Portal Technology for Library User Education Introduction: During the summer of 2004 Information Services and Resources (ISR) at Bucknell University installed both the Sirsi Rooms software and SCT Luminis Portal software. These web-based portals have allowed us to make profound changes to our web presence and web- based services. In addition, they have changed the way we provide library user education to undergraduate students, from freshman seminars to engineering senior design courses. Research by Subject (Sirsi Rooms) There are multiple points of entry for help with research by subject. Students find links from the ISR home page, online catalog, the Tools menu in Blackboard, and the myBucknell portal. The Research by Subject page offers links back to Blackboard, eReserves, and to myBucknell. Tabs organize resources within each discipline, and content modules allow librarians to organize information sources into lists. Typical content modules include links to online reference sources, subject databases, and pre-selected searches of the online catalog. We can also link directly to web pages, the Sirsi Resolver for electronic full-text journals, and RSS newsfeeds. Content modules can be created and edited in minutes, allowing librarians to customize Research by Subject for specific courses. Research by Subject has completely eliminated paper handouts and static pathfinders from our library user education program. Course handouts & Research Pathfinders: Before 2004, user education had evolved from paper handouts, to putting paper handouts online! A lot of staff time and effort went into putting lists of sources on eReserves. Our Pathfinders extended this concept, offered detailed written instructions on how to conduct research, and provided lists of reference books, and links to subject databases. CENG 340 ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LIBRARY RESOURCES Many of the services and information resources available from the Bertrand Library have been incorporated into our web pages. Follow the links from the Bucknell University homepage, or go directly to to access the following: LIBRARY COLLECTIONS: The “Online Catalog” is the index to the Library’s collections of books, government documents, (such as EPA documents and reports), maps, videos and computer software on your topic of research. “Keyword” searching is the most flexible, powerful way for searching. It allows you to search for any word or combination of words, and you can modify or limit your search. I. REFERENCE BOOKS TJ E vol.1-4 REF Encyclopedia of energy technology and the environment / Attilio Bisio, Sharon Boots, editors. New York: Wiley, c1995. GE10.E v REF Encyclopedia of environmental analysis and remediation. / Robert A. Meyers, editor. New York : Wiley, c1998. II. RESEARCH TOOLS: Our research page highlights the ways you can search for periodical information (journals, newspapers, and conference papers), offers guidance on the research process, and points to reference tools such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, style manuals, etc. ARTICLE FINDER You can search this database of periodical articles from over 1500 newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals. Note that the Bertrand Library owns many of these periodical titles, and that some of the articles are available “full-text” right at the PC. The ArticleFinder database is only one of many sources for information about journal articles on your topic. FIRSTSEARCH Bucknell students can now access FirstSearch from the web. The journal databases available through FirstSearch include APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INDEX, and other databases which will be appropriate for this course. III. WORLD WIDE WEB RESOURCES While you are Net surfing, use Netscape's search services to find *A LOT* of information on environmental issues. YAHOO has pages listing environmental engineering sources: Bucknell University – Information Services & Resources James Van Fleet, (570) and Barbara Stockland, (570) myBucknell (SCT Luminis Portal) The Portal concept involves channels, which provide dynamic content and deliver new, targeted information to Bucknell faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and friends. myBucknell links to Research by Subject from multiple entry points.