Tag Archives: ELM

Changes with ELM Resources

PrintMinitex staff have been busy this summer! This information may appear dated, but we know that many of our K-12 and academic librarians “power down” in the summer. Soon, we will be through the process of getting everyone geared back up with important information that is needed to provide access to our valuable free  Electronic Library of Minnesota (ELM) resources. When you are finished reviewing this post, you will want to also review a related post about a new ELM resource, Learning Express!
June 20, 2014

Minitex Announces New Suite of eResources

On behalf of the Minnesota Department of Education – State Library Services, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN), the North Dakota State Library, South Dakota Library Network (SDLN), the South Dakota State Library, and itself, Minitex is pleased to announce the databases and database packages recommended by the Minitex Electronic Information Resources (MEIR) Task Force. This was a result of the Request for Proposal (RFP) that was developed and issued during 2013-2014. These collaborative partners realize the importance of statewide access to a common suite of databases to the libraries and school media centers within and among the three states.

In coordination with Elaine Kelash, Manager/Contracts Specialist, University of Minnesota Purchasing, Minitex will finalize award and license agreements with the following vendors for access to the following statewide electronic resources. These resources will be available beginning July 1, 2014–June 30, 2019. Current access will continue uninterrupted.

  • EBSCO databases (Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
    • Academic Search Premier
    • Alt HealthWatch
    • Business Source Premier
    • Consumer Health Complete
    • ERIC
    • Health Source: Consumer Edition
    • Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition
    • MAS Ultra – School Edition
    • MasterFILE Premier
    • MegaFILE
    • Middle Search Plus
    • Points of View Reference Center
    • Primary Search
    • Professional Development Collection
    • Regional Business News
    • Searchasaurus
    • Science Reference Center
    • Student Research Center
  • Gale Group for K-12 electronic resources (Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
    • Discovering Collection
    • Expanded Academic ASAP
    • Educator’s Reference Complete
    • General Science Collection
    • InfoTrac Student Edition
    • InfoTrac Junior Edition
    • Junior Reference Collection
    • Kids InfoBits
    • Student Resources in Context, formerly Student Resource Center Gold
  • OCLC for the FirstSearch Base Package, which will transition to WorldCat Discovery Services (Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
    • OCLC WorldCat
    • CAMIO
    • OAISter
    • OCLC ArticleFirst
    • OCLC Electronic Collections Online A&I
    • OCLC PapersFirst
    • OCLC ProceedingsFirst
    • ArchivGrid
    • Clase/Periodica
    • ERIC
    • GPO Monthly Catalog
    • MEDLINE
    • World Almanac/Book of Facts
    • OCLC Electronic Books
    • OCLC WorldCat Dissertations and Theses
  • ProQuest Newsstand Complete, the current package (Minnesota and North Dakota only)
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica’s General Reference Package (Minnesota and North Dakota only)
    • Britannica School
    • Britannica Library
    • Britannica Academic Edition
  • Gale’s Spanish-language database ¡Informe! (Minnesota only)

Two Gannett papers, the St. Cloud Times and the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, from ProQuest were not renewed. This was a Minnesota-only subscription.

Additional information will follow over the coming weeks as we work with LearningExpress to set up access. Access to LearningExpress products for current subscribers will continue without interruption. We understand the work and time any changes may take to implement in your libraries and schools and will provide needed information as quickly as possible.

The Minitex CPERS staff, Rita Baladad, Tim Peters, and Anne Hatinen, and the vendors’ sales teams will work closely with you as some of you transition between vendor products (for example, the two Gannett papers). Similarly, the Minitex Reference Outreach & Instruction staff, Jennifer Hootman, Matt Lee, Carla Steinberg Pfahl, and Beth Staats, and vendors’ staff will work to provide instruction and training for you and your colleagues on the resources we have awarded.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Parker, Minitex, m-park1@umn.edu, 800-462-5348, or 612-624-1024.

 

 

New ELM Webinars

ELMRegister now for  upcoming ELM webinar offerings. They begin February 18th!

Do you need a refresher or want to learn something new? Minitex Reference Outreach & Instruction has a new group of ELM webinar offerings packed with practical information you can apply to work or your personal interests.

Click below for more information on specific class dates, times, and descriptions.

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

Best Practices in Virtual Reference-Free Webinar!

ELMIf you are interested in honing your reference skills to adapt to the world wide web, here is a free (60 minute) webinar sponsored by Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM). Join the discussion on Tuesday, April 2nd (2 pm-central) or Thursday, April 11th (noon-central).

For additional information or to register, click here.

Information Literacy Webinars

ELM

How do students approach research in a digital world? 
Attend these FREE webinars offered through the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) to learn more.

Primary Sources in ELM: Learn tips on how to navigate the ELM library in search of primary sources for comprehensive research assignments. This session is offered on Tuesday, March 12th or Friday, March 29th from 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM (Central Time). Click here for more information.

Online Information Literacy and ELM: Take 45 minutes and join Minitex staff to discuss best practices to identify what information is appropriate and credible for research. Also, learn how to teach effective search strategies and see ways ELM allows students to manage their research.  This webinar is being offered on Tuesday, March 26th from 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (Central Time). Click here for more information.