SOURCE
VOLUME 12 · NUMBER 2 · April, 1998
Self-check system added for user convenience
Another new enhancement to library services came online in 1998 at UMC’s Rowland Medical Library. In addition to the credit card service started in December, 1997, Rowland patrons now have the option of self-checkout for users who prefer the do-it-yourself approach to library service.
Patrons who wish to make use of this service will
first need to request a second barcode for
their ID badge. The new barcode is added to the patron’s record filed in
Rowland’s integrated library computer system. All such requests should be made
at the circulation counter during standard workday hours as only full time staff
edits patron records.
The machine, which is actually a computer linked to the library system, issues due dates according to item type by using the item’s barcode and the patron’s new black and white barcode. Because the due date will not be stamped on the borrowed item, each user must keep track of due dates to avoid overdue fines. The user will receive slip with the due date on it. This is a slight departure from traditional checkout.
The self-checkout machine will accommodate most material in the library’s circulating collection. It must be able to read the item barcode and desensitize the security feature in the item simultaneously. Some library materials have barcodes in odd locations, or multiple security features, or may be of unusual size. Any one or combination of these conditions will prevent the self-checkout function from being completed. In such instances the computer screen will direct the patron to the circulation desk for traditional checkout procedure.
The availability of the self-checkout option will significantly alleviate the library exit congestion, which sometimes occurs during periods of accelerated activity. Of course, library personnel will still be available for the standard checkout procedure, and as always, they are ready to answer any questions regarding this, or any of the other services offered by Rowland. However for many transactions, self-checkout is expected to become the method of choice for those patrons who appreciate added flexibility in library service. Everyone is invited to try self-checkout, and give us your opinion of this latest technological enhancement.
- R Everett
Helvi McCall joined the UMC faculty as assistant professor of academic information services on December 1. She was appointed librarian in the Reference Department of Rowland Medical Library.
A
native of Canada, McCall is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she
received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in library science. She also holds
certification in the Medical Library Association Academy of Health Information
Professionals. While working toward her undergraduate degree, McCall was
employed as assistant librarian at Wellesley Hospital in Toronto.
After receiving the MLS, McCall served as the coordinator of library services at Scarborough General Hospital in Toronto. She joined the faculty at UMC after serving as assistant professor and medical information services librarian at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Program.
She has been an active member in various associations and is currently a member of the Medical Librarians Association and the Southern Chapter of the Medical Library Association. She has several presentations and publications to her credit.
-K. Hill
Rowland’s home page provides users quality filtering and the necessary tools for expedient and effective entry to the enormous amount of information regarding research, education and health care available on the Internet. RoMeO’s web continues to expand almost daily to provide patrons resources for better information management.
The section of "Information Services" has seen new growth with several new links such as HHMI/AAAS Grants Database, Federal Statistics (Fedstat), and PubMed Search Tips. A substantial new subscription through the Web covers the federal government regulations, policies and statutes related to Medicare with MS Medicare Local Medical Review Policies including Medicare Report, Managed Care Report, and Health Care Daily Report.
Electronic Reference Sources has been expanded with the addition of the following new titles: Internal Medicine Residents and Training Program, Current Bibliographies in Medicine and Administrators in Medicine (Docfinder). The following new title, New York Times, Your Health Daily has been added to the "Electronic Journals" section.
The existing "Health Hyperlinks" section, which organizes electronic sources by broad subjects has been expanded with the addition of four new categories: grants, health statistics, history of medicine, and surgery. These categories link users directly to several new sources. Some of the new sources in Health Statistics are: National Cancer Institute Factbook 1996, American Heart Association Biostatistical Fact Sheets, Kids Count Data, Child Abuse and Neglect Fact Sheets, CDC Surveillance, Statistics, etc., Statistical Information on Older Persons, and 1998 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update. The History of Medicine category has added Duke Historical Images in Medicine while the category of Surgery expanded its sources with Online Laparoscopic Technical Manual.
"Additional Resources" section continues to grow, especially the category of "Browse Health Sites". Numerous new Web sites have been added to this section. Among them are American Heart Association and the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect. Foundation Center has been added to the "Browse Sites" category.
Services and sources are so numerous that users are encouraged to consult the "Instant Updates" section weekly to keep abreast of the expansions provided patrons of the library. This section will also give the users upcoming events, recent announcements, and news. Connected @ the library.
