Nurses: do you need a quick brush up on your PubMed skills? A new PubMed tutorial, developed specifically for nurses, is now available from the National Library of Medicine. Created in consultation with nurses and nursing librarians from around the United States, this series of five videos can be watched in less than 30 minutes and includes several interactive exercises to reinforce learning of basic concepts. Continue reading
jdahm
Treasures from the Rare Book Room: What about Vesalius?
Last year, 2015, marked the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great anatomist Andreas Vesalius. This was celebrated around the world by many events and writings lauding his famous work, Humani corporis fabrica libri septem (1543). This book is arguably the greatest treasure in Falk Library’s Rare Book Collections. Our contribution to the festivities is more practical than spectacular in nature, but it still shows our appreciation and the care with which we look after the De Fabrica. We upgraded the five-line description, which for years served to identify the work in our public catalog, to “full cataloging.” It may seem like a minor step, but to have a record describing the details of the volume, which precisely identify the copy that we have in our collection, is a matter of increased security. It is nearly as important as our physical safekeeping of the book behind a locked door in a climate-controlled environment.
The new description reveals the details specific to our copy. It traces the provenance to the 1914 purchase of the volume from a German bookseller by Dr. James D. Heard. He later donated 147 books from his collection (including the Vesalius) to our library. The enhanced description identifies all pages with handwritten annotations. It also describes the original 16th century binding and the remnants of its closures, and relates the physical state of the volume. These details characterize elements that are unique to our copy, and that are helpful in identifying variants, e.g., noticeable differences between copies of the same edition due to the manual process of printing and binding. It gives detailed information on pagination and numbering errors. Also provided are notes about large folded plates and their placement.
Alternate link for catalog record animation.
The record for the second edition of Vesalius’ De Fabrica (1555), also held in Falk Library’s Rare Book Collection, received the same “anniversary upgrade” as the 1543 edition.
These materials can be viewed in the Rare Book Room by appointment.
~Gosia Fort
HSLS Staff News
The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, etc.
Publications
Author names in bold are HSLS-affiliated
Barbara Epstein, HSLS director, published “In Their Own Words: Oral Histories of MLA Past Presidents” in the Journal of the Medical Library Association, January 2016, 104(1): 3-14. This is the published version of her Janet Doe Lecture on the history or philosophy of medical librarianship, presented at the 115th Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association in Austin, Texas, on May 18, 2015.
Jonathon Erlen, history of medicine librarian, along with co-author Megan Conway, published “Disability Studies: Disabilities Abstracts” in The Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 2016, 11(4).
J. Rodakowski, E. Saghafi, reference librarian, M.A. Butters, and E.R. Skidmore, published “Non-pharmacological Interventions for Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Stage Dementia: An Updated Scoping Review” in Molecular Aspects of Medicine, June-October 2015, 43-44: 38-53.
Classes February 2016
HSLS offers classes on database searching, software applications such as Prezi, 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, who will need a valid Pitt ID or e-mail account. They are also open to UPMC residents and fellows, who will need to show their UPMC IDs. Continue reading
Should I Publish in This Journal?
Have you ever received an e-mail inviting you to submit an article to a journal you don’t recognize? Or perhaps you have received an invitation to be the editor of an unfamiliar journal. Do you delete these e-mails or does the e-mail invitation spark your interest?
Some things to consider when approached by a journal: Continue reading
Which Data Repository to Choose?
Many journals and funding agencies are requiring researchers to deposit their data in publicly accessible databases or repositories. This not only helps to ensure the long-term accessibility and preservation of the data but also increases its discoverability and reuse.
The number of sustainable online repositories available to host and archive research data may seem overwhelming. Guidance for repository selection is offered below. Also available is the HSLS Data Management Repository Web site. Note: before selecting a repository, researchers should review the deposit directions and policies for the specific repository. Continue reading
“How-To” Talks by Postdocs, Now on YouTube
“‘How-To’ Talks by Postdocs” are a collaboration between the HSLS Molecular Biology Information Service (MBIS), the Center for Postdoctoral Affairs in the Health Sciences, and any postdoc at the University of Pittsburgh conducting biomedical research.
Modeled after the MBIS workshops, instructors teach a 1-2 hour workshop in a computer classroom located in Falk Library. The topic can be ANYTHING related to health sciences, not specifically molecular biology or bioinformatics, as long as the talk is in a “how-to” style rather than a seminar. The MBIS works with postdocs to create a workshop that is a positive teaching experience for the postdoc, as well as instructive to attendees, who range from grad students to fellow postdocs to PIs to lab techs to clinicians. Although taught by postdocs, attendance at the workshops is open to one and all.
