Friday, October 21, 2011

findmypast




Tell me


findmypast.co.uk includes records from England and Wales, but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. There are separate versions for Australia and Ireland (see separate tutorials)

findmypast is only available for use in the library, and can also be accessed via personal laptops through wi-fi in the library.

Searching is more successful from the “Search records” tab, rather than the “Home” screen.

Records most commonly used by patrons are census, births, marriages and deaths, armed forces and conflict,t and travel and migration.



Try me


Access to findmypast.co.uk is via

1. Library website--“Information on the web”—“Databases A-Z” - findmypast –UK edition”

2. “Genealogy and Local History” – “Genealogy web links” – “findmypast” –“UK edition”



Test me


1. Search for Rose Dwight in the 1901 census.

(As a comparison, search for Rose in the 1911 census, and then try to find her sisters May and Violet in the 1911 census as well.)

2. In what year was May Dwight born? (tip, calculate the date and place from the 1901 census entry)

3. What year did May Dwight marry William E Gray?

4. Find the military records for Percival Amos Glenister.

5. In what year and on what ship did May Gray emigrate to Australia? Did she travel with her husband William Gray?

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findmypast.com.au



Tell me


findmypast.com.au includes records from Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea. There are separate versions for the United Kingdom and Ireland (see separate tutorials)

findmypast is only available for use in the library, and can also be accessed via personal laptops through wi-fi in the library.

Searching is usually more successful from the “Home” tab, using the drop down menu in the “Records to search” field.

Records most commonly used by patrons are, birth, marriage and death, (which includes cemeteries) directories and almanacs, electoral rolls, and government records (which includes government gazettes)


Try me


Access to findmypast.com.au is via

1. Library website--“Information on the web”—“Databases A-Z” - findmypast –Australian edition”

2. “Genealogy and Local History” – “Genealogy web links” – “findmypast” –“Australian edition”



Test me


1. How many people with the surname ‘Batchelder’ are buried in the Bendigo cemetery?

(Tip: drop down the Birth’s deaths and marriages tab)

2. In 1914, where did Walter Batchelder run his business? What was his occupation?

(Tip: drop down the directories and almanac tab)

3. How many Batchelder’s were listed in the electoral roll of 1922? What was George Washington Batchelder’s occupation?

(Tip: drop down the electoral roll tab)

4. Why were G and E Batchelder list in the Queensland Government Gazette?

(Tip: drop down the government records tab)



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findmypast.ie


Tell me


findmypast.ie includes records from Ireland, both Northern Ireland and Eire.. There are separate versions for the United Kingdom and Australia (see separate tutorials)

findmypast is only available for use in the library, and can also be accessed via personal laptops through wi-fi in the library.

findmypast.ie is only new, and will continue to grow in the future.

Searching can be via the ”Home or :”Search” tabs, from :”Search”: there is the option to narrow to a specific type of record.



Try me


Access to findmypast.ie is via

1. Library website--“Information on the web”—“Databases A-Z” - findmypast –Irish edition”

2. “Genealogy and Local History” – “Genealogy web links” – “findmypast” –“Irish edition”



Test me


1. What was the occupation of Henry Hutton, who died in 1808?

(Tip: drop down the Vital records (BMD’s) tab)

2. What details can you find out about Thomas Glenister.

3. When did Mary Loughlin die, how old was she, who was her husband?

4. When was Jane Loughlin christened? (Check out the spelling)

5. What was George Loghlin’s occupation?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Law Resources


Tell me

Recently all information desk staff have undergone training using the Law Handbook online. This is a valuble and extremely useful resource and most, if not all, legal questions can be answered using this.

The most common legal questions that we get at the library involve searching for a particular act (be it Federal or State); finding a Justice of the Peace or a solicitor; and where is the nearest legal aid service/centre.


Try me


To access the various law resources, go to the Information on the web link on the WML website, then choose Law & Government, local, state & federal.



Test me

Use the following 3 resources to answer the following:

1. AUSTLII (Australian Legal information Institute)
Which section of the Victorian Fences Act compels your neighbour to contribute to the cost of repairing your boundary dividing fence? (Hint: look under Victorian Consolidated Acts)

2. Victorian Justice Department
Locate a Justice of the Peace near you. (Hint: look under the "justice system" link).

3. Law 4 Community - Legal Service
A patron comes to the Information Desk with the following problem:
I am a uni student who was caught doing burn outs and now the police have impounded my car. Where is the nearest place I can get some legal advice?

Friday, July 8, 2011

Australia and New Zealand NewsStand








Tell me


NewsStand is primarily a newspaper database that contains searchable electronic copies of articles from leading Australian and New Zealand regional and local newspapers; such as The Australian, The Age, Herald Sun and Leader newspapers. It also indexes key ABC news resources, as well as transcripts of current affair TV and radio programs. NewsStand is invaluable for searching back issues of newspapers; either individually or collectively. The content is updated daily and the RSS feed and send alert option enables users to receive new information when it becomes available.


