search50 – using search results

With search⁵⁰ you can select the areas you want to search in, and define your search much like a CompartheMarket.com for library resources. Instead of cheaper car insurance you are presented with lists of search results from different resources.

The results page displays results in the order they are returned. The activity bar on the right hand side of the screen indicates if the search is completed, but you can interact with the search results as soon as the first list is displayed. Search results are displayed in sets. You can click on the database name in the list below the activity bar to go to the first set of results returned from that resource. You can click on Next Set… for more results. At the top of the results page you have the option to reorder the results returned by Author, Title or Date.

For more information on a search result, click on View. This will be displayed in the resource that result was returned from. You can also link directly to the full-text of a journal article, where it is available, from the results screen. It’s not uncommon to search an online database only to find that you do not have full-text access to the article you find. In most instances this is because the Library does not maintain the necessary subscription.

If there is no Full-text or PDF View link, the seven thousand online academic journals and 150 online databases we do subscribe to can be found on the Databases and Journals pages on the Library website. It is also possible to order articles located through search50, but unavailable in online full-text, through inter-library loan. There’s an icon on the resource list in search⁵⁰ indicating whether access on a particular resource is to full-text, partial full-text, or in the case of library catalogues, no full-text.

You can select all results returned from a specific resource, or make your own selection. This information can then be printed out, emailed to your choice of email account or saved. There are various options for the format in which you can save results, whether as a text file or for use with EndNote or other bibliographic software. You also have the option to export directly into EndNote or RefWorks.

For more information or assistance with any aspect of online searching or support for EndNoteWeb contact the Library, browse through some of our previous postings on this blog, and look out for our information skills workshop sessions.

Iain Young
Resources Manager

Access problems with EBSCOhost

We are aware that there are access issues with our links to EBSCOhost online journals.

The links from our Journals A-Z page  are no longer directing users to the required resources. Unfortunately this will also be true of certain links which may have been bookmarked by individuals, or links included in Vision.

We are working to rectify this issue as quickly as we can. This has come about because of a move from Business Source Elite to Business Source Premier to allow us to provide access to a wider range of EBSCOhost titles than previously available. You can access all of these resources, including the new material, directly through EBSCOhost. 

Iain Young
Resources Manager

search50 – subject based online searching

The Library subscribes to over seven thousand online academic journals and 150 online databases to support learning and teaching, and research at the University. Little wonder knowing which resources to use is a challenge, not to mention how time-consuming it can be to search them all individually.

When you are working on an essay or assignment, or conducting a literature search, search⁵⁰ will let you combine a selection of the Library’s full-text journals, online resources and the Library Catalogue and find lots of different resources online with just one Google-like search.

It’s unlikely that you would ever want to search across all 50 resources, and we wouldn’t recommend it as a search strategy, so we have made it easy for you to select those most relevant to your subject. Check the box next to a subject category and all resources covering that subject will be selected for searching. It’s possible to combine subjects if required. You can also click on the subject category and be taken to a page listing only those resources relevant to that subject.

Where we see the true benefit of search⁵⁰ is as an excellent starting point, especially if you don’t know where to begin searching for a topic. If you know which resources you’ve found most useful in the past you can check the box next to them in the resource list and define your own combinations. For more sophisticated and flexible searching you’ll want to go through the individual database interfaces. You can do this by clicking on the resource name in the list. We will continue to support our Databases and Journals pages on the Library website for information on, and access to, the full range of resources available from the Library.

If you need assistance or advice on any aspect of online searching contact the Library, and look out for our information skills workshop sessions.

Iain Young
Resources Manager

search50 – searching across online resources

 

A new service from the Library will make it easier to search our electronic resources. Now you can search across the most useful 50 online resources, and be provided with a merged list of results, through search⁵⁰

search⁵⁰ provides coverage of all subjects taught in the University, and resources have been selected by our Subject Librarians for their relevance. You can select from 50 resources, and search either individually or by subject category. It’s important to realise that not all databases are included in search⁵⁰.  Whilst search⁵⁰ doesn’t offer the sophisticated and flexible searching available through the individual database interfaces, it’s an excellent starting point, especially if you don’t know where to begin searching for a topic.

search⁵⁰ is available both on and off campus. You will be prompted to log-in using your University ID and password, just as you would log-in to HW Webmail. Links can be accessed from results displays to take you directly to full text articles, where these are available. Search results can also be printed, or saved directly into EndNote.

If you have any questions or comments regarding any aspect of search⁵⁰ please contact the Library. We will continue to refine and improve this service and would welcome your input. More information on search⁵⁰ will be posted here on spineless? through the week.

Iain Young
Resources Manager

New mapping tool available

Digimap’s Ordnance Survey Collection today make available  a new mapping tool.  The new tool is called Roam and offers:

• “click and drag” functions to locate your map
• 12 map views at different scales
• printing in PDF at both A3 and A4 sizes
• search by place name, postcode or grid reference
• seamless scrolling through the fixed scale maps and 5 customisable map views

You can access Roam from the icon above Classic in Digimap’s Ordnance Survey Collection home page.

Roam and is available as a BETA service (and will therefore be subject to various improvements over the next few months).  Planned changes include:

• additional print formats as alternatives to PDF
• inclusion of scalebar on printed maps
• provision of scale and extent indication on screen maps
• adding a “My Maps” function for bookmarking maps

Digimap welcome feedback (positive and negative)  – email edina@ed.ac.uk or telephone 0131 650 3302.

Heriot-Watt has a subscription to the Digimap – Ordnance Survey Collection. Individual registration is also required and can be completed online.  Roam is available to all registered users. Roam will replace the current Classic facility in January 2010.

Sarah Kelly
Subject Librarian

Library Workshop slides available

Library Staff have so far presented two sessions as part of the Lunchtime Workshop Programme.  If you want to view the PowerPoint slides from either of these sessions, these are now available.  If you missed the session and/or have any further questions regarding the information presented, please get in touch with the presenter.  The slides and contact details are available from the Library Workshops page.

If you have attended one of the lunchtime workshops and didn’t complete our short feedback form, we’d very much appreciate your comments – please use our feedback form and return by email or hand in to Library Sttaff.

Sarah Kelly
Subject Librarian

Library open on University holiday

The Edinburgh Campus Library will be open as normal on the local University holiday on Monday 21 September.

Gill McDonald
Acting Librarian

A lick of paint for the Library

Most of the interior of the Riccarton Library has been receiving a much needed lick of paint over the long vacation.  It’s certainly improved the appearance of the building. 

Shown below are some before and after photos.

Study room before:

Study room after:

Toilet door before:

Toilet door after:

Study room – before:

Study room – after:

Corridor before:

Corridor after:

Let’s hope that over the next year the new paintwork doesn’t get damaged.

Roddy MacLeod
Senior Subject Librarian

Visit to the Scottish Borders Campus Library

Several of the library staff at Riccarton visited the refurbished library at the Scottish Borders Campus yesterday.  As described in a previous post, this is now a shared service for the students and staff of Borders College and Heriot-Watt University in the Scottish Borders.

What a nice, bright library it is, with good use of natural light, and despite fairly low ceilings, an open feel to it.

Shown above is the glass-fronted side of the library service desk area.

The visitors relax with the SBC library staff, before helping with some book relabeling.

As well as visiting the library, we were also able to look round other parts of the campus.

Of particular interest was the tartan coat that had been created to celebrate the Return to the Ridings, a major Homecoming Scotland 2009 event.

Roddy MacLeod
Senior Subject Librarian