13 Biomedical Library
New developments and highlights in 1996 include the purchase and implementation
of OVID databases, additional emphasis on access to materials via the Biomedical
Library's homepage, improvements to the Biomedical Library building, involvement
in the Victorian Hospital Network library issues, and new initiatives in content
and format in User Education programs. The most significant developments
in 1996 have been in relation to building a 'critical mass' of electronic
information readily accessible remotely, and the significantly increased
cooperation with teaching staff in coordinating the Biomedical Library's
education programs into the curriculum.
13.1 Major Initiatives
Homepage developments. The creation and expansion of the
Biomedical Library's homepage is probably one of the most important developments
in planning for the future provision of information to the clientele served by
this branch. In 1996, the Biomedical Library created a page on the WWW with an
annotated listing of selected journals available in full-text over the Internet
in the field of biomedicine. Titles include Journal of Biological Chemistry,
Physics in Medicine and Biology and Nucleic Acids Research. The page
also includes information on sites such as BioMedNet that provide access not
only to full-text journal articles, but also to information on conferences and
job vacancies in the medical field. Four thousand dollars of 1996 Research
Infrastructure Funding was allocated to cover the cost of new electronic journal
subscriptions during this transitional period when subscribing to both print and
electronic versions is still necessary. User education programs now routinely
refer users to journal information and other information on the homepage that
would previously have been provided in print, such as guides to databases and
guides to information on essay topics. As the number of users who access
information remotely grows, the value of the homepage will continue to increase
in importance.
Database access.
The Biomedical Library is continuously assessing current trends and developments
in electronic information and introducing services to improve access to
electronic information. In 1996 this branch purchased access to MEDLINE, PsycINFO,
and the Core Biomedical Collection from OVID Technologies, to replace the
current systems being offered on the CD-ROM network. OVID offers the following
features:
- a choice of interfaces and platforms, including client/server and VT100
options
- a World Wide Web gateway that allows users to access databases using a Web
browser
- Macintosh users can access the OVID databases using the World Wide Web
gateway or the VT100 option
- Monash University staff and students can access these databases from home
computers via modems as well as from the Monash campuses
- the Core Biomedical Collection, offering access to 15 full text
journals, including Lancet, BMJ, American Journal of Medicine,
Archives of General Psychiatry, Circulation, and Pediatrics.
There is no cost to the user to download articles.
Library coordination committees, Victorian Hospital Healthcare
Networks.
In 1996, the Biomedical Librarian was involved in discussions with librarians
from affiliated teaching hospitals to assess and plan for any consequences the
new Victorian Hospital Healthcare Network system may have on library services
offered to Monash University staff and students located on hospital sites.
Access to electronic information systems such as OVID is becoming increasingly
important for this Monash University clientele, but the responsibility for
funding and providing such services is now further complicated by the Network
system.
Monash Medical Parents contribution.
In July, the Monash Medical Parents Group invited the Biomedical Librarian to
its annual meeting to receive a $3,000 donation to the Biomedical Library. This
money will be used to purchase new furniture for the foyer of the Library. Over
the years donations from this group have funded numerous projects, including
seating and gardens near the entrance to the Library, several computers, an
antique anatomical print, and student texts.
13.3 User Education
In 1996, there was considerably more encouragement from teaching staff for all
levels of students to attend library instructional classes. The key motivating
factor was probably the increased interaction between Subject Librarians and the
respective coordinators, prompted by written reports and discussion on the
responses of students, observed outcomes and library staff assessment of the
interest and skills of participants. Through this feedback, class content and
style were continuously reworked to more closely suit requirements.
Increasingly, advanced library instruction is being required at earlier levels
in the courses, resulting in the need to present this information to very large
groups of students, such as the 600 first year Biology students. New improved
lecture theatres with network access have allowed very successful presentations
to large groups of students (eg over 300 first year Psychology students and 170
second year Anatomy students) instead of repeated smaller classes. This is
reflected in the overall user education statistics.
13.4 Accommodation and Refurbishment
The age of the Biomedical Library building and air conditioning system has
resulted in continual extremes in temperature and lack of fresh air in the
building. In 1996, Maintenance and Operations checked the ducting system and
filters and installed several local thermostats to improve the balance and
temperature of the air. Although the system has been significantly improved, the
air conditioning system in the Biomedical Library is not new and only a certain
standard could be achieved. Also, the number of people using the Biomedical
Library at any one time may be excessive for the size of the building.
In 1996, some materials including foreign languages journals and old
monographs were moved from the Biomedical Library to the Matheson Store. Also a
stocktake was started which will facilitate the identification of additional
materials for the Store, allowing more space on the overcrowded monograph
shelves.
|
