Library Connect News

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:04:32 PDT

Tired of wading through irrelevant 'hits' in your search results?

PC World's list of "Five slick search engines you should know about" suggests a handful of search engines well suited to specialized research:

Scirus is the go-to site for science related searches, returning hits only for web pages with scientific content.

Hunch asks the user questions to generate personalized solutions to the original query.

Exalead is a funky, user friendly alternative to Google with lots of options for search customization.

Scour combines social networking with web searching, encouraging users to offer feedback on search results.

Indeed collects job postings from industry sites and corporate job boards in one location, and makes it easy for users to narrow down their search with factors such as location and salary.

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

Why go to the library when "everything is on the internet"?

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:04:54 PDT

The answer? Expertise.

In her Library Connect 7:2 (April 2009) article, "Communicating the value of libraries and librarians: Take a leadership role in the academic enterprise," Denise Pan identifies "information seeking and knowledge management" expertise as academic libraries' defining strength in today's information saturated environment.

She argues that librarians can make a unique, valuable contribution to the academic enterprise by taking the initiative to teach comprehensive information literacy skills.

Read the full Library Connect article at: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0702/lcn070212.html

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

Considering an ROI study for your library?

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:33:45 PDT

Calculating a library's return on investment (ROI) could strengthen its economic position within an institution by determining the monetary return for each dollar, euro, or yen invested in the library.

Here are some free resources to help librarians considering an ROI study for their own libraries:

The Library Connect white paper, "University Investment in the Library: What's the Return? A Case Study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign," discusses a model based on library use, grant proposals, and grant awards to measure ROI in academic libraries. The white paper may be accessed here: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/whitepapers/0108/lcwp010801.html

An ROI calculator for medical libraries, provided by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) MidContinental Region, is available at: http://nnlm.gov/mcr/evaluation/roi.html.

In light of the increasing focus on performance evaluation, establishing an ROI can provide a powerful argument for the tangible value of library services.

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

LIS Publications Wiki can help you get going with writing for library audiences

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:07:30 PDT

The Library and Information Science (LIS) Publications wiki offers information about publications that LIS students and professionals might want to write for. The wiki covers diverse communications, ranging from scholarly journals to LIS online forums.

Editors, publishers and LIS professionals are welcome to contribute to publication profiles on the wiki. Students in Laurie Putnam's "Publishing for the Profession" classes at San Jose State University's School of Library and Information Science are building the wiki.

To participate in the wiki, create a free account and log in: http://tinyurl.com/5nay2k

Get free training! Register for ScienceDirect/Scopus intros/demos

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:15:52 PDT

Are you or your library users looking for ScienceDirect or Scopus trainings?

Sign up for these freely available, upcoming TrainingDesk sessions:

June 30: Introduction to Scopus
July 2: Introduction to ScienceDirect
July 7: ScienceDirect demonstration
July 9: Scopus demonstration
July 14: ScienceDirect demonstration
July 23: Introduction to Scopus

Get details on all the TrainingDesk's expert-led sessions this July and August: http://trainingdesk.elsevier.com/

Get advice for postgrads and researchers from Yuan Ze University's "hottest" dean

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:47:33 PDT

Tsung-Hui Liao and Wei-Je Chang were on a mission: identify and interview the "hottest" dean at Yuan Ze University, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Assisted by Scopus analysis, the two Elsevier Student Ambassadors distinguished Juang Ruey-Shin as the campus' hottest dean.

Check out their Q&A with Juang Ruey-Shin in the Library Connect Newsletter, 7:2 (April 2009) for some words of wisdom from the hottest dean.

See the interview at: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0702/lcn070211.html.

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

See TrainingDesk calendar for July and Aug. sessions

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:16:53 PDT

Susannah Megow, Elsevier's TrainingDesk manager, has just updated the TrainingDesk calendar so it now lists a good number of trainings in July and August. You might want to get the word out to your colleagues, or your students or other library users.

To see the upcoming, freely available TrainingDesk offerings:

Go to http://trainingdesk.elsevier.com/
Look in the upper right-hand corner for "Training Schedule"
Click on "See calendar"
Take a look through the pop-up Google Calendar

Upcoming TrainingDesk sessions, led by experts, include:

ScienceDirect demonstration
Introduction to ScienceDirect
Scopus demonstration
Introduction to Scopus

June 25: Get free "Introduction to Scopus" training

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:16:53 PDT

Elsevier's TrainingDesk continues to offer freely available instruction to help info pros get the most from Elsevier products.

