including shots taken of the greater downtown area, capturing changes in transportation and buildings.

The Doc Roach Fire Digital Collection features 70 images from 1904 to 1965 and is drawn primarily from Doc Roach's photograph collection and is supplemented by related images from other collections in Boise State University Library Special Collections.

7.02.2010

Library Closed July 4 & 5


The Library will be closed Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5 for the Independence Day holiday. You can find library hours at our calendar, or visit our mobile site for quick access to our electronic resources, including hours:

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!