Tag Archives: electronic resource

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Free Minitex Trials

This post was provided by Minitex, a cooperative purchasing and electronic resource service.

Minitext is offering a set of free trials for you to consider in your library now through October 31st.  Electronic resources are grouped by theme and include:

Image provided by Minitex.
Image provided by Minitex.

eBooks

  • eBook Business Collection Subscription

Nursing and Applied Science

  • EBSCO CINAHL Complete
  • EBSCO Applied Science & Technology Source

Humanities and Social Sciences

  • American Psychological Association PsycTESTS
  • American Psychological Association PsycTHERAPY
  • EBSCO Art Source
  • EBSCO Education Source
  • EBSCO Humanities Source
  • ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States

K-12 Resources

  • Rosen Publishing PowerKnowledge Science Suite
  • Rosen Publishing Core Concepts Periodic Table Database
  • Rosen Publishing Financial Literacy
  • Rosen Publishing Digital Literacy

For pricing and questions, please email cpers@minitex.umn.edu.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

ELM Webinars & Brochure

As you know, the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) is a collection of free databases available to all Minnesota schools, libraries, and residents. In addition, each month, ELM hosts a series of free training sessions.  Consider attending one (or all) of the following webinars;ELM

  • Intro to ELM for Teachers: English Language Arts, Oct 21st Link
  • Points of View Reference Center (Oct. 24) Link
  • An Electronic Library for Adult Education ( Nov. 6th, 18th & Dec. 12) Link

Special Note: New ELM brochures are available for your library. Order Now!

Help us spread the word about ELM by requesting bundles of our new brochures! These are perfect if you’re looking for something to hand to people as you describe how ELM can help them.

The new brochures have only minor content changes, so if you have the five-paneled fold-out brochures with the cut-out circle on the front, please do feel free to continue to circulate those. In addition to the minor content tweaks (like highlighting the ELM Learning Center), the new brochures include the updated ELM logo.

Order in bundles of 100 and don’t be shy about ordering in quantity (there’s no charge for these, of course). Thanks for promoting ELM to your users!

Reprinted from Minitex Reference Notes, October 2013

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Digital Literacy In Minnesota

Image by Kjell. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Common's licensing.
Image by Kjell. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Common’s licensing.

According to a study released this summer by Connect Minnesota, digital literacy can be defined as the ability to find, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information using a computer, basic software programs and the Internet. It outlines digital literacy rates among Minnesota residents. In addition, it identifies potential barriers such as training, skills, technology and access to electronic resources.

Click here to read the white papers (6 pages).

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Library Usage Among Young Adults

In an earlier post, CMLE referenced the topic of physical and virtual libraries, discussed in an article by Higher Education Network. In continuation of that discussion,  Pew Research Center released a study regarding the library habits of young adults (ages 16-29.) This study found that yes, these patrons use electronic resources such as the internet, library website and their own personal mobile devices more that older patrons. However, they also found that they see an increase in the desire for print books and materials compared to patrons 30 or older.

According the Pew (June 2013), “Large majorities of those under age 30 say it is  “very important” for libraries to have librarians, as well as books for borrowing, and relatively few think that libraries should automate most library services, move most services online, or move print books out of public areas.”

Click here to read the summary of findings for Younger Americans’ Library Habits and Expectation.

Image retrieved online from PewInternet.
Image retrieved online from PewInternet.
Academic, Check this out:, General, Special

Physical Vs. Virtual Libraries

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Image by JD Hancock. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.
Image by JD Hancock. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.

Most libraries engage in a yearly (more or less) assessment of their collections; weed dated materials and identified additional, new items to purchase. However, not all libraries are treated equal when it comes to budget allocations for resources. So at some point a process is generally developed to identify what to purchased, and ultimately in which format (print or electronic.)

With the growing interest in electronic resources, a dialogue has began about the viability and perceived importance of sustaining a physical library. The Higher Education Network recently weighed in on this discussion, from an academic perspective, in an article stating that. “Academics will need both the physical and virtual library for years to come (June 2013). ”  Click here to read the full article.