Sad News

I just found out that Dr. Amy Knapp, an AUL at the University of Pittsburgh died of cancer at the age of 46 on May 31st, 2008. Dr. Knapp was teaching my Social Sciences Resources class last spring, before Dr. Alman and Dr. Barsh. I met her at the ALA Midwinter in Seattle and she was so cheerful and so energetic, that it is hard to imagine her gone.

Alumni access to electronic resources

USC Libraries and the Alumni Association partner to provide online research resources at no cost to users.

By Bill Dotson

Trojan alumni around the world now can enjoy library resources to support lifelong learning.

A new partnership between the USC Libraries and the USC Alumni Association is bringing a major online research tool to Trojan alumni.

The ProQuest Reference Library makes a variety of current and historical publications – on subjects ranging from veterinary economics to Victorian poetry – available to USC graduates.

In keeping with the university’s lifelong-learning commitment to the Trojan Family, the Alumni Association and the libraries are working together to promote essential library services that encourage continuing study and discovery and provide alumni another way to stay connected to campus life. RED MORE HERE

When the Rude Have a ’Tude

"USC professor’s studies show how rudeness in the workplace can hurt creativity and confidence.

By Evelyn Jacobson

Companies are paying more attention to incivility, said USC assistant professor Christine Porath.

A USC Marshall School of Business study that shows rudeness in the workplace hurts creativity and helpfulness on the job was featured in a recent issue of Harvard Business Review.

The study, conducted by Christine Porath, an assistant professor at USC and Amir Erez, a professor at the University of Florida, showed that the mere thought of being verbally abused hurts people’s ability to perform complex tasks requiring creativity, flexibility and memory recall. READ MORE HERE"

Haworth Press Update

This update came today on the SERIALIST after a series of complains by various libraries regarding slow or no access whatsoever to online Haworth journals(e.g. Serials librarian, Acquisitions librarian, etc). It works, yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Dear Serialst,

Thank you for your continued patience whilst we resolve the issues you have
been experiencing with the Haworth Press site. Further to my email yesterday
I wanted to give you an update on how we are working to improve the site for
you.

Migration to informaworld:
Over the coming months we will be migrating all Haworth content to
informaworld and will keep everyone posted on progress. We have set up a
website at www.informaworld.com/haworth which will be updated with
information during the migration.

Site Speed:
Network technicians were able to correct a configuration problem yesterday in
the connection between Haworth's servers and the service provider. This has
resulted in site speeds which are around 40 times faster than users had been
experiencing. We are continuing to investigate other issues that might be
affecting site speed and will resolve any problems that we find as part of this
process.

Access:
If you are having difficulties accessing your institution's subscriptions, please
do continue to contact our support desk haworthpress@taylorandfrancis.com.
Those staffing the support desk are best placed to help and you should expect
a timely response to your query. Alternatively you may contact your local
sales representative who will be delighted to help you. Details of our North
American Sales Managers are below:
Canada & Mexico: Margaret.Walker@taylorandfrancis.com
USA - Eastern Region: Sharon.Murphy@taylorandfrancis.com
USA - Central Region: Carrie.Esch@taylorandfrancis.com
USA - Western Region: Mary.Nugent@taylorandfrancis.com

Please do accept my apologies and thanks for your patience whilst we work to
restore your access to the Haworth Press site.

With kind regards,

Meg Walker

Margaret Donahue Walker
Journals Sales Director - NA
Taylor & Francis
325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA  19106
Tel: 215.625.8900, ext 346
Fax 215.625.2940
email: margaret.walker@taylorandfrancis.com
www.taylorandfrancis.com

From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America

New OCLC report:

"OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. The findings of this research are now available in the OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America. Though this study was based on data from the United States, there are findings in the report that could be applicable to any library seeking to understand the connections between public perceptions and library support.

Among the findings from the report:

• Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation
• Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support
• Voters who see the library as a 'transformational' force as opposed to an 'informational' source are more likely to increase taxes in its support

The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.

READ MORE HERE

Blackwell transition to the Wiley Interscience platform.

This just came in:

"Please note that there are still issues with some Blackwell journals and URLs. Wiley will be working on these. [The full list of missing content is listed on their transition site: http://www.interscience.wiley.com/transition - and this will be updated weekly.] "

University of Pittsburgh chooses AquaBrowser Library

I was looking for the alternative library portals news and just found out that University of Pittsburgh (where I just graduated from) bought AquaBrowser. I saw several presentations at the ALA Midwinter and was deeply impressed. See how it works at the University of Chicago.

University of Pittsburgh chooses AquaBrowser Library

Denver, CO – April 25, 2008 – AquaBrowser, the world leader in visual, independent discovery platforms for libraries, has been selected by the University of Pittsburgh’s University Library System.

The University of Pittsburgh joins the growing community of 26 academic AquaBrowser libraries in the U.S, which includes the University of Chicago, Oklahoma State University and another recent customer, Skidmore College in New York. AquaBrowser Library is the only search and discovery system exclusively dedicated to providing visual, faceted search solutions for libraries using any Integrated Library System, including open source ones.

