Winstead, T. (2023). Congrats Grad. https://www.pexels.com/search/graduation/
The University of North Texas Libraries extend their services not only to current faculty, staff, and students but also to alumni. As fall graduation approaches, I’ve compiled a guide to help alumni make the most of the library’s resources even after earning their degree.
Courtesy Cards
Alumni can access the library’s resources through a courtesy card. Qualifying for a courtesy card is straightforward for alumni who are current members of the UNT Alumni Association or residing in Denton County. Additional qualifications for obtaining a courtesy card can be found on the library’s website. While a courtesy card provides borrowing privileges similar to a library card, it comes with distinct circulation policies, including specific loan periods, eligibility criteria, fines rates, and rental procedures (UNT Libraries 2023a). It’s important to note that a courtesy card does not grant off-site access to electronic resources or Wi-Fi. To apply for a courtesy card, alumni who qualify can fill out the online application, choosing to have it mailed or picking it up at the Willis Library service desk. If opting for in-person pickup, please bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Once you have been issued a Courtesy Card, you can view your account from the library’s homepage.
TexShare Cards
The TexShare program, designed to facilitate resource sharing among Texas academic and public libraries, also benefits UNT alumni. If alumni possess a TexShare card from another library/institution, they are eligible for a UNT Courtesy Card. However, it’s important to be aware that UNT Libraries can only issue TexShare cards to current students, faculty, and staff (UNT Libraries. 2023b). If you have questions regarding the TexShare program, feel free to reach out to Access Services or AskUs.
Interlibrary Loan
For alumni seeking a book available at UNT Libraries, the Interlibrary Loan service is a valuable resource. Alumni can approach their local public library or the library of the institution where they are pursuing further education to request the desired materials through Interlibrary Loan. This service enables patrons of one library to borrow physical materials and access electronic documents held by another library.
Internet Access
While Wi-Fi access is currently limited to university-affiliated individuals, alumni can use computers available (also known as community workstations) in the Willis (near the elevators on 3rd and 4th floors), Discovery Park, or Sycamore libraries to access the library’s databases and, consequently, the internet. This provides a means for alumni to stay connected and continue benefiting from the wealth of information housed within UNT Libraries.
Please Don’t Be a Stranger
The library is committed to providing ongoing support, and we recognize the immense value of our alumni to the university. I share your passion for UNT and encourage you not to be a stranger – come check out our libraries! Feel free to explore our stacks, check out our displays, and make the most of the resources available to you. Congratulations, graduates, on such an achievement!
*Please note that the information provided in this post is subject to change.
University education may be a difficult and demanding experience, and for parents, it at times entails taking on additional responsibilities for household management and parenting. This post will discuss the study suggestions for student-parents attending college.
UNT Libraries offer multiple resources for families and student-parents, such as kids activity kits that are available for checkout and family study nights. A great option for parents attending college would be to join networking groups through which they can get support and valuable insights by attending study sessions with other parents.
UNT Libraries offers several spaces which are available for group study sessions or individual sessions. Rooms are available between 7am-12 am in Willis library and from 8am-9 pm at the Sycamore library. There are multiple books available for parents which can guide them on how they can navigate through difficult courses, cultural norms, and parenthood through academia. To name a few: “Mothers in Academia”, “The Parent Track”, and “Back in school”.
Over 10,000 works of juvenile literature are available at UNT Libraries. These are kept at Sycamore Library and include both well-known children’s novels and current Young Adult literature. You can pick them up at Sycamore Library or place a pickup order for them through the catalog. To name a few: “Storybook Stew”, “Hair Love” and “The Giving Tree”. While the parents are involved in classes, study sessions, or homework, they could use these books and resources in order keep the children engaged with books and activity kits. Activity kits are available at Willis library for kids for a checkout period of 6 hours. If needed, the patron can renew it as well.
By offering targeted services and spreading awareness of this parent-student group. Off-Campus Student Services acts as the link between student parents and departments. They offer outstanding resources, for instance for finding childcare, funds, and guidance for parenting.
UNT hosts multiple events for the engagement of kids and parents. Join us on Friday, 10th November at the Willis library for a family fun night. We are hosting a stuffed animal sleepover at Willis library for kids and parents. Feel free to wear your PJ’s. Stuffed animal registration and check-in begins at 5pm and story time begins at 5:30 pm. If you would like to register your stuffed animal for this event, the pickup time will be from 10 am-12 pm on Saturday at the Union Circle. Your child’s stuffed animal will be able to receive a diploma for Graduating from the UNT Stuffed Animal Night School!
