Library news 2009

Historic cartoons celebrated at booklaunch
On 14 August Monash University ePress and the School of Historical Studies teamed up to launch the ePress’ new book Drawing the Line: Using Cartoons as Historical Evidence, edited by Dr Richard Scully and Professor Marian Quartly.
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Library users survey results: action plan developed
Overall satisfaction among Monash University Library users has risen to 76.1% in 2009 from 75.3% in 2007, according to results of the 2009 Library users survey.
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Payments for library fines
From 21 August 2009, all Student Service Centres will only accept payments for library fines by EFTPOS or credit card. Students paying by cheque or cash will need to make their payment directly to the Library.
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Google Book Settlement affects Monash authors
The Google Book Settlement is an out-of-court settlement that resulted from a class action filed by groups in America for copyright infringement by Google. Though the class action was decided in America it nevertheless affects and applies to all authors and publishers worldwide.
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Learning skills service available at Sunway
The Library’s Learning Skills service has expanded to Malaysia, with an adviser appointed to Monash University Sunway Library and Learning Commons.
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Get a head start on that assignment at a drop in session
Like students at other campuses, students at Malaysia can now attend a learning skills drop in session for a brief consultation with a learning skills adviser.
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Library in Monash e-Research e-XPO
Monash University Library resources and services for researchers will be featured in the “Monash eResearch Centre e-XPO: Technological innovation transforming research”.
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Article recommendations service on trial
The bX recommender service has been launched, which will assist library users in discovering scholarly articles of potential interest, based on actual usage by others.
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New interactive learning tools provided by the Library
New software has been installed on all student computers in the eight Victorian branch libraries to help students improve their academic listening and speaking skills.
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Staff e-learning provision bolstered at Library
The role of e-learning within Library teaching programs and activities will be strengthened with the creation of a new position of e-Learning Coordinator.
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Library improvements for fresh start to semester
Increased accommodation for extended hours study at Sir Louis Matheson Library at Clayton is one of several improvements made over the semester break.
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Take a peek at the Library at the Monash Open Day
Libraries will be open during the Monash Open Days (August 1 and 2).
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Self loans popular with students
Library queues have been dealt a blow by the readiness of students to use self loan machines.
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Publishing stalwart takes ePress helm
Dr Nathan Hollier has recently commenced as the new Manager of Monash University ePress.
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West Reading Room closure at Matheson
Testing of new photocopying equipment for 2010 required the use of the West Reading Room at Sir Louis Matheson Library at Clayton campus from 29 June to 24 July.
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Computer upgrade
The Library upgraded software on the student PCs in the branches from Microsoft Office 2003 to the 2007 version.
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Library reports significant contribution made in 2008
The reopening of the expanded and refurbished Pharmacy Library at the Parkville campus was a highlight in 2008, as reported in the Monash University Library Annual Report 2008.
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Swift and Defoe - early novelists on display
Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe were prodigious writers - the novels we remember (Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, and Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe) were only a small part of their outputs.  The current Rare Books Collection display shows samples of Monash's significant holdings in manuscripts, pamphlets and early editions of these literary giants.
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Australian rock music display at Matheson
Early Australian rock music is the focus of a new display on the ground floor of Sir Louis Matheson Library at the Clayton Campus.
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More exam preparation hours on trial at Pharmacy Library
Longer evening hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays are being trialled at CL Butchers Pharmacy Library for two weeks before and during the Semester One exam period.
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New document delivery system launched
Monash University Library offers a document delivery service to provide postgraduate students and staff with material to supplement the collection. The Library has now moved to a new system that offers key new features and benefits to eligible users.
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A record 6096 respond to library user's survey
The 2009 Library user’s survey closed on 17 May 2009 with a total of 6096 responses, placing Monash University Library in the top three of the 38 participating academic libraries in terms of number of responses.
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Library user survey gives students and staff a voice
Every two years Monash University Library conducts a user survey. The survey is designed to give Monash University staff and students an opportunity to rate the Library’s performance and to identify areas for improvement.
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Dealing with the data deluge
Monash University, together with the CSIRO and the Australian National University, has established a new $20 million service that will better manage the data "deluge" generated by years of research and advances in technology
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Online chat service trials new software
During May the Library's online chat service will be open for additional hours so that the Library can test a different software product.
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Monash breaks ground in traditional musical arts preservation
About 200 items of traditional musical arts in Sumatra recorded over 40 years of fieldwork have been digitised for preservation and made accessible online through the Monash University’s ARROW Repository.
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Are word maps your thing?
Try out the The Visual Thesaurus - it is on trial  from 15 April to 27 April, so feedback is needed.
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Honours loans extended
The Library has extended the privileges it offers for honours students, in support of the University’s honours initiatives.
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Antiquarian editions and popular culture on display
A Rare Books exhibition at the Sir Louis Matheson Library at the Clayton campus displays material acquired over the last two years including leather-bound volumes donated on behalf of the late Professor Harold Love.
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Living Maths film comes back to life in digital form
Monash University Library recently presented both the Caulfield Grammar School (CGS) Archives and past student and staff member Don Wirth with a restored digital copy of Living Maths at CGS.
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New science database for alumni members
Alumni with electronic Library membership can now access ScienceDirect, a major collection of journals covering science, technology and medicine disciplines, in addition to a number of other databases.
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New learning skills service for Monash South Africa
Students can now access learning skills services and resources to help improve their academic performance and approach to study through the Monash South Africa Library and Learning Commons.
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Effective and efficient information research
Students can discover ways of improving their information research skills using a new web page
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Improved computer environment for Law students
At the Law Library two existing faculty computer labs situated in the library have been absorbed into the library IT environment.
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Campus Review tertiary newspaper free online to all Monash
Monash staff and students can keep up with what is happening at universities around the country with fee access to Campus Review.
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Innovative news media product available to faculty staff
Academic staff can now obtain Australian television news content for teaching without having to physically record the program themselves or purchase it from the television company or another provider.
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What’s new for returning students 2009
Welcome back and best wishes from the Library for a successful year. There are a few important changes to note this year.
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Education teaching materials now at the Matheson Library
Beginning Semester 1 2009, staff and students can borrow teaching resources for professional placements from the Sir Louis Matheson Library.
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Valentine’s Day display at Matheson Library
A selection of Rare Books Collection material celebrating Valentine’s Day was displayed on the ground floor of Sir Louis Matheson Library, Clayton campus, in association with Valentine's Day.
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Welcome new students for 2009!
Take a library class or tour during orientation week. Getting to know your library now will help you out when it comes to “crunch time” and that first assignment is due.
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Gippsland Library hours extended for medical students
Gippsland Library will open until 8 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays late in January and in February as part of a year long trial.
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New SMS service for Library class bookings
In 2009, the Library is trialling a service that will send SMS notices about booked library classes directly to students’ mobile phones.
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