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Magazines > Computers in Libraries > October 2004
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Vol. 23 No. 9 — October 2004
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Newsline
Newsline is compiled by Kathie Felix

Knowledge Strategies Published

TFPL, Ltd. and Dialog announced the publication of "Joined-up Knowledge Strategies," the executive report of TFPL's chief knowledge officer's summit for the public sector that took place in April. The report considers the implications of legislative requirements relating to information and data for the public sector and concludes that, with good planning and collaboration, the requirements can be met and, in doing so, valuable enterprise-wide approaches to knowledge and information management can be developed. The report is available in printed format or as a PDF download free of charge from http://www.tfpl.com/resources/tfpl_reports.cfm.

Source: TFPL, Ltd., London, 0-11-44-207-251-5522; http://www.tfpl.com.

Enterprise Documents & Records Management Europe Launched

The organizers of the Online Information and Content Management Europe (CME) exhibitions and conference announced that Enterprise Document & Records Management Europe (EDRM Europe) will run during the 2004 conference at Olympia, London, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. The new event, designed to help organizations manage data more efficiently, was created as an extension of the Online Information show in response to audience polling.

Source: VNU Exhibitions Europe, London, 011-44-207-316-9000; http://www.vnuexhibitions.co.uk.

E-Motive Provides Dot Matrix Elevator Technology

E-Motive announced the availability of a full range of elevator display solutions, from simple LED position indicators to advanced audio/video LCD displays. The company provides custom elevator panels, including panels that can be used as Dewey Decimal directories in elevators, as well as standard displays for elevator cars and landings.

Source: E-Motive USA, Hauppauge, NY, 877/366-8483; http://www.emotiveusa.com.

OCLC and MCLS Combine QuestionPoint and 24/7 Reference

OCLC and the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System (MCLS) have announced an agreement to combine QuestionPoint and 24/7 Reference to create a suite of virtual reference tools. This combination will build on the unique benefits and features of each service—such as reference management and the Global Reference Network offered by QuestionPoint and the cooperative reference coverage of 24/7 Reference. QuestionPoint, developed by OCLC and the Library of Congress, offers a searchable, global knowledgebase that has grown to more than 7,000 active question and answer pairs. 24/7 Reference, developed by MCLS in Southern California, allows library patrons to ask questions and get answers from qualified reference staff in real time on the Internet. Both QuestionPoint and 24/7 Reference libraries will continue to receive service under terms of their current contracts.

Source: OCLC, Dublin, OH, 800/848-5878; http://www.oclc.org.

USEFUL TOOLS

Russ Bassett Offers ProMedia Storage System

Russ Bassett announced the availability of the ProMedia media storage systems, designed to optimize floor space while providing added media organization. The line offers the Gemtrac design and accepts all industry-standard media, including CDs, DVDs, and all types of magnetic tapes (VHS, Beta, D2, DVC Pro, DV-Cam, and DVC-Pro). More than 12,000 CDs can be stored within 25 square feet of space. The products include cabinets, adjustable shelving, and Slidetrac in-line rolling shelving for high-capacity filing in shallow depth areas.

Source: Russ Bassett Corp., Whittier, CA, 800/350-2445;
http://www.russbassett.com.

Sima Introduces GoDVD!

Sima Products Corp. announced the launch of the GoDVD! product line, a digital video enhancer that helps libraries protect their microfiche and VHS collections. The GoDVD! unit, connected between any playback source—VCR, camcorder, or DVD player—and a DVD recorder, restores and transfers old videos to the DVD format. The unit also can be used to back up copies of original DVDs. The GoDVD! unit stabilizes video signals, reduces video-sync noise, and is compatible with S-VHS, VHS-C, VHS, 8mm, and DVD. The unit contains four signal-enhancement output modes—Normal, Enhanced, Darker, and Black/White—and has the ability to support both U.S. (NTSC) and International (PAL) video formats. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $129.95.