This post discusses the challenges and resources available to student-parents attending the University of North Texas (UNT). UNT Libraries hosts resources such as family study nights, kids’ activity kits, and a range of literature that might assist parents in juggling the rigors of education with parenting their kids. The Sycamore Library offers ample room for both solo and group study sessions in addition to an extensive library of kid-friendly material to keep kids interested. The article also discusses how Off-Campus Student Services helps student parents find resources like financial assistance and childcare. To further include parents and children, UNT organizes family-friendly activities like a stuffed animal sleepover at the Willis library.
In the heart of academic excellence at the University of North Texas (UNT), The SPARK at Willis Library stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation. More than just a space, the SPARK is a combination of a hands-on learning lab (Also known as maker space) and a library circulation collection that provides access to a wide range of technologies to not only support but also enhance the educational experiences of students at UNT.
A Fusion of Creativity and Technology:
The Makerspace at SPARK is not your typical library space. It is an innovative facility that seamlessly blends technology, collaboration, and innovativeness Equipped with state-of-the-art tools and resources, this innovative space is a testament to UNT’s commitment to providing students with an environment that nurtures both academic and creative pursuits.
The Spark Makerspace at Willis Library Image by UNT Libraries
Locations:
Other than the one at Willis Library (room W150), the SPARK also has its branches at Discovery Park (room M152) and Frisco Landing (room 150) as well (UNT Libraries, 2023a).
The SPARK at Discovery Park is open to all UNT students, faculty, and staff. Uniquely, in this location, the SPARK is partnering with the Mechanical Engineering department and will also have ME resources for checkout by ME students.
Contact information and hours of operation:
The SPARK can be reached via e-mail, TheSpark@unt.edu, or using their phone numbers available on the SPARK page. The hours of operation vary at various locations. You can check them out the operating hours on the website (UNT Libraries, 2023a).
Innovation Studios:
For those looking to explore emerging technologies and bring their ideas to life, SPARK’s Innovation Studios are a game-changer. These studios are equipped with innovative equipment, including 3D printers, Laser cutting, dye cutting, and more. Students and faculty alike can use these resources to prototype inventions, create multimedia projects, or delve into the world of augmented reality.
3D Printing:
The SPARK’s 3D printing lab is a standout feature, allowing users to transform digital designs into tangible objects. From engineering prototypes to artistic creations, the possibilities are endless. Staff members are available to assist with the printing process and provide guidance on design considerations (UNT Libraries, 2023b).
Object in making at 3D printing station image by Pranathi Akula
Laser cutting:
SPARK’s laser cutting lab is like having magical light scissors for turning digital designs into real objects. From engineering models to artistic creations, it is a space full of possibilities. Friendly staff are there to guide users through the cutting process and offer design tips. Various locations have special tools for specific tasks, making it a versatile and creative experience. Safe materials like wood and acrylic can only be used for laser cutting (UNT Libraries, 2023c).
Circulation:
The equipment in The SPARK has distinct categories such as bookable equipment, circulation equipment, in-space equipment, service-based equipment, and paid services. Although many items in the Spark collection are circulating, there are special loan periods, booking procedures, renewal rules, and fine rates that apply. Makerspace project requests are subject to the Spark’s review/approval process. You can find more information about this on the Circulation page of the website (UNT Libraries, 2023d).
Specialized Equipment and Booking Procedures:
The SPARK boasts an impressive array of equipment, some of which is bookable for in-depth projects. Items such as Cameras and lenses are available through booking requests, come with specific rules:
Available to UNT currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff
Loan Period: 4 days
Renewals Allowed: No
Check Out Limits: Varied, e.g., 1 camera, 2 lenses max.
Fines Rate: $10.00 per day, $100.00 maximum fine
Repair/Replacement Cost: Damages incurred while in use may be charged to the patron.
Circulating Equipment and In-Space Use Equipment:
The SPARK’s equipment falls into two primary categories: Circulating and In-Space.
Circulating Equipment:
The Equipment which are available for checkout are termed as circulating items. Laptops, chargers, cameras, headsets, sound equipment, lightening kits, markers, etc., are the few items that can be checked out at the SPARK.
Available to UNT currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff
Loan Period: Varies
Renewals Allowed: Yes, if no holds
Fines Rate: Depending on Equipment
Repair/Replacement Cost: Damages incurred while in use may be charged to the patron
In-Space Equipment:
This in-space equipment can be checked out but can only be used within the library.
Some of the in-space equipment are hand and electric tools, scientific/probe ware, soldering equipment, drawing tools, presentation tools, pottery tools, etc.
