eBooks Archives | Page 24 of 29 | Gale Blog: Library & Educator News

Librarians Bridge Access and Availability Gaps with Technology

December 31, 2014

Part of any librarian’s job is to provide access to information people may not immediately know they need, exists, or is accessible. Amy Calhoun, Virtual Branch Coordinator at the Sacramento Public Library, understands this challenge as well as anyone. It’s why she and her colleague Laurie Willis, an Electronic Resources Librarian at the San Jose Public Library, both set out to find a solution designed to ensure people would have access to information when and where it was needed.

“It just made sense to expand our offerings,” Calhoun said. Expanding her library’s science related content and making sure the information was current quickly became a priority.

Educators Embrace Technology to Verify Digital Resource Quality

February 26, 2018December 31, 2014

Lauren Stokes, the Virtual Library Manager at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, often envisions customers in their bedtime pajamas. “I want them to be nice and comfortable,” Stokes joked. Stokes has good reason to picture users in this manner. It’s her job to ensure the 1.2 million people served by the 25 libraries in her county not only have access to but are using the district’s investment of digital resources.

To accomplish her goal, Stokes first had to convince educators and customers the library’s digital offerings were of the same quality as its print collection. “It just didn’t seem to click that it’s the same content whether you’re looking at it online or on a piece of paper,” Stokes said.

Aurora Public Library Encourages Staff and Patrons to “Think Gale”

December 31, 2014December 29, 2014

Public libraries play an important role in their communities, and they take their roles seriously. Case in point: Aurora Public Library (Aurora) in Illinois, which is dedicated to “supporting lifelong learning and access to information, knowledge, and ideas.” That’s no small task. Fortunately, GVRL eBooks are front and center in helping Aurora achieve its goals — offering patrons easy, quick access to informational resources covering the spectrum of subject areas, even when they’re not at the library.

Reference Specialist Sue Kovacs runs two reference desks at the Aurora’s main branch, where she’s responsible for buying all reference materials and keeping them updated and relevant. When Sue began working at the library in 2009, she saw that community dynamics were changing. “Most people didn’t want to have to come downtown to look at a reference collection. I evaluated our Gale products as well as the available alternatives.

New Editions of Foundational Science Encyclopedias are Here!

January 7, 2015December 18, 2014

By Carrie Stefanski

You’ve seen the headlines: Pluto ISN’T a planet; wait…Pluto IS a planet. From its discovery in 1930 until 2006, Pluto was considered the ninth planet in the solar system. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) decided that Pluto was not in fact a planet, and changed its designation to “dwarf planet.” [1]

With constant change and discovery in the field of science, it’s important to keep your eBooks up-to-date for patrons seeking scientific resources. Today’s students and thinkers require resources that reflect the latest developments and findings.

Resources that Help Crafters Cultivate, Connect, and Create

January 14, 2015December 12, 2014

Marissa, whose interest in crafting was piqued by Pinterest, gets a great sense of accomplishment in learning new skills and has even begun to sell her creations on a craft website and in a local shop that carries unique handmade items.

Erica Domesek, founder of PS I Made This and a judge on The Learning Channel’s Craft Wars, sees this as a strong trend among younger consumers, saying, “People are interested in making their lives more beautiful, more fun.” Homemade crafts offer a welcome respite from the proliferation of impersonal, mass-produced goods.

As crafting grows in popularity, thanks to enthusiastic sharing of craft ideas on social network sites and a renewed desire for handmade artistry, community members are looking for resources that can support their interests.

Gale Customer Care Could be Your Key to Success in Boosting Usage

July 15, 2019December 10, 2014

By Tanisha Howard-Hall

Does anyone remember, the singing group New Kids on the Block? Well, I can’t sing but I am the new Customer Care Consultant on the block! I am new to this role but not new to Gale. I was first introduced to Cengage Learning and Gale as the Web Marketing Intern. I recently graduated with my MBA with a concentration in Marketing. As the Web Marketing intern, I worked on a variety of projects and quickly learned how dedicated Gale is to serving its library partners.

Self-Improvement Resources For Getting Passed Crossroads

January 21, 2015December 1, 2014

By Tina Creguer

Rebecca used to think that her life would be uneventful at this stage, but, boy, was she wrong. Her son recently moved out and married, and she completed a degree program—just as her position was eliminated at her long-time employer. She has identified an opportunity in a nearby community and is considering starting her own business. Some days, she feels that the possibilities are endless. Other days, she’s overwhelmed and some self-doubt is starting to creep in. She’s looking for information to help her regain her confidence so she can move forward with some assurance that she is making good decisions that will shape her future.

Programming Tips for National Family Caregiving Month

February 26, 2018November 19, 2014

With an estimated 21% of American families involved in family caregiving responsibilities, National Family Caregiving Month is one worth observing at your library. Whether you are looking for quick links to trustworthy information, places to request a speaker, or a good book club idea, bringing National Family Caregiving Month to your library will be easy with this collection of online resources.

The Britannica Elementary Collection added to Kids InfoBits

October 15, 2018November 11, 2014

At Gale we are always working hard to make sure our products contain as much engaging, authoritative content as possible. Following that theme, we are proud to announce that The Britannica Elementary Collection – a set of 3,800 Britannica articles and associated media from 63 eBooks – has been added to Kids InfoBits.

Picture This: Your community’s photography interests covered

December 1, 2014November 6, 2014

By Tina Creguer

Jay, a young professional, has always been interested in photography. And now he finally has the time (sort of) and resources to pursue that interest more seriously. He’s done with taking photos on his iPhone and trying to pass them off as artistic works. Time to learn some real skills to make the most of his new digital camera. He has found some free how-to videos online, but wants more reliable and professional instruction. Where can he turn for expert resources?

More than 26 million people in the US participated in photography in 2010¹– with varying levels of expertise. With the lower cost of quality digital cameras making them more accessible than ever and the increasingly “photo-centric” nature of communications (especially with social media), this hobby is gathering steam.