All public photocopying in the Library now defaults to duplex (two-sided) copying. Patrons may change to simplex (one-sided) photocopying by following instructions posted at the photocopiers.

All printing in the Library now defaults to duplex (two-sided) printing. Patrons may change to simplex (one-sided) printing before they send their documents to the printer by following instructions posted here: http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/services/printing.php and at Library workstations.

Based on requests and expressed interest in new or alternate products, the MDL has arranged trial access to the following databases. For off-campus access, please login via VPN first (http://vpn.umbc.edu). Then follow the link under "News & Events" on the library homepage. For more info on remote access, see http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/services/remoteaccess.php

URLs and log-in information, where needed, are as follows:

EBSCO
Academic Search Complete
Business Source Complete
Communication & Mass Media Complete
Criminal Justice Abstracts
Log-in Information

Additional EBSCO Trials - no log in required
Art & Architecture Complete
Film & Television Literature Index, with Full Text

ProQuest (no login necessary) good thru 2/18
ProQuest Newsstand

Oxford Bibliographies Online
www.oxfordbibliographiesonline.com
Log-in Information

Bio One 2 (Active for subscribers to BioOne 1, no login necessary)
http://www.bioone.org/search

Past Masters
good thru 2/25
Log-in Information

SAGE good thru 2/28
Criminology and Nursing/Health Science
Log-in Information

H.W. Wilson (no login needed)
WilsonWeb Readers’ Guide Retrospective good thru 2/28

Gale (no login needed)
GREENR - Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources
http://www.galetrials.com/default.aspx?TrialID=8463;ContactID=27220
(if the above link doesn't work, please copy and paste into your browser)

Please let us know what you think.

UMBC's trial access to Oxford Bibliographies Online has been renewed. The trial runs through February 21, 2011.

Oxford Bibliographies Online (OBO) is a library of disciplined-based subject modules. In each subject module, leading scholars have produced a literary guide to the most important and significant sources in an area of study they know best. The guides feature a selective list of bibliographic citations supported by direct recommendations about which sources to consult. Each topic has a unique editorial commentary to show how the cited sources are interrelated. The citations promote discoverability as they link out to the sources via your library collection or through Google books and more.

For off-campus access, please login via VPN first (http://vpn.umbc.edu). Then follow the link under "News & Events" on the library homepage. For more info on remote access, see http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/services/remoteaccess.php

Please let us know what you think. Leave a comment or send your comments to Drew Alfgren at alfgren@umbc.edu.

The day began late due to ice-encased cars, slippery roads, and a delayed opening. However, the graduate students at UMBC are hard at work and they are putting in the time and effort needed to work on their dissertations.  This morning, students posted and shared their goals and objectives for the week and began to chip away at their respective projects. Dr. Wendy Carter, the Dissertation Coach for the campus, reviewed the goals with the students to make sure that they were measurable and reasonable for the 4-day period of the workshop.

After lunch, Dr. Robert Deluty (Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Presidential Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology, and published poet) gave a talk on working with committees and advisors that was filled with both wisdom and humor.  Dr. Deluty’s message of support for all of the graduate students at UMBC was that often, “nothing is utterly hopeless.” He provided some words and phrases that students can use when talking with their advisors and seeking advice from mentors. He also told students to be sure to seek multiple sources of encouragement and support because a solution can often be found with help of others, whether they be peers, faculty, or administrators.  The afternoon mini-lecture series ended with a great story by newly minted Ph.D., Dr. Adrienne Starks, an alum of the Dissertation House. Dr. Starks discussed her journey and some of the solutions that she used, including resources for an editor and a spa to de-stress!  She has shared them on the Dissertation House’s “Winter Challenge” section of the blog: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2011-challenge/

Read more about Dr. Deluty: http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2010/09/real-people-profiles-robert-h-deluty.html

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wpgAoprz8g

Join us online. You can participate in the Winter Online Challenge regardless of your department, school, state, or country!

Good luck to all who are working on their dissertations.