Database of the Month: Encore

The Bentley University Library is pleased to announce the launch of our new discovery service, Encore.  Over the past few years, in both formal and informal settings, patrons have told us they wanted the ability to search topics from multiple resources, including the LIBCAT library catalog and articles from aggregated database vendors such as ProQuest and EBSCOHost, with one search interface. The Encore discovery service provides users with ability to do just that and to filter results with multiple facets.  Over the coming months patrons will see the Encore search box appearing on Bentley Library webpages and online research guides.

  • The Bentley Library Encore homepage can be accessed by pointing your browser to http://encore.bentley.edu. (The Encore search box also appears on our homepage at http://library.bentley.edu).  Because Encore provides access to licensed electronic resources it is only available to current Bentley University students, faculty and staff.  You will need your Bentley University Email Address and Network Password to login to Encore.

  • To use Encore simply enter a search term in the search box and click the arrow.  Use and “and”, “or” and “not” to expand or narrow a search.  To limit a search to just those items in LIBCAT or the Library’s articles databases click on the “Articles” or “Catalog” (the default) options at the top of the page.
Encore Search
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  • Encore provides an “Advanced Search” option that allows patrons to search using keyword, author, title, and subject indexes just like LIBCAT.  Users can also limit their search by language, format (book, DVD, E-Resource, etc.) and date range.
Encore Advanced Search
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  • Once the search is completed it is now time to filter and organize the results. By default Encore will return results by relevance. If the search was completed using the “Catalog” option, items from LIBCAT will be listed first, followed by links to articles from aggregated databases vendors.  There is also a link to “WorldCat” on the results page, under Other Resources, that will search the WorldCat multi-library catalog for items not owned by the Bentley Library that may be available via Interlibrary Loan (see the “Database of the Month: WorldCat post from April 17, 2012).  Searches completed using the “Articles” option will only return results from databases.
Encore Search Results
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  • Users who wish to continue using the classic LIBCAT search interface can simply click on the link titled “Classic Catalog” or point your browser to http://libcat.bentley.edu.
  • Encore does not search all of the Bentley University Library’s databases.  It is designed to search articles databases from aggregated vendors such as EBSCO, ProQuest, JSTOR, Gale/InfoTrac, Project Muse,  Elsevier, CQ Researcher, IEEE, and ACM Digital Library. The “Article” search will return by broad subject categories from those vendors indexed by Encore.

For questions regarding Encore (or any library service) please contact the Bentley University Library Reference Desk at 781.891.2300 or refdesk@bentley.edu.

Introducing Our New Website!

We are very excited to announce the launch of the new Bentley Library website!

The time has certainly come for our 4 year-old site to be overhauled, and a great team of people from the Academic Technology Center (ATC) and the library have spent the past year conducting usability studies, holding focus groups and gathering user feedback about the library’s website.  This team wanted to know what our users liked (online study room reservations!) and what didn’t they like (why is that news thingamajig sliding across my screen?), as well as what they expected or hoped to find on our home page (I wish there was a search box that searches everything, like Google). This feedback guided the architecture, design and content of our new site.

Key changes and features:

  • A cleaner home page design that puts the focus on our most important and popular resources and services.
  • A top navigation bar that travels with you from page to page.
  • A single, simple search box prominently displayed on our home page allows users to find books and articles from the library’s catalog and a few key library databases, such as ProQuest and EBSCO (but not all databases). This new search is powered by a “discovery service” called Encore.  Use Encore to search multiple resources with one search interface and to filter results with multiple facets.
  • A Google Scholar search box.

Post-launch we may make minor tweaks and implement enhancements.

We have great confidence in our new site, but if you encounter any problems, have questions about how to use the site, or would like to send us general feedback, please contact us at library@bentley.edu, 781.891.2300, on Facebook or via Twitter.  We hope you’ll be as excited about our new website as we are!

Be Informed! Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.

In between news updates on this blog, we use Twitter (@BentleyLibrary), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bentleylibrary) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/bentleylibrary) to keep you informed and to answer your questions.

Following us is the best way to learn about the newest book and DVD arrivals, changes to the library’s hours, new databases, art gallery events and the like.  In addition to library news, we like to talk about books, movies and authors. We will often highlight current news that impacts libraries and our users.   Our interests are varied and we like to have conversations.  So, what are you waiting for?  Follow us today!

Library Closed Nights & Weekends: August 11 – September 3

Summer session is ending and the library’s hours are changing. Starting on Saturday, August 11, the library will be closed evenings and weekends.

Library Hours
Saturday, August 11 – Monday, September 3 (Labor Day)

Monday – Thursday:
8:00am – 6:00pm

Friday:
8:00am – 4:00pm
(note: open until 4:30pm on 8/24 & 8/31)

Saturday and Sunday:
CLOSED

Monday, September 3:
Labor Day Holiday – CLOSED

The library will resume regular hours with the start of the fall semester on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. For more information about the hours please check our online hours calendar.

On Display: Let the Games Begin!

The London 2012 Olympic Games (Games of the XXX Olympiad) are taking place July 27 through August 12, 2012.  Billions of spectators around the world will witness over 10,500 athletes representing 205 nations compete in 26 sports. Dream TeamWe invite you to explore the history, cities, athletes, business, culture and memorable moments of the Olympic Games through our current display of books and DVDs.