In fact, there's still time for you to take advantage of tomorrow's TrainingDesk session:

Title: Introduction to Scopus
Date & Time: Thursday, June 25, 10–11a (Eastern Time)
Register: Here

This online course can help you, or your patrons, become more familiar with Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature and high-quality Web sources. This session gives an overview of what Scopus is and what it offers, and demonstrates how to use its tools including basic search, citation tracker, author search, affiliation search and more.

Learn more about the TrainingDesk: http://trainingdesk.elsevier.com/

SLA names Elsevier "The Most Influential Publisher of the Last 100 Years in Biomedicine and the Life Sciences"

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:19:42 PDT

The Special Library Association (SLA) awarded Elsevier the title of "Most Influential Publisher of the Last 100 Years in BioMedicine and the Life Sciences" at their Centennial conference on Tuesday, June 16th in Washington DC.

"Elsevier won as the most influential publisher of the last 100 years because time and time again it has been brave, bold, and collaborative," stated Tony Stankus, Director, BioMedical & Life Sciences Division at the Special Libraries Association.

Youngsuk "Y.S." Chi, Vice Chairman at Elsevier, accepted the honor at the June 16th award ceremony. He remarked, "While Elsevier is greatly honored to be recognized by the SLA, we see the publisher's role as that of a long term supporting actor to the researchers. They are the ones who make the discoveries that advance science and bring journals to life as authors, editors, and reviewers."

Read the full Elsevier press release: http://elsevier.com/wps/find/authored_newsitem.cws_home/companynews05_01253

Learn more about the Special Library Association (SLA): http://www.sla.org/

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

How to lobby your governing body for library funds

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:50:03 PDT

"In a word, lobbying for library funds isn't easy work for a library director at this time," says Xiaoguang Yang, the director at Beihang University Library in Beijing, China.

To read Xiaoguang's practical advice on how to lobby effectively for library funds, see his Library Connect Newsletter (7:2, April 2009) article.

Register for June 30 webcast: Optimizing the Grant-Seeking Process

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:50:03 PDT

Do you follow discussions of the current U.S. research funding landscape and challenges of the grant-seeking process? If so, then please mark your calendars for this free upcoming webcast.

Webcast Title: Optimizing the Grant-Seeking Process
Speakers: Sarah Starr, Director, Office of Funding and Research Development, Ohio State University; Daniel Calto, Director, Academic & Government Product Management, Elsevier; and Josine Stallinga, Product Manager, Science & Technology, Elsevier
Date: June 30, 2009
Time: 13:00-14:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Local Times: New York 13:00, Chicago 12:00, Denver 11:00, Los Angeles 10:00
Register: http://mediazone.brighttalk.com/event/ReedElsevier/564645fbd0-2805-intro

Along with active discussion regarding issues affecting US research funding today, the webcast will feature a look at the new SciVal Funding solution provided by Elsevier.

Come learn about the following ways SciVal Funding can maximize chances of winning awards:

Directing researchers and research administrators to opportunities with the greatest potential
Offering historical insight to help with developing strong proposals
Providing targeted funding recommendations and alerts based on prepopulated research profiles
Helping identify potential collaborators and competitors

Learn more about the webcast: http://mediazone.brighttalk.com/event/ReedElsevier/564645fbd0-2805-intro

Learn more about SciVal Funding: www.info.funding.scival.com

Read what James Weyhenmeyer, PhD, senior vice provost for research at the State University of New York, has to say about funding challenges facing US researchers: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0701/lcn070112.html

Calling all 2009 Elsevier Foundation grant applications; Deadline is August 1

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:22:48 PDT

Are you planning on submitting a grant proposal this year to the Elsevier Foundation? Proposals are due August 1, 2009.

Funded proposals will receive US $5,000 -$50,000 per year, over 1-3 years. Awarded grants will be announced in December 2009.

You can apply for funding available through these Elsevier Foundation programs:

The Innovative Libraries in Developing Countries program helping developing-world libraries improve their ability to put STM information to work for those who need it.
The New Scholars program helping academic and research communities support early-career scholars as they balance family responsibilities with demanding careers in science, health and technology.

See more details on the foundation's grant programs: www.elsevierfoundation.org/

Elsevier/MC Strategies online courses win awards

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:57:55 PDT

Clinical eLearning courses developed by Elsevier/MC Strategies have earned 2009 Communicator Awards from the International Academy of the Visual Arts.

