JOMC LIBRARY FAQs: 1995-95

Barbara Semonche, MLS UNC-CH SILS 1976, is the director. She reports to Dean Richard Cole. For more information about the JOMC Library, its director, its collections, services and history, including pictures and maps, check this site: McPherson Journalism Library

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THIS LIBRARY?

To actively support the educational and research responsibilities of this School's faculty and students. To accomplish that goal, the librarian acquires appropriate materials in print and electronic formats and provides confenient access to those materials. Semonche serves as a teacher, researcher, archivist and Internet coach to students, faculty and staff.

WHO OFFERS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE JOMC LIBRARY?

The Journalism Foundation is the financial supporter of the library's collections and services. This library is not a branch of the UNC-CH libraries.

WHO ARE THE LIBRARY'S CLIENTS?

First and foremost, the students and faculty of this School. Next, the School's alumni followed by the citizens of North Carolina and the mass communication professionals in the US and throughout the world.

WHAT IS THE SEATING CAPACITY OF THE LIBRARY?
There is table space for 27 students plus eight more at the computers in Howell Hall. With approximately 650 students and 35 faculty (who also use the library), space is at a premium and the library is often crowded. Frequently there are lines for access to computers, the photocopier, reserved readings and the librarian's attention, but courtesy, patience, and hope for larger quarters, prevail.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTION? ANY DATABASES?

• Approximately 5,000 books on such subjects as: media law, advertising, public relations, global journalism, writing and editing, mass comm theory, photojournalism, graphic design, broadcasting, polling, computer-assisted research and reporting, online search strategies, and journalism history.
  
• Subscriptions to commercial online databases: Nexis/Lexis, DataTimes, Dialog and NandO.Net.
  
• Network access to the rich resources of the UNC-CH Online Data Network, including CARL UnCover, Academic Index, Business Index, Health ASAP, US Government Documents, ERIC and Newspaper Abstracts.
  
• Subscriptions to nearly 220 serials and scholarly journals plus over 50 North Carolina newspapers. This library keeps about two-three weeks of the current newspaper issues. Back issues of North Carolina newspapers are available on microfilm in Wilson Library on the UNC-CH campus. Back issues of journals are bound and shelved in the JOMC Library.
  
• Over 500 JOMC student dissertations, theses and honor's essays cataloged and indexed.
  
• The Spearman Collection of over 400 volumes of works published by JOMC faculty and alumni.
  
• Over 150 videocassettes and slides on mass communication topics.

• Eight computers (two Macs, six PCs) most of which are connected to UNC's network offering access to the UNC-CH library collections. Five of the computers have printers (three are laser; two are dot matrix). The computers are supplied with such software as Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Excel, Netscape, Mosaic, and certain specialized spelling and grammar programs.
  
• Photocopier, videocassette player, slide projector, tape player and a lightbox for slides.
  
• Other labs in the School offer student access to television editing, photojournalism and radio broadcast studios.

All materials in the library are on reserve; they cannot be checked out. If you need reserved materials for use outside the library, consult with the librarian about making special arrangements.

WHERE CAN I LOCATE THE SCHOOL'S DISSERTATIONS, THESES AND HONORS ESSAYS?

Students' graduate research papers are located in the stacks area of the library. We have over 440 of them . Check bookshelves #44 and #45. The research papers are arranged in groups (dissertations, MA. theses, and honors essays) and then by authors' last names. For subject access request the librarian to search the Student Papers Database which is in the cataloging area of the library. There is a thesaurus of subject terms complete with see and see also references. Searches can be done on type of paper, advisor, AEJMC code and other relevant parts of the database records. The student papers may not be checked out; they are for library use only. Copies of these papers are also in Davis Library and Wilson Library. These libraries also have a no-circulating policy of dissertations and theses.

WHAT ARE THESE LIBRARY "PATHFINDERS" I KEEP HEARING ABOUT?

These pathfinders are guides to doing research in several area of mass communication. They are designed to assist students complete reference assignments and research projects. Typically they cover sources and strategies for finding data and information appropriate to their topics in both print and electronic formats. These guides also offer policies and procedures for local and remote access (email, ftp and WWW), academic and government online databases, commercial online databases, as well as printing/capturing data to disk. Topics covered include: Local Newspapers Online, Tracking Biographical Information, Media Law Research, Global Journalism, Advertising and Marketing, Public Relations Research, Advanced Reporting, and Polling Resources. Other topics are in progress and will be noted later. These pathfinders are available to JOMC students and faculty in the library.

IS PHOTOCOPYING PERMITTED IN THE LIBRARY? HOW ABOUT FOOD? DRINK?

