Welcome to Our New Reference Librarian!

We have a new face at the Reference Desk! 

Getting to know Chris Allen:

When did you know you wanted to be a librarian?

I have always had a passion for libraries. Even as a little kid, I would play "library" with my younger brother and sister. I still find children's books at my parents' house with my home-made date due stamps in the back.

All through grade school and high school I worked in the school libraries as a volunteer. As I got older, I was able to get summer work and got paid to be in the library. This set my career path.

What is your favorite part of being a librarian?

My favorite part of being a librarian would have to be talking with students about what they like to read. I am always interested to hear about the different kinds of things that they like and that helps to inform me about new materials the library should have.

What is your favorite book?

Picking a favorite book would be difficult. I really enjoy almost everything that Stephen King has written and am a big fan of his. There are a few of his that I have read several times such as Pet Sematary, The Stand, and It.

I also love the Harry Potter series and have read that at least three times.

Another favorite is Charlotte's Web.

Anything else you'd like to share? 

My sister and I are both Nazareth Alums. I graduated in 1997 and she did in 2000. Now, my daughter is just finishing her freshman year at Nazareth.

I have been a school librarian at Wayland-Cohocton for the past 19 years and I have been the Freshman Class and National Honor Society advisor for 17 years.

My wife and I have a small farm with over 50 chickens.

Feel free to drop by the desk and say Hi! 

Chicago Manual of Style: 17th Edition

The newest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style was released in Fall 2017.  We have a copy located at the Reference Desk, and have updated our Chicago Citing Handouts.

The goods news is that there are very few changes that will affect how the majority of students use Chicago Style to cite their sources!  Some changes are noted below, along with information on where students can learn more in the Manual.

The biggest change is that Chicago is giving more clarification on how scholars should cite digital materials.  As before, they emphasize citing digital sources using a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) when available.  For most articles, the DOI will be listed on the first page (1.33).  The other option is to use a permalink (rather than copying a URL directly from the browser address bar) (14.9).  Most databases have a Permalink or Durable URL function (look for something that looks like a link chain).

They have also expanded their description of how to cite websites, blogs, and social media (14.205-10).

You can read a full description of what's new in the 17th Edition on the Chicago Manual of Style website.

The Washington Post has a somewhat humorous take on the changes.  The OWL at Purdue has also updated their Chicago Manual of Style tip sheets.

If you have any questions, please contact us!

Database Trial: Sage Research Methods

Our library is currently conducting a trial of SAGE Research Methods, a platform designed to support the teaching and learning of research methodology at all levels, step by step.

We have access through November 10, 2017, at this link: http://methods.sagepub.com/.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION:

SAGE Research methods has a wide array of tools and materials to support research and teaching, by providing not only more than 800 reference works, books and journals, but also interactive tools such as methods lists and the methods map.

What is SAGE Research Methods?

For Student Research:

• Over 220,000 pages of content covering hundreds of methodological approaches help students at every step of their project
• Concise author videos answer basic questions like “How do I choose between different research methods?” and “What do you mean by the term‘ethnography’?”

For Faculty Research:

• Offers critical support in learning new techniques and methods
• Provides crucial resources to help faculty write up their methodology for publication in the best research journals
• Provides in-depth understanding of advanced methods and includes online access to the complete Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences (QASS) series, also known as “The Little Green Books,” as well as the Qualitative Research Methods Series (QRMS), or “The Little Blue Books” Teaching Research Methods
• Perfect complement to coursework and traditional textbooks in research methods courses for Business, Communications, Criminology, Education, Health Sciences, Psychology, Political Science, Social Work and Sociology
• Sample assignments help students easily connect to concepts
• Aids faculty who oversee research papers and theses requiring original research

More information is available on the SAGE Research Methods guide or in their brochure.

You can try a search below.  Please note that the trial is only available on campus.  If you have any questions, please contact the Reference Department.  Let us know what you think!

Primo: Our New Library System

Primo is a new powerful single search box which allows you to search for books, ebooks, journal articles, and more in the Nazareth Library collections and beyond!

Essentially, Primo allows you to search the old library catalog (print books, journals and media holdings within the library) in conjunction with all of our databases (such as JSTOR, Academic Search Complete, and CINAHL).

Primo is designed to save time and increase productivity by combining all of our library resources into one search interface.

Primo has replaced EBSCO Discovery Service and the previous library catalog.

Primo incorporates a number of requests that we have had from faculty and students, including:

• One search box for all library materials
• NazNet ID and Password access--no more library barcodes!
• Easier access to items from St. John Fisher College Library

                                

If you'd like to see some training materials on Primo, please visit our Help and Support page.

If you are experiencing difficulty with Primo, please contact the library at 585-389-2129 or answers.naz.edu. 

Ribbon Cutting at the Charles Mills Writing Center

The Writing Center is holding a Ribbon Cutting ceremony tomorrow, Friday October 21st, from 4-5pm.  You should go!

The Writing Center recently moved to the lower level of the Library, Room 129, and it is a great resource for any student looking to improve their writing skills.

You can find out more about the Writing Center on their website.

And just for fun, here are some articles on the links between utilization of writing centers and student academic achievement. Enjoy!

• Bielinska-Kwapisz, A. (2015). Impact of writing proficiency and writing center participation on academic performance. The International Journal of Educational Management, 29(4), 382-394. Available at:  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.libra.naz.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=eric&AN=EJ1061478&site=eds-live 

• Bredtmann, J., Crede, C.J. and Otten, S. ( 2013 ), Methods for evaluating educational programs - does writing center participation affect student achievement?, Evaluation and Program Planning , Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 115 - 123.  Available through Interlibrary Loan:  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.libra.naz.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.310714388&site=eds-live

• Jones, C. ( 2001 ), The relationship between writing centers and improvement in writing ability: an assessment of the literature, Education , Vol. 122 No. 1, pp. 3 - 20.  Available at:  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.libra.naz.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=edsgbc&AN=edsgcl.80856249&site=eds-live 

• Lerner, N. ( 2001 ), Choosing beans wisely, Writing Lab Newsletter , Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 1 - 5.  Available at:  https://wlnjournal.org/archives/v26/26.1.pdf