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Library offers countless resources to Boise State students
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It isn’t just about checking out books anymore. Albertsons Library is the one-stop campus spot for every research need. Today it offers more than 50 online databases available for scholarly research and trained, helpful staff to answer any questions that might come up along the way.
Sarah Seely is a reference librarian who teaches a class called University 106.
“It’s self-paced and gives an introduction to academic research with an emphasis on electronic resources,” Seely said.
The one-credit class is offered every semester and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Seely explained that personal help from library staff is one of the most important services available to students using the library.
“Typical questions are everything from ‘How do I cite this?’ to ‘How do I get to my class?’ We have one of the most popular computer labs on campus, because you can get help,” she said.
The library’s resources are constantly expanding, Seely added.
“Research has really changed in the last five years – more resources are moving online. We’ve recently made major database purchases . We’ve started to incorporate audio book and electronic books as well,” she said.
“We’re trying to work on our Website and make it more accessible,” Associate Dean for Library Services Eric Forte said. “We’re always working on our Website.”
Students don’t usually know that university librarians specialize in a specific field and can show them books and articles specific to their projects, Forte said.
“You can make an appointment with a librarian in your field. For example, an engineering librarian,” he said.
The library plans to add about 22 computers over the summer months and perhaps more in the fall. This will allow more students to use the electronic databases which, according to Forte, are the most popular research resource.
“BSU students and faculty have access to full-text articles and specialized databases,” he said. “These are resources the average person doesn’t have access to.”
If students still can’t find the information they need after scanning the online databases, then the next person to talk to is Gwen Pittam, section manager in the Interlibrary Loan Office.
“If we [Albertsons Library] don’t have what students need, they can go to Interlibrary Loan and we can get the articles or books they need,” Pittam said. “The library absorbs the cost; we take care of that.”
Sometimes interlibrary loans come from close libraries like the Boise Public Library and other times from as far away as Britain or Australia.
“Articles take three days to a week. Books usually take longer, so we suggest [students] plan ahead,” Pittam said.
There are instructional PowerPoint presentations posted on the Interlibrary Loan Website on how to request a loan, Pittam said.
Even if the library is closed, Forte said, students could still get help from the interactive Website.
“If you’re in a research bind you can chat with us 24/7, anytime,” he said. “There’s a link on our site that says ‘Help Me’ and ‘Chat.’”
A librarian will read and answer the question, allowing the research – and the library’s services – to continue during all hours of the day or night.
Jennifer Sawmiller