-K. Hill
Students must clear library before graduation
Candidates for degrees must pay all outstanding fines and fees and return all overdue library materials before graduation. Students will not receive diplomas and may not participate in commencement on May 23 if they have not cleared all outstanding items with Rowland.
All library materials checked out to graduating nursing and allied health students must be returned to the library no later than May 8. This date gives adequate time for the circulation department to clear each student’s record with the registrar and student accounting. Names of students with outstanding library obligations after May 11 will be submitted to the registrar’s office. All materials checked out to graduate students must be returned to the library no later than May 20. Library materials must be returned and fines paid before a diploma will be released.
Residents and interns are reminded and encouraged to return overdue library materials and pay fines by June 12 in order to clear their records. Accumulated fees of $75 or more result in suspension of circulation privileges until paid. Fines continue to accrue until the item is returned and checked in through circulation services. Fees for lost items include the price of the item plus a $20 processing fee and any fine, if applicable. Any unpaid fines or fees will be deducted from the resident’s final pay check. Certificates will be withheld if records are not cleared prior to the June 12 deadline.
A general reminder to all students: 1) only students enrolled in classes for the summer are granted circulation privileges; 2) fines will accrue on all unreturned items. If there are any questions, please contact the circulation department at 1230.
-V. Segrest
Connecting users and information
Library classes designed for problem-based learning curriculum
Various programs and classes at UMC have now implemented problem-based learning (PBL) methods into the curriculum in order to better prepare health care professionals for more effective patient care. Advocates of the PBL method indicate that this approach is the best means by which students can develop the life-long learning skills required of health care professionals. To practice quality, evidence-based health care, today’s professionals need to ‘learn to learn.’ They need to find, identify and integrate reliable new research to patient care. PBL methods allow students to work towards the understanding or resolution of a problem. Small groups of students are assigned a problem or case study to solve collectively. The small groups are encouraged to ask questions, to identify learning needs, and then to research and gather information. After gathering their facts, students come back together in small groups for discussion; the new information is then integrated and applied to solve the issues and questions posed in the original problem or case study.
Access to information is essential to research the learning issues identified in the PBL program. The proliferation of computer based information, makes it increasingly important to provide instruction on how to access and retrieve specific information. The library plays an important role in this process. Librarian participation in PBL programs throughout the U.S. and Canada has demonstrated the importance of integrating the teaching of information seeking skills at ‘teachable moments’ or ‘at the point of need’ when students have a learning issue, a question or a problem.
New classes designed for specific informational needs:
Mindful of this experience and in support of a PBL curriculum, the reference department is offering new classes that can be tailored to the specific needs of a case study group or class. Faculty is invited to contact the Reference Department at 1239 to discuss course related informational training for their students. Working with faculty, librarians may design an instructional session to demonstrate subject specific databases, web sources and how to search them for effective information retrieval. These training sessions may be held in the library or in the regular classroom. In addition, faculty may request course-related resources to be placed in the Reserve Collection to facilitate use by students. Librarians may assist in creating workable library assignments.
Current library classes continue
A library orientation program is required of all new students upon entering a course of study at UMC. However, as students progress into the term and begin working on their specific assignments, some of their orientation information may have faded. A follow-up session on specific information searching skills as described above is highly recommended.
The regular monthly schedule of library training classes includes:
Basic Library Research: (suited for research assistants/secretaries)
MEDLINE: Introductory class
MEDLINE: Beyond the Basics
MEDLINE: Advanced Searching
ERIC: How to Access and Search
PsycLIT:
CINAHL: Nursing and Allied Health Database
Library Tours
Please contact the reference department at 984-1239 for further information on the above classes, to schedule a class for faculty or to plan for a library training session integrated with classroom instruction and assignments. Rowland’s librarians can help connect users to information.
-H. McCall
Database search notes
The library’s bibliographic database system (Ovid) offers a number of menu features one of which is the pulldown menu for Tools. The Tools menu provides the searcher with easy access to the search tools; the list of available tools varies from database to database. In the illustration below, the MEDLINE tools are listed, each of which provides specialized access to search features in that database.
Tree
Use this option to view any term in the context of its place in the hierarchy of subject headings.