Dr. Rush Miller, Hillman University Librarian and Director of ULS, explained their selection of AquaBrowser: “The ULS looked at several other integrated search systems before choosing AquaBrowser. Three things set AquaBrowser apart for us: first, its unparalleled ability to act as a true discovery tool, exposing users via the word cloud and facets to items they didn’t even know they wanted or knew we had. Second, AquaBrowser’s ability to elegantly bring together local and remote, print and electronic, and to present them all in an interface that is simple and usable yet extremely powerful. Finally, we are extremely impressed with AquaBrowser’s extensible and flexible platform and are looking at integrating many resources and services in AquaBrowser. Our goal is to create a system that not only meets but exceeds users’ expectations of what a modern web search environment should be, and we are confident that AquaBrowser is a ready partner in helping us achieve this goal.”

With AquaBrowser Library, faculty, students, staff, administrators, and researchers will be able to simultaneously search the library’s 5.3 million volumes, 57,000 journals, 170,000 eBooks, the University’s web site, the ULS digital repository and thousands of subscription databases. AquaBrowser Library will also integrate closely with the ULS Voyager integrated library system for patron account management functionality.

“We are delighted to add the University of Pittsburg to the growing list of academic institutions that are choosing AquaBrowser,” said Bastiaan Zwaan, CEO of Medialab Solutions. “AquaBrowser will maximize the accessibility and find-ability of the University’s content, making great use of all that the ULS offers through one search interface. It’s wonderful to see another prestigious educational organization discover the value in our product.”

Mathematicians Critique Journal Rankings

This was from the Wall Street Journal:

Mathematicians Critique Journal Rankings

Mathematicians are concerned about the academic world’s overreliance on questionable numbers.

Three international math groups joined forces to issue a report last week decrying the use of citation statistics to evaluate scientific journals, research institutions and individual scientists. These statistics, sometimes called “bibliometrics,” measure how frequently a given journal’s articles are cited by other journals. And they are used widely by libraries and universities to decide everything from which journals to subscribe to, to which scientists to hire.

READ MORE HERE

Vacation Notes

I had a two week vacation during which we drove through Reno, NV and stopped for Megan’s graduation party and then drove to Klamath Falls OR where we went camping. I have also had a presentation at the University of Nevada, Reno libraries. It was my first real life presentation after library school and I put a lot of effort into it. Having fantastic audience and a huge bottle of water (provided by Lou) was a great help. All in all I had fun.

What I really enjoyed during my visit was: enthusiastic and considerate staff with great sense of humor and taste in food, breathtaking Knowledge Center: from MARS to VoIP and five stories high, spacious and light building, 42 inch wide printers.

What I hated: awful five minutes before landing in Reno airport: at some point I thought we will land upside down, ah…..

Project MUSE introduces linked subject headings

From Project MUSE:

Users of Project MUSE articles and Tables of Contents in our recently-launched new format may have noticed an additional feature - "clickable" subject headings for each article, allowing fast and easy connections to related content in Project MUSE. Built upon the rich controlled vocabulary classification of all MUSE articles and reviews with Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) by our in-house professional cataloging staff, this new functionality quickly connects scholars to additional relevant content to enhance their research.

Linked subject headings are a powerful discovery tool for users. Following a subject heading link brings the user to an alphabetical listing of all current subject headings utilized for MUSE articles, with the selected heading as the entry point in the list. The researcher may then view additional articles that share the same subject heading, or peruse further articles with related headings. The list of subject headings is annotated with the current number of MUSE articles and reviews to which that heading is assigned.

One of the many benefits of the linked subject headings is the ability to refine a research topic when articles with a more specific focus are needed. Conversely, the linked subject headings can guide a user to articles with a broader approach when the assignment requires a more general discussion of the research topic.

MUSE has always assigned LC subject headings to articles to help users identify the topics discussed within an article and in turn, to select articles most suitable to their research. Now, by simply clicking on a subject heading, users can move from subject to subject, article to article, exploring topics and articles related to their search topic.

All MUSE articles and Tables of Contents produced since mid-April 2008 offer the new linked subject headings functionality; as older content is converted to the new format, the feature will also become available for archival articles, reviews, and Tables of Contents. Please direct any questions or comments about MUSE's linked subject headings to Customer Support at muse@press.jhu.edu.


______________________________ _________________
http://muse.jhu.edu
MUSE Subscriber Support: muse@press.jhu.edu

Done and Over with

I am tired, excited and so relived that I am done with my graduate school!!! YES!!!! Being accepted in the program on my mom’s birthday two years ago and graduating on my birthday this past weekend was the best timing ever (well, may be just second to my daughter’s birth after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, giving me time to enjoy those two holidays)!

