Forest Library Now Operates “Without Walls”

Forest faculty, staff and current students can now use the newly-installed proxy server to access restricted, licensed electronic resources from computers that are located off-campus. The installation of the proxy server was timed to coincide with the launch of the Library's new website (as part of Forest's website launch) in October in order to minimize the number of new technology changes for students. The Library's goal was to operate “without walls”, which means maximizing access to the Library's resources while minimizing the need to be physically present to get what is needed.

These resources available include electronic journals, books, bibliographic databases and other web-based resources that are accessible from the Library's website at http://www.forest.edu/library/. As Forest's usage agreements for these licensed resources require that access be limited to only current users affiliated with Forest, the proxy server aids the Library with authentication using network user names and passwords with which current students and faculty members are already familiar.

At last Fall's convocation, Joe Frazier, Vice President of Finance & Administration, emphasized Forest's strategic commitment to the Library and to Information Technology (IT). The Library plays a pivotal role as a research partner to support students in their academic endeavors as they pursue their degree programs.

Over the past year, the Library has concentrated on improving its collection of electronic resources as to provide the most research value to students. In addition, the Library has worked in conjunction with IT to provide enhanced access to those resources.

The Library website provides greater visibility of databases – licensed and publicly available – in disciplines of interest by using newly organized alphabetical, subject and vendor indexes. Links are also provided to relevant database user guides and tutorials.

These initiatives are designed to expand faculty and student access to our electronic collections and make it more convenient to perform research especially during those times when the library is not open.

As always, our alumni are encouraged to visit the Library when they are in the area. Other resources include local academic libraries which subscribe to psychology databases like PsycINFO that would allow you to search their library databases onsite. The American Psychological Association (APA) also offers short-term access to its database content for a fee as well as annual subscriptions (depending on whether you are an APA member or non-member). Please see http://www.apa.org/databases/access/individuals.html for more information.

We encourage any feedback. Please use our website to contact the library http://www.forest.edu/lib-about-the-library.aspx#ContactUS.