Tip 2: The Annex

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Tip 2: The Annex. Beginning in 2003, we started to move books and bound journal volumes from Rodgers Library to the Annex. The Annex is closed stacks building located off 15th Street southwest of the Campus. To retrieve an item from the Annex while searching in Scout, go to Location bar near the bottom of the page and choose “Request this” and then click on “Place a hold, recall, or request for this item” If you are asking for a journal article, it will be scanned at the Annex and sent to your e-mail account.

Go to the Annex page.

WorldCat and Books

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Books are an important resource in science, engineering, and nursing. Both students and faculty can benefit from content in books.  Books are a great source to learn about a topic or find information for a classroom activity. Books often have content suitable for research activities as well. Whatever the purpose, books are an essential tool for scholarship.

Annually, thousands of sci-tech and nursing books are published by professional associations and commercial publishers.  Many of these books are acquired as print or e-books by Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering. We do not, however, acquire every title that’s published even if there’s a match with UA’s curriculum and research agendas. Still it’s important to remember that nearly all books are acquired by one or more academic libraries in North America.

The good news: Academic libraries in North America share collections and all of us are beneficiaries of this resource sharing. In essence you have access to most of the books owned by other academic libraries. WorldCat is the primary database used to make this happen. WorldCat contains both current and archival books on every subject.  Go to WorldCat database.

EndNote is Ready to Use

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EndNote, a citation management tool, is ready for all UA students and faculty. Here are some of the major characteristics of EndNote highlighted at a workshop offered by Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering on Friday:

• End Note is a citation management tool
• EndNote is a desktop application while RefWorks is a web-based application
• Start by creating a new EndNote library
• Most databases have an export function to EndNote (examples, SciFinder and Scopus)
• When you are ready to export choose RIS format
• With tabs on the far right side of your EndNote Library you can import citations, metadata, and articles in PDF format
• Simply highlight citations in your EndNote Library and then click on FIND FULL TEXT and it will import PDFs (if we have access to the resource)
• Existing articles on one’s hard drive can be imported to EndNote as well
• EndNote has many bibliographic styles to choose from and many more can be added
• Word has an EndNote Plug In for citing within text and preparing references at the end of documents
• If a citation is incorrect while in Word, make a change in EndNote and the Word document will update automatically

EndNote is a powerful piece of software. It streamlines and simplifies citation management. As an added bonus EndNote creates a fully searchable library for later use. EndNote information.

Submitted by Mary Ann Robbins

UA Libraries Launch New Web Site

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This summer the UA Libraries launched a new Web site. The new site is a gateway to all the services, collections, and facilities offered by Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering as well as Gorgas, Bruno, McLure and Hoole libraries. The new site features responsive design making Web pages easy to read and simple to navigate. The site is convenient for use on both desktop and mobile devices. Using the search box at the top of the homepage, users can find a wide range of resources. Other boxes on the homepage show library hours and lead to key services and resources, such as databases, interlibrary loan, e-journals, e-resources, Ask-A-Librarian, the libraries’ catalog, and Scout, as well as a library staff directory. Information on events and news are also displayed. At the bottom of the homepage, links lead to some specific collections, helpful resources, and individual libraries. Enjoy our new Web site.

Bistro-Style Tables Ready for Use

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From our experience at Rodgers Library, we know that students like a variety of study spaces and furniture to choose from.  At present, standard study tables, some large, some small, are dispersed throughout the library.   Computer workstations are another familiar arrangement in the library.  Lounge chairs and casual seating are available as well.   When some space in the library was repurposed a couple of years ago, two bistro-style tables were added to the first floor.  This style of study table has been very popular with students.  This summer additional new space became available on the west side of the second floor after a major overhaul of the journal stacks.  In early May five (5) bistro-style tables will be installed in this area. Power is available in this area so all the new bistro-style tables will be wired and ready to accommodate users’ mobile devices.  Enjoy!

