[PL-Directors] Opposing Viewpoints is Now Available

[Jennifer Maurer]

Hi,

I just posted a variation of this email on Libs-Or, but since we want to draw attention to this new resource, I am also posting to the listservs for library directors.

Some of you may have seen the announcement in the most recent LTLO that we were adding Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (OVRC) to our statewide suite of Gale databases.  As of today, OVRC is available to add to your library or consortium website.

What is it?
Opposing Viewpoints is a popular Gale database that pulls together background information and pro & con viewpoints about current social issues.  It's an especially useful tool for middle schoolers through college students and the general public as they do research.

Access
To find your library's link to OVRC, go to the Gale support site for Oregon libraries, www.galesupport.com/oregon<http://www.galesupport.com/oregon>, enter your library or consortium's name in the "Start Typing the Name" box, and click on Select.  On the new page, scroll to find Opposing Viewpoints; the list of databases is in alphabetical order.  If you include database logos on your site, you can grab the OVRC image from the column on the right.  For Plinkit users, Darci Hanning will be in touch with specifics about adding Opposing Viewpoints to your websites.

Think Interface
If you have used OVRC before, you know that the interface is like the one used in Small Business Resource Center, Nursing Resource Center, and Student Resource Center Gold.  By early June, Gale plans to unveil Think, a new interface for OVRC.  It will be a portal page that features a quick overview of a topic, related multimedia, links to "editorially reviewed" websites, and more.  Content that used to be available in tabs at the top of the page will appear in buckets at the bottom of the page.  Extra features like ReadSpeaker and translation will still be available.  Eventually, a few other databases will change to the Think interface, too.

Training
You will have several opportunities to participate in a 1-hour Gale webinar to learn more about Opposing Viewpoints.  Because of the upcoming transition to a new interface and because many folks will be on vacation in the summer, we pushed back the training timeline.  We'll offer two sessions in June and multiple sessions in August and late September or early October.  These are the webinar dates so far:  June 16 & 17 and August 24 & 26.  The times and the September or October dates have not been confirmed yet.  Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.  If you want to get familiar with the current interface, explore the resources that Gale added to our support site<http://galesupport.com/oregon/>.  You can't miss the big OVRC bubble on the top right.

Credit
If your library or consortium already subscribes to Opposing Viewpoints, you are eligible for a credit to apply toward the purchase of new databases and/or eBooks.  Within the next few weeks, you should hear from Lindsay Smith, a Gale rep, but feel free to contact her about credits at Lindsay.smith at cengage.com<mailto:Lindsay.smith at cengage.com> or 800-877-4253 ext 8374.

If you have questions, please ask MaryKay Dahlgreen<mailto:marykay.dahlgreen at state.or.us> or me.  Have a great weekend.

Thanks,
Jen

Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Library Development
Oregon State Library
250 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR  97301-3950
503-378-5011
jennifer.maurer at state.or.us<mailto:jennifer.maurer at state.or.us>


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