Library news:

From the University Librarian

The last Newsletter for the year gives me a chance to review what we have achieved over the past year, and look forward to our plans for next year.

The learning hubs are the success story for the year. The number of students coming in to the Library has increased with improved access to computers and a welcoming environment. We have responded to suggestions regarding quiet computer spaces, quietening Level 3 Morris Miller and putting a computer booking system in place. Next year we can look forward to learning hubs in the Centre for the Arts, Hunter St, TIAR and Sir Raymond Ferrall Centre. These will be available 24 hours a day providing a variety of study environments.

There has also been activity on collection development, with the additional $350,000 allocation to acquisitions resulting in some new resources. These include JSTOR, Annual Reviews, Australian Law Reports Online, British Humanities Index, ANZ Reference Centre, MD Consult, Britannica Online. Grove Art Online, Grove Music Online and Scopus. Next year we look to further enhance the collection, working with the new budget allocation process, to support the University’s teaching and research.

Librarians have continued to develop their liaison with academic staff to assist students become independent lifelong learners, and we featured some examples in our last newsletter.

We are looking forward to further enhancing services, collections and facilities in 2006, and meanwhile I wish you best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

CrossSearch – the next big thing!

The UTAS Library provides you with access to a comprehensive range of search tools and resources for identifying and locating scholarly information. The challenge is that you need some skill to exploit the potential of these different interfaces. One solution to this challenge is the Library’s new interface – CrossSearch.

CrossSearch provides a single entry point for our electronic resources. CrossSearch enables searching of our electronic resources including library catalogues, databases, eJournal collections, selected websites and more. Most resources can be searched with the CrossSearch interface, with the capacity to search up to eight simultaneously. Each of the resources has links to its original interface. CrossSearch gives you access to resources recommended by our librarians within a specific subject category, or you may browse alphabetically for individual resources.

Other features include the ability to connect (via the FindIt/SFX button) to loads of full-text articles, compatibility with EndNote, and the capacity to customise, organise and group your favourite resources for regular searching. With CrossSearch, you can also save search histories and set up alerts for new information in your research area.

The Library is offering demonstrations to academics and postgraduate students in November and December. We also want to discuss the benefits and impact on researchers, higher degree candidates and undergraduate students.

You can use CrossSearch now in pilot mode. Find the CrossSearch link from the Library’s home page: http://www.utas.edu.au/library under What’s New or Information Resources. We would appreciate your comments, so please complete the feedback form after you log off.

Watch out for the FindIt/SFX links to our full-text appearing soon inside your favourite databases’ original interface – it will mean you can link from citation to our full-text no matter which database we are getting our full-text from.

Behind the scenes of CrossSearch

CrossSearch has been made possible by UTAS Library’s membership of the AARLIN project consortia of 12 University Libraries. CrossSearch brings together the technology of 'federated searching' - the ability for one interface to search across a range of difference search tools and full-text resources; and SFX - linking to our full-text resources.

While membership of AARLIN has made the development of CrossSearch possible, a lot of work has been done by library staff here at UTAS. The project team included great input by staff from IT Resources and the Library. Electronic resources librarian Linda Forbes, library technician Diana Duncan and application manager Rodney Foley have been key players behind the scenes, liaising with the AARLIN office, applying the software to the UTAS environment and trouble shooting.

Linda Forbes, Rodney Foley and Diana Duncan – key players behind CrossSearch

Try out CrossSearch at:

http://www.utas.edu.au/library/info/crosssearch/crosssearch.html

New Opening Hours

A review of opening hours was recently conducted with the aim of standardising, as much as possible, the hours across the branch and campus libraries. A summary of the review is as follows:

The Music Library hours will remain unaltered

All libraries, except Music, will open at 8.30am, year round
The campus libraries, Morris Miller and Launceston, are to retain existing closing schedules during semester
Branch libraries, except Music, will standardise their closing schedules during semester and non-semester periods

Branch libraries will close at 8pm, Monday-Thursday and 6pm Friday, during semester
Branch libraries will close at 6pm during the long vacation
Branch libraries (except Clinical) will close at 6pm during mid-year vacation and the mid-semester break in Semester Two. Clinical Library will maintain semester hours during these breaks

During exam periods,

the campus libraries will continue their existing arrangements
the Clinical, Science and Law libraries will extend their opening hours to 9pm, Monday to Friday

Library opening hours can be viewed at: http://www.utas.edu.au/library/about/openhours.html

New Budget and Collection Policy

The Collection Development Policy and the Budget Allocation Model have now been accepted by the University community (i.e. by Planning and Resources Committee following a consultative process undertaken by the Library) subject to the implementation of reporting and consultative processes. The policies will be implemented in 2006 and processes for advice and consultation are being discussed for implementation at the same time.

