Saturday 23 February 2008

IFLA: Introducing ResearchTrail

IFLA would like to announce a new service for information professionals and librarians – ResearchTrail.

ResearchTrail has two aims:
* To be a community and a meeting-place where those of us whose job it is to find information can interact with, collaborate with, and help the people who need that information, and also help each other.
* To provide a marketplace where businesses and individuals can find professional searchers, and info-pros looking for clients can advertise their services.

Since ResearchTrail is a free-access website, it's truly global – no matter where you live, you can interact with other information professionals, get help, and find work through ResearchTrail's marketplace.

ResearchTrail goes online in March; but you can register now at http://www.researchtrail.com/.

A week before we open, we'll send everyone who registered a personal username, so you can get a sneak preview. Then we open with a search competition (with prizes) for information professionals – to encourage as many of you as possible try us out and comment on what we're doing right and wrong and what you'd like to see there. Everyone who's registered is eligible to take part in the competition too.

ResearchTrail is built by info-pros for info-pros. We look forward to seeing you all on-site and hearing what you think.

Knowledge Management & Innovation Conference: 9 & 10 April 2008

The Knowledge Management & Innovation Conference will be held on 9 & 10 April 2008.

Venue: Premier Regent Hotel, Cape Town

Presentations will be from the following organizations:

o South African National Centre for Informatics Knowledge Management and Knowledge Economy - SANCIKMKE
o Development Bank of South Africa - DBSA
o Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability - RIIS
o University of Witwatersrand o Datacentrix
o Knowledge Integration Dynamics
o I-Kno
o Steve Bayhegyi & Associates
o Suritec
o IBM
o Symbiosys Consulting

Objectives
o To establish the relationship between knowledge management and organizational transformations.
o To harness expertise to effectively implement knowledge management strategies.
o To apply knowledge management principles, techniques and tools into leadership.
o To structure the storing of information using knowledge management systems.
o To learn and understand technologies that support knowledge management initiatives Audience Individuals and teams with a serious business interest in knowledge management and the knowledge-based economy. Executive who are especially interested in new ideas on how to get a better return on their investments. Knowledge managers, creative strategist, architects, and executives who seek faster, smarter, better and most cost effective ways to generate optimum knowledge performance

TO REGISTER CALL TEL: +27 11 472 5388 - FAX: +27 11 472 5304 Email: info@ingwecom.co.za

Wiley InterScience: 5000 online books in 2008

Wiley-Blackwell is pleased to announce that over the next few months approximately 1500 books from the former Blackwell Publishing will be incorporated into the OnlineBooks™ program on Wiley InterScience. This milestone in the integration of content from the two publishing operations will dramatically expand the scope of the online book offering on Wiley InterScience, and enable your library and user community to search and access, on one platform, a vast repository of prestigious monographs across the sciences and humanities:

The Blackwell Publishing books will include:
* 600 books in Social Science and the Humanities
* 300 books covering many Medical disciplines, including evidence-based medicine
* 650 books in Life Science, Construction, Nursing, Food Science and Technology, Agriculture and Forestry, Aquaculture, and Applied arts

In addition, in early 2008 another 400 titles from Wiley-VCH will be added to Wiley InterScience, predominantly in physics, chemistry, material sciences and life sciences.

Your institution can license OnlineBooks for a subscription or for a one-time fee, on a title-by-title basis, with a custom starter package of 20 titles.
DOWNLOAD SPREADSHEETS:
>>
List of Blackwell and Wiley-VCH books coming to Wiley InterScience
>>
All Wiley InterScience OnlineBooks - Full Title List with Pricing Information

SLIS Workshop on Reference Interview: 18 March 2008

Grab your diary and immediately book a date with SLIS for a great tutoring and learning opportunity!

Our first workshop of the year is around conducting successful reference interviews. The reference interview is an art and forms the basis for information provision in all types of libraries. You as an information professional need to understand exactly what the user is asking for to be able to know which information sources to consult, how much information to provide, on which level it should be, and to evaluate the information before supplying it.

The workshop will be conducted at entrance level for students of Library and Information Science, information professionals who just started their career and who do information retrieval. There will be practical examples and the opportunity to practice with other delegates. It is not going to be theoretical.

