Earth and Mineral Sciences Library

December 2006

Gale Virtual Reference Library now has access to hundreds of additional titles. Over time the records for the new volumes will appear in the CAT. In the interim, you can see everything by going directly to GVRL from the library databases list.

The EMS Library document delivery service is now available to all PSU faculty. Simply submit an Interlibrary Loan photocopy request and mention in the notes that the title is at the EMS Library. Please include the call number.

November 2006

The Libraries now has access to the fulltext of current ASTM Standards online.  Penn Staters will be able to view the latest editions of ASTM standards for free.

Several new pick-up locations have been added in E-ZBorrow .  Users now can choose to have books delivered to the Architecture, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, or Physical and Mathematical Sciences Libraries on the University Park Campus. World Campus was also added as a pick-up location for Distance Delivery and World Campus users. E-ZBorrow is located at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/tas/access/palcipage.htm

October 2006

The Earth & Mineral Sciences library now offers online access to the publications of the second Pennsylvania Geology Survey http://apps.libraries.psu.edu/content/pageo.cfm

About the survey Described in 1924 as “the most remarkable series of reports ever issued by any survey”, the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania (1874-1889) produced an unprecedented volume and quality of geologic reports. With over 80 texts, nearly 600 accompanying maps and illustrations, a hand atlas, a six-volume grand atlas, and miscellaneous other publications, the Second Survey contains a treasure trove of geologic, economic and historic information about Pennsylvania during the Golden Age. This digital project was made possible with support of the Marion and Kenneth Pollock Libraries Program Fund.

September 2006
The Earth & Mineral Sciences library is piloting an Instant Messaging service. You can now use AOL IM to ask your question. Send your question to Askemsl. If you do not want to download the AOL IM software you can use AIM Express. It does not require a download.

NewsBank’s World Geography Special Report is now available to provide you with information on the physical features, climate and people around the world.To access, go to http://infoweb.newsbank.com and then click on "special reports" under the "More Resources" heading.

The libraries now have online access to the Serial Set Maps (1789-1969). The serial set contains House and Senate Documents and reports as well as Senate Executive Documents and Reports. The serial set maps are of historical significance, and were previously very difficult to access. The maps have been scanned at high resolution in both black & white and color.

A new database: Film and Television Literature Index (1987-date) is now available on the Libraries E-Resources A-Z list. Film & Television Literature Index is a comprehensive bibliographic database covering the entire spectrum of television and film writing, including theory, preservation and restoration; writing, production, cinematography; production and film and television reviews.Most coverage is from 1987 to present, however, a few periodicals go back further.

The new Film Viewing Room in the News and Microforms Library, 21 Pattee Library, west, is available and can be reserved for use by students and faculty in groups of three or more at either the News and Microforms Library Reference Desk or at the Music and Media Center Desk. The room is for film viewing only and is no longer group study room. More information about the room and the equpment included is available at: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/newsandmicroforms/television/filmvideoroom.htm For additional information, contact: Debora Cheney (dcheney@psu.edu)

August 2006

E-ZBorrow (PALCI) will now allow you to select the EMS library as a pickup location for your books. Just select UP-Earth & Min.Sci. Library from the drop-down menu under “pickup location”.

July 2006
Elservier Journal Backfiles - We now have electronic access to many journals from v.1-date. Some titles include Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta and Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids.

Alumni Library - PSU Alumni Association members now have enhanced library privileges, including access to online journals and more!

June 2006
The EMS Library now has an additional entrance! The south entrance to the library is now open. You can access this entrance via the staircase next to the student center in the Deike Building.

We currently have free access to the ECS Digital Library (http://ecsdl.org/). Containing resources published by the Electrochemical Society, this resource includes the Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters, as well as Meeting Abstracts.

We also have access to two other new resources. One is the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP). It is the finding tool for electronic and print publications from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the U.S. government provided by GPO (Catalog of U.S. Government Publications). The other new resource is the U.S. Congressional Serial Set in digital format through Congressional Universe (University Libraries E-Resources. Coverage from 1789-1969, including the American State Papers, and all maps, illustrations, photos, and lithographs found within the U.S. Serial Set during that time period. Both of these are available on the Libraries E-Resources List (http://www.lias.psu.edu/alall.html).

May 2006

The libraries have acquired access to the Inspec backfiles (back to 1898) and Nature backfiles (back to 1987) and we will be acquiring more backfiles to Nature in the near future. We also have purchased backfiles to Cell Press going back to the 1979 for Cell and 1980's and 1990's for some other Cell Press publications. In addition we now have online full-text access to The Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society.

The libraries hours will change for intersession: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/hours/special.html.

The libraries are Beta testing Metalib, a multi-search function interface. This means you will be able to search multiple databases all at once without having to change the interface or log in or out again. If you would like to test it, please go to: http://multisearch.libraries.psu.edu:8331 Please send any feedback regarding Multisearch to ems@psulias.psu.edu.