Thomson ISI ResearchSoft Releases EndNote 8 for Windows

Thomson ISI ResearchSoft announced the release of an upgrade to Endnote, the company's bibliographic management software. EndNote 8 offers Unicode support for any language, allowing researchers to cite references and create bibliographies in any language. Additional new features enable users to create EndNote libraries of unlimited size and enter long abstracts and notes (50 KB or approximately 10 pages of text in each). New reference types (including Electronic Book, Electronic Journal, and Online Database) and fields (such as Link to PDF, Electronic Resource Number, and Last Modified Date) are also featured. EndNote 8 users can move an EndNote library to any hand-held device running Palm OS 4.1­5.x. Designed for Windows 2000 and XP, the list price is $330.

Source: Thomson ISI ResearchSoft, Carlsbad, CA, 760/438-5526; http://www.isiresearchsoft.com.

ProQuest Updates ProQuest Online Info Service

ProQuest announced the release of the latest version of the ProQuest Information Service. The new release includes ProQuest Smart Search query analysis for help in finding more and better results, enhanced e-mail capabilities that allow users to track their results and share them with colleagues, and advanced browsing for better access to non-periodical content. Enhancements to ProQuest CrossLinks allow users to link from their results list into a link-resolver service to view full-text articles from internal library holdings or accessible external resources. A demonstration of the new interface and descriptions and guides to its features are available on the ProQuest Web site.

Source: ProQuest Information and Learning, Ann Arbor, MI, 800/521-0600; http://www.il.proquest.com.

Source: Sima Products Corp., Oakmont, PA, 800/345-7462; http://www.simacorp.com.

NEW/ENHANCED DATABASES

New SAGE Full-Text Collections Added

SAGE Publications and Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA) announced the addition of four new collections to the SAGE Full-Text Collections—Management & Organization Studies, Materials Science, Nursing & Health Research, and Urban Studies & Planning. With the addition of this material, SAGE Full-Text Collections offers a total of 10 discipline-specific, full-text databases, providing a total of 225 journals and more than 73,000 articles.

Source: SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, 800/818-7243; http://www.sagepublications.com.

EBSCOhost Offers PAIS International

EBSCO Publishing announced that the PAIS International database has been added to EBSCOhost. Produced by the OCLC Public Affairs Information Service, PAIS International includes references to more than 530,000 journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, gray literature, research reports, policy papers, Internet documents, Web sites, conference reports, and other sources from more than 120 countries. The database covers topics such as affirmative action, AIDS, climate change, environmental degradation, and war and conflict.

Source: EBSCO Publishing, Ipswich, MA, 800/653-2726;
http://www.ebsco.com.

New Thomson Gale Science Database Correlates Content

Thomson Gale announced the launch of Science Resource Center, a new science database with content directly correlated to national and state science curriculum standards. The database includes three core proprietary references from Thomson Gale—Gale Encyclopedia of Science, Macmillan Science Library, and UXL Encyclopedia of Science—as well as 40 additional proprietary reference titles. Also included are links to full-text science magazines and journals, multimedia records, and Web sites.

Source: Thomson Gale, Farmington Hills, MI, 800/877-4253; http://www.gale.com.

Westlaw Adds State Legislative History

Thomson West announced the addition of new legislative history content to Westlaw for California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The new materials include committee reports, House and Senate journals, bill summaries, legislative research reports, and approval and veto messages (content varies by jurisdiction). New legislative history search pages are accessible from the Legislative History State page by clicking on a particular state. Users can search a single source or multiple sources for legislative intent on statutes.

Source: Thomson West, Eagan, MN, 800/733-2889; http://west.thomson.com.

Thomson Gale Expands Gale Virtual Reference Library

Thomson Gale announced the addition of new content to the Gale Virtual Reference Library platform. The additional titles are UXL Encyclopedia of Science; UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography; American Inaugurals: The Speeches, The Presidents, and Their Times; Encyclopedia of the American Constitution; Harlem Renaissance; Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays; and Contemporary Theatre, Film & TV (volume 55). Also included are two titles from John Wiley & Sons—Encyclopedia of Aquaculture and Encyclopedia of Ethical, Legal and Policy Issues in Biotechnology.