Permuted Index
Use this option to display all subheading headings which have a common word or character string
Scope
Use this option to view a descriptive note for a subject heading.
Explode
Use this option to search a subject heading and all its narrower terms in the hierarchy of the tree structure.
Subheadings
Use this option to display the applicable subheadings for a subject term.
MEDLINE subject headings are arranged in a hierarchy with broader concepts near the top and more specific terms near the bottom. The hierarchy of terms is known as as a tree. The Tools/tree option show the subject heading in its place in the hierarchy allowing the searcher to view it along with broader and narrower terms. To navigate within the Tree display, use the page-up/down or arrow up/down keys on the keyboard. Clicking on the Post Terms button will create a set for the marked subject heading and display the set on the main search screen.
The Permuted Index command displays MEDLINE subject headings in a different way than looking at them in the hierarchy of the tree. Many subject headings are multi-word phrases such as "health services accessibility" or "cell membrane permeability". The Permuted Index is a way to view all subject headings that have a certain common word. To find terms that contain the word "membrane", choose Permuted Index and type "membrane" in the display box. All the MEDLINE subject headings containing the word "membrane" will be displayed so the searcher can select the most appropriate subject heading.
While print copies of these searching tools are available in the reference area, anyone searching these databases from home or office has access to these same tools through the Tools pulldown menu.
-A. Haaland
Computer exchange lists help expand journals collection
The library has experience great success over the past few years in using two electronic exchange lists on the Internet to locate and acquire needed journal volumes or issues. From July, 1995 – June, 1997, serials division staff have added 1675 bound volumes and 2,568 unbound issues from donations or exchange lists. These additional items have increased Rowland’s holdings by an estimated value of $57,945, which the library acquired for a cost of only $2,308.
Group email lists provide a fast, easy and
economical way for libraries to share duplicate
journals to replace missing items, traditionally a major problem in serials
management. Libraries participating in electronic exchange lists post available
titles to the list, which delivers the information to each subscriber’s, email
address. Serials personnel review from 25 to 80 messages within three to four
hours after the list is posted to enhance the success in receiving needed items.
This time consuming and labor intensive process requires patience, persistence
and knowledge of serials control in order to realize the level of return that
the library has achieved. Prior to using electronic lists, the library
participated in the print service sponsored by the Medical Library Association.
Results from the print service have not been nearly as successful due to the
time lapse in compiling the list, printing and mailing.
Several other methods are used routinely to supplement electronic exchange lists for replacing missing serial items. Publisher claim requests are generated automatically by the library’s integrated system whenever journal issues are not received within the specified time period of the next expected issue. The library sends out hundreds of "first" claims every year to obtain those never received issues in addition to hundreds of second and third claim notices. The library staff follows a strict schedule to process and mail claims because publishers honor claim requests only for a short time period after an issue is released.
Backfile dealers or companies that specialize in obtaining recent publication overruns for resale provide another means to acquire missing items. Vendor inventories are especially helpful in completing title sets, volumes or runs of scholarly or popular journals. Backfile dealers are the major source for retrospective holdings of journals and for recent issues that exceed the time limit for publisher claims. This service involves greater costs than other methods but offers convenience and savings in staff time and effort.
Exchange lists, another method that has endured for a long time, are seeing increased activity as the electronic age sweeps forward. Historically, libraries of all types have used exchange lists to make available the largest possible amount of information to their users. The staff routinely prepares an exchange list of any unneeded or duplicate items, which can be offered, for trade. A "want list" is also prepared for the items that Rowland needs. A lot of effort goes into the preparation of each very detailed list; when ready, the lists are sent to nearly 1,000 subscribers, mostly in North America. The electronic exchange makes this task much faster and more efficient. When filling a request for another library, Rowland’s practice is to only ask for reimbursement for postage or shipping costs of the items being sent. Most libraries follow this practice.
Rowland staff continues exploring new ways to improve efforts for replacing missing journal items and complete titles sets thus increasing research services to the users.
-J. Lucas
Library issues revised handbook
The library provides a comprehensive written guide to its resources and services available to all users. The Rowland Medical Library Handbook serves as the official source for policies and procedures concerning its facilities, collections, computer systems, borrowing privileges, fines and fees and information programs. The most recent revision includes new policies for faculty study room reservations, procedures to access library online systems, new databases and the Mississippi Health Sciences Information Network (MisHIN). This statewide network, a cooperative effort comprised of health sciences and university libraries and health organizations and institutions, offers information services electronically to health care providers throughout Mississippi.
