Reference Librarians

-- Michelle Joy, Distance Learning Librarian

Credo Reference Upgrade!

Credo Reference is available under our E-Resources. We have recently upgraded Credo and I’m going to go over what that means today.

When you do a topic search in Credo, it now also searches multiple other databases. This means you’ll get results from other databases without having to repeat your search within them! This doesn’t mean it will be a one stop shop for your research, but it is a fantastic place to start and have a great launch pad to continue from.

On the topic page of any search you will get a brief overview of the topic and then below will be other links to references in Credo and then from the other databases. Here is an example of how that will look:

Do you have questions? There’s an easy way to ask questions right at the bottom of your screen!

If you have any questions Credo cannot answer, or about anything else, our library staff is always happy to be of assistance!

-- 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

Morning Chat

Starting on February 8th there will be a librarian on the Morning Chat on LibAnswers from 8am-10am. You can ask for help with research, how to find things in the library, or whatever else you might want to ask a librarian. Come on over to https://saintleo.libanswers.com/ or click the photo above!

- Michelle Joy, Distance Learning Librarian

Answers for Questions...

Do you need help with locating a specific book or how to research your topic? If so, don't sit around all confused with what to do or where to look? Ask a librarian for help! 

The Cannon Memorial Library has multiple ways to get the help you need:

•  Contact the Reference Desk

•  Fill out an Ask a Librarian form
•  Use the Statewide Ask a Librarian outside of the reference desk's hours
•  View previously answered questions / ask your question on the LibAnswers website

                                          SLU Reference Desk Hours:

Monday-Thursday 9am-10pm

Friday 9am-5pm

Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm

-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

Help is Here!

Have you ever thought to yourself... 

• I need reference assistance; however, it is after the hours that the reference desk is open. What should I do? 
• How do I use the library catalog to locate books or the databases to locate an article? 
• What resources are within the library on a specific subject or class?

If so, click on one of our reference assistance tools to help you: 

Locate resources on a particular topic - books, articles, websites, videos, etc.

• Broad subjects / majors
• Specific courses
• Directional assistance on library services

Get the answers to your questions.

• Search your question – it may already be answered 
• Ask a question – get it answered by a Cannon Memorial librarian 

Don't waste time searching all over for an answer; ask a skilled librarian for targeted results.

• Answered by Cannon Memorial librarian
• Answered by a Florida Statewide librarian

View how to maneuver throughout services and resources.

• Library catalog
• Databases
• E-books
• Interlibrary loan
• Writing help

Help comes in many forms. Remember to use all of the reference tools available for additional support. You will find each of them on the library website.

-Theresa Whitehead, Distance Learning Librarian

LibAnswers is Here!

Welcome to a New Year and new semester at Saint Leo University! To better assist our patrons’ reference needs, we have implemented a new system: LibAnswers!

Library users can type questions into a LibAnswers box to search a knowledge base of FAQs. These FAQs are uploaded from questions received and answered by SLU librarians, as well as from questions and answers that librarians generate and upload. 

If a satisfactory answer to a question does not appear in the FAQs, library users have the option to submit the question as an email through the LibAnswers question box form. 

Librarians are still available for assistance at the reference desk, by telephone, or through email, but head over to our library page and give LibAnswers a try! The link to LibAnswers can be found on the main library page in a tab next to “Access LibGuides” or at saintleo.libanswers.com.

Wishing you success with the upcoming classes!

Changes to Library Services: WorldCat

Hello, Saint Leo Pride. it has been a while since the last blog post, and there are some exciting new changes coming to the services that the library will be providing our patrons. Beginning August, our catalog database will be switching to WorldCat, and we will be implementing LibAnswers, a new way to ask and retrieve answers for reference and library questions.

WorldCat is a global system with user-friendly features that will be replacing our existing catalog. Much like our current search box, Worldcat can be accessed through the library website. The result format will look different (as seen below), but you will still be able to limit your search by different criteria, such as book, eBook, language, and many others. A great feature that WorldCat provides is that if we do not possess a book in our collection if it is available at any surrounding libraries.

This new system allows for easier use of access, retrieving materials, and has a more aesthetically pleasing display. Further details to be announced as the time draws near!

Good Starting Point for Research--Credo Reference LibGuides

Credo Reference, one of Cannon Memorial Library's eBook and eReference resources, now offers a collection of library resource guides (LibGuides) to help you get started with your research projects.

Use one of the Credo Reference LibGuides to find eBooks and reference articles on topics from Ancient Civilizations to Art History, Philosophy, and Religion. New guides are being added regularly. They link you directly into content owned or licensed by the library.

Subject Research Guides--What's What and Where To Find It

We know you often use the library late at night, long after the reference desk has closed for the evening.  So, faculty librarians created a series of Subject Research Guides to help you find your way to the best resources to begin your research. 

There's a 3-minute video tutorial explaining how to use the subject research guides.

We now have 29 subject research guides.  Topics include Accounting, Business, Computer Information Systems, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Environmental Science, Exceptional Student Education, Fine Arts, Health Care Management, Human Resources Administration, International Hospitality & Tourism Management, Psychology, Religion & Theology, Social Work, and Sport Business Management. 

Use the "comments" area of the blog to suggest other subjects for new research guides or email us.