A Brave New World for measuring research output.

In a recent post in LSE's blog Carly Strasser provides an overview of why altmetrics are here to stay and how universities might begin to incorporate altmetrics into their own services. While this process might take some time, institutions can begin by encouraging their researchers to recognize the importance of all of their scholarly work (datasets, software, etc).  Read more  . . . .

Open Access Forum

Open Access: Enhancing Research Visibility

The “open access” movement now more than a decade old, is changing where researchers publish and, more importantly, how the wider world accesses – and assesses – their work, how research impact is maximised worldwide. Victoria University Library is organising a forum to examine the recent developments in Open Access and discuss the opportunities and options for researchers to enhance their visibility. This year’s event will be held on 7-8 November and will feature Danny Kingsley, Executive Officer from the Australian Open Access Support Group (AOASG) of which Victoria University Library is a foundation member. View the program at:  www.vu.edu.au/news-events/events/open-access-enhancing-research-visibility

Videos - going, going, gone!

The Library is currently reviewing VHS videos held in its collection as this format will soon become obsolete. Items borrowed within the last 2 years have been retained and will be stored in a non-public area of the Library for 12 months. These items are still listed in the Library catalogue and users are directed to “ASK AT DESK” for access to this material. This will allow for items to be identified which might still be useful for learning, teaching, study or research purposes.

VU staff are requested to contact the Library if there are any VHS titles which are still required and we will investigate options to replace in a different format (online streaming preferred). Transfer to new formats may depend on obtaining permission from rights holders, and this will not always be possible. It would also be useful if VU staff could suggest new or more up-to-date materials for the Library to purchase (funds permitting).

Please note: there are several suppliers who provide streaming video and DVD for educational use, including:
- Kanopy
- VEA
The Library already has access to many titles from both suppliers (streaming & DVD) and these can be accessed via Library Search or via the Library Catalogue. Search for titles available on the Kanopy or VEA sites (using links above) and send through new title requests for items we don’t already have access to.

 The Library also subscribes to several online streaming video collections which VU users can view on or off-campus, including:
- Alexander Street Video
- TVNews (television news and current affairs stories from the Australian free-to-air networks providing access to video content; including programs such as - Australian Story, Compass, Cutting Edge, Dateline, Insight, Four Corners, Lateline, etc.)

Please contact your College Librarian for more details.

Exam Papers

The Library can provide access to past exam papers for your students. If you want your students to access a past paper as preparation for this year's exam, just submit copies of exam papers to http://www.vu.edu.au/library/access-borrowing/search-browse-resources/ereserve-past-exams

We need students for a VU Photoshoot

Want to be involved in a VU photoshoot? We need VU students to be the face of Victoria University! Contact Cindy on 99195645 or email cindy.mohammad@vu.edu.au. You will need to be available on Thursday 17 October.

SciFinder training resources available.

If you or your students use SciFinder, they may find the training resources offered by CAS useful. There is a range of interactive tutorial, guides, recordings and seminars at http://www.cas.org/training/scifinder. You can download any of these materials. If you have any questions you can contact the CAS Customer Center.

Elsevier offers customised services for authors.

If you have an article published in an Elsevier journal, you can now have a special "print-on-demand" issue. Or perhaps you would like a book of all your Elsevier articles.  This publisher is offering these and other services via  their new "web shop". It is interesting that most of these services from one of the pioneers of electronic publishing are print-based. And in case having your article published in one of their eminent journals was not enough evidence, you can also purchase a 'certificate of publication'!

Emerging and trending e-learning tools

The  New Media Consortium (NMC) Horizons  Higher Education Report has been released for 2013 detailing their top 10 emerging technologies for the next 1-5 years.  Their Wiki is also worth exploring.

Library Survey 12-23 August

Tell us what you think about the Library services and go into a draw to win fabulous prizes!

Every two years the Library surveys students and staff about their satisfaction with the services, facilities and information resources being provided. We want to understand what is important to you and how well you think we are doing across a range of service areas. 

This year the survey is running from 12-23 August. Your feedback is important as we use it to address shortfalls in performance as well as plan for new and improved services in the future.

It takes only about 10 minutes of your time. In response to your feedback in the previous survey, we increased the number of computers and the number of group and quiet study spaces across the Library.  

We have some great prizes on offer for students and staff who complete the survey. First prize is an $800 JB Hi Fi gift voucher. Other prizes include five $50 JB Hi Fi vouchers and 10 $20 iTunes vouchers.

The Library’s regular satisfaction survey will run between 12 – 23^rd August. This survey is run every second year by InSync and gives longitudinal data about the satisfaction with the library.  The Library uses the data to improve services and facilities  The survey is conducted throughout Australian universities and provides a benchmark for VU Library.

Library launches new SMS service

The Library has a new SMS Alerts Service to let you know when you have holds to pick up, loans that are nearly due or overdue. Receiving SMS messages from the Library is free. Go to the My Library login page and click on the link “Opt in to receive library notices via SMS”.

