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All Gale Databases are now accessed via Google SSO. 

CVUSD Libraries have transitioned access for all Gale databases from Geolocation technology to Google Single Sign-on. 

The following Gale e-resources are accessible 24/7 via Google Single Sign-on. Students and teachers can now “sign in with Google” to gain access. 

  • Gale Interactive: Science (all sites)
  • Gale in Context: Environmental Studies Database (all sites)
  • Gale in Context: Biography (CVHS only)
  • National Geographic Kids (all sites)

Site libraries have begun to transition their links to the new secure links.  Most of CVUSD libraries do not yet have an e-resource management function built into their websites, so this transition make take certain sites longer to implement than others. Thank you for your patience as our libraries modernize!

Why the change?

Authentication to Gale databases via Google Single Sign-on provides three key benefits:

1. Secure 24/7 easy access for students using their existing Google accounts. No usernames and passwords.

2. Students can download articles and push citations directly into their Google Drives and Google docs and teachers can integrate library databases into Google classroom.

3. Librarians can review usage data specific to CVUSD for assessment. Usage data is anonymized. 

Who supports these databases?

The California State Library sponsors access to the Gale Science, Environmental Science and National Geographic databases with a statewide, negotiated publisher license on behalf of all K-12 schools. The statewide license is funded by the California Department of Education (CDE.) 

CVUSD sponsors access to the Gale Biography database at CVHS. It is funded by California Lottery funds for schools. It is not available via the California State Library. 

CVHS Library now offers access to Gale in Context: Biography

Biographical research just got better for CVHS students!

Gale In Context: Biography offers authoritative reference content covering historically significant people to present-day changemakers. It is continuously updated to ensure students have access to the very latest information. 

For those who remember the (International) Dictionary of National Biography, this is the database has exclusive rights to that content. The editorial group for the DNB continues to research and create entries in this contemporary e-resource. 

Access

Students, teachers and staff can access the database through the Library's Database A-Z List. Access is now offered via Google Single Sign-on (SSO). 

Navigation: Databases A-Z

Teachers, please do not bookmark library databases. Instead, guide students to access the library homepage, find the Database A-Z list and select a database. This is not only an essential media and information literacy skill that all students need to learn before college, but it is also important as libraries regularly update links to keep our users connected. The publishing and cybersecurity industries change rapidly. Providing durable digital access is a core e-resource management service that modern libraries provide their communities. Please take advantage of it!

Guide students to the Database A-Z list. 

Make an appointment with Ms. Stambaugh if you would like training or would like her to come to one of your classes.

Subject Guides

In the next few weeks, Ms. Stambaugh will update the library subject guides on the library website to integrate Gale in Context: Biography into the guides. 

Subject guides help students and teachers find the best databases available to them in their discipline.

CVUSD is adding new e-resources to support teachers and students. CVHS will gain access to several of them. 

CVHS teachers will find access to the following e-resources on the Library's Database A-Z list in the upcoming weeks:

  • JSTOR Secondary Schools Collection (CVHS sitewide)
  • Gale in Context: Biography (CVHS sitewide)
  • Oxford English Dictionary (CVHS sitewide)
  • BookCreator (CVHS, 1 license)

The following resources will become available for other sites:

  • BeanStack (4 pilot sites, TBD)
  • Pebble & Go

Ms. Stambaugh is currently working with each publisher/vendor to finalize licenses and establish 24/7 access. Whenever possible, Google Single Sign-on will be enabled. 

Once access is enabled with Google SSO, each resource will gradually be included in library subject guides and instructional offerings for all teachers and classes.

 

CVHS Library launched Athena's Cooperative Cafe in August 2024. The cooperative cafe supports teachers, students, and the environment. 

What is a cooperative cafe?

A cooperative service is one that is sustained by a community. Athena's Cooperative Cafe is sustained by CVHS students, teachers and staff for the benefit of all. Contributions in-kind (that is, non-monetary contributions) are managed by trained library student assistants as part of their service learning assignments at the library. Teachers, staff, students and parents can make contributions (see below.) Student clubs and staff can make use of the coffee grounds for gardening projects.

What is service learning?

Service learning connects academic study with community service to help students solve real world problems and learn through critical reflection. 

Athena's Cooperative Cafe provides an opportunity for students to support our teachers, staff and fellow students with a warm beverage to brighten their day! 

Certain project challenges provide learning opportunities in several areas:

  • Sustainability and Marketing: How to reduce waste by encouraging use of reusable cups? What level and pace of marketing and communications is required to effectively achieve behavioral change in a community?
  • Ecology and Environmental Science: How to reuse coffee grounds and tea bags in compost and school plantings? What ecological benefits do coffee grounds actually provide (or not)? 
  • Social service: How to portion and extend sometimes limited supplies to a community? 

Pokorny, Kym. “Used appropriately, coffee grounds improve soil and kill slugs.” Oregon State University Newsroom. 23 June 2023. [article link]

Find other articles like this in the library's Environmental Science and General research databases. 

Who are our Baristas?

Baristas are Juniors and Seniors taking the Library Assistant Course at CVHS Library. As part of the course, Library Assistants rotate assignments, including the ever-popular Barista assignment, at the library. Baristas rotate once per month. Please thank them for their work when you see them at the front desk!

Who else is learning? 

Student clubs interested in reusing the coffee grounds and tea bags to improve school gardens can partner with Athena's Cafe. Please inquire at the library front desk. This is a great opportunity for environmental science learning and sustainability practices!

Faculty and staff are also learning to interact more with our Library Assistants as vital contributors to our learning community.

How can you contribute?
Teachers, staff and students can contribute a box of tea, a bag of coarse ground coffee, or a box of pre-packaged hot chocolate mix at the front desk of the library anytime. Library Baristas will take care of restocking, apportioning supplies, preparing drinks and breaking down the cafe at the end of the day. 

Please contribute:

  • Pre-ground dark or medium roast coffee. No whole beans, as we do not, and cannot, grind coffee at the library.
  • Green or black tea bags. Individually wrapped. No loose leaf tea.
  • Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate packets, or similar. A favorite among students!

Thank you for your contributions!

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