Our Gale Databases get a new look and features! Take a look!

Starting today, you can benefit from a number of enhancements to the library’s premium databases GVRL and all resources within the InfoTrac and In Context* families, including the PowerSearch platform. These enhancements are designed to increase accessibility for those with disabilities like low vision or blindness, improve usability for both desktop and mobile researchers, and create a common user experience across some of the most popular resources.

Just a few of the improvements include:

• A similar user experience across GVRL, InfoTrac, and In Context
• Optimization for all screen sizes and devices
• Improved workflow through placement and labeling of navigation elements
• Increased accessibility through high-contrast banners and buttons
• Better presentation of valuable page content

You can learn more about these enhancements at Gale 2015 Enhancements.

You will find Gale databases on the library’s Databases A-Z and Hot Topics pages.

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Are you a small business owner or would be owner looking for business support?

The Library can help support small business owners or those looking to be come one, especially at the ideation stage as they investigate options and resources for developing a business plan, identify funding sources and research other start-up activities.

Let’s say you want to start a business that offers cleaning services. A basic search in GVRL (Gale Virtual Reference Library) of “cleaning services” delivers excellent results. The first, second, fourth, and fifth results shown below are actually from the Business Plans Handbook, a Gale series. Because of GVRL’s strong search capability and detailed indexing down to the individual entry level, you will uncovered  sample business plans.

Results from “cleaning services” search.

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Clicking the second result, “Residential Cleaning Service,” will send you to the content associated with the entry. Perhaps even more important, any user interested in starting a small business can also navigate through the title’s entire table of contents and uncover more helpful content.

Click the Table of Contents to reveal a drop-down menu and quickly navigate to a business plan template also available in this volume.

You can Download and Keep Content

Furthermore, any content that you download will not disappear—so no matter how long it takes you to work on your business plan, you can continue to reference their downloaded content, on- or offline.

Search, Browse, or Read Cover-to-Cover

Because you can search and browse in GVRL, it’s easy to discover additional relevant content. For example, suppose you realize—as a result of reading the administration and management portion of the business plan template—that it’s necessary to increase your management skills. Locating information about that topic is easy!

Click the subject Business in GVRL and browse management-related titles.

Click to enlarge.

Click a title to isolate a search. For example, a user can search the book How to be an even better Manager. Or click Browse Book to read the title cover-to-cover.

Want more? Watch our Insider Librarian walk through Business Research in GVRL!

Checklist for Back-to-School Supplies!

Don’t forget the eBooks!  For Elementary grades checkout the Kids eReading Room. For Middle and High School students visit the eMedia Catalog.  Both catalogs have not only great fiction titles but there are great non-fiction titles to help with Math, Science, English and more!

And don’t overlook the always available eBooks in the Gale Virtual Reference Library.  Visit these resources and more including Hot Topics.

Your Reference eBook Collection Just Got Easier to Use!

While uptake on eBooks has been phenomenally fast around the world, many users still long to see book content displayed in a traditional book format. Readers like the sense of “place” they experience on the printed page, the comfort of a familiar layout, and the reading breaks afforded by page turns.The book-like online reading experience is prevalent across popular reading platforms, and user expectations have now translated to research eBooks such as Gale Virtual Reference Library as well.

The latest update for GVRL is introduced specifically to exceed those expectations. Book content displays in PDF format — exactly as it would in a print copy of the book — yet readers retain the search ability and important tools typically only available within the less-visual HTML format, like the ability to create citations, download articles, and email content.

To read a GVRL title in this format just click the Browse Book link under the cover of the book.

Try the DK Books on a tablet for a great Summer Reading experience.

 

Need a book for your homework assignment?

We have you covered with our Gale Virtual Reference Library. You can find these eBooks on our Hot Topics page eBooks for Learning & Homework.  Start with the DK Books collection which has books on most of your homework subjects. Best of all these books are always available! Then checkout the always available  Britannica collection of non-fiction titles or Duke Classics found in the eMedia Catalog.

Do we have your homework covered?