From The Library Director: Do We Still Need a Library?
Someone asked me recently what the Library would be like in five years or would we still even need a Library, since so much information is available online now. I cannot say with any certainty what the Library will be like in five years, but the following is a brief explanation of the sometimes complex issues which the UAMS Library, and other health sciences libraries, are currently facing.
While there are some potential savings from providing online access to journals, such as savings in bindery costs and shelving space, the new costs associated with providing online access to information resources far outweigh any savings for the Library. With online access, the most important savings are in the time and effort that it will take for researchers, clinicians, students and others to get the information that they need.
So my answer to the question about whether or not we need libraries is a resounding YES. Someday when the vast majority of information resources are available online, we may not need to continue to expand the large physical facilities we have now, but we will still need space to continue to store the older materials not available online and the institutional archives/history of medicine collections, and space to provide computers to access the online resources. Also, we will still need staff to select and lease the information resources, to organize access to them through the Library's website, and to teach people how to access them.
Mary L. Ryan
Library Director
Outreach News: Statewide Calendar of Health Events
Are you or your department looking for an additional publicity outlet for health events open to the public? If so, have we got a site for you. In July the Arkansas Consumer Health Information Network (ARCHIN) began publicizing the new consumer health web site for the state - ARHealthLINK [http://www.arhealthlink.org].
In addition to quality national resources and Arkansas-specific health information, ARHealthLINK has one unique feature of interest to many. ARHealthLINK provides information on health-related events taking place around the state through an online calendar.
The calendar is coded by color and type of event. For example, all purple icons for Screenings provide information on various types of health screenings being offered including cholesterol checks, eye tests, PSA levels, etc. All dark blue Professional icons give information on CME or continuing education classes open only to health care professionals. Using the web site's search feature, the calendar may be searched by event type or name.
For an event to be accepted for posting on the ARHealthLINK event calendar, it must meet the following criteria:
We ask your help in identifying events taking place in Arkansas. Specifically we would like submissions for the following types of events.
To submit an event for consideration, please use the online form available at: http://www.arhealthlink.org/forms/event.asp.
If you have any questions regarding calendar submissions, please contact Susan Steelman at 501-686-6737.
The only way this calendar will grow is if the sponsors and coordinators of events submit event information. Please spread the word about this great statewide health event resource.
Susan Steelman, MLIS,
Coordinator of Outreach Services
Please note that free PubMed classes are being offered each month. These classes are open to any practicing health care professional in Arkansas. If you would like to register for one of these classes or schedule an individual class, please contact Susan Steelman, M.L.I.S. at 501-686-6737 or SteelmanSusanC@uams.edu.
November 14 10:00 - 12:00 noon
December 4 2:00 - 4:00 pm
On September 4, 2001, the Library launched a new Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system called ILLiad. It is an electronic system that makes ILL service easier and more efficient for patrons and staff. With ILLiad you enter your name, address, and other personal information into the system only once, at the time of your first request. All information regarding your requests is entered via the web forms from the ILLiad main menu. Misinterpretation of hand-written requests is eliminated, allowing us to handle your requests more rapidly and accurately.
Another wonderful feature is that you can get information regarding the status of your requests through the Web at any time. Other ILLiad features include:
The ILL Department will continue to provide photocopies through Electronic Delivery whenever possible. If you have any problems receiving or printing your articles please contact us immediately.
There is an FAQ section at http://www.library.uams.edu/illiad/faq.html covering general questions about the system. ILLiad is available from any computer via the Library's Web Page http://www.library.uams.edu Select the Forms option from the navigation bar at the top of your browser window. Then press the ILLiad button to access the ILLiad Log-in screen.
The ILL staff is available to assist you with any problems or questions regarding the new system. We have a computer designated for ILLiad in our office and will be happy to assist you with registration or inputting your requests. Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery staff is available Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Also, you may reach us by phone at 501-686-6742 or via email at LibraryInterLibraryLoan@uams.edu.
Dena Plaisted
Chair, Document Access Services
The UAMS Library participates in a reciprocal borrowing agreement with other University of Arkansas System libraries. This means that students, faculty and staff members from a participating UA campus can go to any of the UA libraries and, presenting proper credentials can check out books.
Before going to another UA library, the patron must:
The patron can then go to another UA System library, show a photo I.D. and give that library our letter of good standing and register for privileges at that library. It is up to each library to set its own circulation policies. For example, faculty/staff members may be able to use their letter of good standing for up to a year, while students may have to obtain one each semester. Also, each library establishes their policies regarding length of checkout, number of items that may be borrowed and length of loan.
The patron is responsible for materials borrowed from other libraries and for any fines or charges incurred. Failure to adhere to circulation policies from another participating library may result in borrowing privileges being revoked at the UAMS library.
UA schools participating:
University of Arkansas at Little
Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Law School
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
University of Arkansas at Monticello
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville - Law School
University of Arkansas - Phillips Community College
University of Arkansas - Community College at Hope
University of Arkansas - Community College at Batesville
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dena Plaisted
Chair, Document Access Services
We're very pleased that the Library will be adding 50 new journal subscriptions to our collection for 2002. In addition we will be buying online access to a few additional titles.
How were the titles selected?
Other factors that influenced the final selection are
If there are any questions please contact Jean Ann Moles 686-6747, e-mail MolesJeanA@uams.edu or Mary Hawks 686-6749, e-mail HawksMaryS@uams.edu.
