Responses to Suggestions - January, 2006
Updated: February 6, 2006Please refer also to General Library Questions or Responses to Suggestions
COMMENT RECEIVED on 1-2-2006: I am working on my dissertation and am looking for a computer to use over break that has " Nvivo" software on it. Do you know if any computers in the library have it or can it be installed? Any and all help appreciated.
RESPONSE: "Nvivo" is not available on any of the Libraries´ public computers. If you have a licensed copy of this program, we can add it to one of our Electronic Information Center custom installation computers temporarily. Please ask staff there for assistance.
Lindsey Wess, Manager, Electronic Information Center
COMMENT RECEIVED on 1-10-2006: Just tried to access your OPAC (SAGE) via the Libraries Home page. I am not affiliated with the university, but thought I could search. Repeatedly got an error message that the web site was not found.
RESPONSE: Thank you for your note. Our catalog has been taken offline for routine maintenance and should be up and working sometime this afternoon. While access to our databases is restricted to people who are currently enrolled or employed here, everyone can use our library catalog.
Please send us a note if you are unable to access it later today. My apologies for this inconvenience.
Allison Cowgill, Co-Coordinator, Instruction & Research Services;
491-1876,
Allison.Cowgill@ColoState.EDU
COMMENT RECEIVED on 1-19-2006: To Whom It May Concern: I am a graduate student in the philosophy department. I am writing to urge the library to support The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (http://plato.stanford.edu/). Currently, it is free to all users of the internet, and institutional funding would help it remain that way. I find this resource to be invaluable, and I urge the library to use some of its, admittedly limited, funds for this purpose. Please visit the website for more details. Many thanks for your time and attention.
RESPONSE: Colorado State University Libraries has recently made a commitment to support the "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy". As part of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries we are making substantial contributions over a three-year period. Like you, we believe that free access to this valuable resource is important.
I checked the list of contributors and noticed that no Colorado Alliance libraries are listed. I will contact the Alliance office and verify that we are contributing and see if we can get Colorado State University listed as a contributor. Thank you for your comments.
Patrick McCarthy, Co-Coordinator, Instruction & Research Services;
491-1881;
COMMENT RECEIVED on 1-25-2006: I recently used several of the online databases we have available through the library's website, and while I was very pleased with the quantity and quality of information available, I was also disappointed that I am only now, late in my student career, discovering these valuable resources.
While the resource is prominently displayed - one of eight possible menus - it remains out of reach for most students because of our unfamiliarity with it. Even those of us who have the interest - of which I now count myself among - lack an accessible (without having to logon to each database) resource which explains the abilities and functions of the individual databases.
I would like to suggest that a resource be created which highlights each databases key features, functions and subject areas; something that would invite the curious and assist the motivated researcher.
RESPONSE: Thank you for your comments about our databases. We currently subscribe to over 400 databases carefully selected to best meet the research needs of CSU students, faculty and staff. While I certainly understand your suggestion, it may be quite difficult to implement because of the sheer number of these resources. I am passing your comments on to our Web team, a group of library faculty and staff who are currently reviewing our Web site thoroughly for possible revisions.
Our Web site provides several ways for students to find out about databases and how to use them. On the Databases page, there is a pull-down menu that groups databases by subjects such as Sociology, Biology, Social Work, Biology, Engineering, etc. Each one contains an alphabetical list of databases that will be useful for research in the area. Also, there is a little "i" to the left of each database´s title; clicking on that takes users to a description of the database including coverage and updating frequency. In addition to the Databases link at the top of our home page, there are other links here that provide information on these resources. Under the heading "Research," for example, is a link to our subject guides. These contain information on specific databases for each CSU discipline. Under "Help," there is "Library Research Tips" that links to Flash tutorials on a variety of topics, including selecting databases and constructing search statements. It also provides links to Web pages on how to do research, including finding books and journal articles. Under "Contact Us," there is a list of subject librarians who meet with students in their subject areas and help them with their research. We also provide assistance with print and electronic resources at our Reference Desk here in Morgan Library. Many of the questions we get involve selecting and using our databases.
Allison Cowgill, Co-Coordinator, Instruction & Research Services;
491-1876,
Allison.Cowgill@ColoState.EDU
All responses by
Allison Cowgill,
Coordinator, Instruction & Research Services,
assisted by Janet Rombach,
Instruction & Research Services, unless otherwise noted.