Digital resources that are anything but common

About a month ago, I posted about Ball State's Digital Media Repository. The Repository is one small piece of a much larger project called the Digital Commons (DC). This week, I'll highlight a couple of the services available in the DC that you might not have known about.

To access the DC on the new homepage, click the yellow "Find" block and click the "Digital Commons" link on the right-hand side of the yellow bar. You'll see a wheel with multi-colored spokes (see the screenshot). Clicking on one of the colored dots will take you to the resource indicated. Below are just a few of the possibilities.

Dissertations and Theses - You can find digital copies of these documents produced by Ball State students as requirements for their degree programs. Search dissertations and theses from other schools in the databases listed on this resource page.

GIS Resources - Discover all kinds of mapping information by following this link. Resources cover geographic information at the state, national, and world levels.

These are just two examples of the whole host of information sources available to you as part of the Digital Commons. Remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Three dimensions in two: BSU's Digital Media Repository

Nowadays, we all expect information to be available online. For printed material like books or even photographs, it's an easy task to turn them into a format you can post on the web. But what about objects in three dimensions like architectural elements or anatomical models? Ball State University Libraries' Digital Media Repository (DMR) attempts to transform these 3-D items into digital formats that are searchable and browsable.

To access the DMR, click on the locations indicated in the first screenshot of the University Libraries homepage. (From the Digital Commons graphic, the DMR is located at the top center.)


Once there, you're presented with a menu of options to choose from. You can perform a simple search by keyword, or browse the digital collections if you're not exactly sure what you're looking for. An advanced search feature gives you more options, specifically the ability to choose individual collections to search in.

In addition to three dimensional objects, the DMR also contains scanned slides, film, audio files, posters, and more. An extensive help file is available, or if you need additional assistance, you can always Ask a Librarian. The DMR is another way you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Distance Learning blog is back!

Hello, everyone!

My name is Jason Fields, and I am the new Information Services Librarian for Distance Education at the University Libraries. I'll be updating the Distance Learning blog weekly either to draw your attention to new resources or to share a tip or trick with you regarding how to get the most out of Ball State's library services wherever you are!

So, let me start out with pulling back the curtain on two of our newest databases, PILOTS and CuminCAD.

PILOTS, or Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress, is updated monthly and deals specifically with the topic of post-traumatic stress and its effects. The range of literature dates back to 1871 and covers current information to date.

CumInCad, or the Cumulative Index of Computer Aided Architectural Design, gives you access to journals and conference papers in the field of computer aided architectural design. It's important to note that first-time users must create a new account with the "New users" link on the left-hand side of the page. The graphic shows you where to click the first time you visit.

Another new resource has been added to the Digital Commons under the E-Books node. From the resource's website: "Hebrewbooks.org was founded in order to preserve old American Hebrew books that are out of print and/or circulation. Many American Rabbis wrote seforim (Hebrew books) in the early part of the 20th century. They have long since passed away and in many instances so has their holy work.

Currently our mission has expanded to include all Torah Seforim ever printed. At Hebrewbooks.org you will be able to view and print the entire Sefer online."

And there you have it! Three new resources to try out when you have time, or need information. Remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Until next week....