Winning Awards of Excellence in Interactive Media in the area of corporate training were these courses:

ReadyRN: Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness
Mosby’s Neonatal Nursing
Mosby’s Perioperative Nursing

Learn more about MC Strategies, a healthcare eLearning company: www.mcstrategies.com

Read more about Elsevier's eLearning work and offerings:

Sign up for free webcast, June 30: Building ROI through Discovery

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:51:14 PDT

Looking for insights regarding making sure your researchers connect with your library collections and making sure your institution gets a good return for its investment in your collections?

Join the discussion during the upcoming, free, Library Journal-sponsored webcast:

Title: Returning the Researcher to the Library, Part 2: Building ROI through Discovery
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 30, 2009; 12-1p EDT

Hear from these experts:

Panelist: Carol Tenopir, a professor at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Panelist: Ann Prestamo, the associate dean for collection and technology services at the Oklahoma State University Libraries
Moderator: Jane Burke, the vice president of Serials Solutions

Dr. Tenopir's comments will cover phases one and two of the Elsevier-sponsored study looking at academic institutions' return on their investments in their libraries. See the Library Connect white paper, reporting on phase one of the study: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/whitepapers/0108/lcwp010801.html

See Elsevier health science apps for iPhone and iPod touch

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:24:53 PDT

Are your medical students and faculty or health professionals hooked on mobile?

Elsevier health science products are now available for download to the iPhone and iPod touch.

With these apps, you can review anatomical structures with Netter's Flash Cards, learn medical terminology with Mosby's iTerms Flash Cards, prepare for exams with Saunder's Q&A Review for the NCLEX-RN Exam, and more.

See a more complete list of Elsevier health science products ready for the iPhone and iPod touch: www.us.elsevierhealth.com/applications

Research smarter, better, faster, stronger with NextBio and ScienceDirect

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:47:59 PDT

Elsevier is now collaborating with NextBio to enhance ScienceDirect content. The partnership will supplement ScienceDirect peer-reviewed literature with publicly available research data from PubMed, clinical trials, experimental data, and news articles, on a single platform.

Researchers are already looking forward to the additional utility the NextBio initiative will provide. Dr. Baback Gharizadeh at Stanford University stated, "We are excited about ScienceDirect leveraging NextBio’s technology.” It will “provide the next logical step in exploiting published studies."

This content will become available on ScienceDirect to subscribers in the summer of 2009.

Read the full Elsevier press release: http://elsevier.com/wps/find/authored_newsitem.cws_home/companynews05_01249

Learn more about ScienceDirect: http://info.sciencedirect.com/

Learn more about NextBio: http://www.nextbio.com/

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

Tetrahedron Symposium's virtual conference brings renowned organic chemists to your desk top

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:37:38 PDT

The 10th Tetrahedron Symposium, happening in Paris, June 24-26, 2009, is sold out.

However, thanks to the first-ever Tetrahedron Virtual Conference, you or your faculty or researchers can still benefit from the symposium. Both the symposium and its associated virtual conference will address a range of organic chemistry topics.

Learn more about the symposium and virtual conference:
www.tetrahedron-symposium.elsevier.com

Learn more about the journal Tetrahedron Letters, now in its 50th year of publication and continuing to serve as an international journal providing rapid publication of preliminary communications in organic chemistry:
www.elsevier.com/locate/tetlet

See Tetrahedron Letters on ScienceDirect:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00404039

Meet Toni Carbo, editor of "International Information and Library Review"

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:34:37 PDT

The Elsevier journal International Information and Library Review offers articles on research and development in international and comparative librarianship, information sciences, information policy and information ethics, digital values and digital libraries.

Toni Carbo, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, serves as editor of International Information and Library Review.

To hear Toni's thoughts about her work as IILR editor and about the field of international information, read her interview now on Elsevier.com: www.elsevier.com/wps/find/editorshome.editors/carbo

To learn more about the journal, including its most cited and downloaded articles, visit:
www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.editors/622845/description#description

See Facebook page for Elsevier's Asia Pacific medical community

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:57:55 PDT

Looking for news re: Elsevier medical resources?

Check out the Facebook page for Elsevier's Asia Pacific community for medical students, researchers and professionals.

See the page, in English, at www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Medical-Central/20714451922?ref=ts.

2009 ASEE ELD award goes to Thomas Conkling and John Meier's Journal of Academic Librarianship article

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:37:22 PDT

The article "Google Scholar’s Coverage of the Engineering Literature: An Empirical Study" by Engineering Library Head Thomas Conkling and Science Librarian John Meier has won an award.

Published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship (Volume 34, Issue 3, May 2008, Pages 196-201 ) in 2008, the article is available on ScienceDirect.

