[This is the first page of a project to start discussion of ways that Web sources and HTML can help us with online reference.  A succeeding page has additional explanation and comment.  In an actual working "MSOLAR" system a library user would read only what follows, below the line: click here to jump to what the first screen would look like.  The initial page in a working system should be short (so that it loads rapidly), just long enough to identify itself and pass the user along to the system itself or to some explanatory text.]

[Since this page was created, the reference units in the MSU Main Library have moved: some specific book locations on these pages may be incorrect, since there has not yet been time to reconstruct the whole system of pages.]

MSOLAR stands for "Michigan State On-Line Assistant for Reference."  Briefly, MSOLAR is a set of HTML-based Web pages that offers limited suggestions about using library and Web-based reference tools. Such a system would be available even if the library is closed, or you are not able to visit the library in person.

Try MSOLAR in its test version.

Read a longer explanation about the project.

You can send e-mail comments or suggestions to the library if you wish: your input can improve MSOLAR. What worked or didn't work? What questions did the system fail to answer? What new Web tools could be added?  Thank you!

This page written 13 November 1996; updated 7 January 1998; last modified 28 August 2003 to reflect minor changes in email addresses, not changes in content. NB: while the structure remains in place, I have not systematically updated links to sources.

URL=http://www.lib.msu.edu/sowards/msolar/ms001.htm