Posts filed under 'Web Site Changes'
Here’s the story: The State of Wisconsin’s contract with database vendors, which provided access to ProQuest and Ethnic NewsWatch, ended June 30.
But not to worry. The new contract provides an expanded version of EBSCOhost which will hopefully make your searching transition relatively seamless.
Just a few highlights of the new EBSCO: Besides the addition of copious full-text magazine and journal articles, there’s Newspaper Source Plus, (takes the place of most of the old Proquest newspaper search); Consumer Health Complete (includes news and reports on health issues); Auto Repair Reference Center (lots of info on over 33,000 vehicles from 1945-present); Coin Career Library (has easy-to-use resume builder and plenty of info for the college-bound, including a ”College Finder” and ACT/SAT quizzes); NovelistPlus (now includes non-fiction titles), Novelist K-8, (provides all the reading help you’ll need for the kids, including book descriptions, reviews, discussion guides, and articles).
Sadly, however, the current contract does not include online access to the Capital Times archive. The library is currently exploring options to rectify this matter.
Check out the long list of new EBSCOhost offerings and see what you can find. And, as always, ask a librarian if you need any help.
July 3rd, 2009
terrymc
With the addition of MP3 audiobooks, the WPLC Digital Download Center (OverDrive) has implemented five new features to make using the website a better experience:
Wish List While browsing the Digital Download Center collection, you can now add titles of interest to a ‘Wish List’. These titles will remain in the ‘Wish List’ until you remove them, and are available anytime you log in to your account.
Edit Email Address on Current Hold If you change your email address during the waiting time for a title, you will have the option to update it in your Digital Library account. You can edit your email address in My Account/ /My Holds/.
Displaying ‘Also Recommended Titles’ When you are viewing a title details page, you will see a new section labeled ‘If you like this title, then you might also like.’ The titles chosen for display are those that have authors, publishers, keywords, or imprints in common with the title you are viewing.
Search by awards, and display of awards on title details pages The Advanced search page now includes the option to search the collection by more than 60 awards. Additionally, if a title has received an award, this is displayed on the title details page. The award is shown as a hyperlink; users can simply click this link to view a list of titles that have received the same award. Some notable awards include Newbery Medal, PEN/Faulkner Award, Audie Awards, Best Books for Young Adults, Edgar Allan Poe Award, and Nebula Award.
Full Text Searching The quick search now supports full text searching of the record. This increases response times and allows you to search more fields for the record than before. Additional fields include publisher, creator, subject, and publisher-supplied keywords. With full text searching, you can search on multiple terms, and the search results will be ranked by relevance.
Check out the changes at http://http://dbooks.wplc.info.
December 30th, 2008
Tana
If you are in a book discussion group, you probably already know about our Book Discussion Kit service. The kits combine multiple copies of the same book with book discussion questions and author information in one handy bag. Now you can receive email updates when we add new kits. As usual, if you’re interested in requesting a kit, please call 266-6300. We hope you’ll enjoy the new titles and have some good discussions as a result. View a complete list of all Book Discussion Kits or sign up at our New Titles page.
December 16th, 2008
Tana
The ProQuest databases (ProQuest Newspaper Articles and HeritageQuest) will be unavailable during an 8-hour maintenance window, between 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13 and 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 14. We regret any inconvenience this causes.
December 13th, 2008
Tana
OverDrive MP3 audiobooks are finally here, and they’re ready for your iPod. Here’s what you need to know to get started:
What kind of titles are in the new MP3 format?
We are starting the MP3 Audiobook collection with 81 titles, mainly classics. Many publishers are reluctant to license bestselling titles in this format due to concerns about digital rights management. You can link to a full list of titles from the main screen of the WPLC Digital Download Center at http://dbooks.wplc.info
How do the MP3 Audiobooks work?
MP3 audiobooks can be checked out and downloaded to a computer using the same steps as the WMA-format audiobooks we already have in our collection. The main difference is that you must also agree to the “Terms of Use for MP3 Titles” as part of the checkout process.
Is any new software needed to use the new MP3 format?
Yes. OverDrive Media Console version 3 (or newer) and Windows Media Player 9 (or newer) are required to use the MP3 format. Additional software is required to use the MP3 format with iPods and other Apple devices (they require iTunes) and the Zune player (it requires the Zune
application).
