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Geophysical Sciences | Library Handbook

Geophysical Sciences

Library Handbook 2004


The John Crerar Library

5730 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
773-702-7715
email: Crerar-Reference@lib.uchicago.edu
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/crerar/

Welcome to the John Crerar Library

The University's collections of more than one million volumes in pure and applied sciences and in the history of science and medicine are housed in The John Crerar Library and two departmental libraries (Eckhart and Yerkes). The John Crerar Library, which merged with The University of Chicago Library in 1984, was originally an independent scientific research library. The combined collections make it one of the largest science libraries in the country and is used by researchers from around the globe. Some of the many subjects covered in the collection include paleontology, geophysics, astrophysics, geochemistry, atmospheric sciences, and oceanography. In addition, the Joseph Regenstein Library houses the maps collection and additional works in geography, remote sensing, and cartography. If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss Library services, research instruction, print or electronic resources for geophysical sciences research and teaching, please contact Andrea Twiss-Brooks, Bibliographer for Chemistry, Physics, Geophysical Sciences, and Technology, 773-702-8777, atbrooks@uchicago.edu .

Library Contact Information

Reference Desk (8:30 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Mon.-Thurs., 8:30-A/M.-5:00 P.M. Fri., 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Sat.)
www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/crerar/db/ref/
Phone: 773-702-7715
E-mail: Crerar-Reference@lib.uchicago.edu
   
Circulation and Course Reserves (8:30 A.M.-10:00 P.M. Mon.-Thurs., 8:30-A.M.-6:00 P.M. Fri.,
9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Sat., Noon-10:00 P.M. Sun.)
www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/crerar/using/
Phone: 773-702-7409
E-mail: Crerar-Circulation@lib.uchicago.edu
   
Regenstein Maps Collection (12:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mon-Fri)
www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/maps/
Phone: 773-702-8761
E-mail: c-winters@uchicago.edu

Finding Books

Books in the physical sciences (Q-QE, T-Z) that circulate are shelved by call number on the lower level (in compact shelving) and on the third floor. All current and most historic materials are now listed in the online catalog and may be found by searching the catalog on the web. Do not hesitate to talk with a Reference Librarian to determine what materials are owned by the library and how to find them.

Finding Journals

Recent journal issues shelve by title on the first floor of the library. Older, bound physical sciences journal volumes shelve by call number on the lower level (in compact shelving) and on the third floor. Biological sciences bound journal volumes shelve by title on the second floor. Consult the online catalog to determine which journals the library subscribes to.

The Science Libraries also subscribe to over 5000 electronic journals, including many in the geophysical sciences. To determine what e-journals in geophysical sciences are available consult the online catalog (and note the line for Web Access/Online Issues) or visit the geophysical sciences electronic journals page. A searchable, comprehensive list of online journals in ALL subject areas is also available at http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/h/ej.

Finding Journal Articles

Select a database from the campus network that covers the literature of your research field. Below are some brief descriptions of primary databases used by researchers in geophysical sciences. These and many others can all be reached directly from the science database list on the web:

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/crerar/db/

(Once you've located articles in a database, don't forget to check the Online Catalog to see if the library subscribes to the journal.)

GeoRef: covers the world's literature in geology and the geosciences. GeoRef covers the geology of North America since 1785 and the rest of the world since 1933. Covers over 3,000 journals, as well as books, maps, reports, most U.S. Geological Survey publications, and U.S. and Canadian master's theses and doctoral dissertations.

Web of Science/Science Citation Index: provides access to the ISI citation databases, which includes Science Citation Index Expanded. You can search by keyword or author, as well as for papers that have cited important articles from the past to expand your literature searching. Coverage of journal literature is from 1945 to current. Excellent starting point for multidisciplinary research areas, as well as for topics that are not well covered by GeoRef (e.g., meteorology). Newest features include ability to set up citation alerts to notify user when a new publication refers to a paper of interest.

INSPEC: based on Physics Abstracts for 1969 to current. Covered topics include astrophysics, remote sensing technology, GIS, cosmology, and atmospheric sciences. Includes journals, conferences, reports, dissertations, books, and periodicals.

