academic libraries

Four Ways Academic Libraries are Adapting for the Future

According to a recent article by Brad Lukanic, executive director of CannonDesign’s global education practice, “For academic institutions seeking to thrive amidst the constantly shifting world of higher education, libraries have become the heart of the spirit of collaboration and innovation–going beyond being places to merely access knowledge to become hubs to truly explore and … Read more

Checking Out Great Gadgets at College Libraries

College libraries have increasingly defined themselves as all-purpose information technology resource centers. Georgia Tech lends computers, cameras, and other electronics to students and professors—and provides a briefing by its instructional technology associate on how to use the devices. Colgate University lends drones to serious researchers, after carefully vetting their credentials. North Carolina State University’s website … Read more

A Publishing Executive’s Perspective on the Value of Older Titles

Relevancy in older book titles

By Frank Menchaca

Library collections are developed with a keen eye towards selection criteria like quality, currency, and relevancy. These are logical considerations for any budget, but especially in today’s landscape, where libraries of all types and sizes are being tasked to make an increasingly greater impact, often with fewer financial resources.

When consulting with our library partners, we discover that oftentimes, currency implies relevancy and older titles, though tried and true, are quickly dismissed.

In the spirit of the old adage, “make new friends, but keep the old,” we’ve asked Frank Menchaca to share his personal perspective on the value of offering a collection which includes these older, but not outdated, research eBooks. Frank is the Senior Vice President of Global Product Management for the Gale, National Geographic Learning, and Professional groups at Cengage Learning.

Read moreA Publishing Executive’s Perspective on the Value of Older Titles

Featured Partner: Oxford University Press

An ongoing look at the partner publishers available through GVRL.

By Melissa Rayner

Oxford University Press has been one of the biggest names in academic publishing almost since the industry’s inception. The first book was printed in Oxford in 1478, and although the formal press had not yet been born, Oxford University involved itself with several printers over the century that followed. Now, the press publishes over 6,000 titles and sells more than 110 million units each year. It has offices in 50 countries and is the largest university press in the world.

Read moreFeatured Partner: Oxford University Press

Gale’s InterLink Brings Better Discovery to Academic Libraries

By Michelle Eickmeyer

Discovery is one of the most discussed and sought after experiences among librarians, students and faculty in academic libraries. They may call those experiences different things, but discovery is the thread running through the needs of these groups. Librarians want all materials to be called upon — find-able by any user at the moment of need. Students often encounter the library’s holdings with a vague understanding of either what they are looking for, or how to find it. Or both. Or neither. Faculty look to support the scholarship of their students and, often, their own research needs as well.

Read moreGale’s InterLink Brings Better Discovery to Academic Libraries

Featured Partner: IGI Global

An ongoing look at the partner publishers available through GVRL.

By Melissa Rayner

Founded in 1988, IGI Global grew rapidly to become a leading international academic publisher of more than 2,300+ reference books, 155+ journals, encyclopedias, teaching cases, proceedings, and databases. They aim to offer a unique interdisciplinary approach to cutting-edge applied technology – with an especially strong focus on the role, impact, and effective use of new technology.

Read moreFeatured Partner: IGI Global

Featured Partner: ABC-CLIO

An ongoing look at the partner publishers available through GVRL.

By Melissa Rayner

Founded in 1955, ABC-CLIO is named for the Greek muse that inspired history, thus symbolizing the company’s origins in publishing historical literature and bibliographies. Today, ABC-CLIO is a leading publisher of both print and digital materials of reference, contemporary thought, and professional development for academic, school, and public librarians.

Read moreFeatured Partner: ABC-CLIO

Featured Partner: Sage

An ongoing look at the partner publishers available through GVRL.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

SAGE, founded by Sara Miller in 1965, began in a one-room office at 150 Fifth Avenue. Despite doubts from her family and friends, Miller pursued her dreams and reached success. Today, SAGE has more than twelve hundred employees worldwide. SAGE is known for its commitment to quality and innovation, world leadership in its chosen scholarly, and its professional markets.  Its publishing philosophy is based on relationships, vision, and excellence.

Read moreFeatured Partner: Sage

Featured Partner: Wiley

An ongoing look at the partner publishers available through GVRL.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

In it’s nearly 210 years, Wiley has done more than just stand the test of time. John Wiley and Sons was founded by Charles Wiley, John’s father, in 1807. (John took over the family business upon his father’s death in 1826.) First established as a Manhattan-based printer, Wiley was the first U.S. publisher to have an office in London. Interestingly, much of the company’s early success was in the publishing of literature but such notable writers as Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Nathaniel Hawthorne and many others.

Read moreFeatured Partner: Wiley

In Other News: the Oscar Pistorius Trial

By Michelle Eickmeyer

A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.

March 21, 2014 – The Oscar Pistorius Trial

Whether you knew him as the first athlete to compete in the Olympics with prosthesis (it’s impossible to call him disabled) or for his current trial for the shooting death of his former girlfriend, Oscar Pistorius has spent much time in the international spotlight. The highest of high and lowest of lows. At just 27 he has accomplished much, and as his trial moves forward it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.

Here are five titles which look at the Oscar Pistorius trial from different perspectives:

Read moreIn Other News: the Oscar Pistorius Trial