New Blog from Elsevier

Elsevier recently launched a blog connecting authors with researchers in the Engineering, Science and Medical area called SciTech Connect.  The blog provides updates of Elsevier's new titles plus discussion with their authors.

New research management app for chemical research

The American Chemical Society has developed a free application that provides researchers with a single interface that combines resource discovery and reference management with professional networking, group and task management and manuscript preparation. Read more about ACS ChemWorx.

Environmental Science and Policy titles from Taylor and Francis

Latest news about forthcoming titles, free access to selected articles in Taylor and Francis environmental journals plus the announcement of a new title - Chinese Journal of Population Resources and Environment. Read more . .

Wiley's Online Reference Works updated.

Read the Latest Updates in Online Reference Works   If you see anything that you would like the library to acquire, post a comment or email me with the details.

Busting the top five myths about open access publishing

Danny Kinglsey, Executive Officer for the Australian Open Access Support Group provides a useful overview in today's 'The Conversation'.

Taylor & Francis names top impact factor journals for Chemistry.

Polymer Reviews is Taylor and Francis  top ranking chemistry journal. Click here to read more and discover their top 10 ranked journals.

Library launches Intranet site for staff

The Library recently launched its Internet site for staff. The site provides information about library services that are relevant to staff including: library contacts, copyright, art collection and adding items to the collection.  There is a link on the main Internet page under Services or click here.

Research Training

Research Ambassadors have an ongoing program of workshops for students, check out the schedule on their Libguide

SciFinder Enhancement

SciFinder now includes experimental procedures from Springer journals through an agreement between Springer and CAS.

Latest Taylor and Francis Aquatic Bulletin

For the latest Taylor and Francis  Aquatic Bulletin of new books and journals, read here

Research Adviser Initiative

CAUDIT launches a cloud technology service to connect research students and academics with services, projects and initiatives to support their research.  More info 

Library information for staff

The new library intranet site is now live at http://intranet.vu.edu.au/library/ The site contains content intended specifically for staff, a lot of which is not (or will no longer be) available on the WWW site.  Content includes contact details, copyright information and forms for example requesting to get items added to Reserve, eReserve and video streaming.

Engineers Without Borders Open Access Forum.

A round-table forum on the EWB Institute's Open Journal Project is being held on 13th June. The invitation has gone out to Information Managers, librarians and interested members of the Open Access Community.

Date: Thursday 13 June, 2013

Time: 1.30 to 3.30pm // (Optional: 12.30pm for lunch at a nearby cafe)

Where: Engineers Without Borders Australia, 99 Howard St, North Melbourne (near the Vic Markets - 57 Tram)

Who: This is an open forum for people interested in Open Access publishing, with particular input requested from librarians, database and information managers

Cost: Nil

RSVP: Rebecca Parker, Swinburne University of Technology - Phone: +61 3 9214 4806 / Email: rparker@swin.edu.au

New online videos

Kanopy, the library's streaming vendor has acquired more online science and computing videos. You can view their catalogue here.  Please send any requests to me.

Science and IT videos available for streaming.

An online video collection in Science and IT is available for preview. Let me know if you want any of the collection.  Click here to preview.

Research meets the real world – now comes the hard part

"So you’re just recovering from the last ERA (Excellence for Research Australia) assessment? Dust yourself off, Excellence in Innovation for Australia (EIA) is heading our way.  Santina Bertone, Associate Dean (Research) at Swinburne University of Technology, discusses the 'new paradigm' for measuring research and its implications for both funding and future research. Read the full article.

2013 Insync Survey dates announced

12-23 August 2013 is the period set for the next Insync Survey.

The library runs this client satisfaction survey every 2 years. It is designed to capture staff and student feedback about library services, facilities and resources. The results of the survey help identify any gaps and improve services. More information will be communicated closer to the dates.

New tool to help organise data.

Digital Science, part of Macmillan Publishing has developed a new tool to help organise research data. Projects has been designed for scientific research data in particular. It is available for Macs only at this stage. More information

Merck Database Trial

The trial for Merck Index Online is now set up, click here for access and let us know what you think!

Merck Index Online Trial Request

We have requested a trial to Merck Index Online. This may be of interest to Engineering and Science because of the Chemistry content. It may be worth comparing to SciFinder. When the trial is set up, the link will be posted.

Wiley demystifying scientific publishing

A new document from Wiley Online to help demystify the publishing process.

Young scientists often raise the question:  How do I submit a paper? From submission to publication – this document explains each step of the process of a peer reviewed paper. Help your patrons to get started now.

Go to your chosen journal homepage on On the left-hand side menu you’ll find the box “FOR CONTRIBUTORS” Author Guidelines will help you to submit the paper in the correct format and the right way. Please be aware that this may differ from journal to journal. Does the paper fulfill all requirements:  Submit an Article will allow you to upload it to the chosen journal.

Science the last frontier for adventure.

60th anniversary of 1st Everest Climb. Want to climb a higher peaK? Become a scientist.

By Carlos Duarte University of Western Australia

Wiley helps young researchers.

Wiley Online have produced a paper to help young researchers understand better the process of peer-reviewed publishing. Read the paper