SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY Library upgrades online program

Even if the university's library is closed students can access the eBooks.
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. --Slippery Rock University has expanded and upgraded the Book program at Bailey Library to make online research and pleasure reading easier for students.
The university added more electronic books this summer, boosting the collection of literature, science and history books to 5,800 titles, school officials said. In addition, SRU simplified the catalog search process for books.
Last year, students had to click on separate database, Netlibrary, on the library's home page to search for an electronic book. Now they simply type a subject, author or keyword into the library's online catalog and the computer tells them whether a title is available online.
Easy access: Students will know the book is part of the online collection if "electronic book" or "computer file" is posted next to the title of the book, says Lynn Hoffman, coordinator of electronic resources at Bailey. Students can browse a book for 15 minutes or check one out without stepping foot in the library.
Hoffmann says the easier-access system will benefit commuters, students attending classes at a satellite campus site and students studying in their residence halls late at night. Unlike the library, which keeps regular hours, the eBook program operates 24 hours a day.
"It's really a great improvement," Hoffman says.
Online reading: Library Director Dr. Barbara Farah says the full text electronic books can be read from any computer on or off campus, provided a student has a valid ID card that has been scanned and entered into the library's database. The first time a student checks out an eBook, he or she must use a campus computer to register as and online borrower.
"The books are part of the library's mission to supply information on demand," Farah says.
Bailey officials plan to introduce two more electronic upgrades later this year.
A scanning system to e-mail microfilm requests to patrons.
A reserve system that will enable professors to place documents online.