Aerospace Book Sparks Innovation

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This year Honda will put a new business jet airplane into service in the U.S., pending FAA approval.  The aircraft is touted for the latest in airplane innovation, specifically the placement of the engines over the wings unlike conventional business jets with the engines near the tail.  What does this development have to do with libraries?  The connection is with books.  According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, in 1986 Honda sent engineer Michimasa Fujino to Mississippi State University to design an experimental aircraft.  While dong his research, he read a 1930’s book on aerodynamics, presumably found in a library.  Fujino said that the principles of aerodynamics detailed in the book became the inspiration for the design of the new Honda jet.  Reading engineering books, even some very old, can change minds and our technology.  Great news for books and libraries! 

 

Academic Software Training

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The University Libraries provides access to more than 150 academic software packages to support a variety of academic disciplines and programs. Our Academic Technologies blog  provides information about and resources to support the use of these software packages and other technologies that have a primary relationship to research and scholarship. For more information go to Academic Technologies blog.

Lightning Talks on Topics in Science and Engineering

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Rodgers Library is sponsoring a series of lightning talks by preeminent UA science and engineering faculty on high-interest topics in science and engineering that are shaping the future of the world. The talks last about ten minutes and will take place in Rodgers Library during February and March, 2015.

Schedule of presentations:

Alan Lane, Chemical and Biological Engineering “Dude, where’s my fuel cell car?” Feb. 5, Thursday, 11:00 am;

Patrick Kung, Electrical and Computer Engineering “Let there be light: LED applications from lighting to killing pathogens” Feb. 19, Thursday, 2:00 pm;

Yuping Bao, Chemical and Biological Engineering “Nanotechnology explosion: what are the benefits and risks?”Feb. 26, Thursday, 2:00 pm;

Paul Rupar, Chemistry “The evolution of polymers: from rubber duckies to polymer based solar cells” Mar. 5, Thursday, 2:00 pm.

Join the fun and learn about science.
Contact: John Sandy, Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering. John.Sandy@UA.edu

Build and Practice Presentations at Rodgers Library

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Knowing how to prepare and deliver effective presentations is important for all students. Do you plan to give a talk in a class? Will you be asked to do a presentation at a job interview? Your future employer may have you give presentations to company employees and customers. “Winging it” is not enough to ensure success. With this in mind, Rodgers Library offers the right equipment and provides special spaces to help you prepare and practice presentations.

To begin, students can check out a video camera and tripod for use in the library. You can use the Yellowhammer Room to make a video recording of your live presentation.

With a video capture of your presentation in hand, you can view the results using a large-screen monitor in the Yellowhammer Room. You can use a library-owned laptop or your own device to connect with a large-screen mobile monitor. After viewing video of your presentation, you may decide that improvement is needed. If so, the recording process can be repeated multiple times until you reach the desired result.

Do you have a PowerPoint and just want to hone your delivery skills? We can help with this too. Rodgers Library has two Smart Boards. There is one Smart Board in the Nightingale Room and one Smart Board on the wall outside the Nightingale Room. At other times, you may want to give a talk using information from BlackBoard Learn or the web more generally. Whatever the approach, with a little practice, your presentation skills will improve.

Accessories (special pens, eraser, and cables) for the Smart Board in the Nightingale Room, are available for check out at the Circulation Desk.

The Smart Board on the wall near the entrance to the Nightingale Room is already set up with a desktop computer. To use this device, check out a wireless keyboard, mouse, special pens and an eraser at the Circulation Desk.

Students can check out a video camera and tripod at the Circulation Desk in Rodgers Library.

The hardware and spaces we offer are excellent for:

• Group projects
• Video recording a presentation
• Practice presentation
• Watch and learn by sharing information.

For guidance or training on how to use the library’s presentation equipment, please contact Rosanne Rumstay (348-2106) in Rodgers Library.

