There are a few more weeks of summer, which means a few more weeks for summer reading! Browse the new acquisitions lists for July for something new to read, watch or listen to. Or, take some time to come browse the Popular Reading shelves to see what catches your eye. Those of you taking a tablet, eReader or mobile device on vacation can also browse for downloadable eBooks and audiobooks in our OverDrive collection.
The Statistical Abstract of the United States is back! You may or may not have noticed, but this vital resource is back from hiatus with a new online publisher and provider in ProQuest. (The Statistical Abstract was previously published by the U.S. Census Bureau.) This revived database will be invaluable to students in GB320, marketing classes, and anyone who needs hard-to-find statistics. For many topic areas, this is one of the only places you’ll find information brought together in such a succinct and organized way.
The Statistical Abstract answers such questions as:
You can get the answers to questions like these two ways: browsing or searching.
Browse
Use the 31 sections along the side to explore statistics in different topic areas, such as Health and Nutrition, or National Security and Veterans Affairs. (Click on the image below to enlarge it.)
Once in a section, you can look through the list of tables available (which you might prefer if you’re used to the print version), or you can narrow down the list of tables by applying filters:
Filters can then be easily removed by clicking the “x” next to them.
Search
You can also simply type in a search term, and use the same facets described in “Browse” to narrow your list of results. Below is an example of a search for the word “mortgage.” (Click on the image below to enlarge it.)
Export
You can export entire sections or individual tables of data as Excel files or PDFs, including a citation generated for you in either MLA or APA format.
Further Information and Help
This online version of the Statistical Abstract is updated monthly. The library also collects the print edition of the Statistical Abstract, which is updated annually. Past versions – both print and electronic – can be accessed through the library’s catalog.
Click on “Guide to Statistical Sources” within the database to see a complete list of the Statistical Abstract’s data sources, from the U.S. government as well as private and international sources (for example, the UN Statistics Division and The Conference Board).
If you want to learn more, ProQuest has put together a great help guide to the new Statistical Abstract here: http://proquest.libguides.com/statisticalabstract
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 Ask a Librarian. 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 McGladrey Art Gallery is artist Stephen St. Francis Decky, with an installation titled The Majesty of Subtle Ascents. All are invited to attend an opening reception on Wednesday, July 24, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. There will be an artist talk beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information about the artist please visit his website.
Six summers ago (July 26, 2007 to be exact) the Bentley Library Book Buzz site launched its first book review to promote the library’s Popular Reading collection. Over the years, library staff have posted their reviews about the books and audiobooks in the collection on Book Buzz. Though popular titles come and go, we’ve generally kept the books that have been reviewed and added them to our stacks. We’ve built quite a collection and the display from July 16 through August 26 will feature highlights from our Book Buzz site. Visit our display in the entryway on the Library’s main floor or check out our display on Pinterest!
Have you already read or listened to one of the Book Buzz titles? We’d love to hear what you have to say, whether you agree with our reviewers’ opinions or not. Take the opportunity to tell the world what you thought of one the books our staff has reviewed by commenting here or on the individual review in the Book Buzz blog.
You are also invited to write your own original review of any of our print or audio titles in the Popular Reading Collection or any of the e-book or e-audio itles in OverDrive. Submit a book review using the Book Buzz submission form. For more information, please read the Book Buzz review guidelines.
Do your 4th of July holiday plans include relaxing with a good book? If so, you might want to check out the new acquisitions lists for June. Or, take some time to come browse the Popular Reading shelves to see what catches your eye. Those of you taking a tablet, eReader or mobile device on vacation can also browse for downloadable eBooks and audiobooks in our OverDrive collection.
The Bentley Library will be closed on Thursday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. 
The library is open normal hours all other days this week! For more information about our hours please view our online calendar.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
We just added 100 downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks to OverDrive! New additions include some of this summer’s most popular titles and bestsellers from years past. Check them out now at http://bentleydownload.lib.overdrive.com/.
Summer session I ends this week, which means we will be closed this weekend – Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. Normal summer hours resume when summer session II begins on Monday, July 1. For more information about our hours please view our hours calendar.