Show me


Help topics are available at:
http://search.proquest.com/help/webframe.html?Help_Overview.html


Try me


To access, go to the Information on the web link on the WML website, then choose either Magazines and Newspapers or Databases A-Z.
Go to
http://ezproxy.wev.vic.gov.au/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/?accountid=58750


Test me


1. How far back can I search The Age newspaper? What about the Whitehorse Leader?
2. Find articles in The Australian relating to the “carbon tax” prior to the August 21, 2010 federal election.
3. Look up obituaries for Lionel Rose.
4. Find articles that mention “libraries” in the Manningham Leader from the last 12 months. Now create a “send alert” to receive any newly published articles mentioning libraries for a 2 month period.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Popular Magazines Plus













Tell me


Popular Magazines Plus contains a collection of full text journals from Australia and overseas. The database has a strong focus on current events, sports, science and health. For example - Choice 1999 onwards, Australian Women’s Weekly, Australian Geographic, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Australian House and Garden, Australian PC, Women’s Day and more… The database also includes the newspapers – The Australian, Herald Sun and Leader Newspapers.
To search the databases choose from Basic, Subject , Publication or Advanced Search.
Added features is being able to create RSS feeds and translate to another language.
Popular Magazine Plus is accessible from the library and from home using a Membership card number and PIN.
A small handout has been prepared for handing out to the public on how to access CHOICE Magazine articles online through Popular Magazines Plus. This is available at the Information Desk.


Show me



Access to Popular Magazines Plus is via the
· Library website –‘Information on the Web’- ‘Magazines and Newspapers'
· Library website -‘Information on the Web’ – 'A-Z Databases'
· http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?DB=SPJ.SP00_SPN.SP02&userGroupName=wh_manningham
Help is available from the Tool Box tab or Search tips link from the Advanced search page for the finer points of searching preferences, dictionary and title list.
To familiarise yourself with the database browse the Tool Box, Browse Publications tabs and document type under Advanced search.


Test me


1. In 2011 what is the top rating Washing Machine according to CHOICE Magazine? E-mail the article to yourself.
2. Using ‘advanced search’ find a book review for ‘The girl with the dragon tattoo’ .
3. Find Statistical Data on Global Warming. Select one article and translate to Chinese.
4. Using the ‘Browse Publications’ tab, find an article on the subject of Bullying printed May11 2011 in the Whitehorse Leader. How many years of the Whitehorse Leader are indexed in Popular Magazines Plus?
5. Using ’Browse Subject locate opinion articles on Carbon Tax.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Clipper Downloadable eAudiobooks











Tell me


Clipper Downloadable eAudiobooks offer patrons the option to download talking books in an MP3 format to either listen to on a computer or transfer to an MP3 player (eg Ipod).
Supported devices are listed at: http://library.netlibrary.com/supported_device_list.aspx
Currently there are over 600 titles with more added monthly including bestselling titles such as the “Girl with the dragon tattoo” trilogy.



Show me


There are a number of access points:
(1) Canned search in library catalogue (click on eAudiobook downloads saved list): http://catalogue.wev.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/CLIPPER
(2) Library website--“Information on the web”—“Books and reading” http://www.wev.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=300&h=0
(3) Library website--“Information on the web”—“Databases A-Z” http://www.wev.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=335&h=0
(4) Catalogue entry for specific book title (eg search for “The accidental mother” in the library catalogue)

Help topics are available from: http://www.netlibrary.com/Help/Default.aspx



Try me


Step 1: Create a free account (Netlibrary website, top right hand corner of page)
Step 2: Choose your preferred download method (help for download options available from http://www.netlibrary.com/Help/DisplayTopic.aspx?Name=Listening/DownloadEaudiobooksProcess )



Test me



(1) Set up a free personal account for yourself from the Netlibrary homepage
(2) View a list of all available titles
(3) Use the advanced search function to narrow search down to just MP3 format titles
(4) Locate “Girl with the dragon tattoo” record using library catalogue

Monday, August 9, 2010

Road to IELTS







Tell me


Road to IELTS is a new database designed to assist users with preparation for the IELTS exams. Material for both General and Academic IELTS exams is provided.

The database provides 120 hours of online self study material based on commonly used IELTS topics covering reading, writing, listening and speaking. Material is in a variety of formats including video, audio and sample tests simulating the real exam.

Library members can access internally or externally, however there are a maximum number of concurrent users allocated:
  • Academic-20 users

  • General-30 users

As we have selected to provide "anonymous access" users will not be able to save or compare progress, however they are able to use the "marking" option to view the correct answers and note their progression.



