News from the library

Collection Specialist
This October Mark Bruyneel (LinkedIn) has started as the new collection specialist for the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. In this capacity he succeeds Mrs. Montserrat Prats Lopez. Mark also works at the Data Center where the support of databases (like Datastream, Compustat,etc.) has been arranged. At the Data Center he works together with Rick Vermunt (LinkedIn).
I you have any questions about economics literature, (e)books or literature databases you can contact Mark Bruyneel. If you have questions about databases like Datastream, you can contact the Data Center.

Compustat and units
The past year there have been many questions from students about the data you get from databases like Compustat. Information on the presentation of the data in a download can be found on the following blog: On Financial Databases.

Database changes
There have been some changes in the websites/interfaces for two database: Passport GMID and Datastream. You can find some information on these changes at the following blog: Researchfinancial.

Nobel Economics Prize 2012

The Nobel prize for the field of Economics has been awarded to Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley "for the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design". The two American economists won the Nobel Prize in economics Monday for their research into how to match different actors in given markets, such as job seekers with employers and patients with donated kidneys (WSJ). Below you find two links to publications of both that are available online or in print at the Vrije Universiteit for both scientists:

• Alvin Roth - Publications (Wikipedia)

• Lloyd Shapley - Publications (Wikipedia).

Data Center opening hours 10-12 October

The opening hours of the Data Center helpdesk will deviate from the usual opening hours on Thursday 11 October and Friday 12 October. Overview for the week:

• Wednesday 10 October: between 13:00 pm and 1600 pm
• Thursday 11 October: from 13:00 pm to 15:00 pm
• Friday 12 October: between 13:00 and 16:00 pm.

The data Center team.

Data Center news

1) FactSet Trial (WRDS)
Through the WRDS platform we have temporary trial access to a limited data range for 100 of the largest global companies in FactSet. The trial only includes Fundamentals and Ownership data. The trial period is: September 18 - October 18, 2012. Background information is available on the FacSet website:

• Fundamentals
• Ownership
• Full FactSet database range.

The WRDS portal is available through the library website.

2) Helpdesk
The Data Center helpdesk is closed on Wednesday 26 September. On Friday 28 September the Helpdesk will be open longer than usual: from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Opening hours on Thursday remain the same. To summarize:

• Wednesday 26 September: Helpdesk closed
• Thursday 27 September & Friday 28 September: Helpdesk open from 1:00 pm to 16:00 pm.

The Data Center team.

Summer opening hours Data Center

Due to the holidays the opening hours of the Data Center helpdesk from Monday July 16th to August 31st will be:

* Wednesdays 13.00 - 15.00 hr

* Thursdays 13.00 - 15.00 hr

The library opening hours are: 13.00 - 17.00 hr. More information is also available on the library website.

You can always contact us by sending an email to: datacentrum.ub @ vu.nl

The Data Center Team

Macro-economic data & OECD iLibrary

The library of the Vrije Universiteit offers access to much Macro-economic data through the OECD iLibrary. This database contains publications and datasets released by OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), International Energy Agency (IEA), Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), OECD Development Centre, PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), and International Transport Forum (ITF). The OECD iLibrary is a global knowledge base for OECD's data and analysis. It contains all books and papers published since 1998 - as well as a vast collection of statistics, with data going back to the early 1960s and more than 80 countries are covered. Users can search and click directly to chapters, articles, books, tables, databases, etc.

Some background information is available on Youtube:



Access to the OECD iLibrary is available at the Vrije Universiteit.

The Data Center Team

New Database Audit Analytics

By high demand Data Center is happy to announce as from today database Audit Analytics has become available for students and employees VU.

The database provides detailed audit information on over 1,200 accounting firms on 15,000 publicly registered companies. These companies are all registered at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The database contains auditing details and fees paid for specific services provided by the auditors.

Audit Analytics can be used through the Wharton Portal. (click here)

Help and support is available in the Data Center course in Blackboard. For questions about access and help using the database, please contact the Data Center.