Source: Thomson Gale, Farmington Hills, MI, 800/877-4253; http://www.gale.com.

Dialog Launches MetalBase

Dialog announced the release of MetalBase, a new database developed for the global metals industry. MetalBase (File 36) is accessible through Dialog-branded services that aggregate literature drawn internationally from publications and proceedings focused on the metals and allied industries, including aluminum, steel, and iron. The content includes articles and reports from specialized trade publications, books and monographs, conference and meeting proceedings, journal articles, and patent documents. Dialog produced the new database by culling metals-related materials from two other databases available on its services—INSPEC (File 2) and Weldasearch (File 25).

Source: The Dialog Corporation, Cary, NC, 800/334-2564; http://www.dialog.com.

FindLaw Releases Legal Record

FindLaw announced the launch of Thomson Legal Record, a resource designed to help in-house corporate attorneys make decisions when hiring outside counsel. The Thomson Legal Record enables users to research and verify an attorney's real-world litigation experience by combining a high-level view of an attorney's litigation history drawn from Westlaw with an attorney's West Legal Directory profile and published articles on FindLaw.com.

Source: Thomson/FindLaw, Eagan, MN, 800/455-4565; http://www.findlaw.com.

Dialog Newsroom Adds International News

Dialog announced that it has added in-depth news covering Europe and hard-to-monitor countries to its Dialog Newsroom service. Recent content additions include news reports culled from local media based in countries such as China, Cuba, India, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, and Serbia. The reports are translated into English and made available through World News Connection, a service distributed by Dialog with information compiled daily by the U.S. government's Foreign Broadcast Information Service and published by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Technical Information Service. Also offered are five news wires from ANSA, an Italian news agency; daily news reports from the EUobserver, a newsletter publisher and online service covering European affairs; and 75­100 articles added daily from Economist Intelligence Unit: ViewsWire, a business intelligence service covering more than 180 countries.

Source: The Dialog Corporation, Cary, NC, 800/334-2564;
http://www.dialog.com.

YOUR DIGITAL LIBRARY

ALPSP Learned Journals Collection Grows

Swets Information Services announced that the ALPSP Learned Journals Collection (ALJC) in partnership with Swets has expanded for its second year and now offers a range of 430 titles from 44 diverse international publishers. The ALJC enables small- and medium-sized publishers to package their journals under a single umbrella license, pricing model, and delivery platform—offering libraries the benefit of a single negotiation. Detailed pricing and license information is available on the ALJC Web site (http://www.alpsp-collection.org).

Source: Swets Information Services, Lisse, Netherlands, 011-31-252-435-584; http://www.swets.com.

U-M Makes 19th-Century Books Available

The University of Michigan announced that the Scholarly Publishing Office of the University of Michigan University Library has joined with Lightning Source, Inc. to bring high-quality, hardbound reprints of 19th-century books to libraries and booksellers using print-on-demand technology. The volumes are produced from digital images created through the university library's preservation reformatting program. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the text that can be accessed online and can also be used to create the new print copies. Nearly 10,000 titles in the Making of America collection (http://moa.umdl.umich.edu) and the University of Michigan Historical Mathematics collection (http://www.hti.umich.edu/u/umhistmath) are available in the print or online versions.

Source: University of Michigan Library/Scholarly Publishing Office, Ann Arbor, MI, 734/764-1817; http://spo.umdl.umich.edu.

GeoScience World Builds New Portal

GeoScience World announced that it is developing a comprehensive online resource for journals in the earth sciences. The GeoScience World portal will be developed and hosted by Stanford University's electronic journals service, HighWire Press. The initial collection will incorporate titles from 22 leading societies and institutes from six countries, including the seven founding organizations—American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Geological Institute, Geological Society of America, Geological Society of London, Mineralogical Society of America, Society for Sedimentary Geology, and Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

Source: GeoScience World, Alexandria, VA, 800/865-9765;
http://www.geoscienceworld.org.

