Select A Topic Location Online Access Library Hours Resources - Cataloged Materials Periodicals & Online Articles Research Databases Online Articles and OLinks Online Reference Resources Government Documents Guides to Library Services Curriculum Materials Center & Graphics Lab Circulation OhioLINK Borrowing Interlibrary Loan Reserves Reference Systems Technical Services Ordering Library Resources Class Visits & Library Assignments Help with Blackboard? Information Literacy Program

Clark Memorial Library

The mission of Clark Memorial Library is to “bring people and information together” to foster excellence in learning, teaching, and research.

To accomplish this mission we are committed to:

• offering a basic collection of electronic and hard copy information resources that supports Shawnee State  University’s curriculum and special interests
• teaching users to efficiently and effectively access, evaluate, and utilize information resources
• facilitating reference services that assist users in locating appropriate materials
• making available the technology needed to access and utilize Clark Memorial Library and OhioLINK resources
• providing a comfortable, accommodating environment for study and research, intellectual growth, and personal development.

Clark Memorial Library - Location

Clark Memorial Library is located north of Massie Hall and east of the Vern Riffe Center for the Fine Arts on the Shawnee State University Campus.  

The Clark Memorial Library Website, also accessible using the URL library.shawnee.edu, provides catalogs, research databases, online reference resources, ejournals, ebooks, and online audio-visual resources.  Off-campus users can access most of the library's electronic resources through an authentication process.

Clark Memorial Library is a charter member of OhioLINK, a consortium of 89 college and university libraries, the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Westerville Public Library, and the State Library of Ohio.  For a quick overview of OhioLINK, watch this video: This Is OhioLINK: An Introductory Video. 

The OhioLINK Library Catalog (which includes Clark Memorial Library holdings) and most of the SSU research databases can be accessed via the OhioLINK webpages.  To use resources such as research databases, online reference resources, ejournals, ebooks, and online audio-visual resources off-campus, users must have a current SSU ID.

Hours vary during Summer Semester and academic breaks. The library is closed on all University holidays. See Library Hours for complete listings. 

Clark Memorial Library serves Shawnee State University undergraduate programs with holdings of approximately 180,000 cataloged items. The  Clark Memorial Library Catalog contains cataloging records of art books at the Southern Ohio Museum, of juvenile literature at the Children's Learning Center, and of books (including e-books), periodicals (including ejournals), videos (including online videos), CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, microforms, realia, etc., available within or via the Clark Memorial Library.   

The Clark Memorial Library Catalog is interactive with the OhioLINK Library Catalog, which contains cataloging records representing the holdings of 89 of Ohio's college and university libraries, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Westerville Public Library, and the State Library of Ohio. Via OhioLINK, users may directly request virtually any of the 50 million items owned by OhioLINK libraries. A courier service assures delivery of OhioLINK materials to Clark Memorial Library (or the OhioLINK affiliate of your choice) within 3 working days. There is no charge for this service; however, users must have a current SSU ID. 

Each full record in the OhioLINK catalog includes a persistent link option that repaints the record page, placing the persistent link in the URL at the top of the screen.  Use this URL when directing students to the the OhioLINK Catalog via Blackboard or other electronic forums. 

Thousands of online full-text resources are available via OhioLINK's Electronic Book Center.  Although these books are accessible via the SSU and OhioLINK catalogs, searching them via the Electronic Book Center offers users the opportunity to literally search every word in the online text. 

Clark Memorial Library makes available approximately 25,000 periodicals in online full-text via our research databases; additionally, the library subscribes to 550 periodicals in hard copy -- some current (paper), some retrospective (micro).  A title search on our E-Journal Finder will locate research databases that provide electronic access to a particular periodical. (The E-Journal Finder does not identify Clark Memorial Library hard-copy subscriptions.)  A title search on our Clark Memorial Library Catalog will show local holdings information, including a check-in record for each local subscription, and links for ejournals in OhioLINK's Electronic Journal Center and in the EBSCOhost databases.

Clark Memorial Library provides public access to more than 160 online databases covering a wide range of disciplines and subject matter.   All Databases A - Z (in the "Find Articles & More" menu) lists all research databases available on the public interface.  The "Databases by Subject" webpages present lists by academic department and break out to databases recommended for particular programs within each department. 

Some electronic resources require a username and password that Reference staff will provide upon request.  Most (but not all) of the SSU research databases can be accessed via the OhioLINK webpages; however, users must have a current SSU ID for OhioLINK authentication to use research databases and online articles.   