Show me


Help topics are available from:

http://www.clarityenglish.com/Software/RoadToIELTS/Help/help.htm


Try me


To access, go to the library website: and click on "Information on the web".

http://www.wev.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=297&h=1&p=1



Test me



General Module-
1. In Unit 7 - "Health and fitness" What are the topics of the two reading passages?
2. Read and try your luck at the answers to topic one.
a. What does the + symbol in the top menu bar indicate on this page?
b. What is the difference between the "Home" button and the "Menu" button on this page?
3. Click the tick to have your answers marked.
a. What do you click in order to re-try the answers once completed and marked?

Academic Module-
1. Select a Unit which interests you.
b. Click on one of the sections offered (eg. Words, listening, writing etc.)
c. Use the "Back" and "Forward" buttons to move through the unit
d. Note the question types you are required to answer in the unit
e. What happens when you hold down the Ctrl key and click on a word?

Monday, June 28, 2010

E-Book Readers












WHAT DEVICE DO I NEED TO READ AN E-BOOK?

(1) PC:
In order to read electronic books through a computer desktop a reader program such as Microsoft or Acrobat Reader is needed.

(2) E-BOOK READER:
An e-book reader, or e-reader, is a portable devise designed primarily to display e-books. The e-ink technology it uses to display the content to readers not only enhances readability but also facilitates long battery life. Other advantages of e-book readers are:
  • Light weight and portable

  • Alterable font sizes and styles

  • Built in dictionaries

  • The ability to highlight passages

  • Save selected text

  • Make notes

  • Search for words or passages

  • Store multiple books

  • Read under any conditions- including bright sunlight

There are a number of devices available for purchase in Australia; not all facilitate the same E-book format.

Ipad -Apple
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ibooks.html

Kindle - Amazon.com

Eco Reader - Dymocks & Myer

Bebook -Dymocks
www.mybebook.com/

Kobo - Borders/Angus & Robinson

IRiver - JB/Harvey Norman/ ABC shop
http://www.iriver.com.au/iriver/



(3) HANDHELD DEVICE: PHONE OR PDA
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or Smartphones which are capable of displaying text on a screen is also capable of being an e-book reader, but without the advantages of an electronic ink display. In order to read electronic books on a PDA or Smartphone, you will need a reader program (or “Application”).

Apple Iphone: Stanza application
http://www.lexcycle.com/
PDA:
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/DownloadSoft/default.asp?Language=EN

WHAT E-BOOK FORMATS ARE AVAILALE?

Most readers support several formats each. In a battle for dominance in the e-book market, Amazon released a closed Kindle format (AZW) that can only be read by the Kindle e-reader. Furthermore Kindle does not support ePub, the most interesting format for the rest of the world. More recently, however, Amazon released a Kindle app for tablet computers, including the Ipad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats


WHERE DO I PURCHASE E-BOOKS FROM?
Dymocks:
http://www.dymocks.com.au/VirtualStore/LandingPage.aspx?Store=Digital&Ne=10&N=4294967265

Pan Macmillan:
http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/ebooks.asp

Borders:
http://www.borders.com.au/ebooks/ebooks/45/

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b/ref=sa_menu_ks2?ie=UTF8&node=133141011

Apple: (via Ibooks application)
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ibooks.html

Read without paper:
http://www.readwithoutpaper.com/

Ebooks.com
http://www.ebooks.com/

Blog with E-publishing news and reviews
http://bookbee.com.au/

WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD FREE E-BOOKS?
Most e-book sites have free or reduced cost e-books.

Google Books:
Sony application
http://ebookstore.sony.com/google-ebooks/

Ipad compatible format
http://books.google.com/m

Project Gutenberg (out of copyright material)
http://www.gutenberg.org/

WHY DO WE NOT HAVE E-BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY?
There are currently only selected suppliers who offer E-books for library patron use including the software to “loan” titles to library patrons. It is restrictive to commit library resources to a specific e-book format until one has emerged as a standard.

WHAT IS DRM AND HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ON E-BOOK PROVISION?
Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices.

Electronic books read on a personal computer or an e-book reader typically use DRM restrictions to limit copying, printing, and sharing of e-books. E-books are usually limited to a certain number of reading devices and some e-publishers prevent any copying or printing. Some commentators believe that DRM is something that makes E-book publishing complex, particularly as different e-book reading programs use slightly different approaches to DRM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management

QUESTIONS:

How would you answer the following questions? (Please note there are no right or wrong answers, just things to think about).
1. Why don't you have e-books in the library?
2. Why do you still buy books when everything is going to be available on an e-book?
3. What advice can you give me regarding which E-reader device I should purchase?