OSLIS FAQ

 
About Citation Maker

Q: How can I access/where can I find the Citation Maker?

Here are the links to the OSLIS MLA and APA Citation Makers:
MLA Elementary Citation Maker: http://elementary.oslis.org/cite-sources

MLA Secondary Citation Maker: http://secondary.oslis.org/cite-sources

APA Secondary Citation Maker: http://secondary.oslis.org/cite-sources

Q: I have difficulties getting the pop-up window to show my saved citations.

In order to create and save your citations, follow these steps:

- Enter your citation elements in the Citation Maker form

- Click on "Create Citation"

- Click "Copy All" and follow the instructions in the message box

- If the new 'Reference' window still doesn't appear on the screen, try one of the following:

1. Select your citation and copy-paste it into your document.

OR

2. Enable the pop-ups on your Web browser only for the OSLIS site.

OR

3. Enable the pop-ups on your Google Toolbar only for the OSLIS site by clicking on the # Blocked  button.

Q: When I click 'Save' in the Citation Maker I get an empty window/page that pops up. I cannot see my citations.

Please make sure you click 'Create Citation'. Your citations will appear on the bottom of your screen.

Then click on 'Copy All'. You will get 2 options to save your citations. Follow the instructions carefully.

Q: I have used the OSLIS Citation Maker a lot in the past. However, now it doesn't work.

You are probably trying to access the old citation maker, through a bookmark/favorite or a forwarded link. OSLIS has an updated Citation Maker.  Please access it at the links below:

MLA Elementary Citation Maker: http://elementary.oslis.org/cite-sources

MLA Secondary Citation Maker: http://secondary.oslis.org/cite-sources

APA Secondary Citation Maker: http://secondary.oslis.org/cite-sources

Q: May I have permission to include your links for MLA and APA citation makers on my website?

The OSLIS website and its resources were created for the use of Oregon K-12 students and teachers.  Being a public website, with no authentication required, everybody can use the site and the resources provided, so you can make the links available on your website. The links to the subscription databases are only for students in Oregon.

Please make sure you cite the OSLIS website as the source. Also, please read our brief statement on the Site Usage Policy page.

About Gale

Q: I frequently can't get past the database list and into an actual Gale database.  I get an Internet Explorer error message.

Gale is a database service which provides subscribers with password-protected access to various databases. OSLIS only provides the links to the Gale login screen.

When you experience this problem, it is a Gale technical issue.  First, try using Firefox.  If that is not an option, click on Open This Resource in a New Window before searching the database.  Finally, if you are still having problems, contact Gale technical support.

Q: We are having trouble with the Gale portion of the OSLIS website.

See the answer above.

  Q: I need to obtain our user name and password for the Gale databases.

Please contact Jennifer Maurer at the Oregon State Library directly with this request.  If your school has not been assigned a user name, download the remote access to databases form and mail it in to the State Library.

The subscription databases are only available to Oregon students and educators.

Q: May I have permission to include your website link on our webpage?

A: For detailed information, please refer to the Site Usage Policy page.

About Using the OSLIS Site

Q: When I have more than a few students working on the OSLIS website, the site slows down.

There are various reasons why the OSLIS website could be slow (computer has many applications/web windows open, the network of computers is heavily used at the time, the Internet connection is slow, etc.) Please contact your local IT person/District Media Specialist (related to local network configuration and Internet connection speed).

If you get a message like Cannot Access Website or Page Not Found , please contact the OSLIS webmaster as soon as possible.

Q: Could you add/update my contact information for OSLIST, the OSLIS listserv?

A: Please contact Jennifer Maurer at the Oregon State Library directly with this request.

Q: Do I need a user name and password for accessing OSLIS?

The OSLIS website was created for use by Oregon K-12 students and teachers. As a public website with no authentication required, everybody can use the site and most of its resources. However, a user name and password are required for remote access to the subscription databases, which means accessing them outside of school. Contact your school librarian for this information.  Oregon users also have the option of creating a My Stuff account for storing work related to research.  During the registration process, the user picks a user name and password that he must remember for future access.  That login information is not related to the Gale user name and password. 

Please make sure you cite the OSLIS website as the source of your resources. Also, please read our brief statement on the Site Usage Policy page.

Q: Please let me know how our school can join OSLIS and what the fee is.

There is no cost to use OSLIS, and there is nothing to join.  OSLIS information literacy lessons and Citation Maker are accessible by any user from anywhere, but the subscription databases are limited to use by Oregon residents.  Oregon students and teachers should have instant access to these databases from school computers and can gain remote access by entering a user name and password.

Librarians or personnel in charge of the school library should complete the remote access to databases form to receive a user name and password enabling remote or home access to the databases.  Oregon students can get the remote access user name and password from library staff. 

To recieve announcements about changes to OSLIS and tips for using it, sign up for the listserv, OSLIST.  http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/oslist

OSLIS is supported with funds from the Oregon State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act, State Administered Program, P.L. 104-208, and the Oregon Department of Education.

Q: How can I access the subscription databases on the OSLIS website?