Several new books have been published about the Olympics recently (typical of an Olympic year), including books about the 1992 Dream Team, the incredible story of the London 1908 marathon, and the tragedy at the Munich 1972 games.  We’ve also dug deep into the stacks to highlight some classic titles, like David Halberstam’s chronicle of the 1984 Olympic trials for rowing, The Amateurs, and William Oscar Johnson, Jr.’s All That Glitters is Not Gold.  Rounding out the display are a few of our favorite Olympics movies.

We hope you’ll take some time to stop by and browse the display, or view the books and DVDs on our Olympic Games Pinterest board.

Database(s) of the Month: Ebooks at the Bentley Library

Historically, databases of electronic books have often been limited to on-screen viewing and limited printing. Now, with easier availability to affordable personal devices that allow you to read on the go, downloadable books have gained in popularity. The Bentley Library provides both types of ebook databases. Whether you are downloading the latest fiction and nonfiction to take to the beach, studying for licensing or other examinations, or researching and writing a paper, we have a database for that!

Overdrive Downloadable BooksOverdrive Downloadable Books

What’s included? Over 500 eBooks and audiobooks with an emphasis on classic and popular fiction and nonfiction, but including some research materials. New materials are added on an ongoing basis; suggestions for new materials are welcomed at our Suggest a Purchase page.

Is it downloadable? Every book and audiobook in this collection may be downloaded to some combination of computers, tablets, e-readers, smartphones, mp3 players and iPods. Available formats include Kindle, ePub, and PDF for ebooks, and mp3 and WMA for audiobooks. Not all formats are available for all titles.

How does it work? Browse by category, or search the database by keyword, title, author/creator, subject, and more. Then, follow the download instructions provided on the title’s information page.

How to gain access? Direct access is via Overdrive Downloadable Books. A Bentley username and password is required to use the database both on- and off-campus.  In addition, depending on your desired format and device, you may need to download additional software. More information is available in the Getting Started area on the Overdrive home page.

Books 24×7Books 24x7

What’s included?  Books on business, finance, information technology, health and wellness, and productivity. Also included: study guides for exams such as the CFA, and software manuals for business and statistics applications such as SAS and SPSS.

Is it downloadable? Books in this database are presented in electronic format, but must be read on a computer screen.

How does it work? This database is searchable by title, author, keyword, publisher and more, and browsable by broad topic areas such as Business, Finance, IT/Technical and Well-Being. Clicking on a title displays a linked Table of Contents, from which you can navigate the book’s content. If you conducted a keyword search, your search terms appear in the Top Section Hits area.

How to gain access? Direct access is via Books24x7.com (Business & IT Books). A Bentley username and password is required to use the database both on- and off-campus.

EBSCO EbooksEBSCO Ebooks

What’s included?  Nearly 8000 electronic books are included in this general-interest collection. Both scholarly and popular titles are available.

Is it downloadable? The full PDF text of all books in this database may be viewed on-screen. Printing and/or emailing documents is possible, but is limited.

How does it work? Using the EBSCO search interface, browse by category, or search the database by keyword, title, author, subject, and more. Click the link titled eBook Full Text to view the content, then navigate using the linked Table of Contents, or jump to desired sections using the search box.

How to gain access? Direct access is via EBSCO eBooks. A Bentley username and password is required to use the database off-campus.

Safari Tech Books (ProQuest)Safari Tech Books

What’s included? 150 books from the O’Reilly publishing series, focused on technology, digital media, and desktop and Web applications. Sample titles include Designing Social Interfaces, Javascript: the Definitive Guide and Analyzing Business Data with Excel.

Is it downloadable? Books in this database are presented in electronic format, and can be read on the computer screen in HTML or in the Safari Books Viewer. Books can be printed two ways: by chapter in HTML format, or by page in the Safari Books Viewer format. Users may also email a link to the book for later viewing.

How does it work? Search this database by author, subject, or software vendor, or browse by category or software vendor. Once you’ve chosen a book, you can search within the book, or read it via the links provided in the Table of Contents.

How to gain access? Direct access is via Safari Books – Tech Books Database. Off-campus, a Bentley username and password is required to use the database.

In addition to the direct links above, all of these databases may be found at the Databases A-Z page on the Library’s website. If you would like assistance with searching and/or downloading material, please contact us. Happy reading and researching!

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Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please contact the Reference Desk.  If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Now Showing in the Art Gallery: Ani Avanian

We are pleased to announce that on Tuesday, July 10, a new exhibit opens in The McGladrey Art Gallery – Drawings from the Concurrent Influence Series by Boston artist Ani Avanian. All are invited to attend an opening reception for the artist on Wednesday, July 11, from 4:30PM-6:30PM, with a talk and Q&A session taking place at 5:00PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Ani Avanian
Drawings from the Concurrent Influence Series
July 10 – August 23, 2012
http://www.aniavanian.com

Opening Reception:
Wednesday, July 11
4:30PM – 6:30 PM
artist talk at 5:00PM

Concurrent Influence 3 by Ani Avanian
Concurrent Influence 3, 55’x35′, pencil & charcoal on paper, 2011

Located on the main floor of the Bentley Library, The McGladrey Art Gallery is free and open to the public. Check the online hours calendar for information about the Library’s hours.