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August 2008

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weelibrarian — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:41:21 CDT

Please note: this wiki has been moved to http://libwiki.mcmaster.ca/fye/

Welcome to the Mac Library Experience wiki, a wiki designed to help you in your First Year Experience (FYE) at McMaster. The libraries are an essential part of becoming a successful student. This wiki provides you with information to help you succeed in your first year and beyond at McMaster.

We'd love to hear your comments. Feel free to comment on any of the wiki's pages - comments are located at the bottom of each page. Let us know what you think or what else you'd like to see here!

McMaster offers you 4 libraries with millions of resources. Do not be surprised if you feel overwhelmed, this is normal. We offer lots of assistance to help you find what you need. The best solution is to ask for help.

Although our libraries are subject related, you are welcome to use any library. The four libraries are:

Mills Library - social sciences and humanities (the biggest library - 6 floors)
Innis Library - business
Thode Library - science and engineering
Health Sciences Library - health sciences

weelibrarian — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:30:51 CDT

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August 19, 2008

Yes, it's true! The library will be introducing Mac computers (iMacs, MacPros and MacBooks) to both Thode and Mills Library! Not familiar with Macs? All Macs will have dual bootup, which means you can work in a Windows environment. For full details, check out our blog post.
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July 21, 2008

McMaster University Library is digitizing! We've purchased a scanner and will be scanning thousands of rare books so that you can access them online! More info on the project and its partners can be found here.

We're also helping to build the world's largest newspaper archive. As the first Canadian library to partake in this project, we'll be digitizing some of our newspaper collection. More info on this project can be found here.

We've also recently received a grant and will be developing a website on Canadian Publishing.This will include the digitization of unique items. More info on this project can be found here.
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Mar. 21, 2008

Find that perfect article but we don't have it? It's now easier to order it through RACER than ever before! When looking for articles, click on the Get It! when you find something you want. If we don't have it, click on "Request Document on Interlibrary Loan via RACER" and the form will automatically fill in with all the info on the item (you will need to sign into RACER). And remember, requesting articles is free! Not sure what RACER is? Feel free to contact me or visit your nearest library research help desk. For. more info, check out our blog.

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=858&display=full
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Mar. 21, 2008

You've asked and we've heard you! For the first time, the Mills Learning Commons (2nd floor Mills) will be open 24/7! This pilot will run from April 9-April 28. The rest of the library will be open normal, extended exam hours at this time. For more info, check out our blog.

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=857&display=full
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Mar. 3, 2008

You might have noticed that we started a new popular fiction collection this year. To get a jump on your leisure reading, we now have a new site that you can browse, complete with cover images. You can even comment, write a review for the book or recommend a new purchase! Check it out at:

http://library.mcmaster.ca/cat-coll/coll/popularreading.htm
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Feb. 19, 2008

We're redesigning the library website and would like your opinion to inform our redesign process. Please take a couple of minutes to tell us what you think by filling out the survey at the link below. Leave your name and email address at the end of the survey to be entered in a draw to win a Canon PIXMA photo printer!

Library Website Redesign Survey

Thank you
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Feb. 19, 2008

I thought I'd bring your attention to a new service in our library catalogue. You can now save your search and have results sent to you via rss feed! Perform a search and then choose to save it - any new material that fits your search criteria will automatically be sent to you via an rss feed. Not sure what rss feeds are? Check out this site for more info.
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Feb. 11, 2008

McMaster University Library has won the ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries 2008 award! We are the first Canadian institution to win this award. For full details, check out our blog post.
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Feb. 11, 2008

Late Night hours have resumed in the Mills Learning Commons (2nd floor). For full details, check out out blog:

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Dec. 13, 2007

Have trouble finding an outlet for your laptop in the library? Now there is a room devoted to laptop use! The room has tons of outlets and is designed as a more comfortable place to use your laptop, complete with wireless internet access! The room is located on the 3rd floor of Mills Library. For full details, check out our blog posting:

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=802&display=full
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Dec. 6, 2007

Find a bunch of books you like in the library catalogue and can't figure out how to keep them together? Well, now you can send library catalogue records right to RefWorks, where you can keep track of citations. Refworks will even help you build a bibliography! Not sure how to use RefWorks, come talk to a librarian! For more info, check out our blog piece:

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=800&display=full
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Nov. 24, 2007

Mills Library is now offering previous exams online in PDF! Right now, I believe we only have last year's exams and it is dependent on the professor to give us the exams (so we don't have everything). Old exams are in the Course Reserve portion of our catalogue by searching "previous exams" as the course. For more details, check out our blog post:

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=795&display=full

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Nov. 12, 2007

Do you find you're always forgetting something? Have no fear, the Mills Learning Commons vending machine is here! It's stocked with all sorts of goodies (usb-keys, pens, earbuds and more!). All you need is your library debit card! For more info, check out our blog post:

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=787&display=full

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Oct. 15, 2007

Mills Learning Commons offers extended hours! From Oct. 1 - Dec 18, the McLay Reading Room will be open until 2am! Check out more here:

http://library.mcmaster.ca/php/blog.php?id=763&display=full

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August 7, 2007

Check out the Undergraduate Research @ Mac group on Facebook! Share ideas, learn about resources, ask your research questions!
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weelibrarian — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:32:30 CDT

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8 Welcome Day! Visit our booth at the Info Fair! Join us on a library tour!	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
	1 Labor Day	2	3 Clubsfest! Visit our table for free swag and info!	4 Tours Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm Classes Begin	5 Tours Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm	6
7	8 Tours Thode 10:00am Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm	9 Tours Thode 1:30pm Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm	10 Tours Thode 11:00am Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm	11 Tours Thode 2:00pm Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm	12 Tours Thode 9:30am Mills 2:30pm Innis 2:30pm	13
14	15 Last Day to Add & Drop	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7 Last Day to Withdraw	8
9	10	11 Remembrance Day	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30

weelibrarian — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:30:39 CDT

Are you a parent of a first year student? Are you interested in helping your child succeed in their university career? If so, you are invited to the McMaster University Library's 2nd annual Parent Night on October 16th, 7-9pm!