A copy of these documents are available on the Library's web page at:
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/about/index.html

For more information please contact Graeme Rayner, Collection Management Librarian.

Phone: 03 6226 2231

Email: Graeme.Rayner@utas.edu.au

News from Sections:

Document Delivery

The Australian Digital Theses (ADT) program has been mentioned before in the Library news. However, Document Delivery is now contributing to this program. We frequently receive requests from outside libraries wishing to obtain a copy of UTAS theses. Before we can make a copy we require the author’s written consent.

We have now expanded the email/letter we send to former UTAS research students to also request permission to put a copy of the thesis up on ADT. For an example of a thesis Document Delivery has included in ADT see the following entry in our catalogue under ‘Author Alphabetical’ index: Sveen, Robert L. Click on ‘View digital version’ near the foot of the full catalogue entry.

We encourage all former and current UTAS students who have completed a research thesis at UTAS to submit their theses for inclusion in the Australian Digital Theses (ADT) program.

ADT is a national database and inclusion in it gives your research work a wider recognition in the academic community, both locally and internationally. This exposure could even improve your employment prospects in your field.

For more information, see the UTAS ADT site at

http://www.utas.edu.au/library/libserv/adt/

Hobart Phone: 03 6226 2230
E-mail docdel.hbt@lib.utas.edu.au
Launceston Phone: 03 6324 3571
E-mail docdel.ltn@lib.utas.edu.au

Service Desk

International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL)

The Library Service Desk has become an accredited tester for the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). The ICDL is a standard of basic computer competence endorsed by the Australian Computer Society. It is based on a European program, and is an internationally recognised standard.

The ICDL demonstrates a person’s level of computer literacy. The Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) provides access to online training for ICDL modules. There are 7 modules, one theoretical, and six practical. It costs $60 for UTAS staff and students to start the ICDL testing with a “Skillscard”, and $50 for each subsequent module attempted. Testing is done through an autotest system, so the candidates work with a “virtual desktop”, rather than with written materials.

The first testing session was held on Friday November 4 th in Hobart. Eleven library staff undertook between 1 and 4 tests each. The testing was limited to library staff in case there were any unforeseen problems. In the event, all went well and the pass rate for modules was 87% which is very encouraging. Testing will be held monthly for staff and students in the elearning lab 2 facilities in both the Morris Miller Library and Launceston Campus Library.

CALT will promote the ICDL testing in 2006. In the meantime the Library is preparing a website with information on ICDL, testing information and schedules.

For more information about the ICDL see http://www.acs.org.au/icdl/

Current UTAS staff and students are encouraged to work through these online courses at http://www.utas.edu.au/it_training/

Any enquiries should be directed to:

Mark Byrne
Phone: 6226 3990
Email: Mark.Byrne@utas.edu.au

Di Worth
Phone: 6226 2208
Email: Di.Worth@utas.edu.au

Launceston Circulation

Prue Senior and Susanne Ellings-Walsh

Prue Senior and Susanne Ellings-Walsh are sharing the duties of running the Launceston Circulation area until the end of the year (.5 each). This is an interim measure while the Circulation Librarian, is on leave. Library News spoke to Prue and Susanne about their experiences.

Prue has taken on all the issues to do with the desk, such as notices, fines, testing of new systems and any staff issues such as training. Susanne is doing all the desk rosters, budgeting for and organising casual help and all the pays, and helping with staff training. They work together extremely well and have enjoyed working together.
Both agree it has been an extremely busy time and they've been really stretched but it has been an enjoyable and exciting experience. They have had the full support of all the staff, and everyone has been prepared to do anything asked of them. All the Circulation and Service Desk staff have been very supportive and helpful. Both Prue and Susanne are grateful for this chance to gain more experience and have appreciated the opportunity for staff development. They can be contacted on 6324 3276 for any circulation matters.

Phone: 03 6324 3276
E-mail: Ltn.Reference@utas.edu.au

Law Library

At the moment we have the Jessup Mooters preparing for the annual International Law moot. This is a competition held between representatives of Australian Law Schools. Each year there are five students in our team. The winning team represents Australia in America.

