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LIBRARY BULLETINDecember 1997 NEW ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ARRIVE IN MEDICAL RESEARCH LIBRARY Introduction
The Medical Research Library of Brooklyn is no newcomer to the field of providing electronic information resources. Indeed, this library has been in the vanguard in providing access to electronic resources to its users since its move into the new Health Sciences Education Building in 1991. This should surprise no one since information and education have been, after all, the purpose of this library since 1845! Learning
Resource Center We are in the process of updating the computers in the Learning Resource Center. Through increases in computing power, memory space, and graphics capabilities, we are vastly improving services to staff and students. New computers are all configured to handle CD-ROM applications, allowing greater access for CD ROM use; some have Internet access; and most have access to the campus-wide network. We have added some new programs as well. We envision a workstation environment where applications, literature searching (OVID), the library catalog (OPAC), curricular software and Internet access can all be achieved. We have also created a new state of the art PC training room that has 10 new workstations and a teaching station. All machines have access to the Internet and the network. They also each have access to our locally mounted databases on OVID and our library catalog, as well as software such as WordPerfect 7. This room is available for booking training classes. In the future we will also be adding a Mac training room. In the near future, we will be upgrading our multimedia computers and printers and are also in the process of creating a workstation for student desktop publishing and web publishing. Literature
Searching and E-mail The library has new web-based public access terminals on all floors. The terminals are PCs with a web-based interface so that the users can point and click and search the library catalog. We still are maintaining the text-based OPAC terminals for a smoother transition for our users. The Library has implemented web-based literature searching so that users find it easy to search for their important medical literature. Eight text-based literature search PCs are being replaced by Pentium PCs with the web-based interface. Not only that but, from the Ovidweb PCs, users will be able to search our online catalog in web-based format and from Ovidweb, users will be able to access electronic journals early next year. Since the old habits never die, users will also be able to use text-based Ovid literature search from these same computers. And, finally, the Library has installed a PC at its lobby window so that users on their way to home or their offices can quickly check their local LAN mail or e-mail. This is also web-based to make local cc:Mail to be more user-friendly. Library
Information Kiosk Libraries are famous for their guides. We have now given our guides a web-based twist. Patrons can print out copies of the most current versions of information handouts at the Library Information Handout Kiosk located, for self-service, during all the hours the Library is open, on the Reference Desk. Through a web-based interface, a point-and-click reveals information on over 20 topics. From an opening screen, users can select from a variety of documents which include policy statements, procedural descriptions, floor maps, and frequently-used forms. Another point-and-click allows the user to print the selected handout to take away for further reference. Future plans include handouts on such topics as searching for journal articles and books, and using the Internet. Are there additional topics you'd like us to develop into a handout? Please be sure to let us know. Contact Associate Library Directors Julie Semkow or Anita Ondrusek at Box 14. E-Journals
and E-Books: some of our plans The library's mission is to support education and provide information to our clients. For years we have provided access to bibliographic search utilities such as OVID and, of course, our own library catalog. These key information tools have moved from text-based formats and are now Web-based. An unfortunate limitation is that this search protocol stopped at the level of citations. We are now moving beyond providing citations only and we are taking the users to the next stage of direct linked access to the full text of material. Yes, the next step is to empower the user to link from citations to full text journals and to use search engines to retrieve information from full text books. Users of the Learning Resource Center are aware that some books such as Harrison's Textbook of Internal Medicine, Robbins' Pathology, and Miller's Anesthesia have been available in full text electronic format for some time now. As a development of this service, plans are being made to mount a suite of key medical texts on a common platform which would allow users to search texts simultaneously and pull together comprehensive information in an easy and quick way. This would herald a novel way of searching for information. This new method of access will go beyond books and will include journals. By the beginning of next year, the core biomedical journals ( a list of these is available at the Reference Desk) will be available as direct links from citations in OVID. Unfortunately, this feature will not be available to users who access the library services remotely - at least not at this time. Technological considerations and legal copyright matters are still being negotiated with publishers and vendors. These are no small matters. The library will keep abreast with developments in this arena as they lead toward the achievement of the goal of providing the total resource via the Internet. Conclusion
In
these exciting information/education technology times, it is great to
be at SUNY HSCB and share them with you. Librarians are the premiere
organizers and managers of information. As you read this and future
Bulletins, we hope you will see ways that we can work together to achieve
your information goals.
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