Learning Commons Blog

The Division of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) is pleased to announce that PantherMail, a new student e-mail system, will launch on

October 2, 2008 for all Georgia State University students. After October 1, all official student e-mail correspondence and broadcast messages will be

delivered to the new PantherMail accounts.

With PantherMail, students will keep the same student e-mail address they currently use and enjoy a variety of unique features and benefits.

PantherMail, powered by Microsoft's Live@edu through Microsoft Exchange Labs, offers:

- 10GB of e-mail space, 20MB attachments

- 5GB of online storage space with Windows Live SkyDrive

- Document sharing through Office Live Workspace

- Spaces to create blogs, share photos and more

- Instant Messaging

This ECAR research bulletin provides a context for the current state of academic libraries and the issues they face in a Web 2.0 world. The literature suggests that library services in higher education will continue to be crucial to the core processes of learning, teaching, and research as long key library structures, processes, services, and staff roles evolve to accommodate the epochal changes occurring in publishing and communications.

You need to unzip the EndNote installation package before you run the installation file, otherwise you will be asked for a product key. When you download EndNote, it comes in a zipped package (endnoteX2win.zip). Simply right click on the package, select the "extract all" option and follow the prompts. This will create a new folder called endnoteX2win. Inside the folder will be an installation file (ENX2Inst.msi) and a license file. Run the installation file from the new folder to avoid being prompted for the product key.

Due to an incompatibility with the graphics card in some Dell computers, Second Life only works on the GX 520 models.  These are the 70 computers located on Library North 1.  There is an effort underway to find a solution, but in the meantime please refer patrons to those computers.

Google has recently launched Google Chrome. This new browser is still in (very) beta mode, but is intended to integrate all your computer activities (including word processing) into one browser.

Read about it in comic book form, here: http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html

Student e-mail system will be replaced using Microsoft as its provider.  It will have 5 gigs of storage for students.  The e- mail address will remain the same, jdoe123@student.gsu.edu. This change will take place on October 1, 2008.

Giving alumni access to the new e-mail system provided by Microsoft is still under investigation.

Georgia State University students, faculty and staff can download the Windows version of EndNote X2 from at: http://www.library.gsu.edu/endnote/download/

When you download EndNote, it comes in a zipped package (endnoteX2win.zip). You will need to exctract the files (right click-->extract all) before running the installation file.

See what's new in EndNoteX2: http://www.endnote.com/enX2info.asp

Please contact Joel Glogowski if you have any questions.

From the San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, August 25.

Wikimedia pegs future on education, not profit
"Analysts have pegged Wikipedia's value between several hundred million dollars and $7 billion, the latter by Silicon Alley Insider, a technology blog known for its list of the World's Most Valuable Digital Startups. But its keepers have thus far refused to sell ad space. They are adamant that the encyclopedia's value is tied up not in potential advertising revenue but in something much loftier - its ability to positively affect the news industry, educational publishing and the nature of open-source knowledge creation and dissemination."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/23/MNIJ12ETP4.DTL&tsp=1

Marketing First Impressions: Academic Libraries Creating Partnerships and Connections at New Student Orientations

Academic libraries look for successful marketing strategies to promote positive perceptions among students. To do this, librarians need to find venues and partnerships outside the library. Florida State University Libraries discovered that participating in new student orientation networking sessions creates opportunities to generate lasting first impressions among incoming freshmen and their families. After analyzing three years of successive student and family evaluations, which measured presentation rankings and attendance, the library was able to determine the utility and effectiveness of participating in the orientation program. Related literature and an analysis of the evaluations both indicate that universities and students benefit when libraries participate in new student orientations.

 Access LPP at: http://libr.unl.edu:2000/LPP/lpp.htm

or at: http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/lpp.htm

2008 Table of Contents: http://libr.unl.edu:2000/LPP/lpp2008.htm

The University Library is now officially available on iTunes U.
https://deimos.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/gsu.edu.1621041633.01621041635

See photos here: http://flickr.com/photos/gsulibrary

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Join your fellow classmates for Freshmen Friday (8/22) in the University Library for games, movies, food, fun and more.  The fun begins at 10 a.m.

Pick up your passport on the 1st floor of Library North. With your passport, you can access the game stations on 2nd floor, t-shirt giveaways, etc.

Sponsored by Access and Media Services, with assistance from the Learning Commons.

Here's the student perspective of the GA State Univ Library:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Arre9cOv4U&feature=related 

 Starting in Fall term 2008, the University Library will provide expert writing assistance from within the Library’s Learning Commons.  Writing tutors will be available during high-traffic times to provide constructive criticism, basic grammatical advice, and tutoring on the scholastic writing process. While tutors are happy to help you improve your writing, they cannot provide copy-editing or proofreading services.

Hours of Service:
Monday and Wednesday from 3pm-8pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30am-2:30pm

For more info, visit: http://www.library.gsu.edu/learningcommons/pages.asp?ldID=108&guideID=0&ID=5609

September 2 through December 11

Mondays, 1:30-4:00

Tuesdays, 12:30-4:00

Wednesdays, CLOSED

Thursdays, 11:30-4:00

Fridays, 1:30-4:00 (only one tutor on duty)

Jason Griffey writes: “Take a look at the Fall 2008 UTC Library video that we’ll be pushing out to students and new faculty this fall. Created by a grad student, now adjunct professor, at UTC, Justin Lewis, with direction from me (who basically just said things like ‘Make it cool. Slow that down’). The vision was all his. I think it came out remarkably cool.”...

 This was posted by Diane Dallis (at Indiana University Bloomington) to the InfoCommons Listserv

 "A colleague and I developed an online community for librarians and library professionals who are planning for or use classroom and teaching space in their commons or library. It is intended to be a practical resource for floor plans, equipment and furniture info, and photos. There is a discussion board for related issues as well. Please take a look and consider joining."

www.libraryteachingspace.org

http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/2008/07/ten-social-netw.html

The LIRT Top 20 (page 5) recognizes the best articles on library instruction and literacy. This year, thanks to my mentoring :-), Trena Davis (page 6) is on the list for her article on teaching anxiety.

Online Tutorial for 2.0: http://support.epnet.com/training/flash_videos/
ehost2/2.0.htm


 EBSCOhost 2.0 New Features Help Sheet
http://support.ebsco.com/knowledge_base/
detail.php?id=3856