Current Contents: lists tables of contents for over 6500 journals. Includes bibliographic data for each article, and includes abstracts for about 85% of the articles. Search by journal title, article title, authors, keywords, and corporate source. Profiles for current awareness can be saved for email delivery of reports.

SciFinder Scholar/Chemical Abstracts: a client software which allows full searching of Chemical Abstracts from 1907 to present. May be searched by substance, structure, reaction, registry number, author, and many others. Includes over 41 million substances and 6 million reactions and covers journals, conferences, reports and patents. Definition of "chemistry and related subjects" is quite broad, and makes this a useful tool for environmental sciences, geochemistry, atmospheric sciences, and other areas. Ask at the Reference Desk or check the link above for details about downloading the client software.

Dissertation Abstracts: includes citations for the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to present; theses from 1980 forward also include 350-word abstracts, written by the author. Citations for master's theses from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts. Numerous current dissertations are available full-text. Includes authors from over 1,000 North American graduate schools and European universities. About 47,000 new dissertations and 12,000 new theses are added to the database each year.

Can't find a Book or Journal on the Shelf?

If you've looked for a book or journal and don't locate it on the shelf, try these steps:

Interlibrary Loan

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/h/ill
Phone: 773-702-8706
E-mail: Interlibrary-Loan@lib.uchicago.edu

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services are available to obtain a journal article or book not owned by The University of Chicago Library. University of Chicago faculty, students and staff can use ILL at no charge. Please make sure to check in the online catalog before placing ILL requests. Requests can be submitted either electronically via the web at http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/h/ill.

Research Assistance:

Any student needing subject-specific research assistance involving library materials can contact the subject librarian for that discipline. The librarians are available to help individuals with sources, or to do sessions for classrooms or labs on library tools which may be helpful. Contact a librarian based on their subject specialty:

Photocopiers:

There are two photocopier rooms available on each floor in the library. Copies cost $0.15 if using cash or $0.12 if using a copy card or your Chicago Card.

Copy Cards:

There is a machine in the first floor copy room which vends copy cards. These cards work in photocopiers and computer printers in all of the U of C Libraries. Value may be added to Chicago Cards or copy cards at any machine that accepts either card or cash (first and second floors only).

Computing:

PCs and Macs are available for desktop software (Word, Excel, e-mail, etc.) use in the library in the NSIT USITE facility. This NSIT computer lab is located in the lower level through the stairwell access door before entering the Crerar Library lobby area. There are also many computers near the Reference desk inside the library which are for library-related research only -- no desktop software is available at these machines. Remote access instructions for connecting to electronic resources via the University SLIP modem pool or NSIT proxy server are also available.

No Food:

Food is not allowed in the library. Please do not eat in the library. Beverages in covered containers are allowed in the library; however, do not consume beverage near computers, photocopiers or other electronic equipment.

Concerns, Book Recommendations, Feedback

The John Crerar Library is here to serve researchers and students in the sciences at the University. We hope that our efforts meet your needs. If you have concerns about library policies, see a need for library services which are not provided, or see a gap in our collections, we'd like to know about it. There are several ways to communicate with the Library, including email, phone and personal visits (see contact information below).

Recommending Books:

A form for recommending titles you think should be in the UC collections can be accessed on the web. While we can't guarantee that your request will be purchased, our subject bibliographers will give these requests careful consideration. You may also feel free to contact a subject librarian directly for more complex book recommendations.

Suggestion Forms:

Suggestion forms are located at the Reference desk and can be filled out to make specific suggestions/comments for the library. The forms are on blue paper and can be submitted at the Reference Desk or the Circulation/ Reserves Desk. Please feel free to comment on general services as well as on specific needs you have. You may also use the comments feature on any of our web pages.

Departmental Representatives:

Each department has a Faculty member who is the Library Liaison. You should feel free to contact your departmental Faculty member with specific requests or concerns.

Subject Librarian:

For Geophysical Sciences students, you should always feel free to contact the subject bibliographer in the library:

Andrea Twiss-Brooks

JCL 132 (just stop my office when you're in the library! )

773-702-8777

atbrooks@uchicago.edu

The John Crerar Library
5730 South Ellis Avenue Chicago Illinois 60637
Phone Numbers

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