Hundreds of new Web sites for health consumers, nurses, and other medical professionals are being added weekly. This report includes only the most useful and highest quality resources from among a rich array of choices. Governmental resources are listed first (divided by resources directed toward professionals and health consumers), followed by nongovernmental health information portals, nursing specialties and disease-specific resources, free study aids for students, nursing associations, online forums, and discussion lists.
Source: College and Research Libraries News (CR&L), April
Friday, April 28, 2006
New Google Scholar Addition
Google Scholar now offers a new sorting option. In addition to the "all articles" sort, top right on the results page, you'll see a new link labeled "recent articles." What's important to realize is that this new option is not a date based sort. According to Google engineer, Dejan Perkovic, who posts on the Google Blog, "It's not just a plain sort by date, but rather we try to rank recent papers the way researchers do, by looking at the prominence of the author's and journal's previous papers, how many citations it already has, when it was written, and so on." Try a simple, unsophisticated search (the way most people search) of Google Scholar for research for avian influenza--first, using the "all articles" sort and then the "recent articles" sort.
Source: Google Scholar Update
Source: Google Scholar Update
Gardening Reference: Wildflower Color Chart
WildflowerInformation.org is a resource for wildflower enthusiasts and gardeners. If you share the growing interest in the environment and natural gardening, you will appreciate this comprehensive, easy to use, and accessible source. You may sort information about wildflowers in many fascinating ways. Try looking at the wildflower color chart.
(Dedicated to Sandy Pearce)
(Dedicated to Sandy Pearce)
Rock Wisdom Reference Book
This collection of quotes from Rock and Roll music provides a documented reference to an under appreciated form of literature. It is an online reference book of more than 13,000 song quotes from the 1950's to the present. The first chapter, one of 70 chapters/categories, has what the author considers the 100 absolutely best. See if you agree.
Librarians and library users (that's all of you or you wouldn't be reading this) appreciate being able to browse through the topics (friendship, love, pick-up lines, etc.), search by subject or author, or look up full lyrics. It's Friday--have some fun.
www.rockmusic.com
Source: a friend
Librarians and library users (that's all of you or you wouldn't be reading this) appreciate being able to browse through the topics (friendship, love, pick-up lines, etc.), search by subject or author, or look up full lyrics. It's Friday--have some fun.
www.rockmusic.com
Source: a friend
CQ Researcher This Week: American Indians
Are they making meaningful progress at last?
Winds of change are blowing through Indian Country, improving prospects for many of the nation's 4.4 million Native Americans. The number of tribes managing their own affairs has increased dramatically, and an urban Indian middle class is quietly taking root. The booming revenues of many Indian-owned casinos seem the ultimate proof that Indians are overcoming a history of mistreatment, poverty and exclusion. Yet most of the gambling houses don't rake in stratospheric revenues. And despite statistical upticks in socioeconomic indicators, American Indians are still poorer, more illness-prone and less likely to be employed than their fellow citizens. Meanwhile, tribal governments remain largely dependent on direct federal funding of basic services — funding that Indian leaders and congressional supporters decry as inadequate. But government officials say they are still providing essential services despite budget cuts.
Reports are published weekly in print and online 44 times a year by CQ Press, a division of Congressional Quarterly Inc. Online access for the Goodwin community:
library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher
User Name: goodwin10
Password: cqel
Winds of change are blowing through Indian Country, improving prospects for many of the nation's 4.4 million Native Americans. The number of tribes managing their own affairs has increased dramatically, and an urban Indian middle class is quietly taking root. The booming revenues of many Indian-owned casinos seem the ultimate proof that Indians are overcoming a history of mistreatment, poverty and exclusion. Yet most of the gambling houses don't rake in stratospheric revenues. And despite statistical upticks in socioeconomic indicators, American Indians are still poorer, more illness-prone and less likely to be employed than their fellow citizens. Meanwhile, tribal governments remain largely dependent on direct federal funding of basic services — funding that Indian leaders and congressional supporters decry as inadequate. But government officials say they are still providing essential services despite budget cuts.