How will I know which format to choose?
Each audiobook is clearly labeled as either MP3 or WMA. Colored icons also identify which type of computer/device a given title will play on.
May I use OverDrive on my Apple/Mac?
MP3 Audiobooks can be used with Apple computers. A Mac version of OverDrive Media Console is now available.
Note: Because of these additional software requirements, MP3 transfer to iPods, other Apple devices, and Zune players will not be available on library computers.
More information is available on the WPLC Digital Download Center website at http://dbooks.wplc.info
Want to receive email updates about Overdrive as well as new audiobooks on CD? Sign up for our Audiobook email newsletter.
December 2nd, 2008
Tana
Did you know that when you access the LINKcat library catalog, you are logged out after five minutes of inactivity? Starting November 11, 2008, the five minutes will be extended to fifteen minutes.
This change is being made in response to customer suggestions that the time be extended. Thank you if you’re one of the customers who have made the suggestion. Those of you working from home will most likely enjoy the change - I know I will! But it’s important to remember that the five minute timeout was originally set so low to maintain the privacy of the thousands of people who use the 
catalog in the library every day on our public computers. When you check your record at the library, please remember to log out when you are finished. If you see your name at the top right corner of the screen, you’re not logged out.
We will increase the session timeout for six months as a pilot project, which will allow us to evaluate the change based on how it affects our server and based on your feedback. Please let us know by commenting on our blog if you think this is a good change (or not).
This is one of several upcoming changes to the LINKcat library catalog in the next few months. Stay tuned for other LINKcat news.
October 24th, 2008
Tana
The ProQuest newspaper database will be unavailable from 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 27. During this time, several enhancements will be installed.
One enhancement that affects our users is the addition of linking cited references. Reference linking allows users to view documents which have been cited by other researchers. These additional sources help users explore their research topics further, and enable discovery of additional relevant documents.
The libary’s ProQuest newspaper database will be down during this time, and the HeritageQuest genealogy database may also be unavailable.
July 23rd, 2008
Tana
If you use OverDrive electronic books, you may have some problems on Saturday, April 5 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regularly scheduled maintenance on this database will be occurring, and access may be intermittant.
And VERY GOOD NEWS - OverDrive will offer some access to iPod users sometime this year. Read more about it in a recent Library Journal article. We’re not sure what it means, yet, but we feel it’s movement in the right direction and we’ll be sure to keep everyone posted on our web site.
April 3rd, 2008
Tana
Beginning November 1, Madison Public Library and the Madison Public Library Foundation are offering a five-month trial of the Morningstar® Library Edition financial evaluation service to library customers. If there is enough positive interest, the library will investigate purchasing access for library customers on an ongoing basis. Morningstar Library Edition will be accessible from November 1, 2007, to March 31, 2008, to anyone who visits a Madison Public Library location. The service will also be available remotely to any City of Madison resident who has a current public library card.
What Is Morningstar Library Edition?
For nearly two decades Morningstar® Mutual Funds™ has been and remains a valued print reference for researching, analyzing, and comparing mutual funds. Used by advisors and individual investors, it is one of the most popular financial reference tools in libraries.
Morningstar Library Edition incorporates the best of Morningstar data, analysis, technology, and information design. Individual investors can access and use all of the features and functionality in this online destination, including analyst reports of 2,000 mutual funds and nearly 2,000 stocks. An exceptional Education Center offers in-depth guides on five different topics that matter most to today’s investor: retirement planning, college planning, investing during retirement, investing for beginners, and portfolio tips and tricks.
How Can I Participate?
If you want to use Morningstar Library Edition yourself or are interested in having someone demonstrate the Morningstar.com service to your financial or investment group, please contact Carla DiIorio at 266-6310 or email madisonlibrary@gmail.com. You will receive the information you need to access the trial during the last week of October. Trial participants will be asked to evaluate the product for the library and will be personally notified about the outcome of the trial.
The trial was purchased for the Library by the Madison Public Library Foundation.
October 16th, 2007
Tana
As part of a library training project, Madison Public Library is launching a new blog, MPL Gov Info. It will feature newly published federal government publications on the internet. Selected print publications of note will also be featured.
So, for recently published federal government publications, please take a look at the MPL Gov Info blog. We welcome your comments on improving the blog.
October 16th, 2007
Romeo
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