Available to UNT currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff
Loan Period: Varies based on equipment
Renewals Allowed: Yes, if no one is waiting
Check Out Limits: 1 item
Fines Rate: $10.00 per hour, $100.00 maximum fine
Repair/Replacement Cost: Damages incurred while in use may be charged to the patron
Service-Based Equipment and Paid Services:
Certain equipment within the Maker space requires a trained operator and has specific use rules. Additionally, SPARK offers paid services, such as full-service 3D printing, laser cutting, die cutting, etc., but, before using them students and staff should get trained. Please refer to the Trainings & Workshops page.
Available to UNT community (students, faculty, and staff)
Use: Subject to review and approval
Production Limits: 1 item
Materials: Supplied by the patron, including a test piece
Repair/Replacement Cost: Damages incurred while in use may be charged to the patron.
Full-Service 3D Printing:
Available to: Anyone
USE: Subject to review and approval, submit .stl file
Time frame: 7-10 days from the date paid.
Materials: ABS or PLA
Cost: $1/hour
Files: .stl format
Creative Workshops and Events:
The SPARK is not just a physical space; it is a vibrant community that thrives on knowledge-sharing and skill-building. Regular workshops and events hosted at the SPARK cover a range of topics, from digital media production to coding and beyond. These opportunities ensure that the UNT community is not just consumers of technology but active contributors to the ever-evolving landscape of innovation. You can find more information related to workshops and scheduling training and workshops in the Trainings & Workshops page of the website.
Conclusion:
In the heart of UNT’s Willis Library, the SPARK is a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering creativity and innovation. By providing innovative technology, collaborative spaces, and a supportive community, the SPARK at Willis Library catalyzes the ideas and inventions that will shape the future. The SPARK is more than a space; it is a spark that ignites the imagination and propels the UNT community towards limitless possibilities.
Did this blog help you to learn more about the SPARK at UNT Libraries? Let us know your comments! Please contact Ask Us if you have any questions about library services.
Did you know that as of August 24, 2023, the UNT Libraries have a total of 514 books listed as “On Search?” For example, if you type into UNT’s Discover Search the popular spooky novel “Misery” by Stephen King, you will see its availability is set to “On Search.” It is not available for checkout because the book is not on its designated shelf in the library. It is not, as far as we are aware, in the hands of a patron, either. The book… is simply missing.
The reasons behind this are a myriad. It is possible that somebody walked out with it and did not check it out. It is also possible that the library itself misplaced the book, and it is still fully present, just in the wrong spot. It may even be a different reason entirely. Ultimately, a missing book is indefinitely lost, up until it is placed on “withdrawn” and taken out of the collection officially, a process that Collection Development performs once a year.
Books that are lost by patrons who have checked them out, either because the books are overdue or misplaced, are NOT “On Search.” They remain on the patron’s account and are handled on a case-by-case basis. No, these On Search books have mysteriously dispersed from the library, for reasons that staff cannot disclose because not even they know why the books have gone away.
Unfortunately, the loss of materials within a library is not uncommon. Books are often misplaced by careless patrons and uncovered when a shelver or clerk is shelf-reading, or going through the book stacks and checking each item’s call number to ensure the shelves are ordered correctly. Oftentimes, many a missing book is recovered via this method. However, others still slip through the cracks, especially in a library as vast as UNT’s.
UNT is not the only library that loses its books by means that staff cannot identify, either. A number of other strange and inexplicable disappearances have occurred in libraries over the centuries, resulting from a multitude of fright-inducing causes! Below are just a few documented cases of disappearing library books:
The Lost Library of Jaques Philippe d’Orville
Here is one such case of missing library materials. The Dutch scholar Jaques Philippe d’Orville gathered a full library of manuscripts and books by Greek and Latin authors up until his death in 1751 (Galán Vioque 2017). This invaluable collection was believed to be nearly intact when it was purchased by the Bodleian Library. However, it has come to light that many of his materials were sold at auctions prior to the 1804 purchase, meaning that a number of these priceless items are simply lost to time.
Although Galán Vioque has recorded over 100 items missing from the Bodleian collection, thereby proving that over 50% of d’Orville’s library is not contained in the Bodleian, it is impossible to track whether other items yet remain missing from these records. The original library has indeed “suffered dispersal” and may never be fully intact again (p.168). Why were the books auctioned off rather than kept together? Why have numerous auctions occurred wherein the collection was fractured further? We may never know the answer.
