Science Direct College Edition now available

The Library is excited to announce our subscription to the Science Direct College Edition: http://www.sciencedirect.com/college/search

This database will provide us access to some of the same Elsevier journal content that only the “big schools” usually get. The library is participating in a special program called the “ScienceDirect College Edition” that allows smaller institutions such as ours to afford Science Direct content.

Specifically the library is purchasing 2 “modules” of content:

• Health and Life Sciences Journal collection – 900 full-text peer reviewed journals
• Physical Sciences Journal collection – 600 full-text peer reviewed journals

For a complete title list go to: http://info.sciencedirect.com/licensing/primary/college/

This collection represents the addition of 1500 unique, peer-reviewed electronic titles to our collection (this is Elsevier content so there is no overlap with our other electronic holdings).

The database is available on the library’s web site under Articles and E-Journals http://www.kutztown.edu/library/information/articles.asp linked under the alphabetical list and the Health, Biology, Enviro Sci, Sciences, Chemistry, and Geography subject lists.

The direct vendor url is: http://www.sciencedirect.com/college/search

Please note that this search engine allows you to search all College Editions’ collections so not everything will be full-text (full-text will be noted). Another bonus is that we have abstracting for all the Science Direct College Edition content.

To search only the full text articles, change All Journals to Subscribed Journals in the Source search box.

Please note: off-campus access is available but you have to email me for a user id/password and instructions.

This database was purchased with student technology fees.

Watch for upcoming training events for this new database from the library.

For more information, contact Robert Flatley, Electronic Resources and Periodicals Librarian

Street Literature Presentation

On April 4th, Clarion University professor Vanessa J. Morris presented two sessions discussing Street Literature. As a former librarian for the Free Library of Philadelphia, Professor Morris’ professional interests include young adult services, rural libraries, and urban branch libraries.

Professor Morris began by describing Hip Hop culture. She noted that elements of the culture are present everywhere, from the kind of music that people listen to, to the clothing brands that they wear. She also stated that “Rap is something you do. Hip hop is something you live.”

Street Literature describes the daily lives of people (most generally African-Americans, but aspects of Latino culture are also present) living in the inner city. Common themes include young women coming of age, young men at turning points, sexuality, drama, drug addiction and drug trafficking.

Professor Morris made sure to include the names of authors who have made Street Literature popular, specifically Zane, the “Queen of Street Lit.” Since the release of three self-published books in 2000, Zane signed a contract with Simon and Schuster in June 2001, and has written over a dozen books. Recently, Zane held seven of the top fifteen African American fiction titles at Waldenbooks Nationwide including the first, second and third positions.

Street Lit remains controversial, and it has been banned from some public and school libraries. Despite this, the genre continues to grow in popularity and the Street Lit audience as a whole continues to grow.

For more info on Professor Morris, check out her blog!

http://vanessajmorris.blogspot.com