Workshop Presenter: Louise Mitchell, ATD Tech-Know Link
When: Tuesday 18 March 2008, 9h30 - 12h00.
Lunch will be served Where: Anglo American Auditorium
RSVP: 12 March 2008, christelle.vermaak@fluor.com
Cost: SLIS paid-up members & students (full-time or part-time but not employed) - free of charge
All other attendees: R 50,00
Further detail & workshop programme to be confirmed.

About the presenter: Louise Mitchell has been part of the Anglo American library (ATD Tech-Know Link) team for 10 years and before that has worked in various academic and public libraries. Over the last 20 years it has become her personal challenge and passion to perfect the art of the reference interview and she is still working on it. Understanding and knowing the exact information needs of their user base and being able to match it with the most appropriate information sources, in the right amount, format and time is key to their successes. The secret ingredient? One of many is definitely a well-conducted reference interview!

South African Information Services News: February 2008

What are the latest news from South African Information Services:

* Dialog alerts
As a Dialog customer, you’re eligible for our special alert setup service . Utilize our expert search staff – at no charge – to assist with setting up alerts on your most business-critical strategies. You’ll be the first to know of essential information that will keep you at the forefront of your industry and eliminate hours of research time. You can also have teammates included in your distribution, at your specified frequency, so you’re all in the know. Whether you’re short on time, staff or lack expertise in a specific area, your Dialog search team is ready to help. Visit www.scientific.thomson.com/forms/alerts to request a confidential alert setup consultation -- and, make sure you’re one of the first to know.

* World News Connection
Sign up today for 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 and/or more information (including the source list), please contact Lynne on 011 469 4032 or
lynner@saonlinefinfo.co.za

* Training and consultancy
Contact Christa on 083 980 3087 or
christaf@soanlineinfo.co.za for any training needs.

UKSG Serials-eNews

Some of the topics in the UKSG Searials-eNews in the last three issues were:

22 Feb 2008, no. 164

* Harvard Faculty adopts open access requirement

Harvard University's arts and sciences faculty has approved a plan that will post finished academic papers online free, unless scholars specifically decide to opt out of the open access programme. While other institutions have similar repositories for their faculty's work, Harvard's is unique for making online publication the default option. The policy will allow Harvard authors to publish in any journal that permits posting online after publication.

* CrossRef launches free citation tool for bloggers

CrossRef has launched the beta version of a plug-in that allows bloggers to look up and insert DOI-enabled citations in the course of authoring a blog. The plug-in, which is available for download, allows the blogger to use a widget-based interface to search CrossRef metadata using citations or partial citations. The results of the search, with multiple hits, are displayed and the author can then either click on a hit to follow the DOI to the publisher's site, or click on an icon next to the hit to insert the citation into their blog entry (as either a full citation or as a short 'op. cit.').

* What does Higher Education want from Publishers?

The purpose of this well-attended conference was to review the future of the textbook - a campaign which the Publishers Association has promoted since 2003. There were a number of highlights to the day, which started with an impressive overview of academic publishing and university concerns. Students and academics from Manchester Metropolitan University gave their views on how they wanted to use textbook material. The presentations from the conference are available online.


8 Feb 2008, no 163:

* Researchers of the future: underskilled?

Discussion on the report about the so-called "Google Generation" - Information Behaviour of the Researcher of the Future http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slais/research/ciber/downloads/

The report counters the common assumption that the 'Google Generation' - young people born or brought up in the Internet age - is the most adept at using the web. "Our verdict: This is a dangerous myth. Digital literacies and information literacies do not go hand in hand. A careful look at the literature over the past 25 years finds no improvement (or deterioration) in young people's information skills."

The report claims that, although young people demonstrate an ease and familiarity with computers, they rely on the most basic search tools and do not possess the critical and analytical skills to asses the information that they find on the web.

The report calls for libraries to respond urgently to the changing needs of researchers and other users and to understand the new means of searching and navigating information. Learning what researchers want and need is crucial if libraries are not to become obsolete - libraries and information services need to become "much more e-consumer-friendly and less stodgy and intellectual".