Faulty Citations Erase Author Names
What happens when we lose the name of a book’s author? Could it domino spiral into us losing the book, too? A study done at Banasthali University in Rajasthan, India sifted through 5 different theses at their institution. Findings unveiled that, of the 548 journal references contained between these theses, spanning 924 different cited authors, a whopping 149 (16.13%) of these cited authors had names that were inaccurately transcribed (Gupta 2021). Wholly apart from these faulty citations, a total of 13 names were completely incorrect to the point of being unrecognizable. 13 authors, lost. Luckily, the advent of modern technology makes it easy to look up a known work by title and trace it back to the original author, but will such always be the case?
It is important to consider how losing the author disconnects their work from any other writings they may have produced. Furthermore, if losing the author’s name is such a widespread phenomenon, then what stops inaccuracies in the titles themselves from cropping up as well? On top of these worries, Artificial Intelligence such as ChatGPT can make up citations on the spot, almost guaranteed to be riddled with false information. These branching-off issues all originate from the seed of a bad citation. Scary!
Miscataloged Books Cause a Disappearing Act
What could make a book that sits perfectly waiting on its correct shelf for a patron to select it… completely disperse? In a world where more and more catalog searches are performed online, and patrons either do not or can not sift through the library’s stacks on their own, the importance of accurately written catalog records is paramount.
In the Harvard library almost forty years ago, Joyce Flynn (2007) was researching Celtic records in the stacks. She found that many were mistakenly cataloged under the title “Na,” synonymous to “The” in English, causing records to not be searchable without that article present. This error forced records to effectively appear invisible to researchers typing the correct title into a faulty retrieval system. These books may as well already be half-missing!
Conclusion: Books Keep Ghosting
As users of the library, be aware that sometimes books disappear! Take care to record them as accurately as possible when you are looking to cite or otherwise preserve them, and try to limit the problem of disappearing books as much as possible. With an informed mind, perhaps you can stop another poor book from slipping through the cracks.
Galán Vioque, G. (2017). The lost library of Jaques Philippe d’Orville: The missing manuscripts and annotated books of the d’Orville collection. Quaerendo, 47(2), 132-170. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700690-12341379
Gupta, V. K. (2021). Missing and defective identity of authors cited in library and information science literature. Library and Philosophy Practice, 1-17.
The Fall semester is well underway, and mid-term season with its exams and papers is almost here. To help get the most out of your studying and be able to find articles for midterm papers (and those soon to be appearing term papers), today’s blog post is focusing on Boolean Operators and search modifiers to empower you and give you the skills to perform effective searches in library catalogs, databases, and search engines.
Boolean Operators are logical operators based in mathematical theory. They are used in computer science to determine whether things fit into an element or set. In the context of search engines, they are used to include, exclude, and generally define what things a search is allowed to return and what it is not allowed to return.
While not as intuitive as natural language search queries that use a question format — “biographies about Victoria Beckham” as an example— searches that utilize Boolean operators are powerful and able to return very refined results based on user inputs.
Common Boolean Operators and Search Modifiers
Boolean Operators break down into the following functions:
AND, which will return items that include both search terms
Example: Pokemon AND Learning.
This can be used to find specific results when you are looking for keywords that are not directly related to each other. In some search engines, they may use AND or +.
OR, which will return items that include either search term utilized
Example: ChatGPT OR Bard
This can be used to find results which when you are looking for keywords that are associated with each other but will not necessarily be in the same articles. In some search engines, they may use OR or |.
NOT, which will return keywords related to the first item while excluding the second term
Example: Plant-based NOT vegan
This can be useful when you are looking for items related to a keyword that have some associated terms you do not need or are not looking for. In some search engines, they may use NOT or -.
“Quotation Mark”, which will return anything that includes the exact set of words inside of them.
Example: “Taylor Swift” will return results that include only the exact phrase within the quotation marks.
This can be useful when you are looking for exact multi-word items, phrases, or people.
Nested operators, which use parentheses to create grouped search strings.
Example: Earthquakes (Japan OR Pacific)
This will return results about earthquakes that also include matches on Japan OR the Pacific. It allows for more complex and defined searches.
Wildcards, which will return results that partially match the requested word by looking for letters that can either replace the ? symbol (single letters) or the * symbol (as many apply) when they are used in any part of a word.
Example: Part*, Wom?n
This will return results that include words that use Part in it such as Partner, Participants, Particles for the asterisk and for Wom?n words such as Woman, Women, and Womyn for words that have a single letter that replace the question mark.
