Google Scholar is certainly creating a stir! Some interesting commentary can be found at the following URLs:
http://www.traffick.com/2004/11/google-scholar-vs-real-scholarship.asp#comments [Google Scholar vs. Real Scholarship ]
http://www.resourceshelf.com/2004/11/wow-its-google-scholar.html
[Big News: "Google Scholar" is Born]
They also give some background and search pros & cons -- there will probably be more as the news spreads. Katherine
ILLiad has gone live for ILL borrowing! You may get questions from patrons about this. They can submit requests directly from our Web pages. If they use Find It, they can use the option that is listed for health sciences patrons (Shane added this yesterday to avoid problems with people registering with Wilson when they are actually our patrons). So, if anyone asks and they are in the health sciences, please ask them to use the correct link so the requests will come to Bio-Med.
Thanks! Any questions, ask Randy or Karla.
We may be receiving more information requests from high school students enrolled in a University course (ENGC 1011) through the College in the Schools program. InfoPoint has received quite a few of these lately from students who are trying to use information resources to complete an assignment.
These students may email medref or call or perhaps come in to the desk, asking for information on a health topic to do a 'trend analysis.' Their instructor wants them to do the research themselves, so if you get a request from one of these students for trend information you can use this template as guide for responding:
According to your teacher, the first step in your research for your College in the Schools class should be to look at the indexes and other resources that have been included in the CourseLib page, http://courses.lib.umn.edu/page.phtml?page_id=729, that the Libraries created to help with your research.
Since you are interested in [topic], you might also want to take a look at [database]. Here's how to connect to this database :
1) Start with the Libraries home page at : www.lib.umn.edu
2) Click on the link for "Indexes"
3) Click on the letter [x]
4) Scroll down and click on the [database name]
Some of the terms you may want to search under, or enter in the search box, would be : [suggested keywords]
For additional database suggestions and information sources, don't forget to look at your CourseLib page at : http://courses.lib.umn.edu/page.phtml?page_id=729
After consulting these resources, if you feel you need additional assistance please feel free to contact InfoPoint again at: http://infopoint.lib.umn.edu/email.phtml
It may be difficult to identify these students, especially in person. Here are some tips:
1) They may refer to CIS or "College in the Schools" in their course information. The course is also called English Composition (ENGC) 1011. Sometimes, the course is also referred to as "Trend Analysis" or "University Writing".
2) If they indicate they need to do research for a University course, but they don't have an x.500 record or University email account (some of the teachers are slow in getting their registration materials filed). Alternatively, those who do have a University account will be listed as enrolled in Continuing Education and have an address in Forest Lake, Apply Valley, etc. (see below).
3) If you see several questions in a row coming from local communities like Forest Lake or Apple Valley, these are likely to be CIS students (they tend to write to us in bunches after their teacher tells them about our service)
4) They will frequently leave a Hotmail or other free email account address, rather than a University one. If you look them up in x.500 and send a reply to both accounts you will probably receive an automated reply from OIT about the person's University account not being accessed in some time.
There are 3500 CIS students this semester so don't feel shy about asking someone if they are in CIS if you suspect they may be.
We certainly want to help these students learn how to search for information, just not do the work for them.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask me.
Lisa