Photocopying? Yes. Food and drink? No. The librarian does keep on hand a plentiful supply of hard candies for students faint with hunger. To photocopy, you must use your UNC-CH One Card; the photocopier does not accept coins or bills. Students obtain cards at Davis Library or Student Stores.

DOES THE LIBRARY RECYCLE ITS OLD NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES?

Yes to both questions.
However, keep in mind that back issues of several North Carolina newspapers are microfilmed and available in Wilson Library, the North Carolina Collection. Microfilmed editions of a fair number of U.S. and foreign papers are available in Davis Library.
Subject access to selected newspapers can be found in printed indexes, on CD-ROMs as well as in online full-text databases which are available through Davis Library, the Undergraduate Library and Wilson Library. Consult with the librarian regarding subject access for specific newspaper titles.
Be advised that back issues of our library's scholarly mass communication journals and professional trade publications are bound and shelved in the JoMC library.

WHAT ARE THE JOMC LIBRARY HOURS?

During the Fall and Spring semesters the library is staffed during these hours:

• Mondays through Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Saturdays closed
• Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Holiday and Summer Session schedules will be posted. Typically there will be no evening or weekend library hours during these periods.

DOES THE LIBRARY HAVE INTERNSHIP AND ASSISTANTSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS?

Yes, the library does have such openings. These jobs are part-time (6-10 hours per week) and pay about $5/hour. The primary responsibilities are to staff the library on evenings and weekends, direct students to reserve materials and keep the computer labs open. If interested, contact the JOMC library director.

DO STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE OR FAX IN THE LIBRARY?

Sorry, no. However, local calls can be made on the wall phone in the basement. For long distance or international calls, e.g., Durham, NC or Cairo, Egypt, nearby Davie Hall has a public pay phone.

I'VE LOST MY (GLASSES, BOOK, WALLET, COPY CARD, KEYS, MOTORCYCLE HELMET, ETC.) WHERE IS THIS BUILDING'S "LOST AND FOUND" DEPARTMENT?

The library keeps a locked cabinet with students' missing items. Not every lost is turned into the library for safe keeping, but many such items are. We're happy to check for you. Be advised that it is good policy to mark your items with your name for easier return.

WHAT SERVICES CAN STUDENTS EXPECT FROM THE JOMC LIBRARIAN?

• Instruction in research strategies, specifically in creating bibliographies or literature reviews.
• Demonstration in using Nexis/Lexis, Dialog and other online databases for researching advertising, PR and other projects.
• Coaching in email, Internet and WWW skills, including how to create home pages on the web.
• Tour director of the JOMC library and its special collections.
• Help in solving computer/disk/printer problems.
• Advise and counsel in selecting appropriate sources for individual and group class projects.
• Contact person for access to special collections in UNC-CH campus libraries.
• Guide to sources for finding jobs and internships via print and online sources.

• Selecting textbook materials for classes.
• Serving as a team teacher.
• Preparing instructional handouts. (Pathfinders)
• Locating specialized research materials off campus.
• Assisting in research projects.
• Coaching students and faculty in online search strategies.
• Serving on faculty committees.

• Reference Assistance Via Phone, Fax Or Email.
• Consultation on special research projects.
• Speaker/demonstrator service for workshops, seminars and conferences.
• Subscription to two email lists managed by the JOMC Librarian, NewsLib and NCSLA.

It is nearly always the one we are working on now. However, a few examples stand out.Check the following recent queries of the librarian:

• "Where can I locate a 1967 copy of how the Detroit Free Press covered the riots?"
• "What is the history and origin of the term `copy editor?'"
• "How can I locate the rate of newspaper readership for the under 25 year-old age group?"
• "Who observed,`Never get into an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel.'"
• "Where can I locate the current press laws in Central Europe? In English, of course."
• "Where can I get the most comprehensive information about campus hate speech codes?"
• "What did the Carolina Polls report about recent presidential approval ratings?"
• "Is NPR online? I need to get a transcript of its recent program on Georgia's redistricting."
• "How can I get a copy of the McClatchy Corp. annual report?"
• "Do you have examples of North Carolina editorial cartoons during this century?"

New quarters in 1997! A move to Carroll Hall for the School will permit the library to expand its space from 1,100 square feet to 6,600 square feet. That translates into more room for more computers, CD-ROMs, GIS, Multimedia, image archiving as well as enlarging special collections, increasing student study/research space, and expanding our School's telecommunications speed and capacity.

A proposed MA program for news media researchers. No such program yet exists in academia for the education and training of people to staff and manage news media research centers. With the cooperation of the SILS and JOMC faculty and facilities, such a program can become a reality on this campus and prepare future news media research leaders in this country.