New Off-Campus library access

In order to provide easier access to the many databases and resources to which the Library subscribes, the library is implementing an off-campus database authentication method called EZ-Proxy. While currently in pilot test mode, the EZ-Proxy system will allow Stevens faculty, staff and students to easily access the library databases from off-campus without a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.

Accessing library databases from on campus will remain unchanged: simply go to the online resources list from the library website, or visit the database website directly. When off-campus, you will be prompted for your Stevens Pipeline username and password before entering a database. (You will only need to enter your information one time per browser session.) Once authenticated, you will have the same access to the databases as if you were on campus or signed into a VPN.

Please note: you will still be able to connect to the Stevens network through a VPN, and VPN connections will still be supported by the IT department. However, it will no longer be necessary to use a VPN in order to access the library databases. For more information, please see the library instructions for accessing resources from off campus.

Because this system is still in pilot test mode, please feel free to contact the library with any comments or questions you have about off-campus access and the EZ-proxy system. Comments can be directed to Barbara Arnett, Web Services Librarian at 201-216-5382, barnett@stevens.edu.

ILL Department's New Direct Publisher Option for Document Requests

The Interlibrary Loan Department has introduced a new feature for document requests - the Publisher Direct Option.

We now offer the option to request a copy of your journal article directly from a publisher. This option would be ideal for patrons needing the clearest available images in his/her articles. Examples of such pictures would be molecules, cells, etc. - anything that might need a very clear image for research.

For the time being the fee for this service is $5 - this is on top of the $1 (regular) or $10 (rush) processing fee.

This option is listed in online Deposit Accounts, online Student Account Forms as well as the pdf of the paper Document Request Form (which can be found on the ILL webpage or at the library circulation desk).

Please note that the fee could be higher if the article costs significantly more than the $25 the library subsidizes. Also, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to always be able to get a publisher’s copy. If either of these circumstances occurs, we would contact you to decide how to proceed.

For more information on the Publisher Direct Option, please contact Mary Ellen Valverde or the Interlibrary Loan Department.

Homeland Security Digital Library now available to Stevens researchers

Stevens now has access to the Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL), containing over 65,000 important U.S. policy documents, presidential directives, and national strategy documents as well as specialized resources from universities, organizations and local and state agencies.

You can access this resource directly through their website (https://www.hsdl.org), or through the Library's Online Resources page. However, access is restricted to the Stevens community, and users must either be on the Stevens network (on campus), or signed into the Stevens virtual private network (VPN). For more information on establishing a VPN connection, see here: http://www.stevens.edu/library/about/connect.html

More information on the HSDL, from their website:

The Homeland Security Digital Library is the nation's premier collection of documents related to homeland security policy, strategy, and organizational management. The HSDL is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

The Homeland Security Digital Library is composed of homeland security related documents collected from a wide variety of sources. These include federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies, professional organizations, think tanks, academic institutions, and international governing bodies. Resources are carefully selected and evaluated by a team of librarians and subject-matter specialists.

DON'T PANIC

Because we know there's a lot of information (and mis-information) making the rounds out there, we thought we'd provide some links to quality, reliable resources on the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

First off, two quick posts which provide some clarification about the virus and the current situation:

• What is Swine Flu? How Does an Animal Disease Spread to a Human Host? (via Geeks are Sexy)
• Swine Flu Q & A (via BoingBoing)

For official and scholarly information on the topic, check out:

• The Center for Disease Control's H1N1 Flu page: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
• Medline Plus's Swine Flu page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/swineflu.html
• DynaMed's Swine Flu topic collection: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/swineflu/

For even more information, try Dalhousie University's public health subject guide (or you can look at a list of subject guides on this topic here.)

Hope that helps! Be safe, and just remember, wash your hands and stay home when you're sick and we'll be OK.

April Research Workshops

Are you writing a paper or working on a final project? Do you need to find journal articles and books to support your research topic?

Come to a Research Workshop at the Library!

Choose from 3 convenient workshop dates:

1. Wednesday, April 8th @ 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
2. Monday, April 13th @ 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
3. Tuesday, April 21st @ 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

You will improve the quality of your paper/project by learning:
- How to quickly find the full text of top-quality research sources (journal articles, books, e-books, conference papers, newspaper & magazine articles)
- How to cite your sources correctly in your paper and your bibliography
- How to find & use the best research resources for your papers and projects
- How to go beyond the free Internet and start using the innovative, scholarly, & professional research databases available through the Library website

All members of the Stevens community are welcome. All Undergraduate students, Graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend.

Questions? Contact Linda Beninghove, Head of Reference and Research Services, at linda.beninghove@stevens.edu or 201-216-5412.

Location: Workshops will meet in Library Research Training Room 204 on the second floor of the Library.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Thesis & Dissertation Specifications Available

Writing or Advising a Thesis, Dissertation, Senior Report, or Senior Project?

As you finalize your theses, dissertations, reports, and projects, we encourage you to take a look at the Specifications and Instructions for Submission of Theses, Dissertations, Reports, and Projects. This information is available to you within the Library Services section of the Library website at http://www.stevens.edu/library/services/thesis.html

This page provides you and your Advisors with formatting requirements, report specifications, sample pages, and links to copyright information & forms. Students using LaTeX to prepare their papers will find a LaTeX template available for their use.

If you or your Advisors have any questions about submitting a thesis, dissertation, report, or project, please contact Doris Oliver, Special Collections Assistant Curator at the Samuel C. Williams Library, at doris.oliver@stevens.edu or 201-216-5415.

Best of luck with your papers and projects!

SciFinder moving to web version

SciFinder Scholar has now changed to a web version of the database. In order to use SciFinder, users will need to register using their valid Stevens email address. If you are currently using the client version of SciFinder, you will need to register with the new web version. The client version will no longer work after the end of March, 2009.

Registration instructions are available on the Stevens Library website at http://www.stevens.edu/library/research/scifinder.html

Some of the new features of the web version of SciFinder include:

* Direct links to data
* Keep Me Posted enhancements
* Improved search precision
* Session history retention
* Index term linking

For SciFinder Web training and tutorials, check out the CAS website, at http://www.cas.org/support/scifi/index.html

If you have any questions about SciFinder Scholar, please contact a Reference and Research Services Librarian.