Now available to all members of the UAlbany community is the Safari Tech Books Online database. This database offers users with a collection of Information Technology (IT) instructional books in eBook format. Safari Tech Books Online may be searched or browsed, and the books are fully cataloged in the Minerva catalog.

To access Safari Tech Books Online, first go to the Databases and Indexes Page of the University Libraries website. Then click on the “S” under Browse by Database Title. Safari Tech Books Online will be at the top of the following page.

There are two options for finding books within Safari Tech Books. You can search for a book using the search bar located at the top of the homepage, as you would with any other online database, or you can browse the entire list of books subscribed to by the University by clicking on the “View All Titles” link. Although the collection includes over 3,700 titles, the University at Albany community will have access to about 150 books. Subjects covered within these titles include Business Statistics, Database Design, Desktop Applications, Web Design and Development, C++ Programming, and Adobe’s Flash, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver programs.

Once you have identified and located the eBook you would like to read, click on its title. The next screen will present you with multiple ways to interact with the selected book. There is the Overview tab, which provides a general summary of the title, as well as a collection of Amazon Reader Reviews. The Table of Contents tab not only displays the table of contents of the selected book, but each item in the contents is clickable and will take you directly to the clicked on chapter. Then there is the Search this Book tab, which allows you to search the entire book for your desired term or phrase.

If there is a page or multiple pages that you would like to save, you have two options. The first option is to email the desired page(s) to your email account. Within the blue bar towards the top left of the page is an “Email this Page” button. Simply click the button and input your email address, and Safari Tech Books will send you the selected page to your inbox. The other option is to print out the desired pages. Next to the Email button in the blue tool bar is a Print button. Click this button and the selected page will be printed.

The following titles are examples of some of the books available as eBooks through the Safari Tech Books database:

Robson, Elisabeth (2005) Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML. O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Ulrich, Katherine (2007) Adobe Flash CS3 Professional for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide. Peachpit Press.

If you have any questions or need help using this or any other library database, you can stop by the Reference Desk, give us a call at 442-3691, or use the Ask-A-Librarian Service.

Blog post created by Matthew Laudicina

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Throughout the semester, Dewey Graduate Library offers short seminars, workshops, and tours that can help you get started on your research. These workshops are designed to help students, faculty, and staff use library resources effectively and efficiently. Most of the workshops offer hands on practice and cover subject specific and general information resources. You can register for classes using our online form, in person at the Reference Desk, by sending an email to dewclass@albany.edu, or by calling 442-3691. Advanced registration for workshops is strongly suggested.

The following sessions are scheduled this week:

Monday:
11:00AM: Evidence Based Practice

Wednesday:
2:00PM: Social Welfare Research Seminar

Thursday:
1:00 PM: Introduction to EndNote

Blog post created by Matthew Laudicina

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Increasingly, library patrons are making use of our wireless access.

Photo credit: Morris Stilson

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Did you know that in addition to the network connected computers in the Information Commons, the library also offers a wireless connection to the Internet? Here at Dewey Library, all UAlbany students, faculty, and staff can access the wireless network with their laptops or any wifi enabled device, such as a smartphone. The signal for the wireless network can be found on the entire first floor of the library, as well as the lower level except for the Mezzanine and compact storage areas. You will need your NetID, your UNIX cluster password), and a laptop with an 802.11 b/g wireless card that supports WPA in order to connect to the wireless network (most newer laptops come with this card already installed).. For complete instructions on how to connect your laptop to the wireless network, please refer to the Wireless Internet Access Instructions for additional information.

While a large majority of laptops have a wireless network interface card built into the laptop itself, there are older laptops that do not include this card. If you happen to own a laptop that does not feature a wireless network interface card, you can borrow one from the Circulation desk. In order for the card to function once it is connected to your laptop, you will need to download and install drivers. Instructions on Wireless Network Interface Card Driver Installation () are available online. Once you are connected to the wireless network, wireless printing from your laptop is available through the ITS Uniprint System.

If you would like to take advantage of the wireless network, but do not own a laptop, you can borrow one from the library through the University Libraries Laptop Lending Service. There are two laptops available at Dewey Library for students, faculty, and staff to borrow. Laptops can be checked out for up to four hours, or until thirty minutes before the library closes. The laptops are outfitted with Windows XP Pro operating system, a CD/DVD read/write drive, power cord, battery, mouse, an internal wireless card, and a USB port for use with a flash/portable/thumb drive. Some of the software that is available on the lending laptops includes Microsoft Office 2007, Internet Explorer 8 and Mozilla Firefox browsers, Adobe’s Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, Windows Media Player, and CD Burner XP Pro. These laptops cannot leave the library premises. Files that are created on the lending laptop must be saved to a removable external drive.

If you have any questions about connecting to the wireless network, borrowing one of the wireless network interface cards, or you can call the ITS HelpDesk WiUAlbany at 442-3700. Circulation staff will allow you to use their phone at the Circulation desk for this purpose, and will also help you with the laptops available for checkout at the library. You can also submit a Help Request at the ITS and FAQ Feedback Form.

Blog post created by Matthew Laudicina

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This week, Dewey is offering free workshops for social welfare students, plus how to conduct general research using our databases.

Tuesday:
10:00AM: Introduction to Research Databases

Wednesday:
2:00PM: Social Welfare Research Seminar

Thursday:
4:00PM: Evidence Based Practice

Friday:
11:00AM: Introduction to Research Databases

You can register in advance for classes online, in person at the Reference Desk, by calling the Reference Desk at 422-3691, or by sending an email to dewclass@albany.edu. If you find that you are unable to attend a class that you have registered for, please call the Reference Desk or send an email to let us know.

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Today is the winter fixed due date for Ph.D. candidates. If you are a Ph.D.candidate and have material due on this day, you must return or renew it. Please call the Circulation Desk at 442-3693 for more information.

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Our Circulation Staff is here to help you renew books, retrieve reserve items, help with the Podium machine, and resolve problems related to your account. Pictured here are the circulation clerks (l-r) Ryan Gill, Morris Stilson, and Christopher Masella. Not shown: James Asare.

Photo credit: Elaine Bergman

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