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.