Here’s what’s new, returning and improved in the library this year.
Revamped Research
The library research page has been updated with new databases and made easier to navigate. Find our research databases and more under the “Research” tab on the library website. Thanks to Massachusetts Libraries are now providing access to Gale Interactive Science, Environmental Studies in Context, Gale Legal Forms.
New this year to all Massachusetts libraries, Transparent Language Online provides personalized online lessons to allow anyone to learn a language “anytime, anywhere, on any device — with unlimited simultaneous usage.” You and/or your students can create free accounts to learn and practice a language. It includes Brazilian Portuguese and American Sign Language, among over 100 other languages. Find the link under the “Learn” tab on the library website.
New Science Databases
Through state funding, we now have access to Gale Interactive Science, Environmental Studies in Context, and ProQuest Science. Find these and more under Research > Science.
HeritageQuest is a popular genealogy and family history research service that can also be a great resource for primary research in history. Access census records, city directories, war records, books, and more.
Peterson’s Test Prep includes Practice Tests for Advanced Placement (AP) Tests and HiSET, as well as vocational test prep materials on topics including nursing, military, firefighting, law enforcement, cosmetology, paramedic, and more. Find the link on the library website under “Research > Test Prep”.
We have renewed our subscription to WeVideo. WeVideo is a cloud-based video editor that students can use and work on collaboratively. It’s otherwise similar to iMovie. As their teacher you can assign and manage video projects. If you haven’t used it before, and you’d like to use it this year, please let me know. I’ll set you up with a teacher account and help get you started. I’m glad to come to your class and introduce it to your students.
We’ve also renewed our subscription to Turnitin. While best known as a plagiarism detection service, Turnitin is most effective as a teaching tool for learning about ethical use of information. A new feature is Draft Coach. Draft Coach provides students with instant feedback on citations, grammar, and matches with their comprehensive database while they write in Google Docs. As before, you can assign, monitor and manage assignments to your students and use Turnitin to support and guide their writing. If you’ve already been using Turnitin, you should still be able to login using your email address (click “lost password” if you forgot). If you’d like to get started with it, just let me know and I’ll send you a welcome email and help you get started. I’m also glad to visit your class and introduce it to your students.
Newspapers
We continue to have access to both the Boston Globe and the New York Times. Our access to the NYT allows all staff and students to have individual free subscriptions. Content of the Boston Globe is provided by ProQuest, from 1980 – current. Access both from the library website under Research > Newspapers.
Library spaces
Rick has moved to the old LCR (Library Conference Room) and Mike Taus’ office is now where the media lab was. What was the ACCESS room is now the copy center. The room Rick was in will soon be a multi-use flex space that can be used for project creation, presentation practice, a reading lab (quiet space for reading), and a small group meeting and instruction space with virtual meeting capabilities. But not all at once (lol)! I will share more details about the space and how you and your students can access it soon.
Welcome Jim!
Jim Costello has been hired as an ESP and will often be the first person you see when you visit. We’re very glad to have him on board!