Reports are published weekly in print and online 44 times a year by CQ Press, a division of Congressional Quarterly Inc. Online access for the Goodwin community:
library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher
User Name: goodwin10
Password: cqel
Good Stuff: What We Buy
"Have you ever wondered where chocolate comes from, if antibacterial soap is good for your family, or how to recycle an old computer? If you've had these or other questions about the environmental and social impacts of the products you buy and use, Good Stuff is for you. It contains many of the tips, facts, and links you'll need to start making more informed purchases that benefit your health and the environment." (Good Stuff site)
Source: Worldwatch
Source: Worldwatch
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Free Trial Coming Soon for DynaMed
EBSCO is offering us a free trial of a new database, DynaMed. It could be a valuable resource for nurses, paramedics., and other health care workers. The database offers answers to most primary care questions. It is designed for:
1) rapid, easy use at the point of care
2) evidence based systematic selection of best available evidence
3) practical clinical focus
4) over 1,800 topic summaries covering all aspects of care
5) thousands of article references and Web links
6) Drug costs, ICD-9 codes and patient information handouts
7) UPDATED DAILY
8) Available via PDA version for Palm or Pocket PC
Watch this site for information about the start date!
1) rapid, easy use at the point of care
2) evidence based systematic selection of best available evidence
3) practical clinical focus
4) over 1,800 topic summaries covering all aspects of care
5) thousands of article references and Web links
6) Drug costs, ICD-9 codes and patient information handouts
7) UPDATED DAILY
8) Available via PDA version for Palm or Pocket PC
Watch this site for information about the start date!
Writing Help for College Assignments
In the "Additional Research Resources" section of www.iconn.org you will find materials to help students, faculty, and writing tutors. That includes quite a few of us.
1) Dartmouth Writing Program (materials for students, faculty, and writing tutors)--an extensive library of online resources.
2) The Owl at Purdue--offers online writing, research, and MLA and APA style help to the world.
3) The American Heritage Book of English Usage: A Practical and Authoritative Guide to Contemporary English--a practical and authoritative guide to contemporary English.
4) The Guide to Grammar and Writing--a popular writing resource developed by Charles Darling at Capital Community College.
1) Dartmouth Writing Program (materials for students, faculty, and writing tutors)--an extensive library of online resources.
2) The Owl at Purdue--offers online writing, research, and MLA and APA style help to the world.
3) The American Heritage Book of English Usage: A Practical and Authoritative Guide to Contemporary English--a practical and authoritative guide to contemporary English.
4) The Guide to Grammar and Writing--a popular writing resource developed by Charles Darling at Capital Community College.
Don't Forget Hartford Courant Historical
The Historical Hartforfd Courant is available at www.iconn.org and offers full page and article images with searchable full text back to the first issue. That's right--the first issue! It provides access to every available issue published between 1764 and 1922. A quick reference guide is available at
http://training.proquest.com/trc/training/en/hnp.pdf
http://training.proquest.com/trc/training/en/hnp.pdf
Gale PowerSearch Comes to Goodwin Library
By August 1, the Goodwin Library will transition to a PowerSearch platform for Gale databases. This new technology allows for cross-searching of Gale databases-more than 17,000 InoTrac periodicals and hundreds of Thomson Gale and partner eBooks. Another new service, Access MyLibrary, will be introduced at that time. Instruction will be available.
Goodwin Library ICONN Update
The Goodwin Library, through the Connecticut State Library, will continue to offer all the Thomson Gale InfoTrac databases that are currently held, as well as the health and business resource centers. The following five multi-volume e-books have been added:
Encyclopedia of Population, 2 volumes
Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security, 3 volumes
Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students, 4 volumes
U*X*L Encyclopedia of Landforms and Other Geological Features, 3 volumes
Find them at www.iconn.org.
Encyclopedia of Population, 2 volumes
Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security, 3 volumes
Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students, 4 volumes
U*X*L Encyclopedia of Landforms and Other Geological Features, 3 volumes
Find them at www.iconn.org.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Windows Live Academic Search: Google Competition?
Microsoft has rolled out Windows Live Academic Search, a targeted search service focused connecting students and researchers with peer-reviewed scholarly information.
Although available to anyone, Windows Live Academic Search is designed to help students, researchers and university faculty conduct research using academic and scholarly journals.
Although search results are free, you must either have a subscription to a journal or pay on a per-article basis to access the full text of journal articles appearing in search results.