Postdoc instructors receive feedback on their teaching, a letter of acknowledgement from the HSLS library director, and an optional digital recording of their session with the opportunity to have it posted on the Pitt HSLS YouTube Channel. Previous “‘How-To’ Talks by Postdocs” that are available for viewing on YouTube include:
- “How to Purify Recombinant Proteins” by Prerna Grover
- “How to Grow Cancer Cells as Free Floating Tumor Spheroids” by Dipanjan Basu
- “How to Use 3D Printing for Tissue Engineering” by Hang Lin
- “A ‘How-To’ Guide for Letters of Recommendation” by Gina Coudriet
- “How to Identify a Gene of Interest from Exome Sequencing Results” by Michelle Wood-Trageser
- “How to Do an ELISPOT to Detect Immune Responses In Vitro” by Tatiana Garcia-Bates
- “Ethical Considerations for Scientific Image Manipulation” by Emily Wickline
- “How to Prepare a CV (Grad Students & Postdocs)” by Emily Wickline
Postdocs–don’t miss a great chance to expand your teaching portfolio with this unique opportunity! Request a spot in the next round of “‘How-To’ Talks by Postdocs,” Winter/Spring 2016. Contact MBIS for more information.
~Carrie Iwema
Snapshot — A Day in the Life of a Medical Librarian at HSLS
Unlike the conventional image of the library as a quiet sanctuary, most medical libraries are vibrant venues animated by the importance of in-depth scholarly research occurring there. Have you ever wondered what librarians actually do all day?
My first activity on November 11th was to complete a systematic review project into an EndNote Library culminating weeks of searching multiple databases. The searches retrieved articles on drug therapy for an intractable condition, assimilating evidence available world-wide to find new knowledge.
As I was preparing to send this to the requester, my e-mail pinged with two clinically-related searches from an affiliated physician. I asked the requester to prioritize the topics, so I could research the most important question first.
New Historical Marker Commemorates the Founding of the Medical Library Association
Like many travelers, I frequently notice historical markers in small towns, in cities, and on roadsides. When I have time, I love to stop, read the marker and be reminded that history is all around us. Pennsylvania has over 2000 such markers and has a database to find ones in a given location or on a specific topic. On November 4, 2015, I had the unique pleasure of celebrating the unveiling of a new marker in Philadelphia. The marker commemorates the founding of the Medical Library Association (MLA), the national professional association of health sciences library and information professionals.
The marker was the brainchild of June Fulton, a fellow and past president of the Medical Library Association. When I asked Fulton what made her decide to apply for a historical marker, she provided the following explanation. Continue reading
HSLS Staff News
News
Congratulations to HSLS and NN/LM MAR Director Barbara Epstein who was elected President-Elect of the Medical Library Association. She will assume the position at the conclusion of the association’s annual meeting in May.
Melissa Ratajeski has been appointed to the position of Coordinator of Data Management Services. She will continue to serve as reference librarian and IACUC liaison. Continue reading
Classes January 2016
HSLS offers classes on database searching, software applications such as Prezi, 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, who will need a valid Pitt ID or e-mail account. They are also open to UPMC residents and fellows, who will need to show their UPMC IDs. Continue reading
Falk Library Holiday and Winter Recess Hours
Over Pitt’s winter break, Falk Library will have modified hours:
- Saturday, December 19: 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday, December 20: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Monday, December 21: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 22: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 23: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, December 24, through Sunday, January 3: CLOSED
- Monday, January 4: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 5: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 6: Resume regular hours
The Ask a Librarian e-mail service will be monitored over the break. Continue reading
PalPITTations Concert in Falk Library on December 11
Get into the holiday spirit by joining us for a holiday concert performed by the PalPITTations, an a capella vocal group of health sciences students from the University of Pittsburgh. The PalPITTations will perform on Friday, December 11, at noon, on the upper floor of Falk Library. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome for this free concert.
Director’s Reflections…Goodbye 2015 & Hello 2016!
HSLS Director bepstein@pitt.edu
Before we head off for our well-deserved winter break, let’s take a moment to look back at 2015. It’s been a busy year at Pitt and at HSLS as well. Our FY15 Annual Report is now available on our Web site. Some highlights:
- We added nearly 1,200 new e-resources, including more than 325 e-books, to HSLS collections.
- Researchers writing grant applications can create and share Data Management Plans more easily since Pitt became a partner of the DMPTool.
- HSLS now licenses 18 molecular biology software packages for Pitt’s research community. We now have a total of 2,753 registered users for these packages, an increase of 883 (32%) this year.