Library and Information Science Commons^™

Reference Works, From Idea To Reality, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

I've been reviewing reference books and databases for more than 10 years now, cracking the bindings on new titles, test-driving the interface features, and summarizing my impressions for reference librarians wanting the latest opinion on the newest content. I can't say that I spent much of that period processing the amount of time, effort, money, and personnel involved in bringing a multi-volume encyclopedia or online product" to fruition. At the 2010 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., however, I got a chance to stop and think about that, thanks to the program sponsored by Reference Books Bulletin.

Credo's Topic Pages, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

"Where do I start?" This is often a question that students ask when beginning their research. It's a question that Credo Reference wants to answer with its new product, Topic Pages. Topic Pages offers an all-in-one starting point for more than 10,000 popular research topics. The pages are designed to offer context and vocabulary, subject orientation, and pathways to further exploration. They include simple definitions, encyclopedia entries, tag clouds showing the vocabulary of the topic, images, and a tide list of the most common references from subject encyclopedia articles. Content is drawn from Credo Reference and beyond.

Exploring Open Access E-Textbooks, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

In previous columns I've explored reference e-book platforms, distributors, and aggregators. This month I want to step out a bit further and explore open-access digital textbooks. I learned a lot about digital textbooks in February when I attended the O'Reilly Tools of Change (TOC) Conference. This conference discusses issues in publishing; one of these issues happened to be digital textbooks. The first question that often comes to mind when discussing open-access digital textbooks is, what are they? They share several characteristics: they are protected by the creative commons license by which content may be copied, shared, or changed so long …

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter - Spring 2010, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter

Contents:

Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library Set to Open this Summer at Thomas Cooper..... p.1
The Thomas Cooper Society 2009-2010 Report of the President..... p.2
The End of an Era: 45 Years of Mezzanine Exhibitions..... p.4
New Collections, New Exhibits..... p.5
In Memoriam: Dorothy Anne Petersen Ackerman, Dorothy Katherine Payne and Mary Alice Copeland Patterson..... p.6
One Hundred Fifty Thousand Rare and Special Treasures are on the Move..... p.6
Christina Rossetti Exhibit Displayed in Thomas Cooper Library..... p.7
Recent Gift Enriches Book Arts Collection..... p.7
Student Researchers Working in Graniteville Room..... p.8
Thomas Cooper Society Officers, 2009–2010..... p.8
Thomas …

Caroliniana Society Annual Gifts Report - April 2010, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society - Annual Report of Gifts

Contents:

Presidents - The University South Caroliniana Society..... p.1
Address by Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust..... p.2
Report of Gifts to the Library by Members of the Society During the Past Year.....p. 10
Robert Barnwell Rhett Papers, 1752–1780, 1816–1953 and undated.....p. 10
Blease & Griffith Records, 1895-1970.....p. 20
Anderson Family Papers, 1857–1865..... p. 67
Miscellaneous Items (Manuscripts, Letters, Photographs, etc.).....p. 71
Selected List of Printed South Caroliniana..... p.95
Pictorial South Caroliniana..... p.99
List of Donors of Unlisted South Caroliniana Items..... p. 105
List of New Life Members and other Contributors to the Society’s Endowment Fund..... p.106
Endowments and Funds to Benefit …

Reflections - Spring 2010, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Reflections

Contents:

Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library to Open in June.....p. 1
Technology Lounge Dedicated at Thomas Cooper Library.....p. 1
From the Dean of Libraries.....p. 2
Thomas Cooper Library Receives a Facelift.....p. 2
South Caroliniana Library Exhibit Honors Old Columbia Neighborhood.....p. 4
News Briefs.....p. 4
It’s All in the Cards: Celebrating and Commemorating the University Libraries Card Catalog.....p. 5
South Carolina Political Collections.....p. 6
Rare Books and Special Collections.....p. 7
Digital Collections.....p. 7
South Carolina Political Collections Exhibits.....p. 8
In Memoriam: Dorothy Anne Petersen Ackerman and Mary Alice Copeland Patterson.....p. 8
Christina Rossetti Exhibit displayed in Thomas Cooper Library.....p. 9 …

Reference On The Web: Know Before You Go, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

Last November I got the dreaded call. My travel agent for 10 years, the one who booked all my international flights, found children's fares, and helped me short-term lease a car in Belgium, was going out of business. Her business was yet another to disappear as the result of the plethora of self-service, fast, and convenient online travel sites like Expedia, Kayak, Priceline, and Travelocity, to name a few. Although I miss the personal touch of my travel agent, I do find that online travel sites are quite useful. There's certainly no lack of them, so selecting just a few …

Caroliniana Columns - Spring 2010, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

Contents:

