My biggest discovery was that ArchiveGrid and CAMIO exist. While I hadn't used some of the databases very much, I didn't even know that we had those two. They are not on our library's list of databases. We'll have to add them. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to learn we had access to scanned genealogical books through HeritageQuest.
In the fall, I plan to offer database classes to the public. Hopefully, it will go well.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
AncestryLibrary, HeritageQuest, Sanborn Maps
AncestryLibrary
I was not able to find any records of myself in AncestryLibrary, but that is not surprising. This is the first year I have filled out a census, I am unmarried, and still in my twenties.
My grandmother, still living, did have a record. She was listed in the U.S. Public Records Index with her current address under her married name. She also appeared in the 1930's census under her maiden name.
When I searched "south dakota" under the photos and maps, I found family and homesteading photos, year book entries for native south dakotans, professional baseball players (that one surprised me), gazetteers, and historical indexes.
HeritageQuest
I was surprised that HeritageQuest had scanned books. I was expecting the census and military data, but I had never seene the e-books. They even included the blank pages. This is a great resource because it can be accessed from home. Many times genealogy books are in reference and cannot be checked out.
Sanborn Maps
I've used Sanborn Maps before when I took a geography and map librarianship class. I though it was interesting then, and I still do now. It's the only place I've found where you can watch a city develop (at least for few decades). Also, if you know the lot number of your ancestral home, you can go back and locate it.
I was not able to find any records of myself in AncestryLibrary, but that is not surprising. This is the first year I have filled out a census, I am unmarried, and still in my twenties.
My grandmother, still living, did have a record. She was listed in the U.S. Public Records Index with her current address under her married name. She also appeared in the 1930's census under her maiden name.
When I searched "south dakota" under the photos and maps, I found family and homesteading photos, year book entries for native south dakotans, professional baseball players (that one surprised me), gazetteers, and historical indexes.
HeritageQuest
I was surprised that HeritageQuest had scanned books. I was expecting the census and military data, but I had never seene the e-books. They even included the blank pages. This is a great resource because it can be accessed from home. Many times genealogy books are in reference and cannot be checked out.
Sanborn Maps
I've used Sanborn Maps before when I took a geography and map librarianship class. I though it was interesting then, and I still do now. It's the only place I've found where you can watch a city develop (at least for few decades). Also, if you know the lot number of your ancestral home, you can go back and locate it.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Learning Express
I took the U.S. Citizenship practice exam, and I am happy to report that I did well - only missed a couple. I did not finish the entire exam (100 questions) though. I have been recommending this resource to people for the last five years (at various libraries).
The citizenship test required a typed answer rather than multiple choice so after the exam section was finished, it showed the answer I input and the various wordings of a correct answer. For instace, I answered that Congress made the laws while the correct answers could have been Congress, the legislature, or the Senate and House of Representatives. For those working for citizenship providing all the possible wordings for the answers is important because they may not be familiar with Congress also being called the legislature.
I especially like that the database has tests that I don't have books for in the library.
The citizenship test required a typed answer rather than multiple choice so after the exam section was finished, it showed the answer I input and the various wordings of a correct answer. For instace, I answered that Congress made the laws while the correct answers could have been Congress, the legislature, or the Senate and House of Representatives. For those working for citizenship providing all the possible wordings for the answers is important because they may not be familiar with Congress also being called the legislature.
I especially like that the database has tests that I don't have books for in the library.
CAMIO
When I searched "Paul Revere", I found that he had made several silver household items such as a teaspoon, tea urn, sugar bowl, ect.
Searching the phrase "sioux" resulted in images of native american artifacts from the Sioux tribe such as drawings, gloves, coats, dolls, ect.
One of the artists I like is Renoir. When I searched his name, I received a list of his portraits and sculptures. One of the early entries was a self-portrait. It's always nice to know what the artist looks like.
I think CAMIO would be a useful resource for those involved in drama or theater. The images would help with costuming and scenery.
After adding the images to the favorites folder, I enjoyed be able to compare two of them side by side. I had searched for book bindings, and it was interesting to see the differences in similar items. It tried the slide show as well, but I thought that the comparison feature was more helpful.
