From The Library Director

The beginning of spring semester coincided with several new developments at the Weinberg Library. During Intersession the Library upgraded its CD-ROM Network System to provide access beyond the walls of the Library. While the new system is still being tested, it will provide the capability of searching our networked CD-ROM databases from offices, labs and home. This service will be phased in during the semester.

 

The Library will also be introducing Blackwell North America's New Titles Online database via the Online Public Catalog. This new service will serve our library as a primary source for collection development and order verification information. Containing more than 500,030 bibliographic citations, the database covers scholarly monographs in the English language published during the most recent six years as well as those scheduled for publication.

 

Another exciting development in the area of collection development is the Library's acquisition of the OCLC/Amigos Collection Analysis CD (CACD) system. This system will enable the Weinberg Library to compare its collection, title by title, with those of libraries in 14 predefined peer groups as well as four custom-defined peer groups. By performing a comparative analysis of library holdings, the CACD system will generate statistical reports and bibliographic lists that provide a broad overview of our collection as well as detailed title-by-title comparisons based on the Library of Congress classification.

 

A year ago last April the Weinberg Library and Marywood College Library began a successful document delivery service. Journal articles are faxed between the two libraries within 24 hours. The service is at no cost to Library users. Inquiries can be directed to the Interlibrary Loan Department, Weinberg Library, Room 202.

 

The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library had a very successful inaugural exhibition and lecture on William Morris and the Kelmscott Press. Copies of the exhibition catalog are on sale in the Library Administrative Office for $12. The Friends of the Library is planning a spring lecture and a book sale. The book sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Library's Scranton Heritage Room. Friends of the Library members will be invited to a preview of the sale on Friday evening, May 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Membership brochures for the Friends of the Library are available at the Library's Reference and Circulation desks.