Digital Library Federation

Assignment Summary

I had to answer the following question for each collection.

• • Why would a librarian find this information important?

  • Why should a librarian be familiar with the collection?

  • Who would it interest?

  • What does the collection contain?

  • What is the time period?

Reflection

One of the main requests we will get as librarians is help with research, whether it's for a school paper or in a particular field. This project helped me evaluate what information and sites provide information that was suitable for research. I learned the tools for identifying sources for research as well.

This project helped me understand the digital collections, keeping in mind people who might benefit from the information included. This was not only an important lesson in research databases but helping patrons. For example, one of the sites I found was the Wasserman School at USF, which has records and journals on some of the first naturalist’s in California. I have a family friend who studies rodents nationally. She would find that information relevant to her research. This exercise was good practice for helping people understand and access this information. We will need to help them understand this in a way that's helpful and not condescending.

Digital Library Collection(s)

History

The California Digital Newspaper Collection

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/

The California Digital Newspaper Collection is a project of the Center for Bibliographical Studies at the University of California, Riverside. It is an archive of California newspapers from all 60 counties in California from 1846 to the present. It includes a number of local, state, and national papers from the Santa Cruz Sentinel to The Californian. The latter of which was the first newspaper published in California. There are options to search by publishing date, county and year. This archive allows for research on historical perspectives on a variety of issues.

Librarians should be familiar with this database for a number of reasons. This is the history of our state which has shaped our present. Many elementary school kids will have projects on California history from the missions to the Bear Flag Revolt. This digital resource can be a great resource for answering their questions and meeting their needs. Along with providing them with information on California.

I think this digital collection would be of interest to a number of people. It would be a great resource for teachers who are covering California History. They could print out a headline about gold being discovered at Sutter’s Sawmill and pass it around the class. It would also be a great resource for people working in journalism. They could this collection to research relevant issues statewide or in their county. With the newspapers serving as their primary source.

Science

Wasmann Journal of Biology

http://digitalcollections.usfca.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15129coll11

The Wasmann Journal of Biology is a digital collection from the University of San Francisco. It is a journal researched and written by biology students. The journal is comprised of research on native California wildlife especially plants and insects. The studies and research included can range from the behavior of toads the discoveries of new subspecies. 51 volumes of the journal were published between 1937 and 1996.

The Wasmann Journal of Biology would probably be most interesting to undergraduate and graduate students studying biology, botany or other earth sciences. This would be a great resource for their fieldwork. The information presented in the journals might be daunting for a non-science major or someone taking a general ed science class.

A librarian should be aware of this resource so they can recommend it to the correct person. A cursory look at the journal could lead a librarian to assume it's another science journal. The risk being they would recommend it to someone without a background or experience in science. Which would be overwhelming for the student. Being aware of this journal could help them connect it a person who has the interest and background to successfully utilize it. The research in the journals would be useful for a librarian if they wanted to learn more about California wildlife or their region or give a lecture on this subject area.

Literature

The Film Literature Index

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/fli/saveCitations.do

The Film Literature Index is a collection of articles from a variety of publications and journals from Newsweek to American Cinematography. The database originated from the Film and Documentation Center at the State University of New York and was first published as a book in 1973. The digital collection includes content from 1977 to the present. What makes it unique is it features resources from critics, scholars, and students. Most film databases narrow their focus to articles from only one of those types of authors. The collection allows the researcher to narrow their search by keyword, production title or person. Which can help someone narrow their search based on their inquiry.

I think librarians should be familiar with this site for a variety of reason. Film is a powerful art form that plays a pivotal role in shaping people’s worldview. Most libraries have movies on DVD or Blu ray. These articles and writings provide important background on the films in the library’s collection. I think a variety of people would be interested in this collection. Including students majoring in film studies or a professor looking movies to teach in an Ethnic Images in Film and Media class. A student writing review for a school paper might find inspiration from the Film Literature Index. They will also likely come into the library for help and questions with their research. A librarian should be familiar with this collection so they can help meet the needs of these individuals.