Online Articles and OLinks

Our research databases include links to online articles. Always click (Find It)  -- even in databases that indicate "HTML Full Text," "PDF Full Text," or "Attached Full Text" -- to check if the item you need is available online in another OhioLINK or SSU electronic repository.  OLinks will also indicate the volumes/years that we have in Clark Memorial Library in paper and/or micro formats.  Use the persistent link in OLinks' Find It results when directing students to articles via Blackboard or other electronic forums. 

In some databases that are entirely full text (e.g., LexisNexis), no indication of full text will be given in the results list -- simply click on a title to retrieve the full text.  

Web Browsers and Articles -- 3 Things You Should Know.

Google Scholar, Scirus, and other free web resources are very convenient, but users may not get free content that is readily available from the library research databases.  

1. Coverage and Content: None of the free searchers covers all of the periodicals that are included in the subject-specific research databases.  Students often think it is advantageous to use Google/Scholar because they find online articles that are not indexed in traditional research databases.  But database publishers are very aggressive in indentifying academically appropriate periodicals; if a periodical is not indexed, that is a red-flag warning that its content may be problematic.
   To search a broader swathe in one swipe, use Quick Search@OhioLINK or set up a multi-database search within the EBSCOhost Databases.  
2. IP Is Key: Google Scholar access to online articles in SSU/OhioLINK's repositories (Find it with OLinks) requires that users be ON-CAMPUS using the SSU IP.  The same is true for databases such as ERIC when accessed via the .gov (www.eric.ed.gov) URL.  Although off-campus users may search the same database and retrieve the same results, they will NOT get the same FREE ONLINE content because they have bypassed the authentication process that identifies them as valid SSU users.
3. Library URLs Embed Authentication: For some databases, such as PubMed, users must access via the SSU or OhioLINK library menus to get links to all of the online content that SSU/OhioLINK users are entitled to.  Although users can bypass the library menu screens and go directly to PubMed, search the same database, and retrieve the same results, they will NOT get the same  FREE ONLINE content because they have bypassed the authentication process that identifies them as valid OhioLINK users.

Setting up Journal Alerts

You can set up email notifications and/or syndication to your RSS newsreader for content alerts when a new periodical issue becomes available or when content that matches your pre-determined search query appears in a database.   For more information,  see "How to Set Up E-Journal Alerts."  

Embargoed Content

Publishers may "embargo" journal content, i.e., delay the release of full-text articles to database customers for a specified period of time.  Journal of Accounting Research, for example, is "embargoed" on the EBSCO databases but not on OhioLINK's Electronic Journal Center. 

Searching

Different databases require different access and searching procedures.  Most databases have online HELP screens that explain their technical/mechanical processes. Please contact a librarian if you have questions about search options in any particular database.

Thesauri are available to assist users in selecting appropriate subject headings and descriptors. In addition to print versions of thesauri (such as the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors), many databases have built-in online thesauri that can be accessed by clicking the "Subject Terms" or "Thesaurus" tab on the database homepage.

Our Research Tutorials provide an introduction to search techniques as well as the various tools available via the SSU Library.

Thousands of online reference resources are available via OhioLINK's Electronic Book Center, the SSU and the OhioLINK library catalogs, the research databases, the "Databases by Subject" webpages, and the Online Reference Resources page.  Some resources provide audio, video, or graphic content in addition to text. 

As a member of the United States Government Depository program, Clark Memorial Library not only provides catalog records for government documents available locally in hard copy but also facilitates web access to government resources via our Clark Memorial Library Catalog.  Many more online government documents are available via the OhioLINK Catalog.

Many guides to library services and resources are available on the library's Course/Research Guides webpage, in the "Help, Hints, and Tips" block on the library homepage.

The Curriculum Materials Center and Graphics Lab for preservice teachers includes a PreK-12 materials collection and a variety of resources that can be utilized to integrate technology into instruction.  Macintosh and IBM/PC computers, scanners, and software; a laminator and heat press; a photocopier; paper cutters; an Ellison LetterMachine; and other tools are available.  

The Circulation Department (740.351.3519) manages the materials in the library's collections, facilitates borrowing and lending activities with other institutions, and maintains the photocopiers and microformat reader/printers. 

