Library shifts toward more online content

With all the new technological devices cropping up everywhere, it is becoming increasingly easy for students to get a college education without setting foot inside a classroom. The University of North Dakota Chester Fritz Library is in the process of some technological upgrades with the hope of being more accessible to its visitors, wherever they may be.

Sally Dockter, head of the References and Research Services in the library, explained some of those changes in more detail. The library's homepage has been updated so as to have the catalogue search engine on the first page, making it easier for students to locate the work they are looking for, whether they are books, articles, newspapers, or electronic and print reserves. Also new this year, a lab on the third floor will now be used for proctoring tests. "Since so many students are enrolled in online courses," Dockter said, "a site for proctoring tests for those classes is needed."

This year students will also have access to a program called "Ref Works". Funded by student technology fees, signing up for an account will allow students to store their references in a folder as they research and write papers. "When they go to write their papers," Dockter explained, "a box will pop up called the 'Write n Cite' box. After you quote a reference, you can click on the link and it will correctly site it for you in your paper." Ref Works will also allow students to click on the references they have used in their paper and compile them into a complete bibliography. Social Work Librarian, Victor Lieberman was thrilled about this new service and said, "We are lucky to have something like this. This program will be funded for an entire year, so hopefully it will be a success and we can continue this in future years. I think it is a great use of student money."

Finally, walking onto the main floor of the library, you may notice many empty shelves. The Chester Fritz Library is currently cancelling subscriptions to many reference books they receive in order to move to online data basis. From the website, students can now access online dictionaries and encyclopedias. "This is a great idea. We are becoming more and more able to meet the needs of students everywhere with these online features," said Dockter. With the shelves no longer needed to hold the reference books, plans are currently underway to make that section of the library a more comfortable place for students to study and relax.

More information about these new features or library hours can be found at the library's updated webpage: www.library.und.edu.