Library Director Dave Dettman and Associate Academic Librarian Renee Wallin discuss the latest happenings in the UWMC library. Published in Volume 48, Issue 4.
So you know how to effectively use the UWMC library. Congratulations! This means that when it comes time to finding the best resources for your papers and presentations, you know how to do it quickly and efficiently (if this is not the case by all means come and see us for 45 minutes and we can help boost your GPA… seriously). Many students assume that once they transfer to a four year school like Stevens Point or Eau Claire, they will be required to learn a whole new system for finding books and journal articles. This is not the case! All libraries in the UW System work beneath the motto “One System, One Library.” By working together to purchase resources (electronic databases and print materials), we are able to improve collections and achieve efficient services even in an environment of flat or reduced budgets and rapidly increasing costs. What this means for you is simple: understanding how to use any UW system library will be easy to do once you have mastered the resources in any one. For example, say you use the database called Academic Search Premier at UWMC to find peer reviewed journal articles, which are needed to write papers and prepare presentations. Since the UW System libraries maintain an identical core set of databases, you will be able to access this same database through any UW System library. This is also somewhat true for finding books. Although the library catalogs vary slightly from a cosmetic perspective, they all use the same library catalog software so the functionality will be the same. So, when you transfer to a four year school don’t hesitate to head to the physical or virtual library. The building may be bigger and the web site may look a bit different, but once you get inside you’ll feel right at home.
Recently Posed Questions
Q: I am in a history class and we need to write a paper on women’s experiences during the American Revolution. I can find a good deal of books and journal articles dealing with this topic, but my professor says we need primary sources as well (diaries and letters). Can you help?
A: The library provides access to a database called North American Women’s Letters and Diaries which “includes the immediate experiences of 1,325 women and 150,000 pages of diaries and letters.” A quick browse in the “Historical Events” category indicates that there are 222 letters and diary entries that address this historical event and were written during the time it took place. To access this database, connect to the library home page at www.uwgb.edu/library. Select “North American Women’s Letters and Diaries” from the Databases A-Z list linked from the green search box.
Q: I need to do a report on some aspect of Wisconsin history using primary documents (diaries and letters and stuff). Do you know how I can go about getting some information on this? I can’t get to the library much so online stuff would be great.
A: I recommend connecting to the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center’s Wisconsin Pioneer Experience at digicoll.library.wisc.edu/wipionexp. According to the website, this project is a “digital collection of diaries, letters, reminiscences, speeches and other writings of people who settled and built Wisconsin during the 19th century.” The materials were selected by the directors of the Area Research Centers located throughout Wisconsin and represent all areas of the State.