Searcher Facelift

The federated search engine, Searcher, has a new look. From the one interface, you can use Searcher to send searches to and fetch results from a number of different web-based resources. The major chemistry abstracting and indexing databases (SciFinder Scholar, Beilstein and Gmelin) aren't available to search this way but have a look at http://www.searcher.lib.ed.ac.uk [EASE login required] and tell us what you think.

Freely available chinese language material

From a Chinese language interface resource is available a large amount of open access resources from the National Library of China.

My Chinese colleague has summarised its content as including:

1. PhD dissertations from China (free view of the first 24 pages of over 100,000 PhD dissertations);

2. Biographies of Sinologists outside China (over 150);

3. Chinese e-books (free view of the first 24 pages of tens of thousands of books published since 1949);

4. Local gazetteers/local histories (full text all free, I think);

5. Books published in the Min guo (Republican period, 1911-1949) (full text all free; 8172 titles or 8884 volumes);

6. Min guo periodicals (full text all free; 4329 titles);

7. Min guo (Republican period) laws/legal documents (full text all free; 8112 items or 29087 pages);

8. Photos of oracle bones, characters, New Year pictures, etc, (all free.);

9. Audio and video resources (158,000 audio items and 108,000 video items since 1987; only partially available)

Exploring New Enhancements in the Web Version of SciFinder®

CAS Training available:

The upcoming release of the web version of SciFinder extends functionality beyond the capabilities of all existing SciFinder products. In this session, we will preview the new features and improved performance that the upcoming release has to offer. We will:

* Explore features such as the powerful refine capability that groups answer sets by scientific categories, combine options with multiple answer sets, duplicate removal, CHEMLIST®, CHEMCATS® export, and more . . .

* new features such as one click linking to your favorite SciFinder answers, new Keep Me Posted features, related references on key scientific concepts, and more . . .

* new content such as experimental and predicted properties and reaction data

To register, visit: http://casevents.webex.com.

After you register, you will receive an e-mail confirmation containing the teleconference phone numbers.

Rebroadcast Times (EDT):

December 2 - 2:00 PM
December 2 - 9:00 PM
December 9 - 8:15 AM
December 9 - 2:00 PM
December 16 - 8:15 AM
December 16 - 3:00 PM


Explore What’s New with the Web Version of SciFinder using the CAS Virtual Lab!

New virtual lab sessions have been added for your convenience!

These open sessions provide users with hands-on experience navigating the new web interface of SciFinder. A CAS Applications Specialist will be available to answer user questions.

To view the schedule and to register, visit: CAS Training Lab.

You must register at least 24 hours in advance of your desired virtual hands-on session.

Ensuring a bright future for research libraries - launch event

The Research Information Network (RIN) is holding an event to launch a new guidance booklet, "Ensuring a bright future for research libraries: A guide for vice-chancellor and senior institutional managers" in London on the evening of 18 November.

The report will be launched by Professor Robert Burgess, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leciester and the RIN's Director, Michael Jubb will discuss the framework the guidance provides in terms of ensuring library and information services keep up with the changing needs of researchers.

The briefing document for the guidance is available from here. The full guidance and case studies will be available after the launch event.

Edinburgh's Festival of Libraries

SATURDAY 8TH – FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2008
Edinburgh's Festival of Libraries: Celebrating Edinburgh’s Libraries!
Includes an opening Fair this Saturday at Adam House, Chambers Street 10am – 4pm. There are also events running all week, one-off talks and workshops and the Festival ends with a panel discussion on the Future of the Book.

Selected highlights more and details from the website above:

Edinburgh Geologists from Enlightenment to Contemporary - An exhibition showcasing the work and profiles of well-known earth scientists from the city. British Geological Survey, Murchison House.

Scaley Tails & Twinkling Tiaras with Vivian French. McDonald Road Library, 9th Nov

Princess Poppy with Janey Jones. Central Library, 14th Nov.

Copy of Robert Thornton's stunning florilegium “The Temple of Flora” along with other Thornton works. Library Foyer, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Creative Writing Workshops led by Bashabi Fraser, children's writer, poet and editor. Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 10th & 13th Nov.

Scottish Crime Night with Allan Guthrie & Tony Black. Leith Library, 11th Nov.

Meet the Makar, Ron Butlin, Edinburgh's Poet Laureate. Central Library, George IV Bridge, 11th Nov.

The Edward Clark Collection, A talk about one of the most significant collections in the country, consisting of around 5000 items illustrating the development of the book from the 15th century. Napier University, Merchiston Library, 11th & 13th Nov.

November e-bulletin from the Physical Sciences Centre

Contents: Issue 26, 5th November 2008

Full-text from http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/physsci/publications/ebulletin

1. Call for papers: SLTC

2. Funding available

i) Higher Education Academy Scotland travel fund for academic staff

ii) RSC Education Division Travel Grants

iii) RSC Bursaries for education conferences in USA

3. Forthcoming Centre events

i) Workshop for New and Aspiring Lecturers, 14-15th November 2008, Best Western Monk Bar Hotel, York

ii) Science Education Research in Higher Education: Past, Present, Future; A symposium to mark the retirement of Prof. Norman Reid, 19th November 2008, University of Glasgow

iii) Vision for optics and photonics teaching, 3rd December 2008, Durham University

iv) Peer Assessment 21st January 2009, Manchester Conference Centre

v) Supporting Engineering and Physical Science Students: A Workshop for Demonstrators, 11th February 2009, University of Birmingham

vi) Improving the student experience in teaching laboratories and project work, 18th February 2009, University of Glasgow

4. Other events

i) 2020 vision – the changing UK doctorate, 28th November 2008, The British Library, London

ii)The Forensic Science Society, One-Day Student Conference: Crime Scene to Court, 13th December 2008, University of Abertay

Stargazing Conference - research publications

Research publications now come in many different formats - from computer software and databases, to dance performances and music. And traditional journals are no longer the only way of publishing - e-journals, software repositories and blogs are all valuable resources.

* How do you find research that is relevant to you? and how do you know if it is any good?
* How do you make your own "publications" available? and how do you make them count?

This year's "stargazing conference" will provide an opportunity to hear University staff and guest speakers talk about some of the current issues and future trends. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and this promises to be an essential day for everyone involved in research.

Contact Details: mdima@staffmail.ed.ac.uk Further Details: http://www.itfutures.ed.ac.uk/Conference2008.shtml