Keeping Up With the Librarians

Ever struggle to use the library? Then, our new Toolkits are for you!

The toolkits offer a central location where you can find the "tools" you may need to help you research a topic or use a resource.

For this launch, we've focused on providing Database Toolkits, which offer tips on how to use our largest, and most popular, databases more effectively. Additionally, there are tutorials if you're new to the database and other insights that might be useful to you. For example, one of our featured databases is Business Source Complete. This toolkit offers links to the database (and in this case, a specialized collection within Business Source Complete: SWOT Analysis), videos on how to search Business Source Complete, and tips and resources that align with research that you may be doing in your courses.

We currently have four toolkits available, with more coming soon! If there's something, in particular, you'd like to see, let us know in the comments or reach out to us through Ask Us!

Ah, yes, another database announcement from your favorite systems librarian (we all know it's me):

Testing & Education Reference Center is now Peterson’s Test Prep!

Peterson’s Test Prep still includes the great practice tests you’ve come to know and love, along with a streamlined interface and search box that makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. In this database, access things like:

• Practice tests for standard tests and certifications such as CLEP, DSST, and your career (accounting, law enforcement, nursing, etc.).
• Foundational skill builders to brush up on your math and writing skills.
• Career information and planning tools, including a resume builder.

If you’ve never looked at Peterson’s Test Prep before, check it out today!

Yes, it’s the announcement you’ve been waiting for…

We have some new stuff! (Go on, I’ll give you a minute to finish cheering. We’re pretty excited, too.)

We’re pleased as Punch to announce the addition of some new databases and the expansion of a couple of databases we already offered, but now cover more subject areas.

New

Data Planet

Do you thrive on numbers? Do statistics and historical trends make your heart beat in anticipation? Then Data Planet is for you! Data Planet provides data sets across a wide selection of topics, from economics (mortgage rates and gas prices) to labor (unemployment rates) and health (health expenditures by state). I dug around in there for awhile (because I'm a nerd like that) and I was amazed at some of the things I found: historical national debt numbers, water use by certain industries (mining, agriculture, etc.), how many miles the U.S. drove as a collective population. So, if you need data or you're looking for statistics to backup your research, check out Data Planet.

SAGE Campus

If you're looking to update your data science skills (and who isn't, these days), SAGE Campus has you covered. It offers a number of topics, such as data visualization or programming in Python, and allows you to either pick the courses you want to take or follow a learning pathway. Learn things like how to use social media data in your research or how to mine text from the web for analysis. Please note that you'll need to sign up for a SAGE Campus account to access courses in this database.

Expanded
 

SAGE Knowledge

SAGE Knowledge now includes SAGE Business Cases, which provides scenarios of business decisions you’ll face outside of the classroom. Check out Managing the Move to the Cloud – Analyzing the Risks and Opportunities of Cloud-Based Accounting Information Systems or Denim Products Incorporated: Creating and Using a Master Budget for some examples of what you’ll find.

SAGE Research Methods

Doctoral students, this one's for you! SAGE Research Methods has been expanded to include a bunch of new content (too much to list out here). One feature worth taking a look at, if you haven't already, is the Project Planner, which walks you through your research project, start to finish. Access all of the supporting documentation referenced in the planner to ensure you've good a good grasp on what you'll need to do to conduct and finish your research.

SAGE Videos

SAGE Videos, formerly known as SAGE Education Video Collection, now includes videos from a number of subjects (not just education). Subjects covered including business, communication, counseling, criminal justice, education, management and leadership, nursing, political science, psychology, and social work.

Ah, it’s never too late in the day for a Wizard of Oz pun, even a bad one.

We’ve recently added some new databases to the library and, while we love all of them, I wanted to highlight some of our favorites.

Business Insights: Global
Struggling with conducting company research? Business Insights: Global can help! It offers comprehensive business intelligence, including company reports and financials, SWOT analysis, industry and market share reports, and case studies.

Gale Health and Wellness
Ah, health information. It’s available in abundance these days. But, how to do you know what’s credible? Enter Gale Health and Wellness. It’s a great first-stop to research a range of health-related issues, from current disease and disorder information to in-depth coverage of alternative medical practices.

