U of S boosts global indigenous studies resource
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 25, 2011 2011-01-14-LIB The Library at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has made extensive progress in its Indigenous Studies Portal (iPortal), which now holds 25,000 full-text records. The iPortal provides learning and research opportunities by connecting people with specialized indigenous studies resources.
By University Communications
Joan Greyeyes, special advisor on Aboriginal initiatives, at the IPortal event Jan. 25, 2011
"Achieving the milestone of 25,000 live (full-text) records speaks to the volume of publishing that is going on in the interdisciplinary field of indigenous studies. It reflects the pride and strong commitment the university library has in supporting Aboriginal engagement: relationships, scholarship, and programs," said Ken Ladd, university library associate dean.
IPortal links to full-text indigenous-related electronic resources, including e-books, articles, theses, book reviews, websites, film and video recordings, and archival documents such as photographs, correspondence, anthropological field notes, diaries and other textual materials. A variety of content (such as in-house digitized materials) is unique to the iPortal and is not available through other means, such as the university library catalogue or searching the Internet.
The library's vision is to make iPortal the best scholarly and informative online resource in support of learners, teachers, researchers, scholars and practitioners in indigenous studies at the U of S; and by extension a leading electronic resource for scholars worldwide in Canadian indigenous studies.
"The iPortal is an affirmation that Aboriginal cultures are important and they are being recognized in the academic realm," said Ladd.
The Indigenous Studies Portal has established collaborative partnerships with the U of S Archives, Purich Publishing, the Canadian Association of Native Development Officers and Captus Press through the digitization of materials and the creation of unique content available on the iPortal. Nearly two-thirds of iPortal resources can be accessed globally on a 24/7 basis.
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For more information, contact:
Deborah Lee, iPortal Librarian and Team Leader
University of Saskatchewan Library
Tel: (306) 966-6019
Email: deborah.lee@usask.ca