Handbooks are distributed to all new students during library orientation sessions. Residents receive a packet of library information including the Handbook as a part of their UMC orientation each July. Handbooks are issued to all new faculty in a special introductory information folder during their first few weeks on campus. Users may request copies at the circulation desk or by calling 984-1230.
-V. Segrest
Go Global with National Library Week - Connect at Rowland
Rowland Medical Library will celebrate its eighth year of participation in National Library Week April 13-17. The theme is "Global Reach, Local Touch: Connect at the Library: ." Through Rowland librarians- - the "local touch"- - patrons will see how they can connect to the world. Librarians can help users "go global" and find information worldwide through the numerous resources and services available at Rowland. Librarians truly can change lives as information and users are connected.
The celebration will start with a lecture on
Tuesday, April 14, by Dr. Julius M. Cruse, professor
of pathology. He will present the fifth Dean Billy S. Guyton Lecture on the
History of Medicine which he established in 1989. The lecture is sponsored by
Friends of the library. A reception honoring Dr. Cruse will follow.
The used book sale, so well received last year, will be offered once again. Two new categories are being added this year. Friends of Rowland are seeking donations of current fiction and nonfiction paperbacks along with recent medical books and books on tape. Drop boxes are located throughout the UMC campus for your convenience.
Other special activities during the week will include daily drawings for door prizes and fine amnesty days. Prizes in the daily drawings are copy cards, pocket medical dictionaries, RoMeO T-shirts, brass key chains, and Friends totebags. Volunteers from the Friends of the Library will be in the foyer outside the library each day recruiting new members and selling popcorn, used books, T-shirts and totes to promote their fund raising efforts.
Users will have a chance to erase one library fine during fine amnesty days by becoming a new member of Friends. If they bring a friend to join they can get a second fine forgiven. This will be the third year the library has offered a fine amnesty program during National Library Week. The fine amnesty, offered only during this celebration, does not include fees for lost items, processing charges or other library services.
National Library Week at UMC is an annual event hosted by Rowland Medical Library to increase awareness of the library and its services to the UMC community.
-K.Hill
The library welcomes donations to its collections and gratefully acknowledges recent gifts from the following:
Dr. Orlando Andy
Dr. Curtis W. Caine
Dr. C. Ralph Daniel III
Dental Hygiene, UMC
Dr. Samuel B. Johnson
Ms. Ann Peden
Dr. William H. Replogle
Dr. Frank Raila
Dr. Stephen L. Silberman
A summary of the Friends activities in support of Rowland Medical Library during calendar 1997 follows.
Fund-raising activities from five separate events brought in approximately $4100 during the year. The most profitable activities were the April celebration of National Library Week and the November Dessert by Candlelight gala. Friends added tote bags as a new sale item this year. Almost 200 of the RoMeO tee shirts have been sold.
This year the library endowment fund was increased by $10,000, mostly from membership dues bringing the fund total to $30,000. The Fund Raising Committee chaired by Dr. Robert Currier met with Geoff Mitchell, Associate Director of Alumni Affairs, to discuss the possibility of the Guardian Society at the medical center and Friends of the Library joining in a collaborative effort to raise two million dollars in endowments for the Rowland Medical Library.
Friends membership increased this year by 31 bringing the total to 250 Friends of Rowland Medical Library. The Membership Committee chaired by Jeanette Waits prepared a 1997-1998 membership brochure which was sent to all full-time UMC faculty, giving information about gift memberships, donations and memorials.
Friends had the opportunity to experience a unique and fun evening in November during the Dessert by Candlelight gala held at Andy Young’s Pearl River Glass Studio. Combining a unique artistic setting, incredible desserts, and the unveiling of the Friends Charter Member Plaque resulted in a most entertaining evening. Ada Seltzer, Director of the library, expressed her appreciation to the Friends for the gift of the handsome plaque, designed and created by Andy Young. The Charter Member plaque now hangs outside the Guyton History Room.
Friends Executive Committee met on January 30 to make plans for celebrating National Library Week scheduled for the UMC campus April 13-17, 1998. This year’s theme for NLW is Global Reach - Local Touch Connect at the Library.
