Category: Budget

Got it free through Google? Probably not.

Posted on by University Libraries

Are you able to download the full-text of scholarly journal articles in Google Scholar for free?  If so, chances are that article was paid for by the Wright State University Libraries.

The Libraries participate in Google’s Library Links program that offers article-level linking from Google Scholar to University Libraries’ subscription content.  Users with appropriate WSU credentials  – a WSU IP address or students, faculty and staff who login with their W account – will access the full text of articles using the link: “Full Text – Wright State”.

The University Libraries partner with Google, EBSCO and other vendors to configure and maintain the article level links so that Google recognizes Wright State’s access to content that would otherwise be blocked.  Since Google’s product management team defines scholarly content, not all University Libraries’ subscriptions are included.

How do I use this service?

On campus –  Google Scholar automatically provides full text links to content licensed by the University Libraries.

Off-campus – There are two ways to use this service.

  1. Choose the Google Scholar database from the UL website. You will be prompted to enter your campus username and password before searching Google Scholar, and automatically gain access via the “Full Text – Wright State” links.
  2. Begin your search at https://scholar.google.com and associate your Google Account with Wright State University Libraries in the Google Scholar > Settings > Library Links section. Upon first use, you will be prompted to enter your campus username and password.   Need assistance with this process?  Ask a Librarian can help.

To get the most full-text material with the greatest ease we recommend using the University Libraries website link to get to Google Scholar.

WSU students faculty and staff can set their Google Scholar account to easily import citations into RefWorks, a citation management product provided by the University Libraries.

Library Capital Improvements

Posted on by University Libraries

In the fall of 2017 the University Libraries submitted a State Capital Funding Request Project Proposal for carpet replacement and modernization. We were thrilled to learn this spring that our projects have been chosen! The funding comes to Wright State from the State of Ohio’s 2-year capital budget. These are one-time funds for capital projects such as deferred maintenance and tangible improvements. Our plan is to replace the 20-year-old carpet in the public areas of the library and modernize furniture and study spaces.

In 2015, the library staff conducted a detailed building use study to determine how, where and why students study in the Dunbar Library. We learned a lot! The students requested more quiet study areas and private spaces for individuals and groups to meet. They asked for updated furniture and a cleaner, more welcoming environment. We plan to make the most of our $1.1 million in state funding and create a variety of study spaces where students can be successful.

Our plan is to install carpet mid-December after Fall semester finals, completing it before students come back for Spring semester in January 2019. New furniture should find its way here during Spring semester, wrapping up the project in May of 2019. In the meantime, feel free to sample new furniture we will have on display in the second floor atrium (under the plane) and give us your feedback! More information about the libraries’ student-centered capital improvements is available in The Guardian. To learn more about other University capital funds initiatives, visit the WSU Newsroom.

Kanopy Access Updates

Posted on by University Libraries

Access to the collection of streaming films in Kanopy has been reinstated for the fall semester. The films in Kanopy are available to license but are not necessarily already owned by the Wright State University Libraries. A license for streaming rights is purchased automatically on the fourth time a film is viewed for more than 30 seconds. Each license costs $150 and lasts for one year.

We are asking for the WSU community’s help to stay within the allotted budget for Kanopy this year. We have had to cap the amount available for licensing new content to $30,000, or 200 films, to last until June 30, 2019. Once we reach that $30,000 limit, we will be unable to license new films.

In order to maximize the access to films for academic purposes while staying within our budget, we will allot the Kanopy funds incrementally:

  • $10,000 deposited to Kanopy for Fall Semester
  • $10,000 deposited to Kanopy for Spring Semester
  • $10,000 held in reserve to purchase licenses to fulfill faculty requests after the semester funds have been exhausted.

Please do not force the licensing of films you plan to use by watching them four times. For more information on Kanopy’s pricing model and additional suggestions on how to help us manage costs, please see our earlier post.

For a complete list of current Kanopy licenses, updated weekly, please visit https://guides.libraries.wright.edu/kanopy.

Changes to STAC Hours and Services

Posted on by University Libraries

The Student Technology Assistance Center (STAC), which provides Wright State students with the tools to make productive use of multimedia, will have different hours and services starting in the Fall 2018 semester. These changes are driven by an effort to provide the greatest level of access to the STAC and its tools while accommodating recent decreases in staffing.

Previously, the STAC was open for limited hours but was staffed during all of those hours. Beginning Sunday, August 26, the STAC will be open as a DIY space during all of the library’s open building hours – 95 hours per week. Trained student mentors, known as “STAC Geeks,” will be available Sunday – Thursday from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm to share their experience, skills, and tips for student projects. As always, STAC staff are available for personalized assistance for student projects by appointment.

As of this time, the STAC has also stopped offering 3D printing due to decreases in staffing. The STAC continues to offer two bookable rooms for use: the E-Learning Studio includes a computer terminal with high quality microphone and a webcam, ideal for distance learning needs.

The Pod is a bookable room for audio and video needs, including a green screen wall, studio lights and tripod. Each can be reserved online or at the information desk.

For more information about the STAC or the changes in hours and services this fall, please visit https://libraries.wright.edu/stac/ or email stac@libraries.wright.edu.