Recently in databases Category

Last year we looked at a number of additional EBSCO databases, including NoveList and the Automotive and Small Engine Repair Reference Centers. Trials to these and other databases are again available through the State.

To login to the trial go to: http://trial.ebscohost.com
User Id: wisconsin
Password: trial

We have had a couple of requests asking if we could add NoveList. If this is something you are interested in, please take a close look and then email me your comments. Very soon we should also have a trial to Gale's Books & Authors so we can compare the two products.  As always, if you have any questions about these trials or any of our databases please contact me.

> contributed by Evan

Many of you may have heard that OverDrive will soon begin offering iPod compatible audiobooks in MP3 format (see http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6542329.html). Current OverDrive AudioBooks are in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format and cannot be played on iPods.  While OverDrive will begin offering some books in MP3 format, the truth, as is often the case, is not so simple. The over 3000 audio books currently in the OverDrive collection will remain in WMA format and will remain incompatible with iPods. In September OverDrive will begin selling a separate collection of audio book titles in MP3 format. As of now, only a few publishers have signed on to allow MP3 downloads through OverDrive. Since MP3 files will not have any digital rights management (DRM) attached, publishers remain concerned about the ease of copying and distributing audio books in MP3 format. It will be interesting to see how this all sorts out. What this means in the short term is that if/when MP3 files are added to our OverDrive collection, the selection likely will be missing titles from many of the major audiobook publishers.  To see some of the titles currently available in MP3 format, you can look at the District of Columbia Public Library which is the first OverDrive MP3 test site.

Another thing to note is that OverDrive has somewhat jumped the gun and has already posted iPhones and iPods as compatible digital devices.  There is a small disclaimer and and small icons denoting that iPods are not WMA compatible, but this is likely to be lost amid the colorful pictures of Apple products and the big recently added starburst icon. I hope OverDrive will do a better job of clarifying the iPod compatibility issue and modify this page. Until then just remember that we do not currently have any OverDrive MP3 titles, they likely will not be available until the fall, and when available will probably be limited in scope. Besides that, it's great news :)

> contributed by Evan

We currently have database trials from Proquest for Historical Newspapers and Safari Select. The full collection of Historical Newspapers is probably out of our price range, but perhaps one day we could afford just the Chicago paper. Coverage for the historical Newspapers is from 1849 to 2003. Safari Select is "A digital collection of over 400 technical e-books created just for public libraries, offering the latest content in popular technology ranging from books on digital photography, home audio/video, computing and home networking, and video gaming."  For login information please go to the the database trials page. If you have any questions, please contact me.

> contributed by Evan

So far I have had two calls from patrons having problems with popup blockers. They followed the instructions for turning off the Internet Explorer popup blocker, but still had a Google toolbar popup blocker on. I have added information about this on the TELL ME MORE page and have created a page showing how to disable popups in the Google toolbar.  Other toolbars also have popup blockers, but Google is probably the most popular one. Please feel free to have patrons call or email me if they need help getting started with the program. So far we have had very few problems reported. Thanks!

> contributed by Evan

We have a couple of trials this month. WILS is featuring some new Gale Historical Collections. While 19th century newspapers are not at the top of our database wish list, I think they did a nice job making it easier to find and view the articles. They claim that 1/3 of the material came from the Wisconsin Historical Society.   The many iterations of the Milwaukee Sentinel and Gazette make up the bulk of Wisconsin material. Access is available all this month through WILS at http://trials.gale.com/wils08/.  This month we also have access to all the Alexander Street Press databases, including some of the music resources we have looked at in the past. Their web site provides details about their many resources.  Links and password information is posted on our database trials page . You will need the extranet login to access this page.

> contributed by Evan

Try out our new online language learning program, TELL ME MORE! This comprehensive program is suitable for both beginning and advanced language learners and includes Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, and Dutch courses for every day language and business language. Go to the TELL ME MORE page on InfoSoup for more information on how to get started, and contact me if you have any questions.

>> contributed by Evan

We had our first training session last week for the Online language program TELL ME MORE.  The program is available for staff to use. We are waiting for a Vista compatibility upgrade (due out this month we are told) before launching the program for the public. Before giving it a try please read the getting started information on the TELL ME MORE page. For now, where it says Windows Operating System (any version)  please read any version but Vista.  If you have any questions about getting started or using the program please contact Holly or Evan. We hope to to go live on InfoSoup later this month. Until then,  adiós, tot ziens, arrivederci,  wiedersehen,  au revoir.

>> contributed by Evan

The Appleton Public Library (with some help from OWLS) has purchased a two-user license subscription to Associations Unlimited. Based on the popular print title Encyclopedia of Associations, the online version can be used to locate "approximately 460,000 international and U.S. national, regional, state, and local nonprofit membership organizations in all fields, including IRS data on U.S. 501(c) nonprofit organizations." I have added a link at the bottom of the InfoSoup research tools page.

The database is easy to use and provides multiple search options. A fact sheet about the database is available at http://gale.cengage.com/pdf/facts/au.pdf. The best way to learn about it, however, is to give it a try. Be aware that only two people can use it simultaneously. We will monitor turnaways and usage to make sure we have enough user licenses.

>> contributed by Evan

Overdrive Update
Beginning October 31 downloadable music will be added to the OverDrive site. For now, it is a small collection of about 100 standard classical titles from the Naxos record label. OverDrive is working with other record labels and a selection of popular music is likely to be available soon.

Database Trials
We have a trial to Credo Reference (formerly xrefer). Credo Reference offers access to hundreds of standard print reference resources in over 20 subjects. To give it a try, go to http://www.credoreference.com. Our trial is IP-based, so you should be able to access it directly from within a library.

We also have another trial to the Chilton auto repair manuals via Gale. We seem to look at this every year. It is something I know libraries would like, but we never seem to have the budget for it. The same is probably true again this year, but it never hurts to look and let me know what you think. For the trial, go to http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/outagwlstrial. From inside the library you should not need a password. Please email me if you are prompted for a password.

Free Reference Recommendation
A great free reference source worth a look is All About Birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Cornell also partners with the American Ornithologists Union on a comprehensive guide, The Birds of North America Online which is available by subscription. Library rates are pretty reasonable. If you think it is worth a trial, let me know. Free samples are available on the web site. Do you think a niche resource like this would fly?

>> contributed by Evan

We currently have a trial to four new EBSCO databases. I like the idea of the Small Engine Repair Center, which includes boats, tractors, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and more. It is easy to find the make and model you are looking for, but once there I find the heavy use of PDF files makes it slow going and a little frustrating. Other databases in the trial include Home Improvement, Eldercare Search, and Points of View (an Opposing Viewpoint copycat). If you have a chance, take a look and let me know what you think. Go to: http://trial.ebscohost.com.

User Id: Outagamie
Password: trial

>> contributed by Evan