Ask A Librarian

WVU Libraries adds electronic resources

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
March 23rd, 2006

The Daily Athenaeum, March 23, 2006

By Colleen Wright
Senior Staff Writer

West Virginia University Libraries recently added two new electronic resources to their resume. Web of Science and Elsevier’s Science Direct give faculty and students access to thousands of new journals.

Web of Science contains 22,000 journals, 23 million patents, 12,000 conference proceedings, 5,500 websites, 5,000 books and other scholarly contents.

Science Direct includes electronic versions of a wide variety of frequently used journals. These journals contain information helpful to people in almost every field, especially the sciences.

“Web of Science was the most requested database by faculty. They have been asking for it for the last seven to eight years, and we didn’t have the money until now,” said Mary Strife, director of the WVU Evansdale Library.

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New Library Resources Connect Users to Wealth of Research

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
March 15th, 2006

Two new West Virginia University Libraries’ offerings are providing a boost to faculty and student researchers. Web of Science and Elsevier’s Science Direct, among the top academic digital resources, can now be reached with just a few clicks on the WVU Libraries’ web site.

Web of Science is an index to 22,000 journals, 23 million patents, 12,000 conference proceedings, 5,500 web sites, 5,000 books and other scholarly Web content. Science Direct includes electronic versions of frequently used journals from 1995 to the present.

“We heard from our faculty and graduate students about their research needs and, through the support of the Research Corporation, we’ve been able to provide them with updated services,” Provost Gerald Lang said. “Like everything else, the educational environment and our learning environments are changing, and I think that the ability to provide access to the scientific literature in a much more contemporary way – at one’s desktop – will improve the quality of our faculty members’ research and student learning.”

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Elizas Grand Opening Draws Crowd

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
February 27th, 2006

Elizas counter
Eliza’s is open Sunday-Wednesday 3 p.m.-midnight and Thursday 3-9 p.m. The café offers espresso drinks, fresh-brewed Starbucks coffee, tea, hot chocolate, blended drinks to order, Italian sodas, bottled soft drinks, juice and water. The menu also includes muffins, bagels, biscotti and oversized cookies plus a variety of healthy snacks.

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Library Now Offers a Java Jolt

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
February 27th, 2006

The Dominion Post, February 23, 2006

BY ERIC SLAGLE
The Dominion Post

Students at WVU say a newly opened coffee shop in Wise Library should provide the caffeinated relief they need when studying late at night.

Student T.J. Cromwell said he thinks Eliza’s coffee shop on the fourth floor of the library – which is operated by university dining services and sells Starbuck’s brand coffee – is a hot concept.

“Being a coffee lover, I think it’s a great idea,” said Cromwell. “It keeps you more awake. It makes you stay up. I’m definitely going to buy a lot of coffee there.”

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Elizas Now Serving Starbucks on 4th Floor

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
February 21st, 2006

The Daily Athenaeum
February 21, 2006

By Kevin Jeannette
Correspondent
Monday at 3 p.m. marked the grand opening of Eliza’s on the fourth floor of the Wise Library at West Virginia University.

On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were student body president DJ Casto, University officials and a number of students and faculty eagerly awaiting the opening.

Decorated with blue and gold balloons, Eliza’s was packed with students and faculty excited about the newest addition to the library.
While waiting in line for their free cups of coffee, patrons were treated to trays of fruit and flying WV cookies from WVU Dining Services staff members.

Ribboncutting
BILLY WOLFE/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Student Government Association President DJ Casto cuts a ribbon Monday at the grand opening of Eliza’s, a new coffee shop in the Downtown Library. Eliza’s is located on the fourth floor of the building and sells Starbucks coffee.

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Library to Perk Up with Eliza Grand Opening

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
February 16th, 2006

WVU New and information Services
New Release
February 16, 2006

West Virginia University faculty, staff and students are invited to relax with a steaming cup of Starbucks coffee at the grand opening of Eliza’s at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, on the fourth floor of the WVU Downtown Campus Library.

D.J. Casto, student body president, will join University officials to unveil the sign and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony. There will also be free giveaways.

coffee shop customer
John Cuthbert, curator of the WVRHC, enjoys the first cup of java during Eliza’s soft opening.

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Alumni Association Provides Gateway to Libraries

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
February 7th, 2006

WVU New and information Services
New Release
February 3, 2006

Graduation no longer means bidding farewell to the West Virginia University Libraries.

A partnership between the WVU Alumni Association and the WVU Libraries now connects alumni with many of the valuable library resources students use daily. Alumni Association Chair Jim Gardill announced the initiative known as the WVU Alumni Library Gateway during the Capital Classic Luncheon at the Charleston Embassy Suites on Jan. 25.

