Monthly Archives: August 2011

Scopus Database

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Scopus is a one of the newer databases available through the Sterne Library website. It indexes peer-reviewed journals, trade publications, book series, and conference papers in the subject areas of life sciences, physical sciences, health sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.  It has very good coverage of education journals. Added features include:

  • A cited references list with each citation, as well as cited by references
  • Author evaluator – contact information and institutional affiliation history for each author, as well as analysis of author’s articles and cited-by information
  • Journal analytics – Scientific Journal Rankings (SJR) and Source Normalized Index per Paper (SNIP) for every single journal indexed in the database – an alternative to impact factors. Multiple journals’ analytics can be compared and viewed graphically.

View these tutorials for an introduction to using Scopus.

Library and Research Skills Refresher Course for Returning Students

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Are you returning to the academic environment after years or decades away? Are you a little intimidated by the changes and advances that have occurred in college libraries?

This course will help returning students review and/or catch up on the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the library, both the physical space and the library website; find and use the print, audiovisual, and electronic resources; and understand and use basic research skills.  This course will also give students avenues to pursue for additional guidance and instruction.

This course is divided into two classes:

Class 1: The Research Process, Navigating Sterne Library’s Web Page, and Locating Books

In this class, students will learn how to:

  • choose and focus topics for research
  • locate general information about the Mervyn H. Sterne Library
  • locate materials in SCOTTY, Sterne Library’s online public access catalog

Class 2: Finding Articles, Weaving through the Web Wisely, and Getting Additional Help

In this class, students will learn how to

  • identify magazine, journal, and newspaper articles on a chosen topic by using indexes and databases
  • find, evaluate, and use Internet resources
  • locate information for help with research, citing, and the library

For the schedule of classes and to register, go to http://www.mhsl.uab.edu/refresher/.

New Hours at Mervyn H. Sterne Library!

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The Mervyn Sterne Library listened to the requests of students and will have later hours beginning in the Fall 2011 semester on August 16.

The library will continue to open at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and will now be open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.  During final exams, the library will be open even longer.

Sterne Library’s first floor North Wing will be available all times the library is open.  After midnight, the circulation desk will continue to provide services.  Group study rooms, individual study areas, computer, WiFi, printers, copiers, and browsing periodicals will be available at all hours.  The first floor South Wing, second floor, and third floor will close at midnight. 

After 10 p.m., access to the library will be limited to UAB students, faculty, and staff with a valid UAB ID.  Security officers will be checking IDs and enforcing this policy.

The library will continue its current schedule for Friday and Saturday, except during exams.  You can always see the week’s hours on the Sterne Library home page.