January expects to be a busy month for Library construction as crews make way for the Registrar’s Office, Records and Registration, and Student Accounting, all of which will be relocating to the Library building. During this month, floors one, two, and three are under construction.

Even as this article is being written, carpet is being removed and replaced, current journal shelving is being shifted, and the new reference desk is being built on the first floor (conveniently located near the elevators). The first floor renovations are scheduled for completion by the end of January 2008 after which users will again have access to comfortable seating, computer workstations, and tables for the quiet study and collaboration previously enjoyed.

Over the course of the spring semester, new offices will be built on the second and third floors. This construction is also underway. Library users will be happy to know that 40 plus study rooms and the beautiful public spaces that encourage study and research are being retained.

Early in the semester, users will almost certainly find that the fourth and fifth floors are the best places to study quietly. For your convenience, we will be offering construction updates on the Library website, signs throughout the Library, and the first floor digital display.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve both the Library and services to UMB students, faculty, and staff. We think you’ll be pleased with the results!

The day after Christmas, President Bush signed an omnibus spending bill that included a provision requiring the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to mandate public access for NIH-funded research. The language says:

"The Director of the National Institutes of Health shall require that all investigators funded by the NIH submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed Central an electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication: Provided, That the NIH shall implement the public access policy in a manner consistent with copyright law."

This is a huge step in the right direction. We have been following the intertwined issues of public and open access for years as the landscape of scientific, technical and medical (STM) publishing has changed dramatically. This legislation is important for a number of reasons. First, it is the first public access mandate for a government funding agency supported by Congress. Second, it may set the stage for other government funding agencies to pursue similar public access strategies for their funded research. Third, since the NIH is so big, a tremendous amount of biomedical research findings will be freed up. One estimate is that NIH-funded research results in 65,000 peer reviewed articles per year. And finally, although many would have preferred articles to be publicly available in six months rather than 12, it was felt that having a strong mandatory policy was more important.

The National Library of Medicine has published information regarding the details and procedures related to this policy. To review this information, please go to NIH Public Access Policy Details site.

Library staff will be monitoring developments in this area and providing support for researchers to help navigate the submission process. Please stay tuned for updates as this information and new services come available.

On April 10, 2008 the Health Sciences & Human Services Library will host a campus-wide event exploring the use of social networking tools such as Facebook, YouTube, and digg in an academic environment. The event, entitled "Are you connect.ed? Social networking tools for collaboration, teaching, & learning," will address new technologies and trends affecting the academic research and clinical work on the academic campus today.

Planning for the symposium is well underway and we are looking for experienced users from our campus and beyond to lead afternoon sessions in which they’ll share their interest, experience, or expertise with social networking tools. If you would like to be involved, please contact Teresa Knott, tknott@hshsl.umaryland.edu for more information.

Reference and Research Services has added instant messaging to its suite of AskUs services.

The new service uses meebo, a web-based chat client that allows you to communicate with reference staff in real-time with nothing more than a browser and an internet connection. It’s pretty nifty!

Simply visit the AskUs page and you’ll be connected.

On February 4, 2008 the Library will switch to the new Ovid interface, called OvidSP, and users will notice a change in both the design and the search features for all resources subscribed through Ovid (e.g., Medline, PsycInfo, and Evidenced Based Medicine Reviews). The new interface allows for multiple search modes, including a basic text word search, a controlled vocabulary search called Ovid Syntax, and a more efficient citation search. But don’t wait until February, try it today! When using any of the HS/HSL Ovid databases just select the "Try OVIDSP" link.

To learn more about the new Interface, please attend one of our Ovid Medline workshops, Ovid’s live online trainings, or view their instructional materials.

In spring 2007, the HS/HSL was one of 246 libraries, including 11 members of the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL), to administer the LibQUAL+ survey to assess how well library users’ needs are being met.

Overall, the HS/HSL is doing well when compared against other AAHSL survey participants and users are more satisfied with service and information resources than they were in 2002, even as their expectations have increased in both areas. All UMB respondents rate the Library highly on the quality of the building, which is viewed as comfortable, inviting, and a good space for group learning and study. The Library also receives high ratings for its staff who are viewed as attentive, caring, knowledgeable, and confidence instilling.

