Monday, January 7, 2019

Federal Government Shutdown - Potential Workarounds for Information Sources (Updated 1-18-19)


Since the Federal government shutdown began on December 22, 2018, most major agency websites are still available. However, most sites will not be updated.

Since some online resources may be affected.  Please monitor this list for potential workarounds.  If the resources listed below do not provide the information that you need,, please contact Lisa Hartman, Reference Librarian & Government DocumentsCoordinator (lahartman@frostburg.edu, 301-687-4734), or the reference desk (libref@frostburg.edu, 301-687-4424), for potential alternative sources.

This post will be updated as new information becomes available.

Selected non-government sources of Federal information:


1/9/19 Update: This article lists some of the data that will not be available during the shutdown: 
The Data Casualties of the Federal Government Shutdown (Pew Research Center).

1/16/19 Update:

Federal agency websites unavailable due to shutdown: 


  • Department of Commerce: 
    • NOAA Divisions: 




1/17/19 Update - North Dakota State University libraries have compiled a list of sites and their operating status. This also includes to links and information about the shutdown: https://library.ndsu.edu/guides/government-shutdown-2019 

1/19/18 Update - Many websites, while originally remaining functional at the beginning of the shutdown are becoming inaccessible due to expired security certificates. This article describes the issue as well as lists sites with expired certificates and certificates which will soon expire.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Intersession 2019 Library Hours

The library will operate under the following schedule for the January 2019 Intersession:

Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The library will remain closed on weekends.

The library will close for the winter recess beginning Friday, December 21, 2018 and will reopen Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Library hours are posted on the hours page of the library website: http://libguides.frostburg.edu/libhours.


If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk during our open hours at 301-687-4395 or by email at circulation@frostburg.edu. You can also contact the Reference Desk at 301-687-4424. Online resources remain accessible via the library’s website www.frostburg.edu/library, and online chat reference and research help is available 24/7 through Ask Us Now even when the library is closed.


More information about the library’s study spaces, collections, and policies can be found on our website www.frostburg.edu/library and our full Library Code of Conduct is available here: http://libguides.frostburg.edu/circulation/conduct.


On behalf of the library, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!


Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Reminder: Support for Research Port Ending December 31, 2018

Support for the Ort Library’s Research Port database service will be ending December 31, 2018.

All of the Library's current online database and journal subscriptions will continue to be available to students, faculty and staff after December 31.  Please use the following options to access the Library’s online resources:
Please update any course materials and/or links that reference Research Port.  Please use the links above or the instructions for linking to various library online resources located on the Library Services for Faculty web page at https://www.frostburg.edu/lewis-ort-library/userserv/faculty-services/. 

Please feel free to contact the Library at 301-687-4424 or libref@frostburg.edu if you have any questions or need assistance.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

New Library Displays for December 2018

The Lewis J. Ort Library is pleased to present 4 new displays for December 2018.

The first display, located on the 3rd floor, is a celebration of the publication of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens in December 1843. This book has been adapted into many movies, plays, and musicals.

The second display, located on the 3rd floor, celebrates the first crossword puzzle published on December 21, 1913. There are examples of different crossword puzzle books in the display as well as three puzzles that you can take to work on yourself.

The third display, located on the 4th floor, honors the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. The war started in April 1898. The United States gained the territories of Puerto Rico and Guam, purchased the Philippines, and Cuba became a protectorate. The display also provides examples of resources on the topic.

The fourth display, located on the 5th floor, celebrates the first airplane flight by the Wright Brothers on December 17, 1903. The display also provides examples of resources the library has on the topic.

These displays will be up through the end of December.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

End of Semester Extended Library Hours


The Lewis J. Ort Library will offer extended hours of service for the last week of classes and final exam week beginning next Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Dates and hours are listed below.

2018 Fall Library Extended Hours Schedule:

Tuesday, Dec. 4 – Thursday, Dec. 6 || 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 7 || 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8 || 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9 || 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 10 – Thursday, Dec. 13 || 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 14 || 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15 || 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16 || 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 17 || 7:30 a.m. to Midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 18 || 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 19 || 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Commencement)
Thursday, Dec. 20 || 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The library will close for the winter recess beginning Friday, December 21, 2018 and will reopen Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Library hours for the entire fall semester and winter recess are posted on the hours page of the library website: http://libguides.frostburg.edu/libhours.

