Penn State University Libraries - fall semester 2011

Wednesday, September 7 and Thursday September 8 -- 10:00am to 6:00pm

This annual event introduces new students to the resources and facilities of the University Libraries by encouraging them to visit many areas of the Libraries. The self-guided "tour" takes approximately an hour to complete. In the Life Sciences Library the students "hike" the trail and stop at the stations for the Reference Desk, the Stacks, the Current Journals area, and the Reference Collection. Over 3000 students attend the Open House with about half visiting the Life Sciences Library. So please understand if the Library is a bit noisy and hectic those days.

Do you have some questions about how to use the Penn State library system?  Are you wondering how to find the impact factor for a particular journal?  Maybe you'd like the students in your class to use more appropriate resources in their papers!  Or perhaps you'd like to learn some quick tips to using your favorite database, or some help in managing your research library.

Help is here!  Schedule a one-on-one library consultation session in your own office, on the topics of your own choosing!

Just fill out this form and your liaison librarian will contact you to schedule a mutually convenient session!

If you are using a Web-capable mobile device (iPhone, Android, smartphone, iPad or other tablet), you may want to try using them to search PSU Library resources.  Learn more about how to do this and what resources are currently available and compatible with your mobile devices at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/about/mobilesite.html

With the interior renovation happening on the first floor of the Pattee/Paterno Library, the Reserves materials have been moved to the Main Circulation Desk.  To put items on reserve either electronically or physically, click here.  It’s easy, just fill out the forms and the library staff does the rest.  The Life Sciences Library is still maintaining a small collection of textbooks for large classes.  These books can be moved to Reserves at your request.  Thanks for helping the students get access to the resources they need for your classes.

Are you interested in the various tools available for managing your citations?  When working on extensive research projects, you will need to collect, organize and format all your citations. Citation mangers allow you to search for and store your references, as well as create in-text citations and bibliographies. See the comparison chart to help you decide which tool to use. Once you've decided on a tool, take a class from the library! Classes are available for Zotero, Mendeley and Endnote, see the times and information here. 

Sessions can also be arranged for specific classes or research groups, contact your subject specialist!

Electronic Access to Science now available

The University Libraries, in partnership with the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College, is pleased to announce that current access (1997-present) to Science, Science Signaling, and Science Translational Medicine is now available.  To access this content, use the e-journal link in the “Start Here” box at the top of the Libraries home page.  Please note, Science is indexed under Science (New York, N.Y.).  Access to previous years of Science, back to issue 1, is available through JSTOR.