Report from the Director..... p.1
Report from the President..... p.2
Treasures from the South Caroliniana Library..... p.3
“Student Activism, Southern Style”..... p.3
Elephants Are Buried in South Carolina: True or False?..... p.4
Columbia’s Historic Gardens..... p.6
My Decade with Mary Chesnut or, the Joys of the Caroliniana Library..... p.10
University of South Carolina Student Exams, 1854 - 1917..... p.12
Southern Railway Photographic Negatives..... p.14
Papers of the Sinkler Family..... p.14
Three-volume Anthology on South Carolina Women Nears Completion..... p.15
William Gilmore Simms Conference..... p.16
Memorials..... p.16

Interactive Online Reference, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

Last November I attended the 2009 Charleston Conference: "Issues in Book and Serial Acquisitions." E-content, licensing, business models, and a host of other issues were discussed. There were several presentations on reference, one in particular titled "Interactive Reference," presented by Tom Beyer, director of publishing at iFactory, and myself Part of the RDW Group, iFactory designs and engineers a variety of online products, including Sage Reference Online, Rosen's Teen Health 6-Wellness, and multiple Oxford products. During the presentation, Beyer discussed the state of online reference and the variety of interactive features that could be useful in the next-generation products. Beyer …

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter - Fall 2009, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter

Contents:

Libraries Receive Major Churchill Collection..... p.1
University Receives Gift of Unique Milton Portraits..... p.1
In Memoriam: Dr. Charles Brent Weasmer and The Reverend Delos Corderman..... p.3
The Thomas Cooper Society Events, 2008-2009..... p.4
Renaissance Astronomy Books Given to University..... p.5
Burns Scholar G. Ross Roy Receives Honors..... p.5
Exhibits from Rare Books and Special Collections..... p.6
"'A Use in Measured Language': An Exhibition for the Bicentenary of Alfred Tennyson”..... p.7
News Briefs..... p.7
The Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Construction Continues (photos)..... p.8
Thomas Cooper Society Officers, 2008–2009..... p.8
Thomas Cooper Society board Members, 2008–2009..... p.8

Reflections - Fall 2009, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Reflections

Contents:

University Libraries Receive Major Digitization Grant.....p. 1
Renaissance Astronomy Books Given to University.....p. 1
From the Dean of Libraries.....p. 2
University’s Federal Depository Program Recognized for 125 Years of Service.....p. 3
Libraries’ Undergraduate Research Award Winners Announced.....p. 4
In Memoriam: Robert F. Skinder (1943–2009).....p. 4
Burns Scholar Dr. G. Ross Roy Receives Honors.....p. 5
Exhibits at the South Caroliniana Library.....p. 5
The Flynn T. Harrell Collection on the Separation of Church and State Endowment Fund Announced.....p. 6
Student Book Collecting Award Winner Named.....p. 6
Cooper Named Interim Director of Moving Image Research Collections.....p. 7
“Voices For Civil Rights: Modjeska …

Caroliniana Columns - Fall 2009, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

Contents:

University Libraries Receive Major Grant to Digitize Historic South Carolina Newspapers..... p.1
Report from the President..... p.3
Report from the Director..... p.3
Introducing Bill Cossen..... p.4
“Entfesselt den Tiger nicht!,” or, “Do Not Unchain the Tiger”..... p.4
South Carolina Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Papers Available to Researchers..... p.5
The Diary of John Shaw Billings..... p.6
Oscar Montgomery Lieber and the 1860 Eclipse Expedition..... p.8
Bill Schmidt Joins University Libraries Staff..... p.11
New Digital Collections of SCL Materials..... p.11
Piranesi at Carolina..... p.12
D.W. Griffith’s “Historical Facsimile:” How the South Carolina Statehouse Became a Movie Set..... p.15
Memorials..... p.16

Encyclopedia.Com, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

Fall is in the air-football, back-to-school activities, pumpkins, and the annual Reference Books Bulletin "Encyclopedia Update." This year we get to highlight a new encyclopedia. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, acquired HighBeam Research in December 2008, and with that acquisition, the ownership of a fabulous URL EncycLopedia.com, a free resource with more than half a million entries on a variety of topics. The best part? The information is from vetted reference sources. In fact, more than 200 dictionaries and encyclopedias are used to verify content on the site, with many more to follow. This is great news for librarians and …

Reference Universe, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

One of my favorite things about being a reference librarian is me reference collection. I love perusing the subject encyclopedias for unique content and enjoy watching my collection grow, both in prim and e-book formats. However, I find it difficult to keep up with the resources in this valuable collection. Luckily, I found a tool that not only helps me remember these great tides but unlocks them for me, exposing articles and ideas I may not have considered. My tool is Reference Universe, from Paratext, an index for the articles inside the reference collection, providing access points not found in …

