Saint Leo University's Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library in response to COVID-19

For the updates on Saint Leo University's website, click here

Library Testimonial Videos

Library Testimonial Videos Part 1:

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Library Testimonial Videos Part 3:

Dissertations and Theses update!

dissertation and theses database

-- Michelle Joy, Distance Learning Librarian

Support from your Library!

We are here to help you!

What is offered?

All our librarians are happy to help you with your research questions. We can help you narrow down your topics, find which databases and resources will be of assistance to you, and much more. Find the librarians at the Reference Desk or in our offices, if you can’t find one, ask Circulation and they’ll make sure you get to a librarian.

Our writing tutors are here to help you with the writing portion of your research! See them in their offices for assistance with thesis statement, organization, focus, clarity, critical thinking, grammar and more! Set up an appointment with them TODAY! For more information on what services and times are provided, check out this page 

As always, if you have any questions about any of this, ASK US!

--Michelle Joy, Distance Learning Librarian

Farewell Morning Chat, Hello Ask-A-Librarian

Good morning! Unfortunately, due to lack of use, we have had to stop doing the Morning Chat for the time being. If enough people express an interest in it's return we may try it again.

However, this does not mean you have no chatting functions available to you! Ask-A-Librarian is available almost every single day of the year! Through the link on our library home page, or through www.askalibrarian.org you will be put in touch with a librarian and can chat with them for immediate assistance. There is a phone app for both apple and android devices as well as the web capabilities.

What can you do with Ask-A-Librarian? You can email, chat, or text a librarian in the state of Florida that is able to answer questions as if they worked here. These can be research questions or something as simple as when is the library open. If you want to email a librarian that works here at Saint Leo, you can fill in this form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Do you have any questions about Ask-A-Librarian? Feel free to ask them in the comments below, email us, or use Ask-A-Librarian to ask your question!

Do you have something you'd like covered by the blog? Let us know and we'll do our best to meet all requests!

Have a wonderful day!

- Michelle Joy, Distance Learning Librarian

Ask A Librarian!

Do you ever find yourself doing research when the library does not have a librarian available for questions?

There is an AMAZING resource available to you called Ask A Librarian that will connect you with a librarian in the state of Florida, they can answer your questions as if they worked here.

They're available for questions Sunday-Thursday 10am-12am and Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm

To access this resource click HERE or on the text above. 
Use this FREE resource! What are you waiting for?

Library Support for Education Majors

We at the Cannon Memorial Library know that you may feel overwhelmed in your search for great sources for your education coursework.  So, here are some valuable sources that may help you with your studies.

Electronic Books

• Here is a sample of the types of education-related ebooks that we have in our collection. 

                                                                            (Click on book image to open and read)

• Search for additional education ebooks.
• Library Catalog
• ABC-Clio Greenwood Digital Collection & Education Library
• Credo Reference - Education
• eBrary - Education
• EBSCO eBook Collection - Education

Databases

• These databases are most helpful for locating articles for your education coursework:
• CQ Researcher
• EBSCO
• Films on Demand
• ProQuest

Websites

• Faculty and Librarian recommended websites. Includes websites within the following topics: Education Journals Online, Lesson Plans &Teaching Ideas, Classroom Management Resources, Sociology & Social Work Journals Online, Counseling & Self Help Links.

Education Recommended Websites

LibGuide

• View these education-related subject research libguides for further information and links within the following categories: Online Databases/Articles, EBooks, Selected Websites, Print Books, and Print Periodicals

Education / Instructional Leadership Subject Research Guide

Elementary Education Subject Research Guide

Exceptional Student Education Subject Research Guide

Middle Grades Education Subject Research Guide

Please contact us if you have any questions.

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

Database Spotlight: CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher provides in-depth, unbiased coverage on important issues such as health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.

Each report is researched, professionally fact-checked, and provides researchers with the following information:

• An introductory overview
• Background and chronology
• An assessment of the current situation
• Tables and maps
• Pro/con statements on opposing positions
• Bibliographies of key sources

Some of the most recent reports include: Pesticide Controversies, Intelligence Reform, and Restoring Ties with Cuba

The CQ Researcher database is located within the databases section on the Cannon Memorial Library Website. Please contact us if you have any questions.

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

Searching Citations in Westlaw

Have you ever had to locate a specific court case? If so, it is best to search by the citation number if you have it. That way, you will narrow in on your court case much easier than searching through similar named cases.

Watch this video to see how to search by citation within the Westlaw Classic and Westlaw Next databases located on the Cannon Memorial Library website.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding how to search within the Westlaw databases.

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

Drowning in Information? Narrow your Topic...

Do you ever feel like this?

Try this...

Original Topic: Pollution

Narrowed Topic: Health effects of acid rain on people within the United States

Topic Tip: Think of a particular aspect of a subject to explore and break them into main concepts. If your topic is too broad, then you will retrieve way too many articles.

