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Exterior of Paterno Library

Fall Semester 2008

CONTENTS

  • Summer Changes
  • Fall Semester Library Sessions and Activities
  • Special Seminar - NIH Public Policy Access Implementation
  • Seminar - Dr. Abraham Nemeth: Distinguished Educator and Inventor of the Braille Code for Mathematics and Science
  • Plant Patents
  • JCR and Veterinary Journals Added Online
  • Library Contacts
  • Library Hours
  • Electronic Newsletter Subscription Information

Summer Changes

As the Fall Semester starts, here are some of the changes that happened during the summer at thethe Life Sciences Library.  The group study area is ready and has large tables, white boards, and a collaborative workstation with a 24" monitor.  The new Epson GT15000 scanner is here and available for public use. Seven workstations were added which brings our total to 31.  Over the last two years, we have noticed an increase in the number of undergraduates in the Life Sciences Library and a decrease in faculty, graduate students and staff.   With these increases we are trying to make more seating room in this library.

And if you notice the books and journals being moved in several areas this fall, it's because the shelves are cramped and need rearranging.  This shift will be the first major shift since we moved to the 4th floor in 1999.  Also over the summer, we sent many print issues of journals that are accessible online to the Annex, so that there is more room for new materials. 

Also the Libraries Web Pages are changing their look and getting new addresses, so some of your bookmarks might not connect any longer.  Or if you have trouble finding your favorite pages, contact us to get the new address.

Fall Semester Library Sessions and Activities

   Classes
It's not too late to schedule a fall class, contact your subject librarian. Help your students find information they need for their course work and research quickly and easily.
    Open House 2008 - Next Week
    Tuesday, September 16 - Wednesday, September 17 10:00am to 6:00pm
This annual event introduces new students to the resources and facilities of the University Libraries by encouraging them to visit many areas of the Libraries. The self-guided "tour" takes approximately an hour to complete.

In the Life Sciences Library the students "hike" the nature trail and stop at the stations for the Reference Desk, the Stacks, the Current Journals area, and the Reference Collection. Last fall over 5000 students attended the Open House with over 3000 visiting the Life Sciences Library. So please understand if the Library is a bit noisy and hectic those days.
    Angel
Librarians can create specialized Angel Guides for your classes so that students are directed to the best databases and other library resources for their projects.
    Subject Guides
Over the summer, we have been revising and adding to the many subject guides in life sciences. One newly created guide is the Health Policy & Administration Subject Researh Guide. Check the guides to see if they can help your students find information on their topics quickly and easily.
Special Seminar - NIH Public Policy Access Implementation
When: October 9, 2008 10-11:30 am
Where: Foster Auditorium near Central Pattee Library entrance/Media Site Live

This session will include a brief discussion on copyright issues leading to the Open Access movement and the NIH Public Access Mandate. Participants will be guided through the Manuscript Submission Process.   Presenters from the George T. Harrell Library, Penn State Hershey are Marie FitzSimmons, Reference Librarian and Esther Dell, Reference/ILL Librarian. The Penn State NIH Public Access Policy Implementation web page can be found at  http://www.hmc.psu.edu/library/PMC/pmc1.htm.  An overview of the copyright addendum to be used with a manuscript submission, approved by University counsel, is included in the session.

Dr. Abraham Nemeth: Distinguished Educator & Inventor of the Braille Code for Mathematics & Science
When: October 27, 2008, 10-12 pm
Where: 101 Foster Auditorium near Central Pattee Library entrance/Media Site Live

The Happy Valley Chapter of the National Federation for the Blind and Library Services for Persons with Disabilities is co-sponsoring a presentation by Dr. Abraham Nemeth, inventor of what is now known as the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation. This code provided blind people the opportunity to study math and science. 
Plant Patents
The Plant Patents from the Patent and Trademark Office have moved to the Life Sciences Library from the Business Library.  They are available behind the Current Journals area. 
JCR and Veterinary Journals added online
The libraries is pleased to announce access to the ISI Journal Citation Reports (JCR) resource. This resource identifies using ISI criteria the most frequently cited journals and the highest impact journals.

Penn State now has online access to two core journals in the veterinary sciences. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Journal of Veterinary Research. The journals may be accessed from the citations in databases by using the GetIt button, by Citation Linker or from The CAT.

Library Contacts

Responsibility for instruction, reference assistance, and the selection of books and other materials for the Life Sciences Library is divided by broad subject areas. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to request assistance or to recommend new titles for purchase. Please contact the appropriate subject specialist.

The Campus mail address for all these individuals is 408 Paterno Library.

Library Hours

Library hours, are available on the Libraries webpage:

http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/hours/uphours.html

Electronic Newsletter Subscription Information

This newsletter is available only in electronic form. If you know of anyone who is interested in receiving this newsletter, please send their name, department and e-mail address to:

  •  Kathy Fescemyer. We encourage comments, suggestions and questions!