Videos

A picture is worth a thousand words. It seems like we're returning to a pictographic (picture writing) culture. Streaming video, DVD's, VHS, cable, satellite, regular off air TV (does anyone still just use their off air stations?)- all telling a story, giving information, shaping the knowledge of the viewer. It's easier (and quicker) to watch the movie than to read the book.

NMTC library does have a few videos in the libraey for students to use. Most of the videos in our collection are checked out to the program faculty.

You can find out what we own by checking the card catalog on-line http://libcat.northmetrotech.edu/scripts/websafari.exe

• Select Advanced Search (far left of the screen under Search)
• Click on Keywords
• Scroll down a smidgeon- fill in your search term
• Select Material Type - VHS- VHS Video Cassette
• Then click on the search button (below the Material Type box)

You'll find out what videos are on campus that support your program! Ask your instructor if you could watch the video. There are individual TV/VHS players in the library.

SCT 100

Introduction to Computers, also known as SCT 100, is one way for people to become computer users. It is a required course at North Metro for every program area. On Day 5 (beginning in the fall on Day 6) I teach the use of GALILEO. There are so many databases available through GALILEO, I only have time to touch on 4 resources:

• ProQuest
• EbscoHost
• Access Science
• SKS Web select.

I like to compare the big databases to automobiles- if you can drive a Toyota, you can drive a Chevy. The concepts are the same- dashboard might look a little different, gear shift might be in a different place but within 5 minutes you can figure out the ignition, the gas and brakes and the gear shift- off you go!

Explore the databases- notice how similar they are. Don't be afraid to use these super resources (paid for by the citizens of Georgia through their tax dollars).

The password for home use of GALILEO is available from your Georgia librarian.

Da Vinci Code

I attended the Metro Atlanta Library Association <http://www.matllib.org/> Summer meeting on Monday afternoon. The topic was Dan Brown's best seller The Da Vinci Code.

A Google search provides 2, 360,000 hits.
Most folks will only go through the first two screens of a Google hit list.

I went to GALILEO to see what I could find that wouldn't be just advertising the book on Amazon.com.

• EbscoHost- 435 links
• ProQuest- 146 links
• LexisNexis Academic- Quick search- 125 links- the maximum for Quick search
• LexisNexis Academic - Advanced search- (using General News, Magazines and Journals, 2000-2005) 244 links

Interesting articles about the book, Da Vinci, the church, etc. Check out GALILEO for information before you jump into the wild web.

The password for home use of GALILEO is available to Georgia citizens from their librarian.

Google

When searching for quick information many go first to Google . I've been reminding you of the interesting and authoritative resources available through GALILEO.

Today, I'm sending you to Google. Check out the logo honoring man's first steps on the moon July 20, 1969. I remember watching the event on TV.

Click on Google's logo! Wonderful history lesson. Happy exploring!

Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out at midnight on Friday.
Were you standing in line? I did go early on Saturday to a 24 hour store and purchase a copy. Delightful, wonderful, fantastic. I need a thesaurus to describe how much I enjoyed the story. Yes, I read it in a day- nothing else got done!

There are a few resources on netLibrary that discuss English literature and fantasy:

• From Alice to Harry Potter[electronic resource] : children's fantasy in England / Colin Manlove.
• The ivory tower and Harry Potter[electronic resource] : perspectives on a literary phenomenon / Lana A. Whited, editor.

You can create a free account for netLibrary here at school. Then you can access the netLibrary titles from any computer that has access to the internet.

Trick is you need to create that free account here at school.

Get the GALILEO password for home use from your librarian.

New medicine?

You don't feel well, the doctor prescribes a medicine for you but you're not sure what the directions are trying to tell you. There are several medical sites (Med Web, WebMD, Merck, Emory) that can help you figure out what that medicine is supposed to do for you.

One database on GALILEO is Clinical Pharmacology (at EbscoHost). This link provides drug information and educational documents geared for patients. The site includes information in Espanol!

Hope you feel better soon.

You can get the password for home use of GALILEO from your librarian. They don't usually give the password over the phone or through e-mail. You do need to go to the library and show proof that you're a patron of that library.