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Library Lowdown


A Newsletter for UO Students from the UO Libraries


Welcome to Library Lowdown, the inside track about the UO Libraries for University of Oregon students. Library Lowdown keeps you informed of new and improved library services, resources, programs, and events that further the university's mission of teaching, research, and service.










Fall 2008

Table of Contents

  1. Knight Library Open around the Clock Sunday through Friday This Year
  2. Science Library Announces New Services for Students
  3. Librarians Offer Research Help at the LLC
  4. Keep Up With the Library on Facebook and YouTube
  5. Win a Scholarship for Your Class Research Project. Apply by Jan. 30, 2009
  6. Library Offers Pain-Free Chat Reference Service
  7. Academic Advisers are Here to Help! Drop-in Sessions Begin October 15
  8. Knight Library Hosts Exhibit on Artist and Writer Tee Corinne
  9. 10 Library IT Resources You Shouldn't Live Without
  10. Think Links

1. Knight Library Open around the Clock Sunday through Friday This Year

Thanks to funding from the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO), Knight Library will open at 11 a.m. on Sundays and remain open around the clock until the following Friday at 7 p.m. each week this academic year. Saturday hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, click here.

2. Science Library Announces New Services for Students

The UO Science Library now has laptops available for student check out and a new wireless classroom and group study room available to reserve. To learn more, click here.

3. Librarians Offer Research Help at the LLC

From Oct 15 to Dec. 3 students can stop by the Living Learning Center every Wed. from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and receive help from UO reference librarians. More info is available here.

4. Keep Up With the Library on Facebook and YouTube

UO students, faculty, and staff can keep up with what's happening on campus and at the UO Libraries through the library's three social media sites. More information is available here.

5. Win a Scholarship for Your Class Research Project. Apply by Jan. 30, 2009

UO undergraduates who conducted outstanding research projects in upper division UO credit courses (300-400 level) during the 2008 calendar year are eligible to enter their projects in the awards competition. This year, funds are available for two awards of $1,000 each, plus two honorable mention awards of $500 each. Find out more about this scholarship opportunity.

6. Library Offers Pain-Free Chat Reference Service

The UO Libraries now has a fast and easy way to connect with librarians to ask reference questions.  To learn more, click here.

7. Academic Advisers are Here to Help! Drop-in Sessions Begin October 15

The Office of Academic Advising will be holding drop-in sessions every Wednesday evening between October 15th and November 19th, from 7-9 p.m. in Room 147A on the first floor of Knight Library.  For more information, click here.

8. Knight Library Hosts Exhibit on Artist and Writer Tee Corinne

An exhibit in Knight Library displays material from the manuscript collection of influential writer and artist Tee Corinne.

9. Ten Library IT Resources You Should Know About

UO students have access to many IT resources through the UO Libraries. Here is a small sampling.

I. UO Libraries Website
Your first and best stop for all your research and study needs. Here's where you'll find the best resources for any topic you're tackling.

II. The Learning Commons
Need a room where you can collaborate or study with other students? A place to practice group presentations? Access to high-powered multimedia software, scanners, and other technologies? The Learning Commons in Knight Library is your ticket to success.

III. Blackboard
If you haven't already encountered Blackboard in one of your classes, you soon will. It's the university's online course management system, brought to you by the UO Libraries.

IV. Summit Catalog
How does easy access to 28 million items housed at 34 university and college libraries in the Pacific Northwest sound? Summit gives you that and more. You can search Summit through the library's website.

V. Online Library Account
Using your online library account is as easy as checking your e-mail. Keep track of all things library with your personalized account.

VI. Instant Messaging Help
Get your reference question answered from your dorm, apartment, home, or even on the road. IM a reference librarian and stay put. (You can also get reference help by phone or e-mail.)

VII. Laptop Checkout
Get portable. Borrow a laptop from the UO Libraries. They're loaded with Microsoft Office and Adobe's Creative Suite, and configured for full Internet connectivity.

VIII. Undergraduate Research Awards
Turn your research skills into scholarship dollars. Enter the Undergraduate Research Awards competition.

IX. Library News RSS Feed
Get an RSS feed from the Library News web page, and you'll get immediate notification when a new library service or resource comes on line. You can access Library Lowdown, our electronic newsletter especially for students, from the News page, too.

X. Everything Else
We've only scratched the surface. You'll find hundreds of other useful services and resources by browsing the library's website or by talking to our friendly librarians.

10. Think Links

Your library has a number of services and resources designed to help you study and conduct research. Here are some useful links:

• Library News

• Ask A Librarian

• Hours

• Reserve a locked study room

• Online articles and databases

• Make a comment or suggestion about the library