UJ official closure

The Academic 2007 year is officially over. The University of Johannesburg officially closes on the 14th of December and re-opens on 2nd of January 2008. Wishing you all peaceful and full of love holiday.

Skype: Social Networking made easy

Skype enables free computer-to-computer calling (voice & video communication). I have been using it for the last 2 years for personal communication with my family & friends from overseas and also here in Johannesburg. What you need to get you started is an Internet access, to download Skype application and then to create your Skype account. Skype gives you an opportunity to talk over the Internet, to chat or even do a Conference with number of people. It is amazing. Even we can see each other if we have a camera attached. It is very easy way to reach people and chat with them. You can also send through Skype files, pictures, etc. Great Social Networking tool.

I have found in "ILibrarian blog" a reference to "7 things you should know about ... Skype" and how it works for personal or academics needs. Click on the TITLE to view this 2 pages manual.

South African Information Services News: December 2007

Some of us have received the December 2007 newsletter from South African Information Services. They inform us about:

* SLIS Professional of the Year: Norma Roberts from Anglo American

* World News Connection: Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity of a free trial. World News Connection offers:
• Unique content from hard-to-monitor countries
• Content provided through and in exclusive partnership with NTIS
• Ideal source for the latest information on current developments in over 100 countries
• Receive email updates on specific topics with alerts
• Records from 1995 to present
• Updates daily with from 300 – 1,000 records per day
For a free trial in early 2008 and/or more information, please contact Lynne on 011 469 4032 or lynner@saonlinefinfo.co.za

* Lemon Leadership Workshop
South African Online Information Services in conjuction with a leading Training Company is offering the Lemon Leadership Seminar: On 28 February 2008, At the Dainfern Golf Club Conference Rooms; R1 950.00 per delegate (excl. VAT). The LEMON Leadership® course is not a “How To” of leadership, but a “Who are you?” course that looks at leadership in a fresh way. For more information and to book, contact Christa on 083 980 3087 or christaf@saonlineinfo.co.za

* Materials Science databases
Essential materials science files from CSA/Proquest include
· METADEX® (File 32),
· Aluminum Industry Abstracts (File 33),
· Ceramic Abstracts/World Ceramic Abstracts (File 335),
· Corrosion Abstracts (File 46),
· Engineered Materials Abstracts (File 293) and
· Solid State and Superconductivity Abstracts (File 68).
These databases contain content on materials science, metallurgy, ceramics, polymers and composites used in engineering applications. Sources include journal articles, conference papers, reports, monographs and other publications. The databases are also available for license in a single mega-file CSA Technology Research Database (File 23).For more information and/or a quotation contact Lynne on 011 469 4032 or lynner@saonlineinfo.co.za
* 2008 Dialog Database Catalog
Please let Christa know if you need a new 2008 Dialog database catalog.christaf@saonlineinfo.co.za

Have a fantastic festive season and a prosperous new year!
Lynne, Christa and Lorraine

What's New @ JSTOR

Some of the latest news from JSTOR Publishers in December:
Collections - Currently UJ have access to all Collections as part of 3 year offer for all Africa continent. http://www.jstor.org/about/collection.list.html
Did you Know?
* New JSTOR platform has been developed. It will be available in 2008. http://sandbox.jstor.org/jstorPreview.html
* Free Preview of Aluka is extended to June 30, 2008. Since February 2007 institutions that have access to JSTOR have had the opportunity to access Aluka at no charge. Aluka is a digital library of primary source materials:

- Government documents, personal accounts, and correspondence documenting liberation movements in six southern African countries -- see a list of collections;

- Photographs, 3D models, and travelogues documenting cultural heritage sites in Africa, as well as a broadly based collection of African rock art;

- High-quality digitized plant specimens, botanical drawings, paintings, photographs, and expedition accounts.
Click on the TITLE for more information.

Wiley-Blackwell Newsletter: December 2007

Welcome to the first issue of the new Wiley-Blackwell newsletter for librarians and information professionals. We will keep you updated here on new products, website developments, special offers, publishing news, and tips for making better use of your licensed resources. Don't forget that as from 2008 the UJ Library will have access to BlackwellSynergy.
This issues offers:
* Latest News in Key Subject Areas
* New Titles Online From Wiley-Blackwell
* Wiley-Blackwell Newly Launched Journals for 2008 (available on BlackwellSynergy)
* Journal Backfiles
* Books Online
* Reference Works
* Platforms Updates - Blackwell Synergy changed its individual login functionality from username/password to e-mail address/password last month.
* Understanding Impact Factors
This newsletter can provide an opportunity for us to select new online books, reference works, etc. Click on the TITLE for access.

You Tube: Videos

I have created this week an account with You Tube. It is amazing how many videos are uploaded there. You can select videos either per "Categories" or you can search on "Specific topic". I found videos on "Library 2.0", Web 2.0", other Sciences related topics, etc. All your interests can be satisfied. If you want you can create an account and select your favourite videos. I have added to this blog one video on "Building Academic Library 2.0" (post dated 5/12/07), as an example. I also subscribed to be notified of the latest videos in different subject areas. To view "my You Tube" visit: http://www.youtube.com/pavlinka45. There is still much more to be done, but it is some start. We need to get used to use other media for information and learn hot to evaluate it.

Please keep in mind that some of "You Tube" videos re amateurs and their content should be subject to scrutiny and evaluation, before used as a source.

Building Academic Library 2.0

Academic Library 2.0 Keynote Speaker: Meredith Farkas, Distance Learning Librarian Norwich University, Northfield. A Conference sponsored by the Librarians Association of the University of California, Berkeley Division (Nov 2007)

The Self-Directed Student Toolbox: 100 Web Resources for Lifelong Learners

Online Education Database ( http://oedb.org/library/) published on 18/09/2007 the 100 Web Resources for Lifelong Learning. They have choosen the best resources in ten categories: Adult Education Guides, Audio and Video, Blogs, Career, Disabilities, Distance Education, Finances, Resources, Schoool tools, Travel.

Maybe be some of these resources will be of help to our users. Click on the title to view all options.

The Online Information Conference on Infotoday Blog

Infotoday blog will give you a glimpse from the current Online Information Conference in London, 4-6 December 2007. Web 2.0 is once again the main topic. Is there still something new we can learn?

Visit the Conference website: http://www.online-information.co.uk/online07/conference_2007.shtml