Reflections - Spring 2009, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Reflections

Contents:

McNally Named Dean of University Libraries.....p. 1
Hollings Library Construction Progresses.....p. 1
University Libraries Receive Class Gifts.....p. 2
“Old Views Made New”.....p. 3
Vintage Football Calendar Features Images from University Archives.....p. 3
Library Is Given First Edition of Mark Catesby’s Natural History.....p. 4
Ten Years of ILL Express!.....p. 4
South Carolina Digital Library Receives Grant.....p. 5
“Cookbooks and Gender in Postwar America”.....p. 5
Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library Construction (Photos).....p. 6
Major Robert Burns Conference Held in April.....p. 7
SCPC Graduate Assistant Talks about Working with Hollings Papers.....p. 8
“Lincoln and His Legacy: A Bicentennial Exhibition”.....p. 8 …

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter - Spring 2009, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter

Contents:

McNally Named Dean of University Libraries..... p.1
University Receives New Treasure..... p.1
Message from the Dean..... p.2
"Lincoln and His Legacy: A Bicentennial Exhibition"..... p.3
New Gifts: African Birds and Scots Presbyterian Writings..... p.3
University Receives Gift of Rare Catesby Title..... p.4
"Robert Burns at 250: An Exhibition from the G. Ross Roy Collection"..... p.6
"Imagining Paradise: An Exhibit for the John Milton Quatercentenary"..... p.7
Hollings Library Construction (photo)..... p.8
Thomas Cooper Society Officers, 2008–2009..... p.8
Thomas Cooper Society Board Members, 2008–2009..... p.8

E-Book Usage Data, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

I hear it all the time from a variety of librarians: not going to invest in e-books until I know they will get used." In fact, I hear it most from school librarians who are low on budget and don't want to invest in e-books without proof: from someone else's school system, that the investment will payoff. Luckily, usage data is available for e-book publisher and aggregator products, and this data can be mined in a variety of ways to determine use of the product or particular titles.

Caroliniana Columns - Spring 2009, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

Contents:

McNally Named Dean of University Libraries..... p.1
“Authors of the United States” (phot)..... p.1
Report from the President..... p.2
Report from the Director..... p.2
USC in the Early 1960s: Civil Rights Activist Speaks Out..... p.3
University Archives..... p.6
Finding the Perfect Home..... p.6
Eugene Whitefield Dabbs: April 15, 1864 - May 31, 1933..... p.7
Pierce Butler and the Founding of Washington, D.C...... p.12
Student Success Stories at South Caroliniana Library..... p.15
Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library Construction (photo)..... p.16
Memorials..... p.16

Churchill: Introducing The Dr. E. Conyers O'Bryan Collection Of Winston Churchill, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Rare Books & Special Collections Publications

This brochure lists selected items from the Winston Churchill Collection built by E. Conyers O'Bryan, M.D., of Florence, SC. When Dr. O'Bryan donated the collection to the University of South Carolina, in 2009, it was with the wish that "hundreds of people could have the opportunity to see and use" the collection, and so learn about Churchill "who I regard as the most important man of his century." The O'Bryan Collection includes more than 80 volumes of Churchill's writings (many first editions, specially-bound copies, or inscribed copies), together with books from Churchill's library at Chartwell, artwork, and memorabilia, including a …

Patron-Driven Acquisition, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

Patron-Driven Acquisition (PDA) is an e-book business model introduced by NetLibrary almost 10 years ago. The model was slow to develop over the years but has experienced a resurgence with programs from NetLibrary, Ingram Digital, and EBL. PDA stems from two traditional collection development principles—purchasing titles based on patron suggestions and establishing approval plans. The primary differences are that PDA is a business model strictly for e-books, and final selections are made by the patrons.

The New Netlibrary, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

At nearly 10 years old, NetLibrary remains the largest e-content provider. Since being acquired by OCLC in 2002, it has made some major changes.

E-Book Distributors For The Public And School Library Markets, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

In the May 15 issue of Reference Books Bulletin, Off the Shelf provided an overview of three e-book aggregators with a focus on the academic library market. This column highlights Follett Digital Resources and OverDrive, two e-book distribution services for public and school libraries. Readers should also consult “The New NetLibrary,” on p.72.

