Winterfest kicked off this week at UAA! Winterfest features lots of different activities on campus and around Anchorage – and it has us thinking more about the winter celebrations in Alaska – over the next week we’ll highlight a few of them!

For those who live in Anchorage, Fur Rondy might be the most familiar. In 1935, Vern Johnson and friends started the first ever Fur Rendezvous (aka Fur Rondy) festival, timed to coincide with miners and trappers coming back to town with their yields. This year is the 90th celebration of Fur Rondy, and the festival has evolved in include a plethora of activities for people of all ages.

At the UAA/APU Consortium Library, we have copies of the Fur Rendezvous and Dog Mushers Annual, a book that was released each year highlighting the activities from that year’s festival. It’s a really fun peek into the history of the celebration! Check out the covers of the 1976 and 1987 copies and find these (and more!) in the Alaska Collection – call number REF ALASKA F 914.A4 F9:

You can also search for photos in the Alaska Digital Archive to get a sense for what Fur Rondy was like at different times in Anchorage’s history – like this photo of snowshoe softball in 1992, taken by Susan Winton.

Want to try out a prize-winning recipe from the 1982 baked good competition held during Fur Rondy? We have the cookbook – and Liz’s Supreme Kringler (1st Place, Division Winner, Best of Show!) looks incredible. Find it in the Alaska Collection at call number TX 715.A559 1982.

Stay tuned for more posts about winter celebrations in Alaska!

If you are writing a paper and trying to keep track of your references and citations, you have probably tried a citation tool to help. There are several different options that we highlight in our How To Guide for Citation Tools. In this post we wanted to highlight one you may not have tried yet – Zotero!

Zotero is a free to use open source program that allows you to easily save, organize, and cite your sources. It includes an application that you can download to your laptop as well as a browser plug-in called Zotero Connector.

Zotero Connector detects research and you can click it any time you find a useful source to save it – whether it’s a newspaper article or a scholarly work you found in one of the Library’s databases.

Once you save a source, you can find it in the application. There you can organize all your sources by project or topic. Zotero also integrates directly into Word and GoogleDocs so you can easily create in-text citations and a works cited/reference page.

Another perk to Zotero is that it is free to use for everyone – which means you can continue to use it after you graduate!

Find more information about Zotero in this handy Guide to Zotero or visit the Zotero website. If you need help getting started with Zotero, they provide an easy quick start guide.

Do you want to improve your knowledge and understanding of current events? Are you looking for an overview and analysis of controversial issues in the news? When faced with current   debates surrounding controversial topics, do you have all the facts? Do you just want to be better informed? The Consortium Library has valuable resources to help you learn about hot button  issues in the news.

CQ Researcher provides an overview and analysis of controversial issues in the news. Each topical report is footnoted and fact-checked, and includes a Pro/Con debate. This is a great resource to help you formulate your thoughts, opinions, and arguments.

Points of View Reference Center provides basic facts on common debate topics. Each topic provides an overview, point/counterpoint arguments, and a guide to critical analysis. If you need a new perspective, or want to understand a different point of view, these are great places to start.

Finally, look into local news coverage in the Anchorage Daily News to see how national issues affect local Anchorage residents.

If you need help or have a question don’t hesitate to reach out, you can Ask Us for assistance.

Welcome to the UAA Consortium Library! Our Information and Research Help Desk is your go-to for navigating academic resources and services. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or community member, we’re here to assist you with information and research support to enhance your academic journey. 

Information and Research Help Desk: Your First Stop for Assistance

Our Information and Research Help Desk is here to support a variety of needs. Here’s how we can help:

• Finding Scholarly Articles: Whether you’re searching for specific research papers, journal articles, or academic resources, our staff are skilled at helping you locate the right sources through our various databases and library catalog.
• Getting Help with Citations: Proper citation is crucial in academic writing. We offer assistance with various citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago, ensuring you credit your sources correctly and avoid plagiarism.
• Printing Assistance: Need to print research papers, essays, or other documents? Our staff can guide you through the printing process whether your printing at one of our machines or from your personal devices!

No matter what your academic task involves, our staff are ready to provide the support you need to complete your work or help connect you to the resources that can!

We are available in-person or online via chat, email, text, or phone at Ask Us.

Tools and Spaces to Enhance Your Studies

Our library also provides access to essential resources and spaces, including:

• Course Reserves: Access textbooks and other materials reserved for your courses.
• Laptops: Borrow a laptop for use within the library or on campus. We also have testing laptops available for those at-home proctored exams.
• Study Spaces: Find a quiet spot for focused study or group work in our designated study areas.

DIY Research Help: Empowering Your Independent Learning

For those who prefer to tackle research on their own, our Get Help with Research guide offers a wealth of resources and guides tailored to support your independent learning. Here’s a closer look at just some of what you’ll find:

• Sorting Out Your Sources: Learn how to effectively evaluate and categorize different types of sources for your research. This includes distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, understanding the difference between scholarly and popular resources, and assessing the credibility and reliability of the information.
• Understanding Literature Reviews: Discover what a literature review entails and how to conduct one. Our guides provides a plethora of information to help you get started or fine tune your Literature Reviews.
• Citation Tools and How-To Guides: Master the art of citations with our comprehensive guides on various citation styles such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. We also provide information on citation management tools that can help you organize your sources and generate accurate citations.

Explore our services today and make the most of the resources available to you. Visit us in person or online to discover how we can assist you in your academic endeavors!

The Olympic Games are a global spectacle that draws attention for their impressive athleticism, historical significance, and cultural impact. Whether you’re a die-hard fan eager to keep up with the latest events or a history buff fascinated by past Games, the Consortium Library offers plenty of resources to learn more!

Newspapers and Articles

Stay updated with the latest Olympic news through our extensive collection of newspapers and magazines. The Consortium Library subscribes to a variety of both print and digital publications. Use databases like Newsbank to access articles from major newspapers and sports magazines worldwide. If you’re interested in local Olympians such as Sagen Maddalena, Alev Kelter, and Kristen Faulkner, you can find coverage in the Anchorage Daily News and other Alaskan publications.

For a historical perspective, explore EBSCO databases like the American Antiquarian Society’s Historical Periodicals (1691-1877) or Hobbies, Socialization, and Sport Periodicals. These archives offer fascinating insights into how the Games have been reported over the years. Need assistance with these databases? Visit us at the Reference Desk for help!

Olympic Websites and Digital Archives

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) website is a goldmine for Olympic enthusiasts. It features information on current and past Games, including details about competitors and historical changes in the rules. Check out the IOC website to explore a wealth of information about the Olympics!

Academic Journals and Research Papers

For a more scholarly approach, use databases like JSTOR to find academic articles on various Olympic topics. From the economic impact of the Games to how the Olympics have been influenced by global events like World Wars or Global Pandemics. 

Books on the Olympics

The Consortium Library boasts an impressive collection of books on the Olympics. Whether you’re looking for biographies of famous athletes, detailed historical accounts of the Games, or analyses of their cultural significance, you’ll find plenty of options. Search our catalog to find the perfect book to match your interests!

Archives on Alaska’s Bid to Host

Our Archives hold a unique collection of materials related to Anchorage’s bids to host the Winter Olympics in 1992, 1994, and 1998. You can explore these fascinating documents to learn more about the city’s efforts and aspirations to bring the Winter Games to Alaska. For an overview of what’s available, check out our LibGuide.

The Consortium Library is an incredible resource for exploring the Olympics. Whether you’re researching for a paper or just indulging in your Olympic passion, our library has something for everyone. Dive in and explore all the resources we have to offer!