Jean Ann Moles
Serials Collection Development Coordinator
The UAMS medical school has not always been located on West Markham Street. There were four previous locations. The third location was actually at the Old State Capitol building. An exhibit is scheduled to open October 13, 2001 at the Old State House Museum that will document that period of time (1912 to 1935). The exhibit will enable visitors to compare life in medical school then with now. Many artifacts and documents from the UAMS Library's Historical Research Center are being used in the exhibit. Dr. Jonathan Wolfe, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Pharmacy, and President of the History of Medicine Associates, is serving as curator of the exhibit. UAMS and the History of Medicine Associates are among the co-sponsors of the exhibit.
Make your plans to see the exhibit and experience medical school then. The exhibit is scheduled to be displayed for a year.
For more information, including audio and video files, please visit http://www.uams.edu/today/100401/osh.htm.
Margaret Johnson
Head, Historical Research Center
The Library's Faculty Development Room has recently received its new Sony Digital Video Camera, the DCR-TRV900. Combined with the video editing applications available, this is going to be an acquisition that should prove to be an outstanding resource for content development. Though larger, heavier, and pricier than most digital video cameras, the Sony DCR-TRV900 delivers virtually everything that demanding professionals want. It combines ease of use with excellent image quality. The DCR-TRV900 automatically generates a warning zebra pattern to mark overexposed areas in the LCD. The most unusual feature is a floppy disk drive; the DCR-TRV900 is the only DV camera capable of saving JPEG still images to a 3.5-inch disk (video is stored to the traditional DV tape). This makes transferring images to your PC a snap. Everyone who has used it so far has been very impressed with the DCR-TRV900's image quality. Its progressive-scan three-CCD system produces sharp, well-defined images while eliminating color aliasing. The zooms were butter-smooth, the auto-focus sure and quick. The DCR-TRV900 is a high-quality camera capable of producing excellent videos and stills. This makes it the digital video camera to beat for demanding users who want the best without going up to a full-blown professional digital video camera. We also have an excellent tripod with camera controls on the handle, which makes using the camera truly effortless. In addition, we've also received a new Sony Mavica Digital Still Camera, the MVC-FD97.
Like other Mavicas, it retains the ever-popular internal floppy disk drive, permitting images to be exported from the camera to host computer simply by removing the floppy disk, inserting it in the computer, and copying the files. What's different this time is that the MVC-FD97 also includes an internal slot for Sony's Memory Stick flash memory cards. With capacities currently running as high as 64 megabytes, the Memory Stick slot completely eliminates the space crunch produced by trying to squeeze 2 megapixel files onto a 1.44 MB floppy disk. The new design can record to either the Memory Stick or floppy, and copy easily between the two media types. Really, this brings the best of both worlds: The ease and convenience of floppies for sharing images, but the capacity and speed of Memory Sticks for extended usage. Sony also added a USB interface for direct image downloads from the Memory Stick.
Faculty interested in acquiring exceptional images should come by the Library's Faculty Development Room and see what these cameras can do for you!
Fred Bassett
Multimedia Project Specialist
It is not too early to start thinking of Holiday gifts. It is possible to benefit the library collection and honor someone with your gift at the same time. There are several options. You can donate a book to the Library's regular collection, or the History of Medicine collection, as a way of showing your appreciation for some special person. Donated books will have a bookplate that recognizes the honoree and the donor. The honored person will receive notice of your donation.
You can "adopt" a book in the History of Medicine collection by funding conservation treatment. You will receive a packet documenting the treatment and a commemorative bookplate will be placed in the book indicating that someone has been honored by your adoption. A list is available of books needing conservation, or a book can be selected from a certain area of interest.
Memberships in the History of Medicine Associates would make excellent gifts. The Associates are a support group for the Historical Research Center of the Library. They sponsor the Adopt-a-Book program, provide a yearly research grant, and have a annual dinner meeting with a speaker. A lecture series on the history of the health sciences was initiated this year. The Associates also supported the development of an exhibit at the Old State House Museum featuring the College of Medicine when it was housed at the Old State Capitol building from 1912-1935. Members receive newsletters and an opportunity to participate in these activities.
For information on gift donations of books to the regular collection contact Mary Hawks, Collection Management, 686 6749, or e-mail hawksmarys@uams.edu.
For information on donations to
the History of Medicine collection, Adopt-a-Book, or membership in the History
of Medicine Associates, contact Margaret Johnson, Historical Research Center,
686 6733, or e-mail johnsonmargareta@uams.edu.
Margaret Johnson
Head, Historical Research Center
George Ackerman, M.D.
Arts of UAMS Exhibit
September 4 - October 31, 2001
Dr. George Ackerman, Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine, UAMS College of Medicine, shares many of the wildflower photographs he has taken. While some are from Arkansas, many were taken on trips to the American West, especially the Rocky Mountain chain extending from the Sangre deCristos in northern New Mexico to the Canadian Rockies.
The flowers appear as individual blossoms, such as the Purple coneflower, or in a group, as the fields full of sunflowers from such areas as Big Sky, Montana or Crested Butte, Colorado. There are even non-flower pictures, such as the mountain goat from Glacier National Park, or the sunset as captured over Big Sky, Montana.
The camera used was a Nikon 8008 camera. The film was Fujichrome Velvia, and the majority were taken with available light.
Come by and enjoy!
UAMS Library: Editor,
Amanda Saar
Soundwords: Editor, Fred Bassett
Contributors: Fred Bassett, Mary Hawks, Margaret Johnson, Jean Ann Moles, Dena
Plaisted, Mary Ryan, and Susan Steelman
Published by the UAMS
Library
4301 W. Markham, Slot 586
Little Rock, AR 72205-7186
(501) 686-5980
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