Reflections - Fall 2008, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Reflections

Contents:

Construction Begins on Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library.....p. 1
Librarian Authors Book About Gamecock History.....p. 1
A Word from the Interim Dean of Libraries.....p. 2
Ernest F. Hollings Collection Opens for Research.....p. 3
South Carolina Digital Library Established.....p. 4
In Memoriam: Dr. Charles J. Alber and Dr. Matthew J. Bruccoli.....p. 4
News from the Music Library.....p. 4
Roys Augment Burns Collection.....p. 5
News Briefs.....p. 5
John Higgins Wins Student Book Collecting Award.....p. 6
New Faces: Amber Gibbes and Mary Horton.....p. 6
Mullins Family Donates Civil War Letter to South Caroliniana Library......p. 6
Libraries’ First Undergraduate Research Awards Presented.....p. …

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter - Fall 2008, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter

Contents:

Construction Begins on Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library..... p.1
The Thomas Cooper Society Events, 2007-2008..... p.1
A Word from the Interim Dean of Libraries..... p.2
Thomas Cooper Medal Presented to Janette Turner Hospital..... p.3
"Naturalists in South Carolina: Audubon in Context"..... p.3
Tributes to Dr. Matthew J. Bruccoli..... p.4
"Victorian Writers Remembered and Forgotten", Exhibit Mounted for Victorians Institute..... p.5
In Memoriam: Matthew J. Bruccoli..... p.5
"Pages from the Past" Exhibit Goes on the Road..... p.6
Exhibits at the Thomas Cooper Library..... p.6
Roys Augment the University's Robert Burns Collection..... p.7
News Brief..... p.8
In Memoriam: Charles J. …

Caroliniana Columns - Fall 2008, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

Contents:

University Archivist’s Book Features Gamecock History..... p.1
Mullins Family Donates Civil War Letter to South Caroliniana Library..... p.1
Report from the President..... p.2
South Caroliniana Library Honors Author of Jazz and Blues Musicians of South Carolina..... p.3
Caroliniana Cachet..... p.4
New Digital Collections Feature Library’s Unique Visual and Manuscript Materials..... p.5
Army Librarian in World War II..... p.7
Pickens-Salley House to be Featured in Documentary..... p.10
Pickens-Salley Symposium on Southern Women..... p.11
The F.W. Pickens Papers..... p.12
The Eulalie Chaffee Salley Papers..... p.12
Report from the Director..... p.13
Preserving the Library’s Visual Treasures..... p.14
The Society’s 73rd Annual …

The Book Of Games: Strategy, Tactics And History (Review), Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

This article is a book review of "The Book of Games: Strategy, Tactics and History" by Jack Botermans.

A View From The Top, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

What is the forecast for reference publishing? Publishing executives have been engaged in this ongoing discussion, most recently at the Reference Books Bulletin Editorial Board program, "The Future of Electronic Reference Publishing: A View from the Top," at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim. As a preview to the program, I asked four executives-John Barnes, executive vice president, Strategic Marketing and Business Development, Gale/Cengage Learning; Casper Grathwohl, vice president and publisher, Oxford University Press; Rolf Janke, vice president and publisher, Sage Reference; and Michael N. Ross, senior vice president, education general manager, Encyclopaedia Britannica-to answer a few questions about the …

E-Book Aggregators, Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

Like many librarians, you're beginning to purchase e-books from a variety of publishers, and you're confused by all the different licensing agreements, platforms, and pricing models. A solution to this madness? Use an e-book aggregator. Aggregators partner with multiple publishers to supply content and provide a platform for libraries and end users to search, order, access, and download the content on the Web. We'll focus here on three of the larger academic aggregators EBL, ebrary, and MyiLibrary. Ebooks Corporations EBL (Ebook Library) [http://www.eblib.com] partners with 250 academic and trade publishers, offering more than 85,000 titles. Ebrary [http:// www.ebrary.com] partners with …

Encyclopedia Of Disasters: Environmental Catastrophes And Human Tragedies (Review), Sue Polanka

University Libraries' Staff Publications

This article is a book review of "Encyclopedia of Disasters: Environmental Catastrophes and Human Tragedies" by Angus M. Gunn.

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter - Spring 2008, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

Thomas Cooper Society Newsletter

Contents:

Thomas Cooper Medal Presented to Widow of Norman Mailer..... p.1
Medieval Manuscripts from Across the State Exhibited at Thomas Cooper Library..... p.1
Special Collectctions Addition to Thomas Cooper Library..... p.3
Rare Robert Burns Manuscripts Added to the Roy Collectction at the University Libraries..... p.3
Beowulf Story Inspires Exhibit at Thomas Cooper Library..... p.4
British Author Presents Lectcture on Giuseppe Garibaldi..... p.4
Michael and Carol Smith Endow European History Library Fund..... p.5
In Memoriam: John Newman Olsgaard, Robert D. Thornton, and Kenneth Eldridge Toombs..... p.5
Exhibit Highlights Four Hundred Years of Scientific Publishing..... p.6
Two Fitzgerald Exhibits Mounted at Thomas …