A Table of Boolean Operators
Operator
Symbol
Example
Use
AND
+
Pokémon AND Learning Comics + Libraries
Combine Keywords
OR
|
ChatGPT OR Bard Pasta | Pizza
Either Keyword
NOT
–
Plant-based NOT vegan Animals -horses
Exclude all results with the unwanted keyword
Quotations
“”
“Taylor Swift” “Social Work”
Will only find results with the phrase included in the quotations
Nested (Parentheses)
()
“pop music” AND (“21st century”-“Taylor Swift”) Earthquakes AND (Japan OR Pacific)
Nests different search operators
Wildcard
? or *
Wom?n Part*
? will look for single character replacements; * will find all results that have the rest of the word in it with any replacement characters
How to use Boolean Operators in the Find Articles and Discover
These can all be used throughout the UNT Libraries search engines including our Find Articles Search and the Discover Catalog.
This can be utilized alongside the “Refine your search” and “Limit your search” filters or by doing an advanced search using Search Options in Find Articles and the Advanced Search in Discover. This makes it possible to create refined searches that only return specific items created during a specific range of dates related to a specific subject while excluding closely related unwanted keywords. You can also exclude specific authors entirely, which may be useful if you’re trying to find alternate articles or books on a subject that has a prominent or prolific writer.
Even without using advanced search options, Boolean modifiers are able to be a powerful tool and can help with basic searches.
Other Search Engines and Websites
Beyond library searches, Boolean searches can be used on other databases, search engines, and websites as well.
All of the academic databases that the UNT Libraries provide to students, staff, faculty can be searched through with Boolean modifiers, and each will generally have their own instructions on which specific operators and the format they prefer in their own help guide. As an example, EbscoHost has its own help section that breaks down multiple kinds of search methods, including a whole section on Boolean.
The various search engines that are commonly used— Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo— also still support Boolean searches. While they all support natural language searches, Boolean searches can help support effective searches that won’t fall prey to deceptive search engine optimization practices. Boolean search is also supported on the Google Scholar search engine.
Boolean is able to be used on plenty of other websites as well: Sites such as Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Wikipedia, Archive of Our Own, and more all have various different methods of how to utilize the different forms of Boolean search operators: Some will require the operator word (such as “Vegetarian NOT vegan”), while others utilize the symbols only (“Vegetarian -vegan”).
With all of this in mind, hopefully you will find your future searches— whether for school research, work, or your own personal uses— all the more personalized.
Did this blog help you learn about improving your searches, both at the libraries and beyond? Let us know in the comments! Please contact AskUs if you have questions about doing library research.
Screenshot of UNT Information Science LibGuide: APA Tab. UNT seal in top-left corner. Accessed from https://guides.library.unt.edu/lis/apa7th
Introduction
As the semester kicks off, the world of APA and references might be uncharted territory for many fellow students out there. Now, as a graduate student who’s been navigating the intricacies of APA ever since my high school days, I couldn’t help but whip up a nifty guide filled with all tips and tricks to master the art of APA in your papers.
Purpose of APA
The American Psychological Association emphasizes that using citations lays the groundwork for successful scholarly communication (APA, 2019). In academic settings, maintaining writer integrity and consistently acknowledging the originators of ideas are crucial aspects. It is all about giving credit and providing structure to a piece of writing.
Important to Know
When it comes to APA style, diving into the world of citations can feel like navigating a labyrinth where books, articles, journals, and other resources each have their unique set of guidelines.
Within this manual, comprehensive explanations are provided for each specific aspect of APA style, including in-text citations and crafting references for the reference page. Through careful review, I have identified and highlighted what I consider to be the most prevalent and beneficial points for someone new to utilizing APA style.
Highlights
Author Format:
For one or more authors, list the last name followed by initials. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
Example: Teel, Z. A., & Lund, B. D.
In-Text Citations:
Include the author’s last name and publication year in parentheses.
Example: (Teel & Wang, 2023).
Reference Page:
Begin with the word “References” centered at the top of a new page.
List all sources alphabetically by the author’s last name.
Arrange sources with identical last names based on their publication year.
Italics:
Italicize book and journal titles.
Example: Title of Book or Title of Journal.
Capitalization:
Capitalize the first word of the title, subtitle, and proper nouns.
Use sentence case for article and chapter titles.
Example: The Art of Writing.
On the reference page, journal articles should only have the first word capitalized, the following should all be lowercase.
Example: “Information literacy, data literacy, privacy literacy, and chatgpt: technology literacies align with perspectives on emerging technology adoption within communities”
Author(s) Last Name, Initials. (Year). Title of Book. Publisher.
Example: Teel, Z. A. (2023). The Science of Psychology. Academic Press.
Journal Citations
Author(s) Last Name, Initials. (Year). Title of Article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page Range. DOI (if available).
Example: Teel, Z. A. (2023). Understanding APA Citations. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 123-145. doi:10.6789/abc123.
