Information Gateway Equals Improved Services
Welcome to Autumn Quarter 1998 from the University of Washington Libraries. Our gift to you this fall is the new University Libraries Information Gateway. This new Web site not only has a fresh look and feel, it will provide you with enhanced services and productive access to the information you need. Unveiled on September 14, 1998, the Information Gateway will continue to expand and develop over the year as the Libraries moves more services to the Web.
The new Gateway provides a quick and efficient way to find both electronic and print resources, and to access library services. The pages are organized from the user's point of view, rather than by organizational structure, and allow the Libraries to offer some new services.
Through the Gateway you can:
- put holds on books via the Web
- request that books in any library be sent to the library nearest you. (to begin as a pilot project in Fall Quarter 1998
- create your own personalized Information Gateway, highlighting the resources and services you use most often
- search subject databases on the Web, including bibliographic indexes and full-text resources (See Digital Library column, page 7, for some new and changed titles available.)
In addition, services and resources you used in the past will continue to be offered in an easier-to-use format.
- UW Libraries Catalog using Wilco and WinWillow software
A Web-based catalog will be introduced Spring Quarter 1999, and telnet access to a character-based library catalog will be maintained for the foreseeable future.
- library hours and locations
- online renewals
- electronic journals
- full-text news databases such as Lexis-Nexis
- digitized collections
- reference tools including encyclopedias and dictionaries
- schedules of library classes and forms for requesting instruction
- notification services such as Current Contents and Zephyr, highlighting new books, articles and resources in your field
- online forms for requesting document delivery and interlibrary loan
- Web and print resources for your discipline, selected and organized by your subject librarian
The University Libraries developed the Information Gateway because of its continuing commitment to improving library services and to providing seamless access to a wide variety of information resources. Since the Web has become the common interface for desktop access to information, the Libraries has moved to this technology in order to take advantage of the databases, indexes and other research materials that are becoming available only through the Web. In addition, as UW schools, colleges, departments and agencies move information and services to the Web, the Information Gateway will facilitate linkages with other UW Web pages and sites.
The Information Gateway will continue to develop and expand over the coming year. Try it out at http://www.lib.washington.edu and send your comments and questions to libquest@u.washington.edu. Watch for classes and demonstrations of the new products and services as they are made available, and check with your subject librarian for more information.