CONTENT/LINKING AGREEMENTS

Swets Provides Gateway to China

Swets Information Services announced that an agreement with CERNET, the Chinese academic Internet service provider, will make a large electronic journal selection of EDP Sciences and IOS Press available to Chinese users via a rapid broadband connection with SwetsWise Online Content. The delivery of rapid access is part of Swets' "Gateway to China" package, which includes sales and marketing and market intelligence support for publishers targeting the growing Chinese market.

Source: Swets Information Services, Lisse, Netherlands, 011-31-252-435-584; http://www.swets.com.

WilsonWeb Links to RefWorks

H.W. Wilson announced that WilsonWeb and RefWorks are now linked. Users of WilsonWeb periodicals research databases can now use the RefWorks Database and Bibliography Creator to compile WilsonWeb article references into Web-accessible personalized databases that can be used for personal reference, sharing research, or generating footnotes and bibliographies. WilsonWeb offers more than 50 periodicals research databases in a variety of subject areas.

Source: H.W. Wilson, New York, 800/367-6770;http://www.hwwilson.com.

FIZ Karlsruhe Acquires Seven Databases

FIZ Karlsruhe announced the addition of seven CSA databases to STN International, the sci-tech online service. The new databases include ANTE, covering new technologies; the engineering databases CIVILENG and MECHENG; the environmental databases ENVIROENG, WATER, and AQUALINE; and the biotech and bioengineering database BIOENG. With the additional new titles, STN offers a total of 26 CSA databases.

Source: FIZ Karlsruhe/STN Europe, Karlsruhe, Germany, 011-49-7247-808-555; http://www.fiz-karlsruhe.de.

Reference Universe Includes New Links

Paratext announced that its aggregated reference database, Reference Universe, now contains links to Oxford Reference Online, Gale's Virtual Reference Library, and ABC-CLIO e-books. Users may simultaneously query the content of their local printed collections as well as these full-text electronic resources via Reference Universe. Links to e-sources from Taylor & Francis, Greenwood Press, CQ Press, and others are in development.

Source: Paratext, LLC, Sterling, VA, 703/318-0285; http://www.paratext.com.

Collins World Atlas Gazetteer Added to xreferplus

xrefer announced that it has integrated the Collins World Atlas Gazetteer into its xreferplus subscription service. The Gazetteer includes 90,000 places and geographic features, with a 1:5,000,000 scale. With xrefer's cross-referencing technology, users can move among the atlas entries to any related entries in the dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference books in xreferplus. Additional navigational tools enable browsing adjacent areas and a choice of map sizes.

Source: xrefer, Boston, 877/426-5202; http://www.xrefer.com.

ProQuest ABI/INFORM Offers Scholar Universe Profiles

Proquest Information and Learning announced that it has licensed information from the Scholar Universe collection of Authority Profiles for the ABI/INFORM business database suite. The program will launch with approximately 40,000 author profiles and 3,000 institutional profiles. Author profiles typically contain name, affiliation, most current contact information, personal Web page, research interests, and publication list. Institution profiles include universities and their schools of business, as well as departments such as economics, political science, law, and public affairs. Institutional profiles generally include name, address, Web page, and e-mail address.

Source: ProQuest Information and Learning, Ann Arbor, MI, 800/521-0600; http://www.il.proquest.com.

SwetsWise Online Content Signs New Publishers

Swets Information Services announced that seven new publishers have been added to SwetsWise Online Content. The new publishers are Akadémiai Kiadó (Hungary), the American Institute of Biological Sciences (U.S.), American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. (U.S.), Commonwealth Forestry Commission (U.K.), Equinox Publishing, Ltd. (U.K.), Pharmaceutical Press (U.K.), and Vieweg Verlag-GWV Fachverlage (Germany). SwetsWise now carries a total of 8,325 full-text e-journals from 309 publishers, including more than 90 percent of the top STM publishers.

Source: Swets Information Services, Lisse, Netherlands, 011-31-252-435-584; http://www.swets.com.

