Continuing the BHCC Library in Chelsea Project
Library Instructors: Diane Smith (X3240) and Bob Kintz (X2071)
Date: October 19, 2000
RE: Putting the Chelsea Virtual Library to use
Today's workshop will provide staff at the BHCC Chelsea campus with information about the nature of the Chelsea virtual library and the resources available through the virtual library. The workshop is designed to help you define the place and value of the library by:
This information will help all of us accomplish our common goal of:
Why is a start page valuable?
Use a Starting Page to distinguish the library computers from the PCs in the Computer Labs. Most of the PCs connected to the Internet on the Chelsea campus perform similar functions. In the Library, however, a Starting Page helps direct library users to the programs and functions most helpful for information access and retrieval.
Decide what URLs are best suited to getting the average library visitor on the path to helping him or herself to information. One of the most popular destinations in the virtual library would be the BHCC online catalog, Let's take a look at the catalog record for the Encyclopedia Africana and see how the catalog is set up and what information it offers.
What can I use and how does it work?
There are other addresses which will prove useful for those who are seeking information that isn't found in book form. For example:
| NOBLE gateway to the Internet | http://www.noblenet.org |
| NOBLE Spanish Starter Page | http://www.noblenet.org/spanish.htm |
| InfoTrac Web | http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/mlin_b_bunkhcc/remote |
| InfoTrac Spanish-language link | http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/nmrls_ifme |
| EBSCO | http://search.epnet.com |
| Lexis-Nexis | http://www.lexis-nexis.com/universe |
| FirstSearch | http://www.newfirstsearch.oclc.org/FSIP |
| The Boston Globe | http://dialog.carl.org:3009/ | Ethnic Newswatch | http://www.softlineweb.com |
Locate the Internet addresses and try them out. Sometimes you'll need to decide among delivery options. Reduce frustration for your library users and help them to learn as they go by making choices that are most clearly aligned with their immediate and long-term needs.
2 versions of the NOBLE home page
| http://www.noblenet.org/ | NOBLE Web |
| http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc | BHCC Library Home Page |
2 versions of the Boston Globe connections
| http://www.boston.com/globe/ | Boston Globe Newspaper |
| http://dialog.carl.org:3009 | Boston Globe Database |
Special Interest Sites
| http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/nmrls_ifme | InfoTrac Spanish-language link |
| http://www.noblenet.org/spanish.htm | NOBLE Spanish Page |
| http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/U_S__States/Massachusetts/Cities/Chelsea/ | Chelsea |
| http://npin.org/ | Nat'l Parent Information |
Addresses and passwords for other sites that cover the full range of BHCC Chelsea library user needs (students, faculty, and staff) are available on the BHCC Library website. Go to the Library home page and click on the "On-line databases" link to see the range of electronic resources available to BHCC users.
http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/databases.htm
The library staff on the Charlestown campus builds support files organized by discipline and course title to help students practice using electronic resources within a meaningful context. Take a look at our instruction page at: http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/instruction.htm.
Of special interest to faculty and staff is a webfile entitled "The Internet for Educators". This file is meant to serve as a resource so the Chelsea Library Staff has direct access to a full range of options even though you may discover that some are not related to your needs at this time.
Other confidential passwords and access information are available simply by asking a Charlestown campus librarian. Someone must be available to answer access questions related to these resources.
Attached are printouts of the files that you will find posted on the NOBLE staff information system. NOBLE provides training and support materials for the Chelsea Library as it does all of its member libraries. Diane Smith is the BHCC library staff trainer and the NOBLE liaison. Before using or distributing NOBLE materials, contact Diane at (X3240) to ensure there are no special concerns connected with your use of NOBLE materials. For example, the NOBLE staff information system files are intended for library staff people only. They are not be linked for direct public use. Other NOBLE files on the home page however are designed specifically with the public in mind.
To begin, open Microsoft NOTEPAD...
(see attached Starting Page notes)
This is only the beginning. Virtual libraries are invaluable resources for students and staff. The Chelsea Library will change and grow with its clientele and staff. Be part of the force that makes it happen.
The bare bones Chelsea Link
Questions, comments, ideas? Call Diane Smith at the Charlestown Campus Library (617) 228-3240.