Kresge Engineering Library News
Number 11, April 2003
Jean McKenzie, Editor.
- Cancellation of Journals
- New E-Journals Access
- New Melvyl®
- Page NRLF
- Expanded Hours During Finals
- New Public Computers
- Recommendations for Purchase
- eReference
1. Cancellation of Journals
The Library is currently engaged in a major collection budget reduction. The Engineering Library will meet its target reduction by switching print and electronic subscriptions to electronic only, canceling print duplicates, canceling a few print titles which exhibit low use and high cost/use, and slightly reducing our monographic purchases. Cancellation lists for Engineering and the other science libraries are on the Proposed List of Titles to be Cancelled beginning 2003-2004 for the Sciences & Engineering page.
It appears likely that the Library will face a further collection reduction next year. We expect to continue canceling print subscriptions that duplicate electronic access, since it is increasingly clear that maintaining only one format will enable us to provide the broadest range of content. In addition, usage statistics indicate clearly that electronic format is the mode preferred by most faculty, researchers, and graduate students. Background information on the immediate and long-range outlook for the print and electronic collections at UCB can be found on the UC Berkeley Library Collections Management site.
2. New E-Journals Access
Our new e-journals database provides access to Electronic Journals. Searching ejournals via the Melvyl Periodicals catalog is the most comprehensive route, but you'll find the search and browse capabilities on this new page a quick and easy way to locate online journals.
3. New Melvyl®
Later this spring, the new version of the Melvyl catalog will be made available. This new version combines books and periodicals into the same catalog. It is expected that both the current version and the new version of the Melvyl catalog will run in parallel through August 1, 2003. Look for a link on our web page as soon as it's available.
4. Page NRLF
A new service has been developed for paging materials electronically from the storage facility (NRLF) via Pathfinder. If you need a stored item, locate it in the Pathfinder catalog, click on the NRLF icon, and follow the on-screen instructions. Books requested in this manner can be delivered to the Engineering Library for pickup and journal articles (up to 35 pages in length) can be delivered via the web. You can continue to page NRLF materials by filling out a form in the Engineering Library.
5. Expanded Hours During Finals
As a trial this Spring Semester, the Engineering Library will stay open one hour later than usual during finals. It will close at 11:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, during the final examination period.
6. New Public Computers
The library workstations are very popular with engineering students and, indeed, students often wait in line to use them. This spring we added 7 additional PCs, easing the demand somewhat. Three are located in the Reference area of the Engineering Library and 4 have been placed against the back wall. In order to insure that they are available for students, the 4 in the back of the Library require a CalNet ID. Additionally, 7 of the PCs in the Reference area require a CalNet ID to access anything other than library catalogs and research resources.
7. Recommendations for Purchase
In spite of serial cancellations, we continue to purchase new and needed materials. We welcome recommendations — they can be sent to any of the librarians, dropped off at the Library, or submitted via our Book Purchase Recommendation Form.
8. eReference
Ask questions via our Ask Us form.