Evidence Based Databases – Nursing & Allied Health

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Nursing and Health Sciences Resources available from UA Libraries that addresses ………..

What is Evidence Based?
Which databases cover Evidence based articles?
Who can use the evidence based resources?
What is a systematic review?

The Joanna Briggs Institute’s Evidence Based Practice database of systematic reviews and Cochrane Library are available and they complement each other to investigate the evidenced based literature in the field. UA Libraries now subscribes to both resources.

Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) on OVID
JBI’s evidence-based practice model is considered a benchmark in the healthcare industry—encouraging healthcare professionals to implement an effective evidence-based practice program to provide the best possible patient care. It provides a detailed searching demonstration of this resource and includes information on the subject based nodes along with a review of the seven different publication types (including Best Practice Information Sheets, Evidence–Based Recommended Practices and Consumer Information Sheets) that can be used immediately to inform treatment and guide practice.

Cochrane Library
Cochrane Collection Plus is the most comprehensive collection of databases from the Cochrane Library. This is an essential source of high quality health care data for providers, patients and those responsible for researching, teaching, funding and administrating at all levels of the medical profession. Cochrane Collection Plus combines the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) and Health Technology Assessments (HTA) with the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Systematic reviews are found in two of these databases: the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE).

Abundance of Desktop Computers

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Most students in science and engineering bring their own laptops to Rodgers Library when working on class assignments or doing research. This works fine in most cases. But when assignments require a more robust computing environment, students can use desktop computers provided by the library. The desktop computers are hardwired to the Campus network. You can easily connect to Campus resources and the Internet.

The desktop computers are loaded with productivity software and many kinds of special academic software. Some desktops have double monitors for multitasking. Work space near the machines makes it convenient to collaborate or just spread out and get the job done. Our desktop computers are located on both the first and second floor. Enjoy!

Chess for STEM at Rodgers Library

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Chess sets will be coming to Rodgers Library soon. LET THE GAMES BEGIN

It is well documented that chess is a powerful tool for developing high order thinking skills, creativity, and memory. Access to a chess set and board will provide students an alternate leisure activity during study breaks while they are in Rodgers Library. Students can enjoy the social and intellectual atmosphere it offers. It could reduce stress around exam time and help increase concentration in studies.

Rodgers Library for Science & Engineering is looking forward to this outreach effort in creating a welcoming, intellectual, and informal atmosphere for students.

• Chess table and two stools will be placed in the soft seating area
• One portable mega-size floor set available for students to check out and use in the lobby or outside in front of the building

Searching for Publications from UA Researchers

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Interested in finding publications from researchers at The University of Alabama?  Try the “Organization-Enhanced” search feature from the Web of Science database. Here are a few recent publications from our very own science and engineering faculty:

Jordon, J. B.; Horstemeyer, M. F., Microstructure-Sensitive Fatigue Modeling of AISI 4140 Steel. Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology-Transactions of the Asme 2014, 136 (2). Read it HERE.

Hirschmann, T. C.; Araujo, P. T.; Muramatsu, H.; Rodriguez-Nieva, J. F.; Seifert, M.; Nielsch, K.; Kim, Y. A.; Dresselhaus, M. S., Role of Intertube Interactions in Double- and Triple-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Acs Nano 2014, 8 (2), 1330-1341. Read it HERE

Keel, W. C.; Manning, A. M.; Holwerda, B. W.; Lintott, C. J.; Schawinski, K., The Ultraviolet Attenuation Law in Backlit Spiral Galaxies. Astronomical Journal 2014, 147 (2). Read it HERE

Sayler, F. M.; Grano, A. J.; Smatt, J. H.; Linden, M.; Bakker, M. G., Nanocasting of hierarchically porous Co3O4, Co, NiO, Ni, and Ag, monoliths: Impact of processing conditions on fidelity of replication. Microporous Mesoporous Mat. 2014, 184, 141-150. Read it HERE

Google Scholar – The Basics

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Google Scholar is a subset of Google Web Search that supports search for scholarly literature. By searching Google Scholar from the Library’s home page, you will automatically have direct access, both on and off campus, to subscription articles already paid for through UA Libraries.

