The New Library Web Page: Top Ten Things to Check Out
By Andrea Twiss-Brooks

1. Quick search form: You can search for books in the library catalog, find a page on the library website or look for articles using CrossSearch. Make a selection from the drop down menu.

2. Try out the new Database Finder tool or the comprehensive library Electronic Journals List under Electronic Resources. Other new features and tools include CrossSearch for searching multiple databases at once and RefWorks for collecting and organizing literature references.

3. New top level links to frequently used information like library hours, interlibrary loan, connecting your computer from home or via campus wireless network, and library maps/floorplans.

4. Find information about USITE, campus id cards, and more.

5. Convenient links to other campus web sites of interest in the sciences.

6. Quick links to the most frequently used databases for finding articles and more.

7. Library news, including recently added books and serials, exhibit information, and a link to the Crerar Library News blog site.

8. Have a question? Want to let us know what you think? Link to forms for Ask a Librarian or to send us your comments about library matters of any kind.

9. Click on the tabs for finding library resources, to access your campus email, library, and other accounts, or to look for help.

10. Some additional information specifically for faculty, students, alumni and friends of the Library, visitors, Corporate Members, and staff are provided via the convenient links at the bottom of the page.

MySpace
By Andrea Twiss-Brooks

The University of Chicago Database Finder tool has a personalization feature called MySpace. 

MySpace allows you to create lists of frequently used databases, customized sets of databases to be searched together, and favorite e-journals.

To access MySpace:

• Click on "Datebase Finder" from the Library's home page
• Select "Log In" (at the top of the page). Use your CNetID and password
• Click on the "MySpace" link.  This space will be empty until you add content
• To add content to MySpace, first find the resource in Database Finder or E-Journals and click on the plus sign under “Add to MySpace.”
  
  For example:

RefWorks       By Barbara Kern

In the summer of 2005 the Library purchased a subscription to RefWorks, a web-based bibliographic management tool similar to EndNote.

RefWorks makes creating bibliographies or citing resources very simple. You can download records directly from the Library’s electronic resources into your RefWorks database. Once in your RefWorks database you can manage the citations, putting them into different folders, and even sharing them with colleagues using RefShare. Citations can also be inserted into a Word document in the style of your choice, or you can create a stand-alone bibliography in seconds.

The Library decided to subscribe to RefWorks for a variety of reasons:

Portability. We know that faculty, graduate students and researchers may wish to access their bibliographies when they travel, or go on sabbatical. Access to your RefWorks database requires only an Internet connection and a group code (you are given the group code when you register to use RefWorks).

Collaboration. Because RefWorks is web-based, bibliographies can be shared. You could be working with a colleague on the other side of the world and still share a bibliography – or work on one jointly - very quickly and easily.

Ease of Use. While EndNote is a great product, we found that it took beginners quite a while to learn how to use it effectively and efficiently. RefWorks is very easy to use.

The Library will be holding several RefWorks training sessions in the winter quarter (see page 4).

The Library is also pleased to continue to provide training and advice to EndNote users.

For more information about RefWorks and/or EndNote please contact Andrea Twiss-Brooks at atbrooks@uchicago.edu, 702-8777 or Barbara Kern at bkern@uchicago.edu, 702-8717.

Winter Quarter RefWorks and EndNote Training Sessions

PLEASE NOTE: While the sessions listed here are intended for a general audience, we are happy to provide subject specific sessions and consultations.Please contact Barbara Kern at bkern@uchicago.edu or 702-8717.

Introduction to RefWorks
This class will teach you the basic features of RefWorks. First, you will learn how to download citations and references from the Library’s electronic resources into your RefWorks database. Next, you will learn how to manage your references using folders and other editing features. Finally, you will learn how to create footnotes and bibliographies using Write-n-Cite with MS Word.

Monday, January 9, 2:00-3:00
Regenstein Library 153 Computer Training Room   

Wednesday, January 18, 10:00-11:00
The John Crerar Library Board Room

Friday, February 3, 1:00-2:00
Regenstein Library 153 Computer Training Room   

Wednesday, February 15, 4:00-5:00
Regenstein Library 153 Computer Training Room   

RefWorks Advanced Features
Learn about RefWorks’ advanced features, including how to better manage your folders and create or edit output styles. In addition, the class will discuss RefShare, which allows users to share their RefWorks folders with other users. Questions are welcome.

Thursday, January 26, 3:00-4:00
The John Crerar Library Board Room   

Tuesday, February 7, 10:00-11:00
Regenstein Library 153 Computer Training Room   

RefWorks for EndNote Users
Learn how to use RefWorks web-based bibliographic management tool with EndNote bibliographic management software.

Wednesday, March 1, 2:00 -3:00
Regenstein Library 153 Computer Training Room   

Using EndNote

Tuesday, January 17, 2:00-3:30
Regenstein Library 153 Computer Training Room   

Tuesday, February 14, 1:00-2:30
The John Crerar Library Board Room  

To register visit: training.uchicago.edu/, click “University Libraries” or contact Barbara Kern at bkern@uchicago.edu or 702-8717.

Enrico Fermi. The Early Years.
The John Crerar Library, Spring 2006

Nobel prize winner Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) began his education, and his career in physics in Italy. This exhibit, which is presented in cooperation with the Enrico Fermi Institute at the University of Chicago, and based on the work done by the Department of Physics of the University of Rome and Domus Galilaeana (Pisa), will tell the story of Fermi’s early years through photos and documents from colleagues and family.

The John Crerar Foundation Science Writing Prize for College Students

We hope that you will encourage your students to submit an entry to the annual John Crerar Foundation Science Writing Prize for College Students. This competitive award for excellence and clarity in science writing acknowledges the ability of a University of Chicago College student to produce a paper, on a scientific topic, which is thorough in its arguments but accessible to a broad readership. Our hope is to encourage students to connect their own studies and research to the larger effort of public education and understanding.

Students must write their paper based on a topic selected by the prize committee. The topic will be broad enough to cover both the biomedical and physical sciences. The competition is not restricted by year of study or area of concentration.
First prize is $1500.00 and second prize is $500.00.

More information is available at: www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/crerar-prize

If you have any questions or comment please feel free to contact Barbara Kern at 702-8717, bkern@uchicago.edu.

The ERU (Electronic Resources Update) is written and produced by the Science Libraries at the University of Chicago. This quarterly publication is distributed in print, on the web and via email.

To receive this newsletter in print or via email contact Barbara Kern at 702-8717 or bkern@uchicago.edu.