Search Tip: Use the concept terms within a database search.

                           ORIGINAL TOPIC                            NARROWED TOPIC

Contact us if you have any questions on on how to locate the most relevant sources for your assignments.

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

LibGuides to the Rescue

Do you need a starting point with your research?  If so, use a Subject Research LibGuide!

Watch this short video on what Subject Research LibGuides are and how to use them to assist you with your research.

If you have any questions on Subject Research LibGuides, please contact us.

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

Phrase Searching for Precision

When searching online, do you find yourself locating way too many unrelated articles and feel overwhelmed by the number of results? If so, you may need to narrow your results with the use of phrase searching.  

Phrase Searching:

• Put quotation marks around phrases
• Keeps phrase together within search results
• Retrieves articles with phrase rather than individual words = precise results

You can use phrase searching with any type of phrase:

• Titles: "The Wizard of Oz" 
• Commonly used phrases: "close but no cigar" 
• Topics: "global warming"

Phrase Search 1

• No quotation marks around working mothers
• Retrieved 118,942 articles
• Many of the articles have nothing to do with the topic even if they contain the words - working and mothers

Phrase Search 2

• Quotation marks around working mothers
• Retrieved 2,873 articles
• Only found articles that contain the words working mothers together and in that order

For your next research paper, remember to use phrase searching to narrow your search results for retrieval precision. If you have any questions on phrase searching, contact the reference desk. 

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

Database Spotlight: A-Z List of E-Resources

Do you ever find yourself searching multiple databases for a specific article and still coming up empty? 

If so, A-Z List of E-Resources is exactly what you need to identify which databases possess your article!

A-Z List of E-Resources is a searchable index of electronic journals, magazines, and newspapers available online in Saint Leo University Library Databases.

With the A-Z List of E-Resources, you can:

•      Search by the article citation
•      Explore all issues within a specific journal 
•      Locate all journals with particular keywords
•      Browse through all of the journals

Do you know the article title, but not the citation? Just do a Google search on the title to retrieve the article and citation. Remember: You must use the library’s databases to access the articles for free!

Assignment: Your professor wants to locate the following article:

Early childhood pre-service teachers' response to mobile technology: creative projects, analysis, and reflection on learning experiences. (2013). Education, 134(2), 161-166.

Steps:

• To locate the article, click on A-Z List of E-Resources on the library website homepage.

• Once in the A-Z List of E-Resources, locate journals in one of two ways:  

1. Search by journal title or partial title 
2. Browse all journal titles

• Just type in your topic - locate the journal, then the databases it is located within.

• Click on one of the databases to open up the journal.  From there, you will see a list of years which hold all of the issues published for those dates.

• Click on the year to open up all of the volumes/issues and click on the one that is listed in your citation.

• Once you do that, you will see all of the articles published within that issue.  The article for the assignment is the third article down.  Voilà – you found your article without having to search through multiple databases!

It's as simple as that. If you need any further assistance with the A-Z List of E-Resources or any other type of research question, contact the reference desk.

- Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

Locate Company Information with LexisNexis®

Do you need to locate information on a specific company, such as financial data, key executives, or top competitors?  If so, use Hoover’s Company Records within the LexisNexis® database.  

Follow these steps in order to retrieve a wealth of company information.

• First, you will need to enter our library web page at www.saintleo.edu/library and select Databases from the left column.

• Next, scroll down and select LexisNexis®.  You will need to login using your SLU username and password.

• Once you are in the LexisNexis® Database, select “Advanced Options” under the red search box.

• Then, under Content Type, deselect all but Company Profile.

• Now, type “Hoover Company and Industry Reports” within the Source box, and then click “Apply”.

• On the next screen, type the company name you want to search in the red search box, and the search to retrieve all of the results.

• From there, you will see a list of items to explore; just click on the one that matches your specific need.

• Also, if you want to narrow further, click on an item from the “Multiple Groups” section on the left.

If you have any additional questions on how to search company information, please contact the Reference Desk.

- Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian.

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 All Aboard the eBook Train! 

Tablets & eReaders Not Required!   

From www.makeuseof.com

An enlightening MakeUseOf article by Yaara Lancet, "Quick Guide:  How To Enjoy eBooks Without A Tablet Or An eReader”, shares new ways of exploring eBooks. 

As the popularity of eBooks soars to new heights, there’s certainly no denying that the opportunity to have nearly instant access to your favorite book is a marvel for readers everywhere. Yet many of us feel removed from the sweeping sensation of eBooks because we don’t have eReaders or tablets. What we may not realize is that these devices are no longer the only channels by which we can enjoy the splendor of eBooks:  your computer offers many of these same opportunities!  Even better, as a member of our Saint Leo University community, you have the opportunity to view over 250,000 eBooks available to you online from Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library.