Borrowing Privileges

Although it is not necessary for individuals to register with Clark Memorial Library to use SSU materials in the building, all users must have current library accounts to borrow SSU materials, to complete OhioLINK loan requests online, or to request an OhioLINK or interlibrary loan.  Full-service faculty have year-round borrowing privileges.  Adjunct faculty have borrowing privileges only during semesters they are teaching on this campus; in order to continue their borrowing privileges, adjuncts may register as community borrowers during the semesters they are not teaching at SSU.

Most Clark Memorial Library materials circulate to faculty for the semester.  Items may be renewed as many times as desired, up to one year, as long as no other user has requested the material. Clark Memorial Library does not charge fines on our local materials; however, users with long overdue materials or OhioLINK fines may find that their library accounts have been frozen.

OhioLINK

OhioLINK is a consortium of 89 Ohio college and university libraries, the State Library of Ohio, and the Westerville and Cuyahoga County Public Library systems.  The SSU library catalog is interactive with the OhioLINK catalog; if a desired item is not available at SSU, users can request the item from another OhioLINK library.  Requested items are delivered to the SSU Library (or any other OhioLINK library chosen by the requestor) within three working days. OhioLINK print materials circulate for 3 weeks; four renewals are allowed.  OhioLINK audiovisual materials circulate for one week; audiovisual items cannot be renewed.  OhioLINK overdue fines are $.50 per day with a $50 fine for items that are more than 30 days overdue. Although fines accrue from day one, OhioLINK forgives the fine when an item is returned during the first seven days it is overdue. 

Interlibrary Loan

Traditional interlibrary loan services are available for library materials that are not available locally, that cannot be accessed online, or that cannot be borrowed from other OhioLINK institutions.  

Holds

Books and articles requested via OhioLINK or interlibrary loan are placed ON HOLD at the Circulation Counter. Borrowers may pick up these items at their convenience.  Items generally remain ON HOLD for 10 days.

Reserves

Faculty may place materials from Clark Memorial Library or from their personal libraries on Reserve at the Circulation Counter.  Faculty may place items on reserve by contacting our Circulation Department or by using the Online Course Reserve Form.

Consortial agreements prohibit our placing materials borrowed from other institutions on Reserve in this facility.  

For more detailed information about placing materials on reserve, see the Circulation Department's Reserve Circulation Guidelines for SSU Faculty. 

Reference (740.351.3321) provides guidance in selecting and using information resources, conducts expert-level research, teaches library instruction units, and liaises with teaching departments. 

Reference Librarians

Librarians work at the Reference/Information Counter from 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Thursday and from 10 AM to 1 PM Friday.  Reference Librarians provide point-of-use instruction and assistance to users who need help locating and using information resources. Reference Librarians also offer Research Consultations, individualized one-on-one appointments with students, staff, or faculty who need assistance with complicated research tasks.

Student Reference Assistants

The Reference/Information Counter is staffed by Student Reference Assistants during all the hours the Library is open; however, the responsibilities of the Student Reference Assistants are limited to such tasks as the following:

• providing directional information
• maintaining/troubleshooting equipment
• offering peer instruction at computer workstations
• assisting with preliminary interlibrary loan functions
• providing initial responses to Meebo or face-to-face reference questions
• referring users with more complex information needs to librarians

Library Instruction

Information literacy, "the ability to access, evaluate, and use information from a variety of sources," is a primary goal of library instruction sessions. Reference Librarians are available to develop subject-specific research strategies sessions tailored to meet the needs of any university course.  To arrange for a subject-specific session, please contact the departmental liaison.

Professional Development Opportunities for Faculty

Reference Librarians offer a variety of professional development opportunities for faculty. Please contact your liaison to set up a faculty training session.  

Library Liaisons

Each academic department has a librarian assigned as the department's library liaison. The library liaison works with the department in selecting and ordering library resources that will meet the research needs of SSU students. The liaison also provides information about new resources, performs librarian-mediated database searching, produces tailored bibliographies of resources appropriate to research on particular topics, offers research consultations, presents customized library instruction for departments or for classes, and creates documentation necessary for accreditation reviews.  A list of liaisons by department follows:

Systems (740.351.3197) operates and maintains the electronic components of Clark Memorial Library. 

Technical Services (740.351.3410) acquires and processes resources for inclusion in the local collection. 