The night will feature a panel who will provide you with answers and suggestions to help your son or daughter in their academic goals.

Please RSVP to Catherine Baird, Marketing, Communications and Outreach Librarian at bairdca@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 x.26097

weelibrarian — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:23:55 CDT

Information will be posted soon. Please visit again!

weelibrarian — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:17:21 CDT

Here is some basic library info for you:

Finding Us: The four libraries are scattered around campus. You can find us on the campus map. You can also find us online.

Borrowing: Simply use your student card to borrow books for a two week period. You can renew your books online, just type in your barcode here.

Recall: Does someone already have the book you want? You can place a recall on the item and your name will be placed on a waiting list.

Reserve Items: Profs often put class readings on reserve to allow everyone to have access. Reserve items can be found in the library catalogue and are picked up at the circulation desk.

Hours: You can find our hours here. * Starting Oct 1, the McLay Reading Room in the Mills Library will be open between 12-2am, 7 days a week! For more info, check out our blog entry! *

Study Space: The libraries offer group space and quiet study space.
Mills Library Study Space
Innis Library Study Space
Thode Library Study Space
Health Sciences Library Study Space

You can now book group study rooms online! Check it out here!

Computers: All libraries offer wireless computer access. Mills, Innis and Thode libraries offer a laptop lending program to all students; Health Sciences offers a l aptop lending service to Health Sciences students. The libraries also offer over 200 computers with internet access and productivity software (ie. Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel).

Printing: You will need a library debit card to print or photocopy. The card costs $2 and you must add value to the card before printing or photocopying. Each print/photocopy costs $0.10.

Library Catalogue: Our online catalogue contains all items (print and electronic) that McMaster Libraries own. Search for your research items 24/7 online.

Databases: Use our online databases 24/7 to find journal articles for your research needs.

Interlibrary Loan: Found the perfect article or book but we don't have it? Get it for free using Racer, our online interlibrary loan system. Just sign up for account and let us know what you need.

Second Life: Don't forget to check out our space in Second Life - our slurl is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/31/186/42/ ! You can get research help in our building or leave a question for our librarians to answer. You can also use the space for virtual meetings. Contact Krista Godfrey at godfrey@mcmaster.ca (aka Danu Dahlstrom in Second Life) to book the space.

Need More Help? Still have questions? Try checking out our How To Find page!

weelibrarian — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:18:39 CDT

Looking for books or articles for your assignments? Can't find that elusive item? Not allowed to use websites for your assignment? You need to evaluate your sources? Your prof wants you to use peer-reveiwed journals? What the heck is that? Don't worry, we can help!

There is a lot of information held in the McMaster Libraries and we're here to help you find what you need. Find the resources that your prof requires you to use. Save time and decrease frustration by asking for help if you can't find what you need in 15 minutes.

For basic questions (ie. borrowing books), please visit The Basics page.

Research Guides - See if there is a research guide for your subject area to get your research started.

Research Help/Reference Desks - these are located in every library and are staffed with people who can help you find that book or article you need. Drop by and ask for help in person.

Chat with us! - Don't want to lose your computer or aren't feeling well enough to come to campus? You can ask for help via MSN (library@mcmaster.ca),Yahoo (maclibraries) and AIM(maclibraries). Or use the easy to use meebo window below to contact a librarian for help!

Email us! - Don't want to talk to us in person? Feel free to email us at library@mcmaster.ca

Phone us! - Feeling shy? Call us at 905-525-9140 x.22533

weelibrarian — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:02:38 CDT

The library also partners with others to help you get the academic help you need.

Take advantage of the Centre for Student Development's drop-in sessions offered in the Mills Library Learning Commons (2nd floor).

Writing Clinics : Get help from peer helpers to improve your essay writing.

Academic Skills Consultation : Book a session to learn success strategies.

Workshops : A variety of workshops are offered including How to Ace Tests and Exams. Online workshops are also available.

Take advantage of the Library's drop-in sessions to build your information seeking skills.

Library Workshops : Learn to find the resources to write a stellar essay or ace that assignment.

weelibrarian — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:26:02 CDT

MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian? Don't know what these acronyms are? They are standard citation styles for referencing your sources. Check out these guides to ensure your citing your work properly.

MLA McMaster Guide
APA McMaster Guide
Chigaco Turbabian Guide

RefWorks - Need to keep track of your references for your paper? Check out RefWorks! This free software keeps track of your citations and will help you import them into your paper. Not sure how to use it, drop in for a RefWorks session!

Humanities/Social Sciences RefWorks sessions
Science & Engineering RefWorks sessions

weelibrarian — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:29:26 CDT

Connecting you to campus life.

Courses:

Life

Campus map

Where to eat

Social Networks

Departments

Academic Integrity

13
Thanksgiving Holiday

16
Parent's Night 7-9pm

weelibrarian — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:14:55 CDT

Develop your library research skills by taking advantage of one of our drop-in sessions.

Learn to effectively use the library catalogue.

Become an expert journal article searcher.

Take advantage of our citation management software, RefWorks.