When I'm starting to research a topic that is new to me, I usually hope to quickly get a sense of the topic overall, answering such questions as...

• How is the field of research structured? What are the major subtopics and how do they interrelate?
• What have we learned so far, and what are the gaps in our knowledge on the topic?
• What are the major articles and books about the topic — the ones that confirmed long-suspected theories or broke new ground and that now serve as the foundations upon which new research is building?
• What are the key journals and who are the key people? That is, where should I start searching for newer information on the topic? 

These are, of course, easy questions to ask, but they are often much harder to answer!

<Read on to learn about a new solution to such simple-but-complex needs!>

I'm pleased to report that SFU researchers now have access to Part IV of the Making of the Modern World online resource. We already owned the first three parts, covering 1450-1945. This new module expands and deepens the content available from the 1800-1890 period.

​ <Read on for details about Part IV's "definitive coverage of the 'Age of Capital,' the industrial revolution, and the High Victorian Era"!>

As you may have heard, the 5th floor of WAC Bennett Library has been closed since November 2022 when asbestos-containing debris was found in the area. The university is now moving forward with an asbestos abatement project, which means that the 5th floor books will continue to be inaccessible for approximately one year. 

We are taking several steps to provide access to our 5th floor collections, including opening a requesting period for 5th floor books (April 1-30, 2023)

<Read on for all the important details!>

I'm excited to announce that more than 500 new business case studies have been added to our Sage Business Cases (SBC) database, bringing SBC's total number of cases to 5382! 

<Read on for details & samples!>

​

Earlier this week I wrote about an expansion to our archive of The Economist. I've since had a flood of questions (okay, two) about the more recent Economist issues — specifically about how to get alerted each time a new issue is available.

I'm avoiding other work right now, so I thought I'd have some fun and share the good news with you all: email alerts about new issues of The Economist are both feasible and super easy to set up!  Here's the shortest possible route...

<Read on for the 3 simple steps!>

I'm pleased to report that SFU Library has expanded its online archive of The Economist. If I were asked about must-read news publications that cross the border between the realms of business & economics, The Economist magazine would probably be near the top of the list, so more is definitely better in this case! 

<Read on for details!>