Tuesday, October 21, 2025

UpToDate library database requires an account - a few other library databases do too

 Hi all,

Some library databases require patrons to create an account in addition to their UNCG iSpartan account.  Not just to get extra features, but to use the database in any way.  I know of two databases with with requirement for the sciences - UpToDate and SciFinder-n.  

Steve says that WGSN also requires the creation of an account to use - that's World's Global Style Network (WGSN) -- Insight and Fashion

Below are screenshots for creating accounts for  UpToDate and SciFinder-n.  With many thanks to Wade for those images!

 UpToDate - healthcare summaries for clinicians caring for patients, drug information, some patient education (written for the general public); these are not articles nor research articles; Lea has heard the most interest in this database from nursing and nutrition but there's interest from other subject areas too

  • The library link (from the databases list and LibGuides) should route patrons to a page that has a button to register or create an UpToDate account
  • Once patrons have both their iSpartan account and their UpToDate account, they can use UpToDate by using the library link, also they can download the Mobile App on up to 2 devices and activate it with their UpToDate account
  • UNCG Libraries has paid for UpToDate until May 2028 - unknown whether it will be possible to fund access after that
1. Find UpToDate in the databases list



2. On the landing page, choose Register to start the process of creating a free UpToDate account




3. Another page - click Register to create an account



If you scroll down, there's an option to "merge accounts" - this is for people coming from another institution who had an UpToDate account there

4. Provide information, get verification code






SciFinder-n -chemical information database that allows researchers to search for substances, reactions, and references using keywords, CAS Registry Numbers, chemical structures, or biosequences

1. Find SciFinder-n in the databases list



2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Thanks!
Lea




Monday, October 20, 2025

AWS Outage - affects lots of things like Canvas and certain databases

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Global Issues

Amazon Web Services is having issues on a global scale. This has the potential to impact many of our services - both that are hosted on AWS and ones that are dependent on services hosted on AWS. People have noticed that this is impacting Canvas, preventing students from accessing assignments, and causing faculty/staff to be unable to complete required training.

Please see below for more information:

https://health.aws.amazon.com/health/status

View the overall status and health of AWS services using the AWS Health Dashboard.

 

Thursday, September 18, 2025

AI research guide for business students (and beyond)

Steve has created a guide for his business students, and though it isn't a general purpose guide, it could be useful for any other student looking for resource info related to AI.

https://uncg.libguides.com/AI-business-research/home

Monday, September 15, 2025

Kanopy titles not usually searchable in the catalog

You may have noticed that even though we have many many films available streaming through Kanopy - they typically do not show up in the catalog when you search. This is due to the nature of the Kanopy subscription we have (though I don't really understand the details myself!).

So, if you're ever searching for a streaming film title for someone, don't give up if you can't find it in the catalog. Check in Kanopy itself (through our databases page, of course) or check out many of our other sources in the Steaming Media Libguide.

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Building-Only Collection Catalog Search

https://library.uncg.edu/on-campus-search

This link (added to the Links A-Z section of The Dashboard) can be used to search for books assigned to shelved in Jackson Library Lobby, adjacent rooms, and in Ferguson Storage.

The links includes books that are checked out but does not included the many many thousands of books that are currently boxed up and inaccessible during Phase 1 of the renovation.