Multiple Authors
List all authors up to three in first citation. For more than three, use “et al.” after first author’s name.
Example: (Teel, Lund, & Wang, 2023) or (Teel et al., 2023).
Same Author, Multiple Sources
Distinguish between multiple works by the same author and year with lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc.).
Example: (Teel, 2023a) or (Teel, 2023b).
Library Help & Conclusion
Learning the intricacies of APA formatting and style can greatly enhance the quality and professionalism of your academic work. To further assist you on your APA journey, consider utilizing the resources provided by the Purdue Owl, a highly recommended platform offering comprehensive APA Formatting and Style Guide overviews, an APA Style Introduction, and illustrative example papers. While the tips and tricks shared in this paper offer valuable insights, it’s worth noting that the UNT Libraries’ extensive LibGuide dedicated to APA serves as an invaluable resource. Greg Hardin, the subject librarian for this topic, stands ready to provide expert assistance. Additionally, the Writing Centeroffers access to APA manuals and a guide for correctly citing and formatting references in APA style, and appointments available both in person and online. By leveraging these tools and expert guidance, you can navigate the complexities of APA with confidence, ensuring your scholarly endeavors adhere to the highest standards of precision and clarity.
References
American Psychological Association. (2019). About APA Style. APA Style. https://apastyle.apa.org/about-apa-style
As we all know, every student is typically occupied with either conducting research or making daily life decisions. We are often unsure if our work is legitimate or not and always require someone’s opinion or review. We conduct extensive research before making decisions, whether it is choosing a major for our course of study, watching a movie, or selecting a restaurant for dinner. We frequently rely on the reviews section to gain knowledge or opinions. Through the internet, it is effortless to grasp the opinions of millions of people. This text, generated by opinions, has created a new area in the field of data science known as sentiment analysis. Many organizations and businesses rely on the extracted sentiment from these texts to enhance their performance by understanding the impact and launches of their products and services through public opinion.
A picture representing positive and negative emotions. Image by Arthi Reddy Annadi
Sentiment analysis, also known as opinion mining, subjectivity analysis, and appraisal extraction, is associated with computational linguistics, natural language processing, and text mining. It is a field that studies emotions ranging from psychology to judgment using data mining and computational linguistic tools (Mejova, 2009).
Application of sentiment analysis
Sentiment analysis is a key component in a wide range of applications. The area where consumer goods and services are evaluated is part of the most used application (Feldman, 2013). The two main platforms for sentiment analysis apps are Twitter and Facebook. Usage by businesses to track their brand on various social media sites is its most common application.
When locating pertinent resources:
Students can choose pertinent sources with the use of sentiment analysis. Choosing which sources to use is one of the biggest problems that students run across when conducting research. Sentiment analysis can be quite useful in this situation. Students can type in their area of interest to find reviews, social media posts, or survey results including their keywords. By acting sentimentally, they can choose which sources to use based on their sentiment by conducting sentiment analysis on this data.
The process of “summarizing the data.”
Data summary is aided by sentiment analysis. Students can summarize their findings without losing the core idea thanks to sentiment analysis’s “summary generation” capability. They can do their task more effectively and more neatly while also saving time. Additionally, summarization aids in message delivery. The “Google Product Search” is a famous illustration of this (Feldman, 2013). Sentiment analysis can assist students in locating attitudes and opinions expressed in huge collections of text data. Students may use sentiment analysis to learn how others feel about a certain subject, good, or service, for example. For instance, a student researching consumer behavior can examine internet reviews of a good or service using sentiment analysis to learn more.
Similarly, a student studying social issues can use sentiment analysis to examine tweets and Facebook postings to learn about people’s thoughts and feelings regarding the topic. “Tweetfeel.com” is an application that analyzes tweets in real time (Feldman, 2013). To effectively identify the problems and make data-driven decisions, a student can use these tools and approaches in their study or data analysis.
I hope this information is helpful and that you find it relevant to your potential use of sentiment analysis in future research endeavors. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact Ask Us at askus@unt.edu.
References
Feldman, R. (2013, Apr 1,). Techniques and applications for sentiment analysis. Communications of the ACM, 56, 82-89. 10.1145/2436256.2436274 http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2436274
Mejova, Y. (2009). Sentiment analysis: An overview. University of Iowa, Computer Science Department.
The University of North Texas contains an abundance of databases, which assists students in browsing through the best library databases for research. These databases provide access to many useful research materials ranging from articles, full text journals, abstracts, and e-books. UNT libraries has 644 databases available covering various topics, 38 of which are designed for information science students. Students may not be aware, but they have full access to all these resources.
