Thursday, May 18, 2006
DPL Databases and Filesharing Tips
Tips and Tricks for AskColorado Librarians
Presented by Susie Whiteford, AskColorado Liaison and
Janet Ryan, Web Information Services
May 8, 2006
Add Bookmarks in the Tutor.com Interface:
DPL’s Basic A-Z Database List: http://www.denverlibrary.org/research/az.html This list has the library card authentication built in for remote users. Having this address will allow customers to get back to the databases and be able to log in.
Web Sites by Topic: http://www.denverlibrary.org/research/web.html
General web resources broken down into helpful categories.
Taskbar Settings to Facilitate File Sharing
Set up the Task Bar for easy-access to Show Desktop, IE and Word:
Right-click in empty space on the Task Bar.
Select “Properties.”
Check the box to “Show Quick Launch”
Quick Launch will have a link to Show the Desktop and IE.
Create a shortcut for Word:
Go to Start > Programs
Right click on Word and “Create Shortcut”
Drag the shortcut to the Quick Launch bar
Create shortcuts for any applications you want quick access to and drag to the Quick Launch Bar.
Using Library Databases in AskColorado
If the customer has a library card, use the Basic Databases A-Z page to access the databases in the AskColorado software. When you click on the name of a database, the librarian will get the validation screen saying CONTINUE. The customer gets the screen that asks for their library card number and last name. Before you click on the CONTINUE button, have the customer type in their card number and last name. After they type in their information, they will be validated. The librarian can now click on the CONTINUE button, and will be able to help the customer search the database and push articles to them.
If the customer doesn’t have a library card, use the Ebsco databases provided by AskColorado. (You can use these databases even if the customer has a DPL card.) Sometimes these will work and sometimes they won’t. We think that if a customer blocks cookies, then the databases won’t work. So, if you use these databases, you will need to be sure and communicate with your customer to make sure they are seeing what you think they should be seeing.
If they are not able to access the databases in AskColorado, ask whether they have an email address where you can use the databases’ email functions to send articles to them.
If they don’t have an e-mail address, or if you want to and discuss articles during the session, use File Sharing.
File Sharing
Articles from most DPL databases are either in HTML format or in PDF and open in Adobe.
For HTML articles –
Use the Print function in the database to view the printable version (the name of the button will vary by database.)
A or right click to Select All
C or right click to Copy
Open a Word document
V or right click to Paste
Save to desktop
Go back to AskColorado, click on File Sharing.
Select Browse to locate the document.
Click Send.
A link will pop-up in the chat window. Tell customer to click on that link to open the document.
For PDF articles –
Save a copy by clicking on the Disk icon in the Adobe toolbar.
Save to desktop.
Go back to AskColorado, click on File Sharing.
Select Browse to locate the document.
Click Send.
A link will pop-up in the chat window. Tell customer to click on that link to open the document.
For large PDF articles – such as from the Historical New York Times
Use the Select tool in Adobe (camera) to select a portion of the article.
Drag a rectangle around the selected text. When you let go of the mouse the selection is automatically copied to the clipboard.
Open a Word document
V or right click to Paste
Go back to AskColorado, click on File Sharing.
Select Browse to locate the document.
Click Send.
Specific Databases & Resources
CQ Researcher is especially good for students researching social issues – pros & cons and various perspectives. Each issue is a PDF file that you can e-mail or file-share as listed above.
Colorado Revised Statutes is a frame buster. You can show the customer how to get there for their future reference but to send them something during your session, search in another window, find the section you want, click Print (top right) then copy the URL over to AskColorado. CRS is available from Colorado.gov or through Databases A-Z.
Presented by Susie Whiteford, AskColorado Liaison and
Janet Ryan, Web Information Services
May 8, 2006
Add Bookmarks in the Tutor.com Interface:
DPL’s Basic A-Z Database List: http://www.denverlibrary.org/research/az.html This list has the library card authentication built in for remote users. Having this address will allow customers to get back to the databases and be able to log in.
Web Sites by Topic: http://www.denverlibrary.org/research/web.html
General web resources broken down into helpful categories.
Taskbar Settings to Facilitate File Sharing
Set up the Task Bar for easy-access to Show Desktop, IE and Word:
Right-click in empty space on the Task Bar.
Select “Properties.”
Check the box to “Show Quick Launch”
Quick Launch will have a link to Show the Desktop and IE.
Create a shortcut for Word:
Go to Start > Programs
Right click on Word and “Create Shortcut”
Drag the shortcut to the Quick Launch bar
Create shortcuts for any applications you want quick access to and drag to the Quick Launch Bar.
Using Library Databases in AskColorado
If the customer has a library card, use the Basic Databases A-Z page to access the databases in the AskColorado software. When you click on the name of a database, the librarian will get the validation screen saying CONTINUE. The customer gets the screen that asks for their library card number and last name. Before you click on the CONTINUE button, have the customer type in their card number and last name. After they type in their information, they will be validated. The librarian can now click on the CONTINUE button, and will be able to help the customer search the database and push articles to them.
If the customer doesn’t have a library card, use the Ebsco databases provided by AskColorado. (You can use these databases even if the customer has a DPL card.) Sometimes these will work and sometimes they won’t. We think that if a customer blocks cookies, then the databases won’t work. So, if you use these databases, you will need to be sure and communicate with your customer to make sure they are seeing what you think they should be seeing.
If they are not able to access the databases in AskColorado, ask whether they have an email address where you can use the databases’ email functions to send articles to them.
If they don’t have an e-mail address, or if you want to and discuss articles during the session, use File Sharing.
File Sharing
Articles from most DPL databases are either in HTML format or in PDF and open in Adobe.
For HTML articles –
Use the Print function in the database to view the printable version (the name of the button will vary by database.)
Open a Word document
Save to desktop
Go back to AskColorado, click on File Sharing.
Select Browse to locate the document.
Click Send.
A link will pop-up in the chat window. Tell customer to click on that link to open the document.
For PDF articles –
Save a copy by clicking on the Disk icon in the Adobe toolbar.
Save to desktop.
Go back to AskColorado, click on File Sharing.
Select Browse to locate the document.
Click Send.
A link will pop-up in the chat window. Tell customer to click on that link to open the document.
For large PDF articles – such as from the Historical New York Times
Use the Select tool in Adobe (camera) to select a portion of the article.
Drag a rectangle around the selected text. When you let go of the mouse the selection is automatically copied to the clipboard.
Open a Word document
Go back to AskColorado, click on File Sharing.
Select Browse to locate the document.
Click Send.
Specific Databases & Resources
CQ Researcher is especially good for students researching social issues – pros & cons and various perspectives. Each issue is a PDF file that you can e-mail or file-share as listed above.
Colorado Revised Statutes is a frame buster. You can show the customer how to get there for their future reference but to send them something during your session, search in another window, find the section you want, click Print (top right) then copy the URL over to AskColorado. CRS is available from Colorado.gov or through Databases A-Z.