AUTOMATION AIDS

LVN Debuts "RFID in Libraries"

Library Video Network announced the release of its video "RFID in Libraries." The 35-minute program reviews the basics of RFID technology and visits Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library and Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library in Haverstraw, N.Y., to see how each is implementing RFID. Managers from both libraries discuss their experiences with RFID and provide tips for librarians considering it. Technology consultant David Dorman also offers his perspectives. "RFID in Libraries" is available in DVD or VHS format for $75 and may be ordered online at http://www.lvn.org. You may also place your order by calling 800/441-TAPE or by mailing it to Library Video Network, 320 York Rd., Towson, MD 21204.

Source: Library Video Network, Towson, MD, 410/887-2082; http://www.lvn.org.

Dynix Horizon Links to Lighthouse!

Dynix announced that customers using the Horizon Information Management System will have integrated access to Lighthouse!, the newest collection development companion from United Library Services (ULS). Lighthouse! offers real-time communication with Horizon through the W3C-approved Vendor Integration Protocol (VIP) from Dynix. VIP allows Dynix customers to send an ISBN inquiry directly to Lighthouse! to determine title availability and to transfer bibliographic and pricing information to an acquisitions purchase order line record in Horizon.

Source: Dynix, Provo, UT, 800/288-8020; http://www.dynix.com.

Cuadra Associates Launches STAR/Archives 2.0

Cuadra Associates, Inc. announced the release of a new version of its archives collection management system, STAR/Archives. The new edition, version 2.0, features browser-based retrieval across collections and allows for dynamic generation of finding aids from within the public access catalog. The new system simplifies catalog creation, developing and maintaining finding aids, and providing public access to collections.

Source: Cuadra Associates, Inc., Los Angeles, 800/366-1390; http://www.cuadra.com.

Ex Libris Releases ALEPH 500

The Ex Libris Group announced the release of the ALEPH 500 Reporting Center (ARC). The ARC plug-in module is a Web-based reporting, querying, and statistical generation environment based on information contained within the ALEPH system. ARC includes a selection of standard pre-defined reports and statistics that can be customized using a desktop Web client and saved for future library use. All saved reports can be shared across the library, consortium, or other institutions running ALEPH 500.

Source: Ex Libris (USA), Boston, 866/232-0202; http://www.exlibris-usa.com.

Checkpoint Unveils New Products

Checkpoint announced the release of two new products—CheckPASS and Intelligent Library System version 2.0—as well as the expansion of its electromagnetic product line for libraries.

CheckPASS, a complete library resource management system, automates functions such as scheduling computer time for patrons, managing patron printing and copying costs, and collecting fees and fines for overdue books. CheckPASS can be purchased as a stand-alone system or as part of Checkpoint's Intelligent Library System. Patrons use their library cards to check out materials, reserve computers, and request or pay for photocopies or computer printouts. CheckPASS operates on Citrix, Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Novell Networks.

Intelligent Library System (ILS) 2.0 upgrades the collection management and security tool for libraries with several new features. A more efficient conversion system uses a non-contact Circulation Circuit station capable of tagging more than 200 items per hour. The ILS Staff Assist Self-Checkout enables one staff member to monitor several Patron Self-Checkouts from a single workstation, without extra hardware. The Patron Self-Checkout Station offers prompts and messages in up to six languages. A Patron Self-Checkout kiosk is also available in a variety of finishes.

Checkpoint has expanded its electromagnetic product line with its Patron Self-Checkout Station and new anti-theft sensors. The self-checkout station includes animated prompts in a variety of languages and security deactivation that automatically detects the media type and applies the appropriate level of power, making it safe for the deactivation of all materials, including multimedia. The anti-theft sensors are compatible with all popular circulation system software, accommodate all types of security strips, and can be used with any library materials. The sensors can be combined to secure exits up to 30 feet wide or to protect up to 10 aisles at one time.

Source: Checkpoint Systems, Inc., Thorofare, NJ, 800/257-5540; http://www.checkpointsystems.com.