In spite of all the challenges this past weekend (stressing that a bottle of vodka will break after being asked to check the bag with it in at the LAX, getting lost driving around Pittsburgh, being snubbed at the hair salon, being rained all over my just done hair, missing first class completely and being late to the next one, not catching up with some of my classmates, getting lost again on the way to Dave & Busters, running a red light and almost colliding with a car and finally dealing with a mean flight attendant “not authorizing” my daughter to use a bathroom because the belt sign was up???) we had wonderful time! It was great to see my in-laws again, who flew from Oregon and my husband’s uncle from Florida and it was so much fun going to breakfast and dinner together, with my sister-in-law graciously driving.

I will post pictures from the events tomorrow, since they are still packed in my bag at home.

National Library Week

This was on the several list serves today and I couldn't help but posting it

From Entertainment Weekly, 18 great film scenes that take place in libraries:

Journals Resist a Drug Company's Subpoenas, Citing the Threat to Peer Review

This is from todays Chronicle of Higher Education:

Journals Resist a Drug Company's Subpoenas, Citing the Threat to Peer Review

By LILA GUTERMAN

Grandiose language has appeared in the pages of medical journals this month, as well as in federal court, about a looming threat to peer review.

The threat comes in the form of subpoenas from the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer requesting confidential peer reviews and editors' comments about two of Pfizer's arthritis drugs: Celebrex and Bextra. The latter is now off the market, and Pfizer is defending itself in court against plaintiffs who think they were injured as a result of taking one of the drugs.

READ MORE HERE

JoVE

Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) is a video journal for biological research. Here is more

Electronic Resources IG meeting

I volunteered to blog for ALA Midwinter 2008 LITA Electronic Resources IG meeting Friday night.

The IG meeting on Friday night attracted an impressive group of information professionals, with standing room available only. Zoe Stewart-Marshall, an ERMIG Chair and Clara Ruttenberg, an ERMIG Vice Chair started the meeting with Electronic Resources IG mission statement and goals

http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litamembership/litaigs/erm/index.cfm

Zoe announced that Vice Chair position, responsible for organizing managed discussions, will be open. Those interested are invited to apply. Also, any suggestions for topics to be covered at
ALA annual are welcomed.

The first presenter, Ted Fons from Innovative Interfaces, Inc gave a brief overview of the Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI) and a positive update that the standard was approved by NISO. He indicated differences between SUSHI and COUNTER. COUNTER is good on how to report the statistics on a smaller scale. SUSHI allows query for usage data through web services and saves time for staff. It took 18-20 months for the idea to be implemented. Last October the standard was finalized and approved for use, it is now standard Z39-93. Project EUCLID, Highwire Press, Gale all implemented SUSHI Server online. As of right now, content providers are at some stage of implementing SUHSI server. Mr. Fons jokingly suggested thanking your content providers for getting on board. There are several SUSHI versions, now we just need one efficient model. Read more about SUSHI: http://www.niso.org/committees/SUSHI/SUSHI_comm.html and http://www.niso.org/standards/resources/Z39-93-2007.pdf

READ MORE HERE

ALA Midwinter 2008: Philadelphia

The 2008 ALA Midwinter meeting was in a beautiful Philadelphia. Since I arrived early on Friday morning, I was able to look around a little bit, before the opening ceremony.

Penn's landing

Benjamin Franklin Bridge

I loved the carriage on this door



Elfreth's Alley

The Betsy Ross house
unfortunately was closed

Christ Church Burial Ground





Amazing Liberty Bell at the Liberty Bell Center

and up close..


Chinatown:

"Science" and JSTOR

This just in from the Chronicle of Higher Education:

The Journal 'Science' Rejoins JSTOR

The influential journal Science has reversed course and rejoined JSTOR, The Chronicle has learned. The journal and the popular online archive of scholarly publications reached an agreement this morning, said a spokesperson for Science. The journal’s decision to withdraw last summer was the subject of much criticism by librarians and others.

Neither Science nor JSTOR would describe the terms of the new license, but Alan I. Leshner, chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which publishes the journal, said the changes had to do with price and with linking of articles within JSTOR to other articles. “We’re very pleased about it,” he said.

Michael P. Spinella, executive director of JSTOR, echoed Mr. Leshner’s cheer. “I think it’s very good for everyone,” he said. —Lila

Rose Parade Floats

We live on the street which gets closed for the Rose Parade floats viewing. It's a pain to get around, especially on the 2-nd of January, but it also gives us an opportunity to pet the horses:

and look at the floats:



Year 2008 is a year of a Brown Earth Rat:


More floats:

And of course I couldn't help but posting this:


more:

Deer

I almost forgot to mention deer, which came down to my in-laws house and looked at us through the window:

It was the most patient deer, letting us to take plenty of pictures!

Trip to Klamath Falls

We went to Klamath Falls, OR for Christmas to see Katrina's grandparents. The 11-hour drive wasn't that bad thanks to dvd player and plenty of lollypops:)


It was nice for a change to wake up and see snow on Christmas morning and then go outside and play snow balls and ride down the hill on the sled.

I think this was the BEST Christmas ever!!!!