* Academics want to improve peer review

A study involving 3,000 authors, reviewers and editors has been written up in a new report by Mark Waring Consulting called Peer review in scholarly journals: perspective of the scholarly community - an international study. The full report, Peer review in scholarly journals: perspective of the scholarly community - an international study, can be accessed on the Publishing Research Consortium website. A summary report, Peer review: benefits, perceptions, and alternatives, is also available.

* Swets to act as global sales partner for Wiley's OnlineBooks

Wiley has announced that it has chosen Swets to act as a global sales partner for its range of OnlineBooks. This deal makes the range of electronic book material hosted on Wiley Interscience's web platform available to order directly through Swets.

* The Royal Society chooses HighWire
HighWire Press and the Royal Society have announced a new partnership in the provision of the independent scientific academy's publications online. All content of the Society's eight periodicals, some dating back as early as 1665, will be live on HighWire's e-publishing platform from 2009.


25 Jan 2008, no. 162:

* The issue of identity for institutions and individuals:

Thomson Scientific has launched ResearcherID.com, a web environment which enables researchers to create stable personal identifiers to present their works and manage public presentation of their personal metrics. Each individual identification (ID) number will act as a digital 'calling card' that the researcher can place anywhere, such as a personal home page, a CV, or a university page. The identifier links to a personal workspace that automatically updates citation data, user-generated tags and keywords, and professional information that can be shared with the public or kept for personal monitoring. ResearcherID.com ensures an accurate record of a researcher's output and attribution, providing a gateway for colleagues to pinpoint not only that researcher's published work, but also the researcher as a potential collaborator. Web of Science users will be able to create identifiers and workspaces to share publicly, with wider availability via trusted sponsors in the future.

* IEEE continues to update legacy content

Originally promised to be 180,000 documents large, the IEEE Xplore legacy collection has topped 237,286 documents as IEEE continues to complete its vision to provide the first volume, first issue release of all its technology journals.

Friday 22 February 2008

Golonka: E-Math, E-Physics, E-Chemistry for Africa

Have you heard about Golonka initiative for Africa?

The aim of the Golonka is to co-ordinate the efforts to make an African consortium for e-journals and databases. The main purpose is to promote the use of Open Access journals and other scientific resources, as well as being a platform for consortia building.

Currently, Golonka provide access to:
* E-Math Africa (http://math.golonka.se)
* E-Physics Africa (http://physics.golonka.se)
* E-Chemistry Africa (http://chemistry.golonka.se)

On these websites you can find information on: Statistical Pan African Society (SPAS); Mentoring African Research in Mathematics; European Math Departments support African colleagues; Free ACD/ChemSketch Licenses to All Academic Institutions. You can subscribe to an e-mail alerts with news about access to databases and journals. The following resources are available on each website:

- Links to: Societies, Academies & Institutions;
- Databases and Search Engines
- Reprints
- E-books ( number of full-text books/textbooks available on the Internet)
- Free Journal Archives, Open access and African e-journals ( 431 journals - Maths, Applied Maths, Statistics, IT, etc.)( 81 journals - Chemistry)(96 journals - Physics)

These "portals" to Maths, Physics & Chemistry resources will definitely be of use to undergraduates and postgraduates students. It will be useful for research, learning & teaching purposes.

Conferences: Call for papers

If you are interested in writing paper for a conference, these are your current opportunities:

NINTH SOUTHERN AFRICAN ONLINE INFORMATION MEETING, 3-5 JUNE 2008
CSIR CONFERENCE CENTRE MEIRING NAUDE ROAD, PRETORIA

Preliminary Announcement and Call for Papers

Suggested Topics for Papers include (but is not limited to):
Web search Federated search Social networking & Global best practices Taxonomies, folksonomies
Evidence-based librarianship Information policy Web site usability Needs assessment Collaborative working
Career development talks
Content Management
RSS Feeds
Embedded Librarian
Web search engines
Planning next generation users

Disappearing mouse – touch screens/voice
Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration Training and teaching
Internet resources Managing e-resources Mobile technology Library 3.0 Distance learning, e-learning Multimedia searching Innovative projects Incorporating new technologies Web design Content management Development & Competency issues/skills

Call for Papers: Whilst priority will be given to contributors on the suggested themes, presentations on other relevant topics will also be considered. · Concise papers (20 minutes maximum) based on practical experience or practical applications of information technology are preferred. Supporting and supplementary detail may be included in the complete, written paper. · If you wish to submit a paper, please submit your 250 word detailed abstract by no later that 14 March 2008.
E-mailed to Dr. Glenda Myers:
glenda.myers@wits.ac.za
If your paper is provisionally accepted, you will be asked to submit the complete paper in machine readable format by 16 May 2008 at the latest. · The decision of the selectors is final, and no correspondence with regard to acceptance or rejection of submitted papers will be entered into.


