The side entrance that leads into Computing Services is temporarily closed while they do roof repairs, but the Help Desk is open. Enter the library through either the front or cafe entrances, then proceed downstairs to Computing Services. The Computing Services entrance is expected to reopen later today or tomorrow. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Bentley Library Blogs Are Now Mobile Friendly
We’re now delivering library news in a mobile friendly way! If you point your smartphone to our news and events blog – In the Know – and our book review blog – BookBuzz – you’ll automatically be taken to our new mobile friendly sites, where you can easily scan headlines, read posts, make comments and share content using Twitter, Facebook, bookmarks and email. If you prefer to see the full web version of our blogs on your phone you can use the mobile on/off switch at the bottom of the screen.
Try it out, we think you’ll like it. Please, let us know if you experience any problems or have suggestions to make.
Database of the Month: ERIC
ERIC, the Education Resources Information Center, is “the world’s largest digital library of education literature.” If you’re doing research on teaching or learning, or if you want to keep up with trends in education, 
it is an essential database. While ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, the Bentley Library subscribes to ERIC through the EBSCO platform. This allows for easy exporting and saving, as well as linking to the full text of documents only available in other library databases.
More than Journals
ERIC indexes more than 1100 journals (90% of which are peer-reviewed), from the Journal of Higher Education to the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning. But it also contains a wealth of other, specialized publications, including:
- conference papers
- policy papers
- grey literature
- dissertations and theses
- reports from government agencies, research centers, and professional organizations
In the past, you may have used these ERIC documents in microfiche, but ERIC is working on digitizing many of these materials. See a sample ERIC document here (opens into a PDF).
Advanced Searching
It’s easy to hone in on the materials you want with ERIC’s particular search limiters. You can search by:
- Educational Level (e.g., Postsecondary Education, Higher Education, Early Childhood Education)
- Intended Audience (e.g., Policymakers, Administrators, Researchers)
- Publication Type (e.g., Legal Materials, Numerical/Quantitative Data, Tests/Questionnaires)
You can also explore a topic using ERIC’s unique Thesaurus; click on “Thesaurus” at the top of the search screen. This feature helps you discover related subjects and terms you may not have thought of; for example, the entry for “Information Networks” is below.
Connect to this Database
Please visit ERIC to explore this valuable database further, or visit our Databases page to view a complete list of our resources.
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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.
June Acquisitions: New Books, DVDs & Audiobooks
Check out our book, popular reading, DVD and audiobook acquisitions for the month of June. Go to our New Books & DVDs page to browse by subject or format.
Summer Session Hours
Summer Session II begins Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Our regular summer sessions hours are:
Sunday
1:00pm – 10:00pm
Monday – Thursday
8:00am – 10:00pm
Friday
8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday
9:00am – 5:00pm
Please note: Hours are subject to change on holidays, holiday weekends and when classes are not being held. To get the most up-to-date information about the library’s hours please view our online hours calendar.
Fourth of July Holiday Weekend Closing
The Bentley Library will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday weekend – Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4. The library will resume regular summer hours at 8:00am on Tuesday, July 5. For more information about our hours please view our online calendar.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday!
On Display: Vacation Reading
What does vacation reading mean to you? Perhaps it means that you read a different type of book, trading your textbooks for historical fiction, abandoning the business how-to titles to indulge in celebrity memoirs, or putting aside your research to pick up the latest Swedish crime novel. Perhaps it means that you get to do more reading, polishing off two or three books during your time away instead of struggling to read a few short chapters before bed.
No matter what it means to you, we’re here to help you select some great books for your next vacation. Our current display features our newest popular reading arrivals and includes many recent New York Times bestsellers. We’ve also thrown in a few favorites from past seasons. Stop by to browse before your next getaway. We suggest that you keep checking back – we will be adding the July and August releases as they arrive!
Welcome to Orientation 2011!
A very warm welcome to those members of the Class of 2015 attending orientation this week!
We know you have a busy schedule, but come on in when you need a break. Our welcome table is stocked with sweets, we have computers you can use to catch up on email and Facebook, and there are lots of comfy chairs where you can put your feet up and enjoy the quiet. Don’t hesitate to ask us questions about the library or the campus while you’re here. Most importantly, have a great time exploring and making new friends. The staff of the Bentley Library looks forward to meeting you!
