Library Web News

January 2001 Web News

New Unicorn Web-Based Library Online Catalog System Debuts This Month

On January 2, 2001, the Indiana University Libraries' launched a new web version of IUCAT containing over 5.5 million records.. According to a recent IU Libraries' press release, this new Unicorn web-based online catalog produced by the SIRSI Corporation offers the following features:

•  A fully integrated system that allows the user to move easily between IUCAT, Web resources and Windows   applications.
• The ability to search the IU Libraries' resources on all campuses.
•  Links to electronic journals and indexes.
• The ability to limit searches by campus or department library.
• A graphical interface which allows the patron to cut and paste information to other Web and Windows applications such as e-mail and word processing programs.

The new record management system also changes how the library orders, catalogs and loans books and other materials. To use the new online catalog from on or off campus, go to www.iucat.iu.edu NOTE: When accessing the online catalog on campus, the search location area defaults to the IU Northwest Library holdings. When using the catalog off campus, you may choose to search ALL IU Libraries or limit your search to a single library by clicking the appropriate link.

To help users learn how to effectively search and use this new online catalog, the IU Libraries have created a detailed online web tutorial. This tutorial can be reached from on or off campus computers at www.indiana.edu/~libopac/tutorial

For further information about accessing, using and searching this new web-based version of IUCAT, check upcoming issues of Library Web News as additional information becomes available.  

Mathematical Reviews Now Available Online Through MathSciNet

The IU Northwest Library recently subscribed to MathSciNet, a comprehensive database featuring international mathematics literature from the past 60 years. Produced by the American Mathematical Society, this web-based service provides access to signed reviews and bibliographic data from Mathematical Reviews and Current Mathematical Publications, an early awareness journal with a subject index to recent and forthcoming publications.

For Mathematical Reviews in particular, an international mathematics reviewing journal, MathSciNet includes signed reviews and bibliographic information from January 1940 to the present for nearly 1,800 current serials and journals.

1. To access MathSciNet from IU Northwest campus computers ONLY, go to http://www.ams.org/mathscinet .The main web page offers the user five different types of focused searches.
   •   Basic Search
   •   Full Search:  A powerful keyword search tool that allows you to enter a variety of search terms, Boolean operators (e.g. and, or, not) and year ranges to achieve an effective result.
   •  Search Author Database: Identify all published formats of an author's name and retrieve all of his/her papers and publications.
   • Search Journal Database
   •  Search MSC by Keyword: Search the Mathematics Subject Classification and follow links to all MathSciNet records with that specific subject classification
2. Users can also browse for current data by books, journals and subject classification. This resource also has links to original articles in online journals.
3. A Help link is provided on each focused search category screen if users need detailed assistance performing specific kinds of searches. This Help Page includes handouts in PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader(c) or HTML format that can be printed out for future use. A link to these MathSciNet Quick Starts Online guides can be found at the MathSciNet Help Index.

Take a Break and Relax at the New IU Northwest Library Café

On January 8, That Little Café at IU Northwest opened in the IU Northwest Library. The café will serve coffee, tea, cold drinks, soup and light foods. During Christmas break, a temporary counter was installed so service could begin this semester. The permanent counter will be installed within the next few weeks just in time for the Grand Opening. Stop by now and enjoy a cup of regular or specialty coffee with a muffin, cookie, bagel or other goodies. Hope to see you soon!

That Little Café at IU Northwest will be open the following hours:

 MONDAY       8:00 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.

 TUESDAY       8:00 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.

 WEDNESDAY  8:00 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.

 THURSDAY       8:00 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.

  FRIDAY             8:00 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

 SATURDAY       10:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
 

Calumet Regional Archives' Exhibits Focus on Martin Luther King and Northwest Indiana Immigrants

Two exhibits of materials preserved in IU Northwest's Calumet Regional Archives are available for public viewing this month. First, a display of photographs and articles from Dr. Martin Luther King's visits to Gary are in the IU Northwest Library lobby's display case. Second, the exhibit entitled Decades of Diversity: A Calumet Portrait is located in Savannah Center by the Contemporary Art Gallery. This exhibit includes photographs depicting various migrants and immigrants settling in Northwest Indiana during the 20th century.

Both exhibits will be up through January. Please stop by and take a trip through the region's fascinating history.

, Library News Web Editor