Andruss Library Science/Health Science Info

RefWorks now available: "You Write it, We Cite It"

I’m pleased to report that Andruss Library now offers RefWorks, a bibliographic management program similar to EndNote. It's available through our Web page to students, faculty, and staff. Unlike EndNote, which must be downloaded on a computer, RefWorks is Web-based and is relatively easy to use. RefWorks provides many useful features that let you

-Format a bibliography in virtually hundreds of styles
-Format footnotes & endnotes
-Format in-text citations as you write
-Find references from online catalogs (including Andruss Library’s, Library of Congress, etc.)
-Import from most of our online databases
-Store your research
-Organize your research
-Share your research with others

Students at the Reference Desk to whom I've shown RefWorks have immediately grasped its value. One student informed me she did not mind taking the time to learn programs like RefWorks because she saw how it would save her time. The program can be used to whatever "depth" the student (or faculty member) desires. Graduate students will obviously find it useful when writing papers/theses since it works with Word in either Windows or Mac to do in-text citing. But freshmen will also want to use it instead of the free program, Citation Machine, to format their citations since it will save the references for later use (and reuse).

RefWorks interface is relatively intuitive, and their online tutorials in either print format or audio can quickly bring you up to speed or provide you with a quick refresher on how to do something.

For more information about RefWorks or to create your account, go to the Library Web page > Citing Sources > General > RefWorks, or contact me.

posted by Linda @ 11:44 AM 0 comments

E-Notes are Coming!

Beginning sometime during Spring 2008, the Library will eliminate the print Blackwell forms for book selection and switch to online "E-Notes" instead. We'll be offering vendor training in using the system in January, and I am always available for one-on-one help so that you can easily make the transition. I'll be creating Blackwell Collection Manager accounts for any and all faculty members who want one.

So, why would you want a Blackwell Collection Manager account?

- To see what books have been published or are forthcoming by browsing Library of Congress classes -- helpful if you're considering publishing a book or are looking for trade books for classroom use
- To examine tables of contents, book jacket information, and more detailed book information about virtually any book published since 1998
- To view lists of Blackwell's bestsellers, award winners, reviewed titles, including Choice and New York Review of Books, and other special subjects.
- To know what books are coming in on the Library's Approval Plan for your discipline

NOTE: There's a useful online FAQ available online.

I'll be contacting Library Representatives for each department in the near future to discuss how best to adopt (and adapt) the system for each department. The goal is to save time and make book selection easier for faculty. Eventually, departments will be able to review their 'forms profile' online (instead of looking at the paper forms) and to request the ones they want online.

Labels: book selection

posted by Linda @ 10:53 AM 0 comments

Andruss Library Video Tour

This summer we filmed a virtual library tour of Andruss Library, and it's now available in YouTube. Covering all 4 floors of the Library in about 8 minutes, it gives viewers a nice overview of the Library's resources and services.

posted by Linda @ 6:00 PM 0 comments