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Eliza’s Coffee Will be Made From Fair-Trade Beans

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
February 3rd, 2006

By Mekhala Sofsky
Daily Athenaeum Staff Writer

The West Virginia University Downtown Library Complex will soon be a place that students will be able to kick back and enjoy a cup of coffee while braving those familiar all-night study sessions.

Expected to be completed near the end of February, Eliza’s, named after WVU’s first professionally trained librarian, will be up and running, giving the fourth floor of the library a whole new edge.

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Research Now E-Z at the WVU Libraries

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
January 26th, 2006

The Mountaineer Spirit January 26, 2006

By Monte Maxwell
WVU Libraries

Finding information in the WVU Libraries’ online databases just got E-Z.

E-ZSearch, the newest addition to the Libraries’ web site, allows users to simultaneously search several of the Libraries’ 150 electronic databases and the MountainLynx catalog for a selected topic. Previously, users would have to identify which databases related to their chosen subject and then search through each of the databases one at a time.

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WVU Libraries Offers New Online Search Database

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
January 13th, 2006

The West Virginia University Libraries are offering a new online database for students to help find information. E-ZSearch allows students to search several of the WVU Libraries’ other databases simultaneously, including the MountainLynx catalog.

“It will make searching library databases more like using Google,” said Penny Pugh, head of reference for the Downtown Library, in a press release.

E-ZSearch’s default search focuses on the four databases used most frequently by WVU students: Academic Search Elite, JSTOR, Lexis-Nexis and MountainLynx. The advanced search function will enable students to limit search parameters to databases geared toward a specific subject, such as business or psychology.

Students who need assistance using E-ZSearch or any other resource offered by WVU Libraries can go to the reference desk or send questions online via the Ask a Librarian service at http://www.libraries.wvu.edu/instruction/ask.htm.

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West Virginia Historical Photographs are Online

Posted by Admin.
December 5th, 2005

By WILLIAM JARRETT
For the Wheeling Sunday News-Register

MORGANTOWN — As the years pass, the condition of memorable pictures in the West Virginia Regional History Collection has declined.

That’s why Regional History Collection Curator and Director John Cuthbert and his staff decided to make the historic pictures available online through a digital photograph database called West Virginia History OnView. The Regional History Collection is located in West Virginia University’s Wise Library.

flooded street photo
Main Street in Wheeling, West Virginia is underwater because of the huge flood of 1936.
Photo provided by the West Virginia Regional History Collection

The database will consist of the collection of West Virginia and regional historic photographs dating from the mid 19th century to the early 20th century. The photographs vary from scenes of the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers to events such as the great Wheeling flood of 1936.

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Wise Library Holds Historic Rare Books

Posted by Admin.
November 28th, 2005

By Aaron Rote
Daily Athenaeum Staff Writer

Although most students rarely venture away from the first floor computer terminals in the Downtown Library Complex, Wise Library, the university’s original library before adding on, is actually home to a rather impressive selection of books. In addition to the characteristic selection of literature and scholastic texts, the collection is also attractive for those interested in old and rare books from all over the world.

Located on the sixth floor, the Rare Books Room contains a plethora of valuable texts that have either been donated to the library from outside sources or relocated from the main collection.

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WVRHC Launches Digital Photograph Database

Posted by Monte Maxwell.
November 3rd, 2005

From union miners lining up in Matewan and a World War I pilot showing off his plane to the State Capitol being constructed and Eleanor Roosevelt touring Arthurdale, a glimpse into the past of West Virginia is now only a few clicks of the keyboard away.

West Virginia History OnView, a new digital photograph database launched during Mountaineer Week, provides online access to more than 5,000 historical photographs housed in the West Virginia and Regional History Collection. The database is expected to eventually swell to more than 25,000 images.

“The West Virginia Collection has the finest collection of historical photographs relating to West Virginia in existence,” WVRHC Curator John Cuthbert said. “We are now making the best of them available for viewing by anyone with Internet access.”

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Coffee Shop Construction Begins

Posted by Admin.
October 28th, 2005

Construction on Eliza’s, a coffee shop planned for the fourth floor of the Downtown Campus Library, is scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 31, at midnight. The project is expected to be completed by mid-February.

A construction crew will be working from midnight-9 a.m. Oct. 31 through Thanksgiving break. During this time, half-walls will be installed to separate the coffee area from the rest of the fourth floor.

Students will be able to study on the fourth floor. However, they may experience some noise from construction.

