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Confused about copyright and fair use? You're not alone.

Read about a contemporary copyright conundrum involving the campaign of President Obama and what one copyright expert has to say about it.

The library can help if you have questions about copyright. Stop by and chat with us.

Darwin's Birthday @ the library

On Thursday, February 12th, we're marking the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his paradigm-shifting book, On the Origin of Species. We'll mark the occasion from 2-4 pm with cake and conversation. At 2:30 Alan Gishlick, Professor of Geology, will give a talk about Darwin and his contribution to science. He has also collected a number of rare 19th century works relating to Darwin that are on exhibit on the main floor. Thanks, Dr. Gishlick!

In addition to the books and magazines on display in the library - all of which can be checked out - the web has lots of interesting material on Darwin and his role in science, society, history, and contemporary culture. Here's a sampling.

All Things Darwin

Darwin 200: A Nature News Special
This premier science journal provides a selection of articles, opinions, reflections on Darwin in the arts, and resources.

Darwin 200
A British organization providing information and events around the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

Happy Birthday, Charles Darwin (Scientific American - a special issue of the magazine devoted to Darwin)

Darwin's life and work

The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online (Cambridge University)

The Darwin Digital Library (American Museum of Natural History)

Darwin (American Museum of Natural History - the website of a 2005-2006 exhibit on his life, his work, and evolution today)

On Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' (New York Times)

Darwin today

AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (American Association for the Advancement of Science)

Discovery Institute (the Website of an organization promoting the theory of Intelligent Design along with other political and social ideas; they sponsor a website to promote debate in opposition to evolution on Darwin's birthday)

Evolution Controversy (a summary of constitutional law issues around teaching evolution; part of a website on Exploring Constitutional Law)

Intelligent Designs on Evolution (American Radio Works)

On Darwin's 200th Birthday, Americans Still Divided About Evolution (Pew Research Center)

Taking Issue: Evolution and Religion (NPR)

And now for something a little silly . . .

Darwin Awards (rather tasteless collection of stories about stupid behavior)

"Evolutionists Flock to Darwin-Shaped Wall Stain" (The Onion)

Sage Advice - and News for Chemists

We have two changes in our database offerings.

1. Sage Premier now includes the full text of over 500 Sage Publishing journals in a variety of subject areas. You may search all Sage journals together, or you may limit your search to one of ten collections: Communication Studies, Criminology, Education, Health Sciences, Management & Organization Studies, Materials Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Urban Studies & Planning. If you've used one of these subject-specific collections in the past, you'll notice a new search interface as well as more journals and a deeper backfile. And if you're wondering why we're expanding these collections when dollars are tight - well, it's a package deal, a prix fixe, a one-size-fits-all deal. No substitutions, no special orders. You want ten of those journals, help yourself, but you have to pay for the entire buffet.

That said, there are many great full-text journals in there, so help yourselves - and return for dessert as often as you like.

2. Attention chemists! SciFinder web version is now available. We're transitioning from the client version (the version we've been using until now) to the web version; only the web version will be available after April 10, 2009. Follow the instructions on our SciFinder web version page to register for an account from on campus; once you register and respond to the registration confirmation e-mail from on campus, you'll be able to use the web version from off campus.

Questions or problems? Contact e-resources@gustavus.edu.