Search results are presented in a split-pane view, with article titles and other information on the left, and a preview pane on the right that displays an abstract from an article when the mouse is hovered over an article title.
You also have the ability to group and sort results by author, journal, conference and date. There's also citation support for two major bibliographic formats making it easy for a user to quickly compile a list of citations.
Although available to anyone, Windows Live Academic Search is designed to help students, researchers and university faculty conduct research using academic and scholarly journals.
Although search results are free, you must either have a subscription to a journal or pay on a per-article basis to access the full text of journal articles appearing in search results.
Search results are presented in a split-pane view, with article titles and other information on the left, and a preview pane on the right that displays an abstract from an article when the mouse is hovered over an article title.
You also have the ability to group and sort results by author, journal, conference and date. There's also citation support for two major bibliographic formats making it easy for a user to quickly compile a list of citations.
Michigan to Require "Online Courses" for High School Graduation
Michigan thinks it has the keys to producing savvy students: require them to spend some time learning online. Or at least that's part of a plan being trumpeted by Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm. In addition to requiring that all high school students complete courses in advanced algebra, chemistry, and even foreign languages, legislation signed into law by the governor will also see that all students take a least one "online learning course" or participate in an "online learning experience." Can Connecticut keep up?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Recommended Articles in the Library This Week
Recommended Articles This Week in the Library
“Campus Architecture”
The Chronicle of Higher Education April 28
Here is a complete section on new college buildings and renovations that span many styles and approaches.
“First impressions: the campus as recruiter”
College Planning & Management April
Two universities share their stories on how efforts to upgrade and beautify their campuses
have led to a welcome benefit: increased enrollment!
“The power problem: conquering carbon and climate change”
Harvard Magazine May-June
As the climate warms and energy use grows, Harvard researchers project growing
dependence on coal--and an innovative solution to the daunting challenge of using it
benighnly.
“What doctors hate about hospitals”
Time May 1
Doctors end up at the hospital just like the rest of us. The experience gives them new insight
into the problems and risks for patients.
“Best homes of the year”
Electronic House May
Somewhere in these pages is your dream home—or maybe your dream home theater, or
kitchen, or just a rome for having a blast. Get ready to be inspired.
“Climate crisis: the pro-growth, pro-tech fight to stop global warming”
Wired May
Technology is dragging environmentalism out of the anti-business, anti-consumer stone age.
This issue features three articles on this subject: the next green revolution, the resurrection
of Al Gore, and the rise of the neo-Greens.
“Campus Architecture”
The Chronicle of Higher Education April 28
Here is a complete section on new college buildings and renovations that span many styles and approaches.
“First impressions: the campus as recruiter”
College Planning & Management April
Two universities share their stories on how efforts to upgrade and beautify their campuses
have led to a welcome benefit: increased enrollment!
“The power problem: conquering carbon and climate change”
Harvard Magazine May-June
As the climate warms and energy use grows, Harvard researchers project growing
dependence on coal--and an innovative solution to the daunting challenge of using it
benighnly.
“What doctors hate about hospitals”
Time May 1
Doctors end up at the hospital just like the rest of us. The experience gives them new insight
into the problems and risks for patients.
“Best homes of the year”
Electronic House May
Somewhere in these pages is your dream home—or maybe your dream home theater, or
kitchen, or just a rome for having a blast. Get ready to be inspired.
“Climate crisis: the pro-growth, pro-tech fight to stop global warming”
Wired May
Technology is dragging environmentalism out of the anti-business, anti-consumer stone age.
This issue features three articles on this subject: the next green revolution, the resurrection
of Al Gore, and the rise of the neo-Greens.
Welcome to Sustainlane
http://www.sustainlane.com/index.php
Welcome to SustainLane, a community-generated guide for living a better life. SustainLane provides fast & easy access to best-of-class information and resources for enjoying a healthier more sustainable life within your community. Find information. Ask a question. Provide an answer. Share your experience. Hear what others are doing. Add to the collective knowledge base created by our collaborative network.
Welcome to SustainLane, a community-generated guide for living a better life. SustainLane provides fast & easy access to best-of-class information and resources for enjoying a healthier more sustainable life within your community. Find information. Ask a question. Provide an answer. Share your experience. Hear what others are doing. Add to the collective knowledge base created by our collaborative network.