The article was selected as the winner of the American Society for Engineering Education/Engineering Library Division (ASEE ELD) Best Publication Award for 2009.

The award presentation is occurring at the ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition in Austin, Texas, June 14-17.

See more about the ASEE Annual Conference: www.asee.org/conferences/annual/2009/index.cfm

See more about the Journal of Academic Librarianship:
www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.librarians/620207/description#description

See more Elsevier LIS news:
www.elsevier.com/wps/find/S06_347.cws_home/main

Learn how to communicate the value of library services

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:39:37 PDT

In today's economic climate of recession and budget cuts, librarians are under increasing pressure to defend their library's portion of funds. How can librarians convey the worth of their institutions' library services?

Jack M. Maness, associate director of the Engineering Library at the University of Colorado at Boulder, advocates one practical approach in his Library Connect Newsletter, 7:2 (April 2009) article "Academic libraries save researchers time and money."

Maness writes, "I try to communicate the value of the library in these two ways: time and money... As long as academic libraries do this, they will not only provide value, they will be valued."

Read Maness' LCN article at: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0702/lcn070210.html

~Posted by Jessica Meindertsma, Library Marketing Intern, Elsevier, San Diego

ProSPER.Net-Scopus Young Scientist Award finalists are ...

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:36:28 PDT

Outstanding young scientists and researchers in the Asia-Pacific region have been chosen as finalists in the first annual ProSPER.Net-Scopus Young Scientist Award. ProSPER.Net stands for the Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research.

Here are the finalists, who've made significant contributions to scholarship and research in the following categories:

Business: Kee-hung Lai, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Wonglimpiyarat Jarunee, National Innovation Agency, Ministry of Science and Technology; Ming Yu Cheng, Multimedia University.
Engineering and Technology: Chi-Chang Hu, National Tsing Hua University; Nam-Trung Nguyen, Nanyang Technological University; Ahmed Yousuf Saber, The University of Asia Pacific; Parag Ratnakar Gogate, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai; Jiangyong Hu, National University of Singapore; Fan Honjin, Nanyang Technological University.
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Ian Charles Anderson, University of Western Sydney; Cheng-I Hsieh, National Taiwan University; Chi-Fai Chau, National Chung Hsing University; Irwandi Jaswir, International Islamic University Malaysia; Woranan Nakbanpote, Mahasarakham University; Satoshi Shimano, Miyagi University of Education.

Scopus, Elsevier’s abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, helped determine the finalists. Learn more about Scopus: http://info.scopus.com

Learn more about the award: www.elsevier.com/wps/find/authored_newsitem.cws_home/companynews05_01232

Learn more about ProSPER.Net: www.ias.unu.edu/sub_page.aspx?catID=108&ddlID=697

Syngress offers online training for IT pros

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:10:39 PDT

Many libraries employ IT specialists, and many library and IT departments have merged. So, librarians may want to know about IT-focused online training resources and certification offered by Syngress at www.syngresscertification.com/.

Syngress books, published by Elsevier, have provided content for the Syngress site. Syngress publishes P and E reference materials for information technology professionals. Distributed through Europe, Asia, the US and Canada, Syngress titles have been translated into over 20 languages. Learn about the range of available Syngress products by visiting www.elsevierdirect.com.

Want to read more about Elsevier eLearning initiatives supporting professionals as they gain skill enhancement and career advancement?

See these two articles, both published in the Library Connect Newsletter, 6:3 (July 2008):

"How eLearning is helping transform Elsevier" by Joanna Wiles, http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0603/lcn060306.html
"Talking with a society representative about developing eLearning products," http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0603/lcn060307.html

What's No. 1 website every scientist should know about?

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:37:38 PDT

Scopus, according to Examiner.com, tops the list of "20 great websites that every scientist, engineering, or geek-at-heart ought to know about."

Read the Examiner.com article.

Learn more about Scopus: http://info.scopus.com

Looking for design features to create a library for the ages?

libraryconnect@elsevier.com (Elsevier Library Connect) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:39:37 PDT

In his Library Connect Newsletter, 7:2 (April 2009), article "When times are tough, people need libraries more than ever," California State University, Fresno, Associate Dean David Tyckoson states that the university wanted a library building "that would grow and evolve over time."

But what design features can help create a library for the ages?

Alongside that article, David gives a list of features including building for people, not materials; making technology ubiquitous; and providing a variety of user spaces.

See the David's entire list of design features useful in creating a library for the ages: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/lcn/0702/lcn070208.html