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What's going on at Dalhousie Libraries

Category: Agriculture

Web Of Science Cancellation: Seeking Input on Usage

The Dalhousie Libraries currently subscribe to two major multi-disciplinary abstracting & indexing databases: Web of Science and Scopus. After a careful comparison of content, functionality and cost, the Libraries will cancel Web of Science database in 2022, since it duplicates the content and functionality from Scopus and from other subject-specific databases.   

In the lead up to the cancellation of this product, we want to know more about any unique researcher use of the product, in order to manage the transition and find solutions for instances where Scopus is not a viable alternative. Other than searching Web of Science as an abstracting & indexing database to locate articles, is there any other aspect of Web of Science that is critical to your research program? Please send your responses by Friday, May 21 to:  Library.Collections@dal.ca   

Welcome, Carlina Gillis

by Michelle Paon

Please join us in welcoming Carlina Gillis to the Dalhousie Libraries.

Carlina has accepted the position of Resources Licensing Manager. She will be responsible for collections budgets, the negotiation of electronic resource licenses and invoice processes, communication with consortial groups, and liaison with vendors. Prior to joining the Libraries, Carlina worked at Dalhousie University as the Department Administrator with the School of Biomedical Engineering, and as the Administrative Manager with the Centre for Collaborative Clinical Learning & Research. She has also worked as Manager of Operations for the Strategic Planning & Accountability Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education – Safety Branch.

Carlina holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Francis Xavier University as well as professional development certificates in Project Management; Innovation; and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. She is a candidate in the Master of Education program at Athabasca University.

 

Dalhousie Libraries/CRKN Agreement Garners APC Discount with Elsevier

Dalhousie Libraries commits a major portion of our collections budget annually toward subscriptions to Elsevier journals. So it is with pleasure we can announce that, through our ongoing partnership with the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), we will see a significant change in our agreement with Elsevier in the coming three years. 

After a year of negotiations, CRKN’s Content Strategy Committee (CSC) has announced an agreement that increases open access, reduces subscription costs, and allows for transparency of subscription package costs: 

  • A  20% discount on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for both hybrid and gold open access journals. Cell Press,  Lancet, and some other society-owned journals are excluded. 
  • A 12.5% reduction in the subscription price for 2021, followed by a 0% change for 2022, and a 2% increase for 2023 for all journals in the Freedom Collection, including former Academic Press journals, with no loss of perpetual access rights. 
  • No confidentiality or non-disclosure clause, which allows the license terms to be shared. 

These changes demonstrate the value of negotiating at a national level. Dalhousie researchers will see some relief on APCs and the Dalhousie Libraries will be able to free up collections funds to reinvest in other much-needed resources. 

The details on how to receive the 20% discount on article processing charges are available on our LibGuide page, and CRKN have confirmed that Elsevier will provide the discount retroactive to January 1, 2021.   

Some Access Issues with EBSCO eBooks May 5–12

During the week of May 5–12, EBSCO will be upgrading key pieces of the EBSCO eBooks system. During this time, users will be able to read eBooks online and download eBook chapters and any eBooks already downloaded will continue to be available to users; however, library users will not be able to download full eBooks to read offline from EBSCOhost or from the EBSCO Mobile App. Ebsco apologizes for the inconvenience.

 

 

New Database: SAGE Research Methods

by Erin MacPherson

Are you teaching a course in Research Methods and looking for a video tutorial or case study? Or maybe a student looking for more information on a specific research method? SAGE Research Methods may be the resource you are seeking.

 SAGE Research Methods supports research at every stage and includes over 1,500 books, reference works, journal articles and instructional videos from across many disciplines.

To access SAGE Research Methods, please go to the A-Z Database list: https://dal.ca.libguides.com/az.php?q= and search for SAGE Research Methods. If you’re specifically interested in materials to support Medicine and Health, search for  Sage Research Methods. Cases in Medicine and Health.

You can also access it directly by using these links and entering your Dalhousie NetID and password when prompted:

–Sage Research Methods: https://dal.ca.libguides.com/srm
–Sage Research Methods. Cases in Medicine and Health: https://dal.ca.libguides.com/srmcmh

The SAGE Research Methods “Help” section has a detailed guide on how to use the site: http://methods.sagepub.com/Help .

In addition, there is a section available for faculty that includes sample assignments, user guide & tips, common courses and FAQs: http://methods.sagepub.com/faculty  If you have questions about accessing any of these materials, please contact your liaison librarian: https://libraries.dal.ca/research/subject-liaisons/directory.html

 

Service Changes Related to New COVID Restrictions (April 22)

In response to the tighter COVID-related restrictions in Nova Scotia, our community user research workstations are closed until further notice. Community members can still pick up library materials through our curbside pick-up service, but only current Dalhousie and King’s students, faculty, and staff may book spaces in the library as of April 23.

Anyone entering a Dalhousie library space must wear their mask at all times. Eating in the libraries will not be permitted until further notice.

World Book & Copyright Day 2021

by Lachlan MacLeod

April 23 is World Book and Copyright Day! This is a day to celebrate books for their role in creating inclusive and knowledge-rich societies, and to reflect on the publishing world from multiple angles: “books as vectors of values and knowledge, and depositories of the intangible heritage; books as windows onto the diversity of cultures and as tools for dialogue; books as sources of material wealth and copyright-protected works of creative artists” (World Book and Copyright Day website).  

It’s important for all students, staff, and faculty to have some familiarity with copyright, and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries Copyright Course is a great place to start. Copyright encompasses restrictions on how creative works can be used, but also important exceptions that benefit education, research, and study. Copyright applies not only to the use of other works, but your own creations. Whether you’re creating a video, or writing a thesis, copyright will be a defining component of the final product.

You can find out more about copyright restrictions and exceptions on Dalhousie’s Copyright Office website, or e-mail copyright.office@dal.ca

The following materials on the topic of copyright are available through the Dalhousie Libraries:

 

Dal Reads 2021/22 Title Announcement

Cover of the Butter Honey Pig Bread novel.This year’s Dal Reads book is Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi! Watch the reveal video and borrow the eBook from the Dal Libraries (for the Dalhousie community).

 

 

 

Get More Time at the Dal Libraries!

We’ve recently introduced the “book a third time slot” service for those that want even more time in our spaces. Please consult with the staff at the check-in area to book a third time slot, if space is available.

 

 

Easter Weekend Hours

The Kellogg Library Learning Commons (CHEB), as well as the Killam and MacRae Libraries will be OPEN from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Friday, April 2 (Good Friday). All other Dalhousie Libraries locations will be CLOSED on Friday, April 2.

The rest of the weekend, our spaces will be open with their usual weekend hours. We will also be open on Easter Monday. LiveHelp will NOT be available Friday through Monday. A reminder to book your time in our spaces before coming in. Don’t forget your mask! https://roombooking.library.dal.ca/

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