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West Virginia Collection Increases Hours

Posted by Admin.
October 27th, 2005

The West Virginia and Regional History Collection is now open for research during four additional hours each week. The collection is now open Tuesday evenings from 5pm – 9pm.

They offer full service during this period, including reference and access to restricted materials such as manuscripts, recordings, microfilm, etc.

The new hours are:

Mon-Sat 10am – 5pm
Tues 5pm – 9pm

The West Virginia and Regional History Collection is located on the sixth floor of the Charles C. Wise, Jr. Library, accessible through the Downtown Campus Library. It contains the largest collection of West Virginia materials in existence.

You Can Soon Grab a Book and Coffee to Go at the Downtown Campus Library

Posted by Admin.
October 21st, 2005

Mountaineer Spirit October 20, 2005
BY JANEY CINK

Sip on this. WVU students and employees will soon be able to enjoy a latte at the library.

Plans are in place to construct a coffee shop, complete with Starbucks products and food items, in the bay window area on the fourth floor of the Downtown Campus Library.

Construction on Eliza’s is set to begin Nov. 1 and should be completed by mid-February, Student Body President D.J. Casto announced during the Oct. 12 student Board of Governors meeting.

The coffee shop is named after Eliza J. Skinner, the first professionally trained librarian at WVU. She served as library director from 1897 until 1902, when she accepted a position with the Library of Congress.

Casto said the area will be large enough to seat 45 people, feature café-style tables and chairs and blend into the library’s existing decor.

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Library to Get Coffee Shop

Posted by Admin.
October 13th, 2005

Daily Athnaeum October 13, 2005
By Jessica Soccorsi
Staff Writer

For students who like to spend a few extra hours studying, the Den will no longer be the only source for up-all-night coffee. Soon they will be able to grab a latte at the Downtown Library Complex.

Recently, plans were finalized on the construction of a new coffee shop, which will be added into the fourth floor bay window area.

Due to open in mid-February, the coffee shop, which will be known as Eliza’s, will serve Starbucks products and an assortment of different food items.

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SGA Instrumental in Plans to Open Coffee Shop in WVU Downtown Campus Library

Posted by Admin.
October 13th, 2005

WVU New and information Services
New Release
October 13, 2005

CONTACT: Kristin Margolin, Student Government Association 304-550-2866
D.J. Casto, Student Government Association 304-293-4403

Sip on this. West Virginia University students and employees will soon be able to enjoy a latte at the library.

Plans are in place to construct a coffee shop, complete with Starbucks products and food items, in the bay window area on the fourth floor of the Downtown Campus Library.

Construction on Eliza’s is set to begin Nov. 1 and should be completed by mid-February, announced Student Body President D.J. Casto during Wednesday night’s (Oct. 12) student Board of Governors meeting in the Mountainlair.

“Since June, the Student Government Association has been working with the provost’s office, WVU administrators and library staff to create an area where students could enjoy a cup of coffee in the Downtown Campus Library,” said Casto, noting the shop is the initiative of BOG member Jon Jaraiedi. “The library is one of students’ favorite places to study and relax on campus. I think the addition of Eliza’s will be a welcome enhancement.”

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Monsters in the Library

Posted by Admin.
October 3rd, 2005

The Dominion Post Oct. 3, 2005
Eric Slagle, Reporter

WVU library opens monster-themed display in time for Halloween

WVU students considering creepy costumes for the quickly approaching Halloween season can visit the ground floor of the university’s downtown library for suggestions.

That’s where library staff has assembled four display cases of horror-related reading.

The theme of the exhibits actually is monsters, both in literature and film. Titles in the arrangement include classics such as “Jaws,” “Frankenstein,” and the “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.”

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Researchers – New and Returning

Posted by Admin.
August 29th, 2005

Are you a frequent ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan) user? Whether you’re new to the University and haven’t yet discovered this wonderful service, or your research has already introduced you to Interlibrary Loan, this message is for you!

If you have an ILLiad account, all your information needs to be current, including your mailing and email addresses, phone number, and your WVUID (aka, 700 number). Providing current information guarantees that you will receive your interlibrary loan requests in the quickest time possible. So logon now.

If you’ve never used ILLiad, now may be the time for you to logon and register as a First Time ILLiad User. Interlibrary Loan can provide you with books and articles from journals that are not owned by the WVU Libraries. The Interlibrary Loan staff is able to get items from anywhere in the region or around the world. In the past, materials have arrived from as far away as Australia and China.

Let Interlibrary Loan help you meet your research needs!

-Hilary Fredette