“Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War” Exhibit and Lecture Series

Click for an 8.5x11 printable exhibit poster
Click for an 8.5×11 printable exhibit poster

On September 16, 2013, the National Library of Medicine exhibit, “Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War,” will arrive at Falk Library. This exhibit focuses on disabled veterans and their role as symbols of a fractured nation.

In conjunction with this exhibit, HSLS will host three lectures:

Tuesday, September 24, 6 p.m., Scaife Hall, Room 1105

Jeffrey S. Reznick, PhD, chief of the History of Medicine Division, National Library of Medicine, will present “Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War.” Continue reading

Director’s Reflections…Welcome Back, New and Returning Students and Faculty!

Barbara EpsteinWe’re ready to begin a new school year! We invite you to explore HSLS resources and services described in this Update newsletter and on our Web pages. Even if you think you know everything about us, I guarantee that you’ll learn something new!

Renovation of Falk Library’s upper floor is finally completed. We’re freshly painted and re-carpeted, with a technology help desk, rolling whiteboards and four new group study rooms. There’s also a self-service counter for charging your laptops and iPads.

In September, don’t forget to visit our traveling exhibit from the National Library of Medicine, titled Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War. Continue reading

New Bing “Search by License” Feature Filters Images by Usage Rights

There is now a copyright license filter built into the Bing Image search that allows you to filter images by Creative Commons License. The images are free to use according to the terms of each license. This new feature incorporates Flickr and many other image sources.

License types include:

  • Public domain: The image creator has waived their exclusive rights, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
  • Free to share and use: You can share and use these images, but changing or editing them may not be allowed. Also, modifying, sharing, and using them for commercial purposes may not be allowed. This option typically has the most results.
  • Free to share and use commercially: You can share and use these images for personal or commercial purposes. Changing or editing them for personal or commercial purposes may not be allowed.
  • Free to modify, share, and use: You can modify, share, and use them. Modifying, sharing, and using them for commercial purposes may not be allowed.
  • Free to modify, share, and use commercially: You can modify, share, and use these images for personal or commercial purposes. This option typically has the fewest results.

To use this feature:

  1. Direct your browser to Bing Images.
  2. Type your search term in the search box and then click on the search button.
  3. Click on the License drop-down menu and then select a license (see image below).
    BingSearch
  4. You will then be shown only those images that meet the criteria for the selected license.
  5. Place your cursor over an image and a pop-up box will appear that contains the URL for the image’s originating Web site (see image below).BingImageURL
  6. Once you locate an image, go to the originating Web site for that image and determine its actual license.
  7. Next, go to Creative Commons and read and understand the license and its provisions, restrictions, and attribution requirements.

For more information, contact the HSLS Main Desk at 412-648-8866 or Ask a Librarian.

*Parts of this article were reprinted from the Bing Help Web site.

~ Jill Foust

FlashClass Offers Return

Following a recent successful pilot program, HSLS FlashClass offers have resumed for the summer. FlashClass is a “deal of the week” Groupon-like offer of timely and useful learning—minus the cost! The FlashClass model proposes one or two topics each week, and you’re invited to sign up to attend a one-hour class the following week. If at least 3 people sign up, we’ll hold the class. (We’ll notify you either way.)

FlashClass topics for August include altmetrics, mobile apps, literature management for grant applications and systematic reviews, and EndNote for experienced users, among others.

You’ll automatically receive FlashClass e-vites each week if you’re already on the HSLS Update newsletter e-mail list. If not, sign up to receive the weekly e-vites (use @pitt.edu e-mail addresses only, please).

~ Rebecca Abromitis

Helping Patients to Understand the Affordable Care Act

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will make health insurance coverage available to millions of people in the U.S. Beginning in October 2013, people will be able to sign up for coverage that starts in January 2014. Health care providers should take steps now to help their patients understand this complex law.

There are numerous authoritative resources available for patients. A good place to direct patients is to the MedlinePlus Health Insurance Web page. MedlinePlus, produced by the National Library of Medicine, provides timely health information from government agencies, and is written for the public.

MedlinePlusHealthInsurance

Affordable Care Act resources of immediate interest on MedlinePlus Health Insurance include:

For more information about resources that help explain the Affordable Care Act, contact the HSLS Main Desk at 412-648-8866 or Ask a Librarian.

~ Jill Foust

Treasures from the Rare Book Room: Late 19th Century Amputation Surgical Set

On March 27, 1891, Dr. Elmer E. Wible (b. 1867) graduated with honors from the Medical Department of the University of Pittsburgh and was awarded a case of general amputating instruments as a surgical prize. Wible lived and worked in the Pittsburgh area and was associated with West Penn, Homestead, and Columbia hospitals, where he worked as a surgeon and later as an oculist. In 1922, he attended an International Congress in Ophthalmology in Washington, D.C. He also served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. But beyond this small amount of information, little has been recorded about his professional life.¹ On June 1, 1942, he donated the instruments and case to his alma mater. It is currently owned by Falk Library.

Amputation Surgical SetThe antique amputation surgical set (c. 1890) was fabricated by George Tiemann of New York. The wooden case with a key lock is lined with purple velvet. The bottom compartment holds eight surgical knives, one artery forceps, five needles, an elastic bandage, and a tourniquet with an iron chain. Continue reading

HSLS Staff News

The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, etc.

Publication

Nancy Tannery, senior associate director, along with co-authors LA Maggio1, HC Chen2, OT Cate3, and B O’Brien2, published “Evidence-Based Medicine Training in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Review and Critique of the Literature Published 2006-2011” in Academic Medicine, 88(7): 1022-1028, July 2013.

1. Lane Medical Library, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.

2. University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, Calif.

3. Center for Research and Development of Education, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands and School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, Calif.

August Classes

HSLS offers classes on database searching, software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, bibliographic management, molecular biology and genetics, and library orientations. For more information, visit the online course descriptions.

Classes are held on the first floor of Falk Library (200 Scaife Hall) in Classroom 1 and on the upper floor of the library in Classroom 2. All classes are open to faculty, staff and students of the schools of the health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. They are also open to UPMC residents and fellows.

No registration is required for any of these classes. Seating for classes is first-come, first-served, until the class is full. Classes marked with an asterisk (*) qualify for American Medical Association Category 2 continuing education credit.

Class schedules are subject to change. Please consult the online class calendar for the most current information.

Faculty, staff and students of the schools of the health sciences will need a valid Pitt ID or e-mail account to attend these classes. UPMC residents/fellows will need to show their UPMC IDs.

 

HSLS ORIENTATION

Introduction to HSLS Resources and Services at Falk Library
(Meet inside entrance to Library)
Offered upon request to groups or individuals. Call 412-648-8866.

 

SEARCHING DATABASES

Painless PubMed* (Falk Library Classroom 1)

Tuesday, August 6 Noon-1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 14 4-5 p.m.
Thursday, August 22 Noon-1 p.m.

 

SOFTWARE TRAINING

EndNote Basics (Falk Library Classroom 2)

Thursday, August 8 1-3 p.m.

PowerPoint for Conference Posters (Falk Library Classroom 2)

Monday, August 5 12:30-2:30 p.m.

 

CUSTOMIZED CLASSES

Customized classes can be developed for your department, course, or other group.

 

FLASHCLASS

FlashClass is a “deal of the week” Groupon-like offer of timely and useful learning. Each week’s offer proposes one or two topics, and you’re invited to sign up to attend a one-hour class the following week. If at least three people sign up, we’ll hold the class. (We’ll notify you either way.)