Acquisitions

Each academic department receives an allocation from the library acquisitions budget, and all faculty members are encouraged to participate in the library collection development process. The distribution of funds to the departments is calculated using a formula which takes into consideration such factors as the unit cost of resources, the local usage of materials in our collection, and previous ILL and OhioLINK borrowing within each discipline. Each Department Chair receives information about the allocation early in the academic year. The departments themselves determine how to apportion and/or distribute funds within their various units.

Ordering Library Resources

The Clark Memorial Library's Collection Development Policy includes detailed information regarding selection of materials in general and also contains a specific Selection Policy and Conspectus for each academic department. A significant amount of our local ordering activity is conducted via an OhioLINK approval plan which was structured from the information in each department's Selection Policy and Conspectus.  Each Chair has received a copy of the department's Conspectus, and additional copies are available in the Clark Memorial Library Reference Office.

Resources purchased with funds from the Library allocation must be housed in Clark Memorial Library or be made available via the Clark Memorial Library webpages and must support the teaching and learning of our local undergraduate students.  Materials sought solely to support faculty research should be borrowed from other OhioLINK members, the Center for Research Libraries (via OhioLINK), or through traditional interlibrary loan.

Requests from faculty for library resources should be submitted via email or in writing to the department's library liaison. All requests must be authorized by the department chair or designee.  The library will attempt to acquire any item, in print or out of print, in any format - including online resources and realia - that your department considers appropriate to support your curriculum.  Choice Reviews Online, a database of reviews of books and electronic resources appropriate for academic libraries, and BooksinPrint, a database that additionally includes most U.S. audio and video releases, are both available for your use in locating order information.  When ordering non-book materials, we would appreciate your either attaching flyers, catalog order pages, or similar information to your request or providing us with URLs for commercial websites.

Discarded Periodicals

Because of limited shelving space, the Library holds the paper issues of periodicals for only a limited time. After the paper issues have been removed from the public shelves, faculty members or departments can request that superseded paper issues be held for their pickup in Technical Services.

We welcome classes in the Library.

Several areas on Level 2 accommodate groups of 20-30 students. If all of your students will be working with the same resources, or if, in conducting their research, your students will require assistance from the Reference staff, it would be advisable to alert a Librarian before your visit.

Because library instruction is no longer part of the required curriculum in freshman English, it would be advisable to arrange an instruction session if you make an assignment that requires library research.

Library PC workstations offer Microsoft Office (Word for word processing, Excel for spreadsheets, Access for databases, and PowerPoint for presentations), Microsoft Frontpage (webpage design software), and Microsoft Outlook (for email and time management); Internet Explorer, and applications such as Flash, Quicktime, RealOne, and Windows Media Player.  Macintosh workstations generally offer the Office for Mac package, iTunes, iPhotos, iMovies and Microsoft Outlook. 

We will be glad to help you design or update a Library assignment or to answer any questions you may have about Library resources. If you do not consult us while preparing the assignment, to help us insure that you and your students are well-served during the assignment, we would ask that you do the following:

1. Provide a librarian with a written copy of your assignment a couple of days before your students begin working on the assignment.
2. Make sure the resources you assign will be available locally or online at the time your students are required to use them.
3. Indicate on the assignment handout where the assigned resources can be found.
• on Reserve at the Circulation Counter?
• in the Circulating Stacks?
• in the Reference Stacks?
• via online access?
• via the Shawnee State Library web pages?
• available to off-campus users?

Clark Memorial Library's homepage can be accessed from Blackboard by clicking on the graphic of the Library in the upper left corner of any Blackboard page.  

Faculty can make links within a coursesite to

• the Clark Memorial Library homepage

• resources such as a particular research database (Business Source Premier, CINAHL, etc.)

• reference resources (Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, Oxford Art Online, etc.)

• using OLinks persistent links, to specific online articles or online audio-visual items within the library's resources. 

To create links directly to library resources, some faculty use the "Resources/External Links/Web Sites" area.  Other faculty create a "Library" folder in which they provide library links.  Still other faculty include links to library resources within individual Word documents or PowerPoint presentations.  

OhioLINK's Bookmarking an Electronic Journal Article and Creating an Electronic Course Page provide instructions for creating direct links to online OhioLINK articles within your Blackboard webpages.   Use the persistent link in OLinks' Find It results when directing students to articles via Blackboard. 

Please ask-a-librarian if you have any questions about using Library resources within your Blackboard coursesites.

We look forward to meeting you and to working with you during this academic year. Please let us know how we can help you and your students meet your information needs at SSU.