Academic

In Other News: McDreamy

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

By Michelle Eickmeyer

Some things are sacred. Maybe not any of the characters on Game of Thrones… but for 11 years, Grey’s Anatomy heartthrob, Dr. Derek Shepherd. The social media response Thursday night was, well, huge. Not to be glib, but you would have thought an actual person died. But when you spend time with someone every week for more than a decade, they can start to feel kind of real. Especially when their nickname is McDreamy, and he’s supposed to be the man of your dreams. I get it. And in case you didn’t get enough of the craziness on Friday, ABC has put together a 2:34 montage of clips sure to get you sad and angry again. I’m sorry.

Read moreIn Other News: McDreamy

Celebrate National Jelly Bean Day with the Yummiest 19th-Century Confections!

By Melissa Rayner

Did you know that April 22 is National Jelly Bean Day? Well, I say, “Why stop at jelly beans when there are so many other tasty treats to be had?”

Let’s take a look into the kitchen of yesteryear to find the most delectable confections of yore. Extra points to anyone who decides to try their hand at any of these delightful recipes.

Read moreCelebrate National Jelly Bean Day with the Yummiest 19th-Century Confections!

Topic Finder: The Perfect Tool for Both New and Experienced Researchers

By Dale Prentiss

Ruth Diggory is head librarian for ATA College, a medical career school in Kentucky and Florida that serves a broad demographic of students. As such, she needed to offer her students tools that can assist them in their research needs, regardless of their level of experience. Recently, Ruth has discovered that Gale’s Topic Finder tool is the perfect resource for her diverse needs.

Read moreTopic Finder: The Perfect Tool for Both New and Experienced Researchers

In Other News: Cheryl’s birthday

A look at a current news item through the lens of different Gale electronic resources.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

Oh, word problems… this is not your week! This week the world bemoaned a question, first posted to Facebook (then making it away through Buzzfeed to the BBC, and beyond.) The certainty of posters with their “easy” (and, of course, incorrect) responses only helped to fuel the fire. For those who missed it, here is the original question (with some spelling and grammatical editing… that’s an entirely different post!).

Read moreIn Other News: Cheryl’s birthday

Celebrate National Library Week with the Best Libraries of Yore!

By Melissa Rayner

Libraries mean so much to so many people. For me, personally, the library represents a place of belonging and comfort, a place of endless possibilities, and a dream. My mother took me to see Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in theaters for my seventh birthday. Being that I was always a shy, imaginative child, books had already become my best friends and most constant of companions by then. So, it should be no surprise that my young heart fell irrevocably in love with the Beast the moment he gifted Belle his colossal castle library.

In the more than 20 years since my first viewing of this film, my dream has not wavered once. I still crave that library for myself, and I’m still searching for the perfect house that has just the right layout–and more than enough space–to integrate a huge home library.

To honor National Library Week (a holiday of the utmost importance in my book!), I’d like to share a series of other dream-making libraries. Like Belle’s, some of them do live within castles, others reside in government quarters, and still others are closed to the public. I’ve scoured Gale’s historical archives via Gale Artemis: Primary Sources in order to find the most luxurious and the most special libraries, and now I’d like to share them with you. Enjoy!

Read moreCelebrate National Library Week with the Best Libraries of Yore!

In Other News: Sarah Thomas

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

By Michelle Eickmeyer

First, apologies for the break. I was taken down by spring allergies/my annual sinus infection, then having a great time with many of you at ACRL, then recovering from both of those things. But back at it! Last year at this time, I wrote about the Masters. If that had not happened, today’s post would feature a clip of Jack, easily sinking his predicted hole in one. Man, he’s good. Or I could have written about the horrible tornadoes which struck Illinois last night. But I had already done that too. Finding a research topic can be tough, especially when all the obvious choices are taken. (Sound familiar?)

Read moreIn Other News: Sarah Thomas

Looking for a Change? Welcome to National Name Yourself Day!

By Melissa Rayner

It’s almost here! National Name Yourself Day, which by the way is absolutely a real holiday, will be here in just a couple more days. This special holiday fits in perfectly with another cool thing going on right now–National Poetry Week. Shakespeare by way of Juliet famously asked “What’s in a name?” and now I’d like to pose that question to each of you.

How does your name fit you? What image does it cast in the minds of people who have yet to meet you? Have you ever wished your parents had done a better job saddling you with a moniker?

Read moreLooking for a Change? Welcome to National Name Yourself Day!

Now Available: Enhanced Experience of GVRL, InfoTrac, and In Context

Today, enhancements released to GVRL and all resources within the InfoTrac and In Context families (including the PowerSearch platform) will increase accessibility for those with disabilities like low vision or blindness, improve usability for desktop and mobile researchers, and create a common user experience across some of our most popular resources.

Enhancements at a Glance 

Read moreNow Available: Enhanced Experience of GVRL, InfoTrac, and In Context

Happy National One Cent Day: So What Could a Penny Buy You 100 Years Ago?

By Melissa Rayner

Why is everyone so hung up on April Fool’s Day, when there’s actually a far more fascinating pseudo-holiday happening today? That’s right, people; it’s National One Cent Day, so get excited!

Okay, a penny won’t buy you much these days, except maybe good luck if you were to find one and pick it up…

But back in the golden age of yore, one cent went a long way. Don’t believe me? Check out these fun examples.

Read moreHappy National One Cent Day: So What Could a Penny Buy You 100 Years Ago?