Books This Week
Mary Higgins Clark sees her newest book, Two Little Girls in Blue, a chilling tale of kidnapping, murder and telepathy, start right out at number one on the New York Times best seller fiction list. This is her 33rd book and 25th suspense novel.
Another newcomer to the NYT list is Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems, number four on the hardcover advice list. Cesar Milan goes beyond the dog world to identify people who would be good “pack leaders.” Who do you think would be the best pack leaders? He chooses Oprah, "the epitome of calm-assertive energy."
Source: New York Times Book Review April 23
Another newcomer to the NYT list is Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems, number four on the hardcover advice list. Cesar Milan goes beyond the dog world to identify people who would be good “pack leaders.” Who do you think would be the best pack leaders? He chooses Oprah, "the epitome of calm-assertive energy."
Source: New York Times Book Review April 23
Alleged Plagiarism Stories
Two instances of alleged plagiarism made headlines yesterday.
"Yesterday’s Boston Globe had a long article about accusations of plagiarism leveled against a Harvard University undergraduate in her first novel, which has been widely celebrated as a true-to-life tale of an Indian-American girl’s coming of age. The allegations, which say the book copies elements of two other novels published in the last five years, were first reported on Sunday in The Harvard Crimson.
And yesterday’s New York Times reported that an acclaimed book of advice written by the chief executive of the Raytheon Company appears to have been partly lifted from a 1944 book by an engineering professor at the University of California at Los Angeles."
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
"Yesterday’s Boston Globe had a long article about accusations of plagiarism leveled against a Harvard University undergraduate in her first novel, which has been widely celebrated as a true-to-life tale of an Indian-American girl’s coming of age. The allegations, which say the book copies elements of two other novels published in the last five years, were first reported on Sunday in The Harvard Crimson.
And yesterday’s New York Times reported that an acclaimed book of advice written by the chief executive of the Raytheon Company appears to have been partly lifted from a 1944 book by an engineering professor at the University of California at Los Angeles."
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Monday, April 24, 2006
Nurses Working Too Much?
Are Nurses Working Too Many Hours?
A study published in the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) finds that nurses are working too long, too much, and without enough rest between shifts. More than 25% typically worked 12 or more hours a day. Many worked more than 40 hours a week and six or more days in a row.
The report concludes that “ the proportion of nurses who reported working schedules that exceed the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine should raise industry-wide concerns about fatigue and health risks to nurses as well as the safety of patients in their care."
Source: AJN April 2006 article “How Long and How Much Are Nurses Now Working?”
A study published in the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) finds that nurses are working too long, too much, and without enough rest between shifts. More than 25% typically worked 12 or more hours a day. Many worked more than 40 hours a week and six or more days in a row.
The report concludes that “ the proportion of nurses who reported working schedules that exceed the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine should raise industry-wide concerns about fatigue and health risks to nurses as well as the safety of patients in their care."
Source: AJN April 2006 article “How Long and How Much Are Nurses Now Working?”
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Libraries-Change is in the Wind
When you want to find a book in a library, you go to the catalog for the information that leads you to the book on the shelf. That catalog record is based on machine readable (MARC) records using the Anglo American Cataloging Rules 2nd edition. AACR2 is in the process of being replaced by a new standard called Resource Description and Access RDA. When complete, RDA will provide a new set of guidelines and instructions that will cover description and access for resources in traditional and digital formats. This is not my favorite part of librarianship, but out of necessity, I have enrolled in an online program providing an overview of Functional Requirements for bibliographic Records (FRBR) and RDA. It sounds like cruel and unusual punishment, so wish me luck!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
50 Ways to Save the Planet
"The astonishing fact is that each of us can have an immediate impact on the production of greenhouse gases, and if enough of us act together in these minor ways, the cumulative effect will be dramatic. And they all save money, which is one of the rather striking things about reducing your carbon footprint -- the standard way of measuring the CO2 emissions each person is responsible for…Ladies and gentlemen, this little booklet is the future -- a more ingenious, more satisfying, and less wasteful future. Welcome to it."
Source: "Fifty Ways to Help Save the Planet" in Vanity Fair's first-ever Green Issue.
Source: "Fifty Ways to Help Save the Planet" in Vanity Fair's first-ever Green Issue.
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