New Resource Available
a. Methods in Enzymology Online (Elsevier)
By David J Owen (UCSF), Resource Liaison
Methods in Enzymology is a book series published by Elsevier Science and provided online via ScienceDirect. This critically acclaimed series has been a laboratory standard for over forty years, containing detailed protocols and descriptions of biochemical and biophysical techniques. It is a key reference work in the life and molecular sciences.
Since it first appeared in 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and highly praised by researchers and reviewers alike. The series now consists of more than 300 volumes (all still in print), containing much material that is still relevant today, making it an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences. Users can browse the individual volumes online from 1955 to the present or search across the collection by title, author, abstract, and keyword.€ Full-text access to articles is available in HTML and PDF formats.
The MIE database was recommended by the health/life sciences and physical sciences/engineering bibliographer groups, endorsed by the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and approved by the CDC for co-investment by all campuses.
b. Science of Synthesis (Thieme)
By Marion Peters (UCLA Science and Engineering Library)
CDL recently finalized licensing with Thieme for Science of Synthesis. The resource began as a Tier 2 license and was recommended to JSC by the chemistry librarians as a potential systemwide license. It was approved by the CDC for co-investment by all ten campuses.
Thieme’s new Science of Synthesis (Science of Synthesis, Houben-Weyl Methods of Molecular Transformations) is intended to comprise 48 volumes with a completion date in 2008-2009. The online version of Science of Synthesis also includes access to the complete electronic backfile, containing editions 1, 2, 3, 4, and the E-series, of Houben-Weyl “Methods of Organic Chemistry” published from 1909-2004 (140 volumes). Houben-Weyl, a standard reference work for synthetic chemists, includes some 700,000 references to 580,000 structures and 146,000 product specific experimental procedures.
This new online edition features fully interactive text and structure searching. It will contain contributions eventually from 1000 authors on 18,000 experimental procedures for 180,000 reactions and 800,000 structures. Interlibrary loan and scholarly sharing are restricted under the terms of the license for the electronic version of this resource. Campuses can purchase softcover print volumes directly from Thieme at a substantial discount.
c. Directory of CDL-Licensed Content: Surveys and Alternatives
Two surveys of users of the Directory of CDL-Licensed Content were conducted in May 2005, in preparation for the Directory’s retirement on October 31, 2005. (See CDLINFO for more information on the retirement.) The first survey examined how the Directory is used; the second uncovered how respondents use the CDLALERT announcements notifying recipients of changes to the Directory in their day-to-day work. CDL sought to determine whether information needed by users is available elsewhere, thus avoiding duplication of data and effort, as preparations begin for moving to an electronic resources management system.
Survey one:
The main three uses of the Directory are to access electronic journals; to locate electronic resources available at the campus; and to discover or access an electronic database. Additional uses included finding PIDs (Persistent Identifiers) and searching by publisher or vendor. A chart of functional alternatives to the Directory for these tasks is now available: http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/cdldir/retirement.html
Survey two:
The information currently included in the CDLALERT announcements is of value to campus library staff, particularly in the maintenance of campus e-resource lists. The announcements also serve as an important CDL communication tool, supporting library staff in their collection management, reference, and Resource Liaison responsibilities. CDL will continue distribution of this information.
Analyses of both surveys can be found at http://www.cdlib.org/inside/assess/evaluation_activities/index.html#2005