Out of the 38 databases available for information science, a few of the most prominently used ones are mentioned below:
It is an online research platform utilized by millions of users and thousands of institutions. This interface provides access to e-journals and e-books. It is one of the most useful databases as it assists in identifying publications and journals based on the subject area. It is freely accessible to students through their institution if they subscribe to it.
It is a catalog of books and plethora of materials worldwide available through FirstSearch. It does not contain individual articles, newspapers, magazines, journals, stand-alone articles, but consists of over 179 million records which cover around 400 languages. It is operated by OCLC.INC, the WorldCat is the world’s largest bibliographic database and is maintained by the OCLC member libraries (Oswald, 2017). As research becomes more specific, WorldCat comes in the picture when you need to look or resources beyond UNT.
Science Direct is a peer reviewed database of scientific and medical publications, which includes thousands of open access articles. It supports the research and educational missions of academic institutions through access to peer reviewed literature. The database helps students discover new insights with greater efficiency and effectiveness. “ScienceDirect offers content from four major subject areas: physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities” (University Libraries). Several open-access journals are also published on ScienceDirect.
EBSCO host is a provider of academic search complete. It is one of the leading resources for scholarly research, which provides a collection of scholarly texts with full coverage for over 10,500 journals for all subject areas which include humanities, social sciences, computer sciences, education etc (University Libraries). It supports students with diverse projects or papers. This database helps students develop analytical abilities and critical thinking through practical learning by increasing their knowledge and comprehension on a certain subject or field.
It is a global abstracting and indexing tool made for information specialists. It was originally published by the Library Association, Bowker-Saur began publishing it in 1991. Subject coverage covers all aspects given below: Knowledge management,
librarianship, information technology, information management, library technology and online information retrieval.
To access the above databases users must visit the UNT libraries page.They will find multiple options available on the left-hand side of the page under “Start your research.” Students must select the menu item “Databases” which leads them to either browse by subject or search for their own. They would then need to click on browse subjects and enter “Information sciences” to get access to the information science databases.
One lesser-known fact on the University Libraries homepage is that a plethora of databases are tucked under the left sidebar on the Discover site. The University of North Texas is paying for these databases for student and faculty perusal—free of charge! There are over 600 databases in total, all packed to the brim with various types of information. Out of all the databases offered by UNT Libraries, we contain a repository of 30 online video databases.
To access the video databases, a user must click on the Databases sidebar on the Discover page at library.unt.eduand press enter in the blank search bar. From there, the user will locate the “All Database Types” drop-down menu towards the top-left of the database directory page and click on “Online Video” so that only the video databases will be available. There is a wide variety to choose from for the user’s browsing perusal. From here, the user can click on the “all subjects” drop-down menu to narrow the pool into a particular topic of interest, or simply skim through the descriptions beside each to locate one that piques their curiosity.
As this selection may still feel overwhelming, here follows a quick tour of just a few delightful offerings from these video resources:
Screenshot of the Kanopy Database as provided by UNT Libraries. Search bar is on the topmost-left side of the screen. Accessed from https://www.kanopy.com/en/unt/
KANOPY
Are subscriptions to streaming services becoming too pricey for your liking? Kanopy hosts a vast array of documentaries, animations, and other films for your perusal. Between many subject options, such as Anthropology, Medicine, and Art, there are also Award-Winning categories to choose from. If there’s a specific movie in mind that you can’t locate, you can even fill out a request form on Kanopy’s website. Find new favorites and expand your learning with Kanopy’s streaming platform.
Screenshot of Ambrose Video 2.0 licensed videos for the University of North Texas. The search bar is in the top-left corner of the screen. Accessed from https://www.ambrosevideo.com/institutional-access
AMBROSE VIDEO
Ambrose Video 2.0 serves as a hub for multiple historical documentaries on a variety of subjects, but it most notably contains the entire BBC produced collection of Shakespearean plays, broken up by acts and including closed captioning. From the comfort of your own home, you can watch any of these high-quality Shakespearean productions for free with access to this database. Other subjects include classic European musical composers, American author documentaries from 1650, a history of Western artworks, and a series of nature documentaries. All these resources come included with student and/or faculty access to the University Libraries.
Screenshot of the Psychotherapy.net database as provided by the University of North Texas. The search bar is in the top-right corner of the screen. Accessed from https://www.psychotherapy.net/stream/unt
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy.netfeatures a multitude of therapy video resources, such as lecture topics, interviews, and other examples and strategies. One prominent source is the “Mastery in Minutes” section, wherein quick bite-sized videos packed with instructions help ease a viewer into honing some of these therapeutic techniques, backed by interviews with real people. Other instructional videos include trauma deep-dives, suicidal client interventions, and emotional assessments. These topics would be of high interest to students in the counseling field, but they are also available for the curious layperson who may like to pick up a few psychological skills.