10th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON WORLD WIDE WEB APPLICATIONS: Cape Town (South Africa) Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 September 2008.
Please find the Call for Papers to the 10th annual event at
http://www.zaw3.co.za
Topics for the 2008 event can relate to trends and developments over the last ten years; for example the growing number of “foreign” language sites; the politics of the Web; censorship and legal issues; new methods of access and device and network convergence; search engines and search techniques; emerging Web technologies, developments and trends; Web 2.0; in fact e-anything (health, government, commerce, marketing, learning, society, entertainment).

University of Pretoria Bookfest 5-8 March 2008

You are invited to attend the festival of books, which mark the University of Pretoria Centenary. As part of its centenary celebrations, the University of Pretoria (UP) through the aegis of its Library Services, is hosting the BookFest and the 1st South African eBook Fair from 05-08 March 2008 in Pretoria. The 4-day programme includes:

1. Writers in Dialogue - a programme which features a wide range of South African authors, including UP alumni. This line-up includes Fred Khumalo, Sindiwe Magona, Chris Mann, Darryl Accone, PG du Plessis, Helene de Kock, Buti Skhosana, Joan Hambidge, Jaco Jacobs, Anzil Kulsen, and many others. Shimmer Chinodya, the 2007 Noma Award winner for Publishing in Africa will also be present.
2. The eBook Phenomenon
The eBook Phenomenon: A New Chapter: A symposium will be held on Friday, March 07 2008 that addresses the emerging electronic book environment and its impact on print media and publishing. Mark Carden of MyiLibrary will be the keynote speaker.
The 1st SA eBook Fair - Twelve international publishers will introduce their latest eBook collections and present a virtual exhibition of eBooks. Cost: R 100

3. TUKSbooks and UniverCity - a display of 1000 books by UP staff and students published during its century. This programme also includes a series of talks by various experts.
4. Future Leaders at Play - a stimulating programme of activities for local schools, children and youth which will include the participation of children's authors and illustrators.
5. Exhibitions by local and international publishers and booksellers.
6. Sunset and lunch-time concerts by the university choirs and orchestra, rap poets, street musicians, museum collections and art exhibitions will add to the festivities.

This Bookfest is being sponsored by Elsevier, EBSCO, Blackwell's Book Services, Swets, Protea Boekhuis, KWP Argitekte and OCLC.

Direct link to the programme: http://www.bookfest.up.ac.za/programme.htm

Sunday 10 February 2008

Institute of Physics: Librarian Insider Newsletter

In the latest December issue of IoP "Librarian Insider" Newsletter, you will find the following information:
* News: New look for IoP. Some improvements to the website were made.
* Did you know? NEW product!
IOPscience … always more to discover. IoP introduces their new platform for electronic journal content, IOPscience. Some of the features are:
- Related Articles: A ‘Related Articles' tab has been added to every abstract page in IOPscience.
- Content Finder: The introduction of the ‘Content Finder’ allows you to go straight to a specific article in the service.
- Saved Searches: Personalization features have been enhanced, with the inclusion of a brand new tab called ‘My IOPscience’.
- Most cited: The IOPscience homepage, and all journal homepages, now show the 5 most cited articles
- Enhanced PDFs: All PDFs downloaded from IOPscience now include an interactive coversheet, allowing you to link back to IOPscience at any time.
IOPscience provides site-wide access to content from 1874 to the present day, and is available by electronically license. IoP want to give every customer cost-effective access to IOP content, through our tailored pricing model, which is based on a number of factors including the size of relevant research at your institution and your geographic location.

Click on the TITLE to view the Newsletter