Academic

Dancing on Prosthetic Limbs

By Jennifer Albers-Smith

I’m not sure how many of you watch Dancing with the Stars, but I’m hooked this season. There are some pretty incredible people participating. I tuned in in the beginning to watch Olympic gold medalist ice dancers Charlie White and Meryl Davis (and THEY ARE FANTASTIC), but now I’m addicted to watching Amy Purdy, the Paralympic snowboarder, who has two prosthetic legs—talk about a real-life hero and an inspiration.  And, boy, can she dance! I would be impressed even if she didn’t have two prosthetic legs, but the fact that she does and still dances so gracefully and skillfully brings me to tears on a weekly basis.

What she has accomplished has really made me want to learn more about prosthetics and advances in building prosthetics that allow people to move how she has been able to move on the dance floor.

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In Other News: Tornadoes

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

By Michelle Eickmeyer

Spring. Millions of people around the country have been counting the minutes until spring, well, springs. But the yearly battle of warm, southern air to (finally!) unseat the cold northern air makes for some of the most dangerous weather. From as far north as Michigan and Ohio, through America’s heartland, this week has been the first of the 2014 tornado season.

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Open Casting Call for the 2015 Gale Catalog!

Let’s face it, passion drives everything we do—the choices we make, the jobs we acquire, even how we spend our free time.

We’d like to offer you the opportunity to take your passion and turn it into a real “notice me” opportunity. That’s right; we’re looking for a few shining stars to feature in our upcoming catalog. Not only will you be able to share your passion—and your smiling face—with the world, but you’ll also be put into circulation of over 18,000 copies, literally putting you in front of thousands of librarians, researchers, teachers, administrators, and faculty all across the US and Canada!

Read moreOpen Casting Call for the 2015 Gale Catalog!

In Other News: Shakespeare

By Susan Fishburn

In Other News – Week of April 21

Have your friends and family been talking to you in what sounds like a different language? Maybe it’s because this week we celebrated “Talk Like William Shakespeare Day” on April 23rd. So it’s time to get in the groove, or as Bill would say “It’s timeth to starteth reading!”

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The Advantages of Springer E-books on Gale Virtual Reference Library

By Michael Arthur

The migration toward e-books has meant many changes for librarians focused on collection development and acquisitions.  The market is booming as publishers move toward offering all or nearly all titles in e-format, and librarians are working hard to stay on top of changes in publishing and procurement models.

Complete publisher packages, subject collections, title-by-title purchasing, demand driven, and evidence based models are among the most utilized methods by which libraries and their patrons are gaining access to e-books.  Selecting purchasing models for e-books are challenging, because—as with any choice—both pros and cons exist. 

Read moreThe Advantages of Springer E-books on Gale Virtual Reference Library

In Other News: Mumps

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

By Michelle Eickmeyer

It’s April 18, 2014 and there are mumps outbreaks in Ohio and New York. Mumps! And both associated with college campuses? (Well, my aunt always said “there is a time and place for everything, and it’s college,” but somehow I never suspected she meant mumps!)

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Happy National Library Week!

National Library Week

By Kim Martin

Today, we announced the winners of its “Libraries Are Beautiful – Inside and Out” photo contest. Launched in celebration of National Library Week, taking place this week – April 13-19, the contest showcases libraries who make their communities a more beautiful place—physically or metaphorically. The top five per category were selected by experts in art, architecture and design.  From the 25 finalists, winners were chosen by popular vote – and include:

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In Other News: The Masters

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

By Michelle Eickmeyer

It’s that time of year again! Baseball season has opened at home for all MLB teams. The cherry blossoms are opening in Washington, D.C. Pedicure chairs throughout the country are filling up. And the Masters is on TV!

Oh, the Masters. As a golfer, this is my official start of spring. That longing to be swinging the sticks in warm weather. The jealousy for those watching in shorts and short sleeves. The weird thrill of hushed voices and low claps that only a golfer can understand. While the Masters is far younger a tradition than many other top tournaments, it is widely held as “the event” of golf.

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In Other News: Recalls

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

By Susan Fishburn

What? Another recall? You hear about them on the news or see them posted online almost every day. We’ve seen recent recalls for produce, meat, toys, strollers, cars, and even laundry detergent (yes, those detergent pods). But how much do we know about recalls and where they come from? Whether it’s driven by the consumer or a company announces a voluntary recall, we need to make changes in our lives to accommodate for these failures.

Read moreIn Other News: Recalls