Features of Google Scholar
• Search all scholarly literature from one convenient place
• Explore related works, citations, authors, and publications
• Locate the complete document through your library or on the web
• Keep up with recent developments in any area of research
• Check who’s citing your publications, create a public author profile

Google Scholar

Master Databases and Learn About Research Tools

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Librarians at Rodgers Library for Science & Engineering are offering spring classes.  Is it that time of the year to start a literature review for your papers/projects? The ability to scan the literature efficiently and identify useful resources is vital.  You can learn how to apply principles of analysis to identify unbiased and valid studies.

The following classes are offered several times during the semester for your convenience:
1. Introduction to Science & Engineering Information Resources
2. Chemical & Biological Information resources
3. Physics & Astronomy Information Resources
4. Mathematics Information Resources
5. Web of Science Database
6. PubMed (Cover Systematic Review, Integrated Literature Review)
7. RefWorks
8. Introduction to Scientific Writing
9. Scientific Presentations
10. 3D Printing Training Session

For questions regarding the classes, contact Vincent F. Scalfani, vfscalfani@ua.edu
If the above classes are not what you are looking for, suggest one or request the one you want and we will be glad to assist. Contact one of the subject specialists at Rodgers anytime:
John Sandy jsandy@ua.edu

Makerspaces on UA Campus

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Over the past year, UA has brought in a tremendous amount of new fabrication resources to help complete your research project. We recently created this Makerspace subject guide to help you learn about topics such as 3D printing, laser cutting, Arduinos, and much more. Check it out here:

http://guides.lib.ua.edu/makerspaces/

If there are any books or other resources we do not have for your project, send a recommendation to Vincent F. Scalfani.

Global Plants Details Plant Type Specimens

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Scientific information on plants is useful for a wide range of studies in the life sciences.  Global Plants, offered by JSTOR, is a very helpful tool in this regard.  Global Plants features plant type specimens that are found in about 300 herbaria located around the world.  The role of herbaria is to preserve plant type specimens.  Now, with Global Plants, it is possible to easily and conveniently learn about plants in a wonderful way.  The database contains over two million high-resolution plant type specimens, digitized with great care by various cooperating herbaria. Entries in the database point to reference books and other primary resources. Plant type specimens are very important as “original vouchers of nomenclature,” according to JSTOR.   Source:  Description by JSTOR.  Global Plants is ready for the entire UA community.  

 

Google Scholar Introduces Scholar Library

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Google Scholar introduced a new feature this week called Scholar Library. This new service is designed to help users of Google scholar develop a personal collection of scholarly materials.  While working in Google Scholar, “you can save articles right from the search page, organize them by topic, and use the power of Scholar’s full-text search & ranking to quickly find  just the one you want – at any time and from anywhere.”  Scholar Library incorporates all the functionality of Google Scholar, such as linking to content, citing articles, and formatting citations.   Check out Google Scholar Blog to learn more.

Books Are Very Helpful Too

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With so many scholarly materials available, some students may overlook the book collection.  Rodgers Library holdings include many intermediate- and advanced-level books in all disciplines in the sciences, engineering and nursing.  Whether you are just starting to learn a new subject or need important background information, books are a great resource.  Books often provide a full treatment of a special subject as well.  Such is the case with the title Physiography of the United States, by Charles B. Hunt.   Print books are housed on the north side of the second floor and are organized by the Library of Congress Classification.   A general guide to the classification scheme is shown in a large poster near the stacks.  Both online and print books are listed in Scout our online discovery system.  Scout offers a quick way to find books on any subject.  After doing a search in Scout, use the facet for “books” in the left-hand column to limit to that format.  Go to Scout.