We heard you! Changes to the Research Databases gateway

Last semester, we heard from many of you that you found the new Research Databases gateway (http://cufts2.lib.sfu.ca/CRDB/BCLF) challenging to use. Some of you wanted us to go back to the "old" way. For many good reasons, we aren't going back, but we did listen and have introduced some changes that we hope will make the gateway a little (or maybe a lot!) easier to use:

• Subject list of research databases is more visible
• More visible access to the A-Z list
• Now when you type your topic into a search box, you really are searching the databases themselves

Let us know what you think of these changes. Did they address your concerns? Have they made it easier to find your way around? If not, what suggestions do you have?

Nature journal now available online

Nature is now available as an online journal. This international weekly journal of science is the most highly cited interdisciplinary science journal, and publishes peer-reviewed research articles as well as cutting edge news stories.  The online site provides such features as e-alerts, RSS feeds, video and podcats, and expanded supplemental material.  UFV's subscription allows for access to a 5 year backfile.

New Database: Counseling & Therapy in Video

Counseling and Therapy in Video is a collection of hundreds of online videos used for the study of social work, psychotherapy, psychology, and psychiatric counseling.
Videos include actual and re-enacted counseling sessions, lectures, interviews and presentations by well-known therapists, and teaching and discussion guides.

Access the collection from our Research Databases gateway: 
http://cufts2.lib.sfu.ca/CRDB/BCLF/resource/10975

Library PSA Contest Deadline Extended...

Are you a budding videographer? Did you get a new Flip camera for Christmas? Want to see just how great a video you can shoot with your iPhone?

You don't have to be a library nerd to enter, you just have to put together a video by January 31 (yes, we've extended the deadline), and you could win a free course. The requirements are simple: a video, 30-45 seconds in length, that uses the phrase, "This is my library."

Get the technical details here: http://ufvlibrary.blogspot.com/2010/11/make-30-second-video-win-free-course

Don't have a video camera but have something great to say? Borrow one from IMS - it's free! They also have video editing stations, and staff who can help you use them.

If you've already submitted a video, don't worry - you're still in the running.

Questions? Email Colleen Bell, colleen.bell@ufv.ca.

Survival Guide for Those New to the U

Got questions? Need some direction? Where do I . . .

Get my Campus Card?

Click here to get information on how to get your student card.

• You need your student card, which is also your library card, to check out books, videos, course reserves and other library materials
• It’s good for ID and student discounts
• You need it to get a U-Pass

Get my U-Pass?

• In Abbotsford, get your U-Pass from the Student Union Society in the Envision Athletic Centre. Bring student ID and proof of registration
• You need a U-Pass for free, unlimited public transit and one emergency taxi ride
• For more information see the SUS website: www.ufvsus.ca/upass.php

For answers to more frequently asked questions take a look here at the Library's New to the U webpage.

Wishing you happy holidays...

Like all of UFV, the Abbotsford and Chilliwack libraries will close for the winter break at noon on Friday, December 24, and re-open on Tuesday, January 4 at 8:30am. The library on our Mission campus will close at 7pm on Monday, December 20, to re-open at 1pm on Monday, January 10. Library hours for all campus libraries are available on our web site: http://www.ufv.ca/library/hours.htm

The library's web site, however, will remain open 24/7 over the holidays, just in case you get a dose of research fever. (But we hope that's the only fever you get over the holidays...)

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

Who's Hungry?

Who do your donations to our Food for Fines campaign help? The number of Canadians relying on food banks in Canada continues to grow. They are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and they are in every community, including yours.

Of food bank users,

• 38% are children;
• 7% are seniors;
• 12% are Aboriginal;
• 15% receive disability benefits;
• 17% are or were recently employed; and
  
• 51% receive social assistance.

“In March 2010, 867,948 separate individuals were assisted by a food bank in Canada… Canadian food bank use has now reached its highest level on record, passing the previous benchmark of 803,335 in 2004. Hunger continues to grow in our country, despite the economic recovery.”

Source: Food Banks of Canada 2010 Hunger Count

“In 2007-2008, 1.92 million people in Canada aged 12 or older, including 228,500 children aged 12 to 17, lived in food-insecure households. Almost one third of these people, including 546,100 adults and 60,000 children aged 12 to 17, lived in households with severe food insecurity.”

Source: Health Canada, Household Food Insecurity In Canada in 2007-2008: Key Statistics and Graphics

“British Columbia’s child poverty rate fell for the second consecutive year to 14.5 per cent in 2008, using Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Offs before-tax as a measure of poverty… The number of poor children in BC was 121,000 – more than the total populations of Campbell River, Mission, Squamish and Vernon combined.”

Source: 2010 Child Poverty Report Card

“One in 10 children still lives in poverty in Canada. It’s worse for children living in First Nations communities: one in four grow up in poverty."

"Employment is not always an assured pathway out of poverty: 1 in 3 low-income children lives in families where at least one parent works full-time year round and almost 400,000 adult full-time workers earn less than $10 per hour."

"Child poverty is persistent across Canada: rates of child and family poverty (LICO before-tax) are in the double digits in all provinces."

"The gap between rich and poor has widened: On average, for every dollar the families in the poorest 10 per cent had, families in the richest 10 per cent had almost 13 times as much ($12.66) in 2008.”

Source: Campaign 2000: End Child and Family Poverty in Canada