June 2020 Issue

While critically appraising papers has always been important, a recent increase in both preprints and published research (such as COVID-19-related studies) has made it even more essential to carefully evaluate study claims and methodology. HSLS is now offering “Online Introduction to Critical Appraisal” on Tuesday, June 30, from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. See the class description below to learn more.

Introduction to Critical Appraisal

Critical appraisal is an essential skill, one that helps readers detect whether a study’s results are valid and whether they can be applied clinically. This class will cover the basics of critically assessing studies, including study design, methods, bias, and other statistical considerations. Continue reading →

HSLS liaison librarians are integrated into the schools of the health sciences. Liaison librarians provide instruction as part of the curriculum, guest lectures, and customized orientation sessions; offer recommendations for embedding streaming media and other HSLS resources into course syllabi; collaborate on research projects; provide assistance with researching health and biomedical topics; and offer guidance with scholarly publishing. Liaisons also concentrate on meeting an important research need, such as data science, molecular biology, or IACUC protocol development that spans across the health sciences. Librarians are an integral part of the health sciences community and work closely with faculty and students to support research and scholarship activities.

During COVID-19, HSLS librarians are expanding support to the health sciences. The physical locations of offices may have changed, but through remote technologies, librarians are finding ways to increase collaboration with members of the health sciences community. Faculty have already taken advantage of online consultation services, often opting to schedule a Zoom interaction in place of e-mail correspondence. Recognizing that many within the Pitt community are interested in enhancing professional skills, librarians have not only responded by increasing the number of remote instruction sessions, but have added new topics including: Continue reading →

Due the current pandemic, streaming video has taken on a new importance. Now might be an appropriate time to call attention to the HSLS Streaming Media web page. The page currently gives access to well over 10,000 streaming videos—a number which continues to grow daily as providers add new content—plus more than 2,700 (and counting) HSTalks audio interviews with slide presentations. Of particular note during the current pandemic are a pair of special resources about the coronavirus: the JoVE Coronavirus Free Access Resource Center and the HSTalks SARS-CoV-2 Audio Interviews. Both are featured in the top two carousel presentations on the web page. In the case of HSTalks, we continue to add talks of interest related to SARS-CoV-2 as new content becomes available. Continue reading →

On July 28, 2020, the University will be replacing its more than 20-year-old library catalog. HSLS’s current online catalog, PITTCat for the Health Sciences, along with the University Library System’s (ULS) PITTCat Classic and PITTCat+, will be retired and replaced with a new library discovery service powered by Ex Libris Primo VE. To make the transition easier, the new PittCat will combine both PITTCat+ and PITTCat Classic into one and will be shared between HSLS, ULS, and the Barco Law Library.

The updated PittCat offers a powerful, intuitive search, and unique tools for discovery of content and ideas, as well as streamlined ways to get the material you need, when you need it, in formats that are right for you. In addition to searching the almost 6 million titles in the libraries’ catalogs, this new service will allow patrons to search for millions of full-text articles in subscribed electronic resources, with the ability to limit results to peer-reviewed or open access content, and to filter by publication date, journal, and author. Continue reading →

Do you remember the last time you updated your version of EndNote? The newest EndNote version provides various enhancements such as improved performance and cross-compatibility (macOS), fixes to Cite While You Write for in-text citations, and PDF import enhancements. There have also been improvements in finding full text. Another good reason to update is that while EndNote x9.3 can open older EndNote libraries, older versions of EndNote cannot open an EndNote library created in x9.3 or later. This means that you will have difficulties collaborating on projects using a compressed EndNote library as you won’t be able to view the citations. Lastly, many software companies stop providing support for older versions of software. And those of us who work in libraries typically have more current versions so it is difficult to provide assistance as well. Continue reading →

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

Names in bold are HSLS-affiliated

News

Tess Wilson, Community Engagement Coordinator, NNLM Middle Atlantic Region, has been named a 2020 Mover and Shaker by Library Journal, for the work she, Lina Bertinelli, Madeline Jarvis, and Kathy Kosinski have done addressing the engagement of younger generations on library boards.

Publications

P. Patterson, K.A. Daniel, C. Mountz, T. Caitlin, J.L. Budd, U. Austin, M.D. Hsin, M.D. Weaver, R.L. Turner, Coordinator of Liaison Services, et al., published “Impact of Shift Work on Blood Pressure among Emergency Medical Services Clinicians and Related Shift Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” in Sleep Health, 2020. Continue reading →

Due to recent University of Pittsburgh restrictions, HSLS will be offering all classes online until further notice.

Continue reading →