Viva Free Access to Las Vegas Travel Guides

ALA Annual 2014 in Las Vegas

The ALA program (as always) is jam-packed with famous keynote authors and actors, hundreds of sessions addressing all the hot topics facing the library world today, and a hall full of exhibitors who are pulling out all the stops to bring the glitz and glory of Vegas to the tradeshow floor. It’s almost too much excitement for one attendee to bear.

And yet, outside the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and various hotel meeting rooms, there is an entire city bustling with activity 24/7. Since you’ll be short on free time (and maybe energy), you’ll want to make sure you’re making the most of every minute.

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Upgraded User-Focused Interface for Literature Criticism Online

Literature Criticism Online library resource

“The interface is as attractive as its capabilities are impressive.” Charleston Advisor

We listened to your students and researchers and have launched a new and updated interface with added functionality for  Literature Criticism Online (LCO).

Since this new interface first launched as an optional upgrade last summer, many libraries have enjoyed the benefits of the new platform. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers and users, as of July 7, all libraries who have purchased LCO will be upgraded to the new experience.

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Improved Article Recommendation Comes to In Context

IN Context library resource research

The Gale In Context family of online solutions makes information discovery engaging, simple and fun. On July 2, the In Context experience will become even better with a new article recommendation feature, unique to Gale!

When a user is reading a reference article within any of the In Context resources listed below, this new feature highlights terms within the entry, and links those terms to additional relevant reference articles within the resource. Clicking on the link to related articles opens a separate tab or window containing the new content. Typically, related subjects or articles are found in sidebar navigation or require the user to execute separate queries. By embedding these related foundational articles throughout the reading experience, researchers can use this new tool to:

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Mobile-Optimized Access to InfoTrac and PowerSearch Now Available

Academic Onefile Infotrac mobile

Gale is pleased to announce the mobile optimization of all 57 InfoTrac resources, available June 19. The PowerSearch platform has also been optimized and can be used to  deliver an ideal mobile research experience for InfoTrac resources, as well as GVRL eBooks and In Context content.

Mobile optimization minimizes the user’s need to resize, pan or scroll while reading and navigating. Using responsive design technology, Gale’s mobile interface automatically displays when users access any InfoTrac resource from their smartphone, whether they click into these resources directly through a library’s website, or through Gale’s free Access My Library app. No set up is required by libraries to enable this mobile display on smartphones.

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The New GVRL: Online eBook Browsing and More

Gale Virtual Reference Library GVRL

While uptake on eBooks has been phenomenally fast around the world, many users still long to see book content displayed in a traditional book format. Readers like the sense of “place” they experience on the printed page, the comfort of a familiar layout, and the reading breaks afforded by page turns.

The book-like online reading experience is prevalent across popular reading platforms, and user expectations have now translated to research eBooks as well.

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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.

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Testing & Education Reference Center (TERC)

Testing & Education Reference Center (TERC) is a valuable online tool used by library patrons of all ages for standardized test preparation, researching undergraduate and graduate programs, finding tuition assistance, and exploring careers. Additionally, community members can pursue new career paths with test prep assistance for career certification exams as well as gain advice on resumes, cover letters, interviewing, and networking.

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