Searching the phrase "sioux" resulted in images of native american artifacts from the Sioux tribe such as drawings, gloves, coats, dolls, ect.
One of the artists I like is Renoir. When I searched his name, I received a list of his portraits and sculptures. One of the early entries was a self-portrait. It's always nice to know what the artist looks like.
I think CAMIO would be a useful resource for those involved in drama or theater. The images would help with costuming and scenery.
After adding the images to the favorites folder, I enjoyed be able to compare two of them side by side. I had searched for book bindings, and it was interesting to see the differences in similar items. It tried the slide show as well, but I thought that the comparison feature was more helpful.
ArchiveGrid
ArchiveGrid provided a concise overview of Sitting Bull's life and even included a general idea of what he valued (opposing white encroachment, refusing to abandon the traditions of the ritual Ghost Dance). The way they worded the description made him seem tenacious. For such a short introduction, they gave a thorough insight into the life of Sitting Bull.
For my second search, I typed in "Willa Cather". I received 208 results, among them were personal letters, notes in manuscripts, poems, novels, and manuscripts about Willa Cather. The collections were mostly owned by the University of Virginia, Nebraska State Historical society, and Columbia Univerity Libraries. The all had a description of the collection and contact number for the owning institution.
For my second search, I typed in "Willa Cather". I received 208 results, among them were personal letters, notes in manuscripts, poems, novels, and manuscripts about Willa Cather. The collections were mostly owned by the University of Virginia, Nebraska State Historical society, and Columbia Univerity Libraries. The all had a description of the collection and contact number for the owning institution.
Friday, April 16, 2010
WorldCat
I use FirstSearch for interlibrary loan so I am familiar with the interface. I searched for "Marcus Aurelius" since I was looking for that book for a parton earlier today. I received 172 entries, 144 of which were in English. Augustana was the top entry listed. WorldCat lists the alphabetically with South Dakota always first (since we are a South Dakota library). However, it only showed the regional libraries that held the book instead of all the libraries worldwide. It simply had a note that other libraries held the book and to check with my librarian for more information. The class descriptors had both LC and dewey numbers. It also had the publication information, descriptors, and a short abstract.
In OAIster, I chose the result titles "Effects of Logging Slash on Aspen Regeneration in Glazed Clearcuts". I like that it not only told me that the article was not available in my library but it provided a link to the full-text through digital commons. In the notes, it also had a small abstract so that I could tell if the article was appropriate for my search or not.
In OAIster, I chose the result titles "Effects of Logging Slash on Aspen Regeneration in Glazed Clearcuts". I like that it not only told me that the article was not available in my library but it provided a link to the full-text through digital commons. In the notes, it also had a small abstract so that I could tell if the article was appropriate for my search or not.
NetLibrary
While in netlibrary, I conducted a full-text search for "volcanic eruption ash". I received books on Mount St. Helens, geology, environmental hazards, and travel destinations. There were multiple books on each topic which is helpful for research. All of the books were at least six years old, but it still provided a starting point, and if the library did not have books on that topic, it would have been extremely helpful as it is much faster than interlibrary loan. I think this is espcially helpful for students who wait until the last minute to do their projects.
As for the fitness instructor, I would recommend "Exercising for Older Adults: ACE's Guide for Fitness Professionals" by Richard Cotton. Assuming the instructor is working with older adults, this book had an entire chapter on exerices programming.
By using Nebraska as the publisher, I received a results with Lincoln University of Nebraska Press as the publisher. All of the suggested books were about Nebraska history when it was considered to be part of "the West" rather than the heartland. Again all of the books were at least six years old.
As for the fitness instructor, I would recommend "Exercising for Older Adults: ACE's Guide for Fitness Professionals" by Richard Cotton. Assuming the instructor is working with older adults, this book had an entire chapter on exerices programming.
By using Nebraska as the publisher, I received a results with Lincoln University of Nebraska Press as the publisher. All of the suggested books were about Nebraska history when it was considered to be part of "the West" rather than the heartland. Again all of the books were at least six years old.
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