Screenshot of the HistoryMakers database, access granted by the University of North Texas. Search bar is located on upper-middle-left side of screen. Accessed from https://da.thehistorymakers.org/home
THE HISTORYMAKERS
The HistoryMakers Digital Archive functions as both a cataloged site of interviews and a source of biographic information covering thousands of African Americans from a wide variety of life circumstances. A user can search via category if interested in reading about and listening to interviews with people under a certain topical interest, such as historical values (food, neighborhood), biographical themes (spirituality, hopes and dreams, personal identity), and interview qualities (passion, type of narrative). A user can select any and as many of these filters as they desire in order to curate the best viewing experience for themselves. The interviews are cut into under-five-minute segments, easy to watch in quick bursts. This website stands as a monument to Black history and identity for a people whose voices have historically and systemically been silenced; HistoryMakers is rich with powerful and moving personal experiences.
Access 60 Minutes: 1997-2014to immerse yourself in a brief historical news section. These saved recording clips are quick and easy to jump in and out of for the aspiring journalist or other curious viewer. For a more in-depth look at a piece of history, whether it is a startling spring storm in Japan from 2011 or a striking interview with an everyday person, 60 Minutes contains troves of fact-backed news segments to learn from. Keep in mind that the specific time period UNT has access to is between 1997 and 2014, so you will not find very recent information here, but it is great for a jump to the relative past.
There’s lots more to uncover when you delve through the video databases of UNT Libraries. Search for topics of your own interest and learn to your heart’s content with the resources provided by your tuition. If you encounter any further questions while perusing the databases or come up with another query entirely, don’t hesitate to Ask Usabout it!
Academic libraries have been a target of the national book ban crisis. There has been a proliferation of books that have been subjected to censorship in the last few years, especially books that deal with imperative topics such as gender identity, race, abortion, and sexuality. Books authored by individuals who are BIPOC (black, Indigenous, and people of color) are heavily under attack and face unfair, unjust scrutiny. Particularly, in the state of Texas, school libraries have faced many challenges regarding the works within their institutions: “Texas banned more books from school libraries this past year than any other state in the nation, targeting titles centering on race, racism, abortion, and LGBTQ representation and issues, according to a new analysis by PEN America, a nonprofit organization advocating for free speech” (Lopez, 2022).
So, what is the big deal? Students are losing access to literature that grapples with topics they may be struggling with in their own lives. Having a piece of literature that allows students to explore and navigate the thoughts, feelings, and emotions they are experiencing, through characters and authors, gives them comfort and a safe space. Libraries are supposed to be the home of information; a place that demolishes barriers and welcomes knowledge. Academic libraries are the embodiment of intellectual freedom. Questioning why things are the way they are is at the heart of education.
Books face removal because they are considered potentially dangerous by individuals who feel a misguided sense of moral obligation, as we have seen especially here in Texas. However, lawmakers seem to disagree. “[Rep. Matt] Krause, a member of the hardline conservative Texas House Freedom Caucus who is also running for state attorney general, included in his inquiry a roughly 850-book list that included novels about racism and sexuality and asked the districts to identify which of those books were available on school campuses” (Pollock, 2021). It is important to note, that many of the lawmakers who are trying to restrict access to books, and moreover, restrict freedom of thought, have never worked with the education system or academia.
The American Library Association released the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021.” These ten titles “are only a snapshot of book challenges,” meaning that these are only a handful of the works that the Office for Intellectual Freedom have deemed “the most challenged.” (ALA, 2021). According to the ALA (2021), these titles included:
UNT Libraries has made it a priority to not shy away from titles that are challenged. Having each of these ten titles in the catalog demonstrates that academic libraries, like UNT, are making a stand for books. By having these books in UNT Libraries’ collections allows the precedent to be set that student’s rights are important, and censorship does not belong in the library space.
The University of North Texas celebrates the freedom to read. Each year, the American Library Association holds “Banned Book Week,” which UNT Libraries has participated in hosting. UNT Libraries has a Banned Book Guide, which explores what Banned Book Week is and its history. It also offers trivia and videos about the most challenged books and why they are challenged.
Conclusively, it is obvious that representation matters. Representation that is found within the stories of books promotes learning, inclusivity, and growth. Consider checking out a banned, or censored, book from UNT Libraries.
Written by graduate student employees, Scholar Speak hopes to bridge the gap between the library and its students through instruction on the use of library services and resources.