Phone: 03 6226 2063
E-mail: Law.Reference@utas.edu.au

Science Library

Staffing Update

Helen Jackson & Debra Ploughman

We are happy to announce that Helen Jackson and Debra Ploughman will both be acting in the position of Library Officer, until Kay Hughes returns in February 2006. We would also like to welcome Serita Beattie and Trisha Bowling who will be working with us over the next couple of months.

Wireless Network

Students can now use their own laptop computers in the Science Library and connect to the University’s network through UANA (University Authenticity Network Access). For more information on using the wireless network please see: http://www.its.utas.edu.au/UANA/wireless.html

Phone: 03 6226 2441
E-mail: Science.Reference@utas.edu.au

Electronic Services News:

Centenary of ABS

abs logo

2005 marks the Australian Bureau of Statistics Centenary. Statisticians have helped shape the nation over the last century as revealed in a special ABS history title, Informing a Nation: the Evolution of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Cat. no 1382.0).

The UTas library will receive a complimentary copy of this title.

Further information about the history title can be found on the ABS Website at www.abs.gov.au > 'News and Media' > 'Media Releases' >
November 2005 > 1/11/2005 > Australia's statistical history revealed Nov 2005.

AusStats is a web-based information service of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). AusStats allows you to conveniently access a large range of ABS statistical and reference information, much of it free of charge.

http://www.utas.edu.au/library/info/dbase/dbases1.html

Thomson Alliance with AUSTLII

austlii Thomson’s new alliance with AUSTLII significantly improves the range of services with hypertext links to legislation. Jurisdiction coverage is also expanded to cover the States and Territories as well as the existing Commonwealth coverage .

http://www.utas.edu.au/library/info/dbase/dbases1.html

CrossSearch

CrossSearch provides a single entry point for the Library’s electronic resources. CrossSearch enables searching of our electronic resources including library catalogues, databases, eJournal collections, selected websites and more. Search up to 8 databases simultaneously using the one interface.

Teaching and Help:

Teaching Matters

teaching matters 2005 logo

Two members of Library staff, Richard Dearden (Morris Miller Librarian) and Chris Evans (Science Librarian), co-presented papers at Teaching Matters 2005.

Richard, with Dr Megan Alessandrini from the School of Government presented a paper outlining both how and why an information literacy program was embedded in 1st and 2nd/3rd year Government units. The program was developed in collaboration between Megan and Kate Walpole who was previously the Liaison Librarian for the School of Government. Areas discussed included the relationship between information literacy skills and the generic attributes, the different skill levels of students, why information literacy is important for lifelong learning, and how the project was made possible. The success of the pilot program, held in 2004 has ensured its inclusion in the 3 rd year unit and also led to a similar approach for first year Government students in 2005.

For more information please contact:

Richard Dearden
Phone: 6226 2395
Email: Richard.Dearden@utas.edu.au

Chris and Sue Jones (School of Zoology) presented a paper on a project, conducted within the schools of Computing, Engineering and Zoology, that was developed to survey students’ current knowledge and skills in information literacy. An outline of how the project was designed and carried out was presented along with the results of the survey. In addition to surveying the students, staff across the Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology were also surveyed in an attempt to map the teaching of information literacy skills. Results of both surveys were discussed by Chris and Sue and will be used to inform current work within the faculty on developing a generic attributes curriculum.

For more information regarding the survey please contact:

Chris Evans
Phone: 6226 2132
Email: Christine.Evans@utas.edu.au

2006 Library and Information Literacy Needs

As we’ve now reached the end of Semester it’s time to start thinking about your library and information needs for 2006.

Liaison Librarians deliver library information sessions and workshops on subject-specific databases and EndNote to meet the information needs of you and your students. Liaison Librarians are also available to talk to staff about information literacy, Reserve and eReserve procedures and other library issues.

For ideas on how you can work with your librarian check out the Teaching and Help section in October’s Library News: http://www.utas.edu.au/library/lib_news/libnews_9oct05.html#teaching

Please contact your Liaison Librarian directly to discuss your information training needs.
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/about/liais.html

For details of our workshops for staff and postgraduate researchers and our other classes please see:
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/assist/tours_workshops.html

For any enquiries/comments please contact:
Sarah.Crosswell@utas.edu.au

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