Summer is over, even though it doesn't feel like it as I write this.  (33 degrees- relative humidity 44 ). It's been a great summer but we are looking forward to the Fall term.  Welcome to all new business students and welcome back to all returning students.

Let me tell you what's new or changed. 

Library Workstation Access  AcadLabs is gone and has been replaced by FAS (File Access Service).  You will need to activate your FAS account in order to use the library workstations.  Go to http://mms.yorku.ca to do this.  We have changed the resolution on our workstations so documents in MS Office will display better and you can view multiple screens more easily.

Group Study Rooms The walls in the group study rooms have been painted.  We got a third projector for use in the group study rooms.  We are now booking Bloomberg online via the group study room booking page.

New Databases Added  We have added Sustainalytics (aka Jantzi Social Index) a terrific resource if you are looking for corporate governance information.  This databases rates Canadian and US companies on their environmental, social and governance performance.  About 1500 companies are included in the database.  Issues included are aboriginal relations, community involvement, corporate governance, employee relations, environment and human rights.

The second database is SimplyMap.  Marketing students and some 601 project teams, will find this database of particular interest.  This is a web-based mapping database that lets users easily create professional looking thematic maps using  Canadian demographic (Statistics Canada), business and economic (Environics) data.

Some of the interfaces for existing websites have changed dramatically, e.g. Mergent, so don't hesitate to ask our experienced librarians for help in using them.

And last but not least is the York University Libraries homepage  has been redesigned and our VuFind search engine is improved.  The relevancy ranking is much better now so you can input titles of books, periodicals and/or databases in the basic search box and retrieve the relevant item.  We have also introduced an advanced search function which allows you more scope in searching for items in our print and electronic collections.

Drop by our offices or reference and circulation desks to get help or just to say hello.  We practice an open door policy so feel free to come into any open office.  We are always happy to meet our students in person.  However, if you want to get help online you can use our IM chat service, available either from our Bronfman Business Library homepage or click here if you use an IM client

If you have any suggestions about article topics you would like to read on this blog please email me  watson@yorku.ca