Gale Power Search
If you’re a regular EBSCOhost and ProQuest user, Gale Power Search is for you. It combines most of our Gale databases into a single search platform and is a good place to start your research or if you need to uncover a lot of information at once.

Honorable Mention – In Context Databases
We added several new In Context databases (think Opposing Viewpoints-esque). There are too many to mention by name in this post but they cover topics such as environmental science and history. If you're not familiar with our In Context databases, they're great at helping you getting a grasp on a topic by offering overviews, historical context, and current news and research. They also offer related topics to help you branch into other areas of research you might not have considered before.

Check out all our new Gale databases!

And just like that, it's back to school. Or, for some of us, it's back to the kitchen table. Tell me if this sounds familiar:

Your child: "That's NOT how we do division!"

You: "What do you mean that's not how you do division? You see how many times the smaller number goes into the bigger number. That's division."

Your child: "But that's not how Mr/s X does it!"

Tears ensue.

And usually your child cries, too.

Been there. Done that. My situation is a little different now: My kid is in high school. So, it usually involves some variation of "Are you in class or watching Netflix?" or "Wake up."

I struggled writing this blog because I feel like there is a tsunami of information coming at us regarding school, and it just starts with in-class versus online learning. We are bombarded with class size, teacher unions, student safety, teacher safety, instruction, testing, and technology. There are a seemingly unlimited number of websites eager to tell you how to manage your child's education from home. It's overwhelming and almost impossible to digest.

Trust me. I'm a librarian. I know these things. Digesting large amounts of information is my job.

I don't think I'm the only one who is going to lose her tenuous hold on reality if I hear one more talking head tell me to get rid of distractions and create cute calendars for time management. Thanks, Captain Obvious, but I've got a kitchen table, a schizophrenic Wi-Fi connection, and a full-time job. I need some out-of-the-box answers.

So, where do you start? NPR put together a list of questions that can help us determine our children's and family's educational needs in the era of COVID. I don't know about you, but I find knowing the question is instrumental to finding the answers and figuring out my next steps.

Another resource that can be instrumental is Khan Academy. This website has been putting together educational support materials for students for years; it's almost like they were prepping for COVID. More specifically, I saw an interview with Sal Khan, the founder and CEO, and he had me at "focus on the basics." Just get through it. Focus on math, reading, and writing, and then layer on more as you get a handle on the basics. The Khan Academy has also upped its game during this time and now offers resources for students, parents, teachers, and districts. It's a great tool if your child has moved beyond the basics (like division) and you have no clue on how to help with subjects like calculus or physics.

Finally, know you are not alone. This is different from the "we are all in this together" message from television commercials. Let's face it: There are different levels of together and, much to my irritation, I am not "in it together" with the Hollywood elite suffering through COVID from their summer estates with a full staff and mac-daddy internet connection. Yes, that's the jealousy and sketchy Wi-Fi talking.

But we can connect with others around us.

Now is not the time to be shy and, believe me, everyone is looking for the answers. There are the ubiquitous Facebook groups, of course. Or a word popping up these days is "pods," as in "learning pods" or "pandemic pods." These are small groups of students learning together with a teacher or tutor. There are usually costs involved in learning pods, as they can include hiring an instructor. They are not a perfect option for support, but they are an option and maybe learning about these pods will trigger ideas on how to create hybrids for your children.

I could give you a list of resources to look at but, as my kids frequently tell me, you can Google that. Instead, let me throw out some ideas on where to collect credible, applicable information.

• Your school district website. It may have tutoring and support options and links to get tech support for things like Zoom and Google Meet, not to mention offer actual technology available to students.
• Your local public library. Remember that place? You don't even have to go there. Many offer online research help in the form of live chat.
• Tutoring websites. Save yourself the cost of rehab/therapy. Sites like HippoCampus, SmartTutor, and Big History Project are just a few options.

I say with all sincerity - good luck...as I check the Netflix account and look for signs of consciousness from my own student.