Here is some more information about accessing our amazing eBook collection:

Our Library’s eBook Collection

Click here to learn about all of the full-text databases that comprise our eBook and eReference collection.  Once you enter your Saint Leo login and password, you have instant access to e-books online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Click here to learn more about eBook options available through our Open Access Collections - no login or password needed!

eBook Apps Available Online For Your Computer

In addition, check out these fantastic apps Lancet recommends:

Nook for PC/Mac/Web

While Barnes & Noble’s eReader, the Nook, is sold as both a simple eReader ($99) and a tablet ($199, but look out for sales where prices are often reduced to $179), as well as other variations,  these devices are not necessary to appreciate the variety of offerings at the Nook Store.  Nook Reader is also accessible for PC, Mac, and via a Web version congruent with IE, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.  All of these versions are free and allow you to read eBooks directly on your desktop. To experience Nook products, you must first create a BN.com account. Click here to return to the article where you can learn more about Nook eBook options available on your computer and find the links to download the apps. 

Kindle for PC/Mac/Cloud

The ever popular Kindle, Amazon’s pride and joy, offers several eReader versions from the basic Kindle ($79) to the more advanced Kindle Fire tablet (which is now sold out with speculation of an upgraded version to be released in the early fall) to the ultimate Kindle DX ($379), as well as other variations.  However, Kindle books can also be appreciated without any of these devices.  As long as you have an Amazon account, these free app options are available to you: Kindle Cloud Reader, “compatible with Firefox, Chrome and Safari” and “the Kindle desktop app for Windows or Mac.”  Click here to return to the article where you can learn more about Kindle eBook options available on your computer and find the links to download the apps.

Kobo for Windows/Mac/Web

Another popular eReader, Kobo, also provides “its own set of desktop and web apps for reading eBooks.”  Although Lancet describes the app as “the least responsive and intuitive”, she also declares that “it makes up for these faults with a slick reading interface”.  To begin getting books, a Kobo account must first be created.  Click here to return to the article where you can learn more about all the options available through Kobo's eReading apps.

Calibre for Windows/Mac/Linux

MakeUseOf and Lancet sing high praises about this eReader and have even created their own freely downloadable guide.  More than just an eReader, Calibre is also an “eBook organizer which you can use to read books from almost any eBook provider out there, and in almost any available format, including ePub” (electronic publications).  In addition, Calibre allows you to “convert eBooks to different formats.”  Click here to return to the article where you can learn more about Calibre's options and find the link to download the apps for Windows/Mac/Linux.   

Booki.sh for Web

For easy eBook reading via your browser, especially anything involving ePUBs, check out the web app, Booki.sh!  Supportive of “ePubs as well as other formats”, Booki.sh can be used “to browse local stores for eBooks” or to “upload your own ePUB files for easy reading.”  Able to be used “both online and offline”, Booki.sh “supports Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and IE, with Opera support coming soon.”  In addition, Booki.sh can be used for reading “on your iOS, Android or Blackberry devices.”  While Lancet mentions that this reader is “not as sophisticated as others”, she asserts that it offers all the “basic” functioning of any “desktop eReader”.  Click here to learn more about the many possibilities Booki.sh offers.
                                                 - Kerry Vash, Online Librarian, Blog Co-editor - 

Who moved the newspapers?

We now offer LexisNexis Academic to our on- and off-campus students, faculty, and staff. However, NewsBank “America’s Newspapers,” will become an on campus-only resource beginning July 1, 2012.

SLU students, faculty and staff members have off-campus access to the following newspaper bundles:

      ·         EBSCOhost AP NewsMonitor Collection

      ·         EBSCOhost Newspaper Source Plus
      ·         EBSCOhost Regional Business News
      ·         LexisNexis Academic News (1980-present)
      ·         ProQuest News and Newspapers

In addition, most of the general databases include some access to selected newspapers. When in doubt, search for the name of a newspaper in the AtoZ Journal List to find out if the library has access to that newspaper anywhere on the site. (There will be links provided in the results list.)

Looking for the Miami-Herald online? It is exclusively digitized by Newsbank, so if you need an item from that newspaper, please contact the reference librarians on duty by phone (1.800.359.5945) or email (reference.desk@saintleo.edu), or, simply use the Document Delivery service’s “Article Request Form.”

LexisNexis Database Now Available Off-Campus

Cannon Memorial Library Director Brent Short is pleased to announce that all Saint Leo University students, staff, faculty, and administrators, whether located on the main campus, a remote site, or online only, now have access to LexisNexis.

You will find it listed in the Databases section of the library site.  Use it to access over 10,000 news, business and legal sources, news coverage with deep back files and up-to-the-minute stories in national and regional newspapers, wire services, broadcast transcripts, international news and non-English language sources.

Use the included LexisNexis Company Dossier module to retrieve detailed company information and financial performance measures or identify and compare companies by matching specific criteria.

This database also provides access to the renowned Shepard's® Citations Service for all federal and states court cases back to 1789.