If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk during our open hours at 301-687-4395 or by email at circulation@frostburg.edu. You can also contact the Reference Desk at 301-687-4424. Online resources remain accessible via the library’s website www.frostburg.edu/library, and online chat reference and research help is available 24/7 through Ask Us Now even when the library is closed.

Also, the library staff would like to remind everyone not to leave belongings unattended during this busy time, and please observe the study space and noise policies for each of the library’s four public floors:

Second Floor:   Group Study / Individual Computer Stations
Third Floor (Main Floor):   Quiet Study / Individual Computer Stations
Fourth Floor:   Individual Silent Study
Fifth Floor:   Group Study / Group Computer Stations / Group Study Rooms / Individual Study Rooms

More information about the library’s study spaces, collections, and policies can be found on our website www.frostburg.edu/library and our full Library Code of Conduct is available here: http://libguides.frostburg.edu/circulation/conduct.

On behalf of the library, we wish you all the best in finishing out the semester!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Thanksgiving Break Hours


The Lewis J. Ort Library will observe the following schedule during the Thanksgiving holiday week:

Monday, November 19, 2018  ||  7:30 a.m. to Midnight
Tuesday, November 20, 2018  ||  7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closing early)
Wednesday, November 21, 2018  ||  CLOSED
Thursday, November 22, 2018  ||  CLOSED
Friday, November 23, 2018  ||  CLOSED
Saturday, November 24, 2018  ||  CLOSED
Sunday, November 25, 2018  ||  1:00 p.m. to Midnight

The library resumes regular hours on Sunday, November 25th. Library hours for the entire fall semester are posted on the hours page of the library website: http://libguides.frostburg.edu/libhours.

If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk during our open hours at 301-687-4395 or by email at circulation@frostburg.edu. You can also contact the Reference Desk at 301-687-4424. Online resources remain accessible via the library’s website www.frostburg.edu/library, and online chat reference and research help is available 24/7 through Ask Us Now even when the library is closed.

Also, the library staff would like to remind everyone not to leave belongings unattended during this busy time, and please observe the study space and noise policies for each of the library’s four public floors:

Second Floor:   Group Study / Individual Computer Stations
Third Floor (Main Floor):   Quiet Study / Individual Computer Stations
Fourth Floor:   Individual Silent Study
Fifth Floor:   Group Study / Group Computer Stations / Group Study Rooms / Individual Study Rooms

More information about the library’s study spaces, collections, and policies can be found on our website www.frostburg.edu/library and our full Library Code of Conduct is available here: http://libguides.frostburg.edu/circulation/conduct.

We wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!


Friday, November 2, 2018

New Library Displays for November

The Lewis J. Ort Library is pleased to present 4 new displays for November 2018.

The first display, located on the 3rd floor near the main entrance, celebrates American Education Week which runs from November 12-16. American Education Week celebrates US public education. This week was first celebrated in 1921. This display highlights the history of American Education Week and some resources the library has on public education.

The second display, located on the 3rd floor near the Library Instruction Center, honors Fibonacci Day, held November 23rd of each year. This display highlights that the sequence can be found in nature, information on Fibonacci, and some of the resources that the library offers on the topic.

The third display, located on the 4th floor, highlights the founding of the European Union in November 1993. Several countries had been working together in a "union" since shortly after the end of World War II. The display highlights the history of the European Union and some of the resources the library offers on the topic.

The fourth display, located on the 4th floor, commemorates Kristallnacht ("The Night of Broken Glass") that occurred on November 9-10, 1938 in Germany, Austria, and Sudetenland. It was organized by the Nazi Party and the Hitler Youth. During these 2 days, synagogues and businesses owned by Jewish members of the community were looted and destroyed. This display highlights the history of Kristallnacht and some of the resources the library offers on this topic.