NEW BOOKS

Neal-Schuman Publishers Offers Three New Books

Neal-Schuman Publishers released three new books: Metadata for Information Management and Retrieval, Project Management: Tools and Techniques for Today's ILS Professional, and Libraries Without Walls 5: The Distributed Delivery of Library and Information Services.

Metadata for Information Management and Retrieval by David Haynes (ISBN: 1-85604-489-0, 186 p., $75), shows how metadata can be used to describe the content, format, or attributes of a highly structured or unstructured record or resource. The book outlines the benefits of this concept, including improved description, retrieval, management, ownership, authentication, and interoperability. Haynes reveals the relationship of metadata to XML, Resource Description Framework (RDF), and data encoding. The text examines related schema and standards, including Dublin Core, MARC, DOIs, and ONIX, and includes tables and diagrams, source codes, record extracts, screen shots, and other illustrations.

Project Management: Tools and Techniques for Today's ILS Professional by Barbara Allan (ISBN: 1-85604-504-8, 192 p., $75) examines effective strategies that librarians can use to handle large- and small-scale projects, including implementing new systems, setting up portals and digital libraries, conducting customer surveys, and coordinating with local, regional, national, and international consortia. Allan advises readers on project life cycles, planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. A special chapter explores technology—software, instant messaging, chat rooms, and Web sites—to increase efficiency and enhance performance.

Libraries Without Walls 5: The Distributed Delivery of Library and Information Services edited by Peter Brophy, Shelagh Fisher, and Jenny Craven (ISBN: 1-85604-511-0, 270 p., $125) draws its content from the fifth Libraries Without Walls Conference. This volume focuses on the key strategic issues arising from international, regional, and collaborative approaches to distance library service. Chapters cover the integration of library services and virtual learning environments; the relationship between user needs, information skills, and information literacy; usability and accessibility of digital library services; designing the information environment from national and institutional perspectives; the creation of digital resources by user communities; and more.

Source: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., New York, 212/925-8650; http://www.neal-schuman.com.

Maneuvering Through Metadata

Metadata in Practice, edited by Diane I. Hillmann and Elaine L. Westbrooks (ISBN: 0-8389-0882-9, 304 p., $50, ALA members $45), presents a collection of reports from the field that examine digital library projects in terms of successful solutions, things to avoid, and ways to proceed amid constant change. Part one illustrates projects serving teachers, universities, Canadian educators, statewide collaborations, and geographical information. Part two addresses future trends.

Source: ALA Editions, Chicago, 312/280-1537; http://www.ala.org/editions.

Honing Virtual Reference Skills

ALA released Virtual Reference Training: The Complete Guide to Providing Anytime, Anywhere Answers (ISBN: 0-8389-0876-4, 168 p., $42, ALA members $37.80) by Buff Hirko and Mary Bucher Ross. The manual provides techniques refined through the Washington State Library's Statewide Virtual Reference Project to help train library staff in honing 14 virtual reference service (VRS) core competencies. Its exercises are designed to develop VRS capabilities such as chat and e-mail skills and etiquette, collaborative browsing with patrons, Windows-based multitasking, keyboard commands and shortcuts, and technical troubleshooting. The guide includes nine appendixes that reinforce skills development via assessment tools, virtual field trip reports, secret patron scenarios, and edited transcripts illustrating both good and bad librarian/patron interactions during actual university and public library VRS transactions.

Source: ALA Editions, Chicago, 312/280-1537; http://www.ala.org/editions.

Using Electronic Resources Wisely

The Changing Landscape for Electronic Resources: Content, Access, Delivery, and Legal Issues, edited by Yem S. Fong and Suzanne M. Ward (ISBN: 0-7890-2441-1, 136 p., $49.95 for hardback and $29.95 for softcover), focuses on the effects and challenges of providing electronic resources for libraries. The book examines the experience of applying electronic resources to interlibrary loan systems, copyright and licensing, open source software, international data standards, scholarly publishing, and more.

Source: The Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY, 800/429-6784;
http://www.haworthpressinc.com.

 

 


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