While the results indicate that users find information using internet search engines such as Google, it also shows that a majority of respondents rely heavily on the Library to meet their needs. Eighty-one percent of faculty and students access library resources through our website daily or weekly and half of all students come into the building on a daily or weekly basis.

The survey results highlight areas that need further investigation. Respondents from all user groups indicated areas where the Library can improve including better offsite access and larger electronic journal collections.

For more information, see the LibQual+ result summary pdf.

Once again, the Library is offering free workshops on a broad range of topics this semester. They will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. This semester’s line-up includes Google Scholar, Journals: Finding Full Text, RefWorks Basics and Advanced, as well as a new workshop called Navigating the Library: Making Resources Work for You.

Check out the schedule and register for classes online. Hope to see you there!

The Weise Gallery presents "Pixels at an Exhibition," featuring the photography of Dr. Barry Handwerger. Dr. Handwerger is a longtime friend of the Library and recently retired University of Maryland Rheumatologist/Immunologist. This is his third Weise Gallery showing of unique digital photography.

Photography has become a passion for Handwerger, who delights in the nuances he can achieve by modifying digital images. With an eye for unusual angles and composition, he focuses on diverse subjects that reflect his avid interests in world travel, nature, and architecture. This exhibit showcases these themes.

"I bought my first real camera, a single lens reflex, in 1970 shortly after my first child arrived on the scene. With a good camera, I grew excited about the creative aspects of photography. In my own darkroom I spent whole evenings experimenting with image-enhancing techniques. About six years ago, I purchased my first digital camera and I was hooked!"

Co-founder of Digi-Docs, a local photography group, Handwerger contributed to its Weise Gallery show in 2006. His pictures adorn the walls of many UMB campus rooms.

A celebration of the exhibit opening was held on Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

This was a great study break! Thank you! from Alissa Zingman, SOM

Students flocked to the HS/HSL on December 12th and 13th to take a break from studying for finals. They enjoyed snacks provided by the Library and local businesses Salsarita’s, California Tortilla, Peace and a Cup of Joe, and Jay’s Deli and Catering.

Students also took advantage of fun and relaxing activities such as yoga instruction and playing a Nintendo Wii, both generously supplied by the Student Athletic Center.

As part of the event, participating students were entered in a raffle. Kristina Fragle was the lucky grand prize winner. She took home an iPod shuffle donated by the HS/HSL executive director, M.J. Tooey. "Wow, I never win anything! Finals week activities were really a stress reliever… I come to the library all the time to study. It’s my second home," said Kristina. Other raffle prizes included gourmet caramels and merino wool socks provided by Ma Petit Shoe.

Both students and librarians had a great time at the event and we look forward to hosting other similar events in the future!

As part of its Food for Fines program, the Library collected seven book trucks of non-perishable food items for the Maryland Food Bank between November 21st and December 21st. $10 in overdue fines were waived for each item donated. 215 people dontated items and $4,164.60 in fines were forgiven. Your contributions made this program a true success and provided timely aid to Maryland families over the holiday season.

Library staff also collected 28 books and $334 from a holiday raffle that went to UMMC’s Reach Out & Read Program at the Pediatric Ambulatory Center.

Reach Out & Read uses donations in several ways: For every $27.50 donated, 10 new books can be purchased that will provide a new book for each check-up visit from 6 months to 5 years; $55 will provide the first board book for 20 babies at the 6 month check-up; $110 will provide books for a young family with 4 small children.

The UMB chapter of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is proud to sponsor a second visit from Dr. Vivian W. Pinn who was recently honored in the “Changing The Face of Medicine” exhibit at HS/HSL.

On January 30, 2008 at 12:00 p.m., Dr. Pinn will speak on “Women in Medicine: The Challenges and The Future.” The event will take place in the Sophomore Lecture Hall of the Bressler building. Please join us!

For a full listing of Library hours including Reference Desk hours, please visit our website.

January 22, 2008 – May 16, 2008

Holiday Hours