High point of the week will be the Fifth Dean Billy S. Guyton Lecture on the History of Medicine. This year’s speaker will be Julius M. Cruse, M.D., Ph.D., of the Department of Pathology. Dr. Cruse is a widely recognized medical historian and research immunologist. The Library’s History of Immunology Collection at the University of Wisconsin is named in his honor and has been designated the international archive of the American Association of Immunologists. He initiated the Dean Billy Guyton lecture series at UMC and is a Life Member of Friends of Rowland Medical Library.
Dr. Cruse’s lecture, The Metamorphosis of Scientific Medicine in the Ever Present Past, will be delivered on Tuesday, April 14th, during the noon hour in the lower amphitheater (R153). Library friends and UMC employees and students are welcome to attend the lecture and the reception in Dr. Cruse’s honor later in the afternoon.
Another
important component of the week’s program will be the Friends’ Used Book Sale
which offers paperbacks in current fiction and non-fiction, recent medical
books, and audiobooks. All proceeds will benefit the Rowland Medical Library.
The Used Book Sale will be held April 14 –16 in the second floor foyer of the
LRC from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. In early January Rowland Friends began asking the
UMC family for book donations. Friends of the Library is classified as a
charitable organization with dues and contributions deductible. The fair-market
value of donated books is tax-deductible. Friends prepared extra drop-boxes for
everyone’s convenience.
During National Library Week in addition to the used book sale, the Friends will have other fund raising activities of continued membership solicitations and sales of popcorn, tote bags, T-shirts and raffle tickets. There will be 50-60 Friends volunteers working together for the various activities during this week of celebration.
Turning to organizational matters, seven members of the 21-member Board of Directors will end their present term of service on June 30, 1998. They are Ms. Marnee Bell, Dr. Faira Bishop, Ms. Margaret Campbell, Dr. Anthony Chambers, Dr. Julius Cruse, Dr. Alan Freeland, and Ms. Jane Tallant. A nominating committee appointed by the president will present a slate of new board members to serve a three-year term (July 1, 1998 - June 30, 2001). Proposed board members must be members of the Friends of Rowland Medical Library; they may serve two consecutive terms and be elected to additional term(s) after a lapse of one year. Dr. Ed Draper, Chairman, Dr. Glenn Gentry and Ms. Maurine Twiss compose the Nominating Committee. Their ballot will be mailed to the Friends’ general membership in May to determine who the new board members will be.
Harold B. White, Ph.D.
President, Friends of Rowland Medical Library
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry
Medical Library Association Celebrates 100 Years
One hundred years ago William McKinley was president, Victoria was Queen, our Congress had declared war on Spain and Henry Ford had his cart before the horse. In 1898 things were built for utility, to last for generations even with daily use. This was the atmosphere of our world as the founding fathers of the Medical Library Association, four librarians and four physicians, met to organize medical information. One of the founding members, Dr. George N Gould , a true visionary, wanted people everywhere to benefit from every other man’s experience and knowledge. He realized the importance to medicine of building on a knowledge base rather than re-inventing or re-testing.
Now 100 years later the MLA has grown as a professional organization to more than 1200 institutions. It has 3800 individual members in the health sciences information field. The specialty of health sciences librarianship requires not only expertise in biomedical information but technical expertise with online systems, databases, and computer networks as well. MLA members recognize a global community with members in 43 countries around the world. The members support the information needs of both health professionals and consumers. They serve society by developing new health information delivery systems, fostering education and research programs for health science’s informational professionals, improving health through the provision of information and encouraging an enhanced public awareness of health care issues. Health sciences librarians today are leaders in the application and promotion of technology for the dissemination of information and the development of knowledge.
In May MLA members will go back to where it all began, Philadelphia, PA, to officially launch the centennial and celebrate 100 years of achievement and growth. The official celebration is May 22-27, 1998, with noted author and medical historian, Kenneth Ludmerer, M.D. opening the plenary session. This centennial year for the Medical Library Association is more than just the 100th birthday of the professional organization of health sciences librarians. It is also recognition of continuing advances in the management of knowledge benefiting all who have dedicated their lives to curing the sick and advancing the sciences through biomedical research. Health sciences librarians, your health information connection, are poised for further contributions in the next century as information and health care delivery see rapid transformation.
-K. Hill