VCU Libraries | Blogs | Nursing Blog

Cochrane Library - New Interface to Improve Searching

Posted September 21, 2012 8:08 AM in Alerts, Of Interest

Those of you who have used the Cochrane Library lately may have noticed that it looks a bit different. On the 15^th of September the interface changed in order to improve the functionality of the database when it comes to trying to find what you need. Some of the new features include:

Auto-suggest features within both basic and MeSH search functions
Updated display of search results and filtering options
Ability to view search terms and results on the same page
Ability to insert lines and add one search to one another
Improved MeSH look-up feature
Hover-over Tool Tips giving a brief explanation of the functions

For more information click here

*Announcing launch of new and improved search functionality for the cochrane library | the cochrane collaboration Retrieved 9/21/2012, 2012, from http://www.cochrane.org/news/tags/authors/announcing-launch-new-and-improved-search-functionality-cochrane-library

Welcome Back, Hope you are ready to start another semester!

Posted August 22, 2012 10:00 PM in Monthly Newletter, Of Interest , Special Events

Well summer it seems has come to a close and now it is back to class, clinical rotations, papers, projects and whatever else may come along. Regardless of what may happen, if there is some way I or anyone else here at the library come help please do not hesitate to ask. While the campus slowed down, there has been a lot going on at the library. Below you can read what some of those things are as well as what is going on at the library in the coming weeks that may be of some interest to you. Hope you had a great summer and I am sure I will see you around as I am seemingly always over at the School of Nursing for one thing or another.

Office Hours at the School of Nursing - In Break Room

This semester I am going to try to make myself as available as possible in order to help as projects and papers come up. To increase my availability, I plan on at least being at the SON in the break room on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 am - 9:30 am, unless there is something I need to attend to that makes it imperative that I head to the library. I may be there at other times and on Wednesdays & Fridays but that is largely dependent on what I have on my schedule that day. Please don't hesitate to say hello if you see me and feel free to ask me any questions you may have. If those times don't work for you, shoot me an email (rebrown2@vcu.edu).

Construction/Renovations at TML - 2nd Floor:

Well if you have not been around much this summer, or classes and rotations have kept you busy you have missed all of the construction going on at the library. After completing the multimedia collaboration room this spring, the next area of the library that has been tackled has been the second floor which is finished and n the next couple of weeks the new furniture will arrive and be put in place. In the meantime there is other furniture which has been set up so that you can use the space. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and find the space one that will be great for studying. Below you can see some pictures of all that has been done and as you can see it is quite a change.

VCU Libraries School of Nursing Library Orientation Resource

Another new resource I have developed and placed on the front page of the nursing research guide is a power point that has links, instructions and screen shots that will answer many questions you may have as you learn to use the library resources and services. For those of you who have been here awhile, you may also find it useful too so you may want to check it out. Over the next couple of months there will be changes made to the resource as I add videos and add sections. Any time I add something I will put a date beside the link to let you that it is a new version. If you should see anything wrong with the resource or feel I should add something specific, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Here is a link to the orientation resource, you just need to hit download - click here

Workshops and Events of interest this Month: If you or someone you know needs some help with any of these databases, please let them know. All of these take place at TML unless otherwise indicated.

Thursday, August 23, 2012
11:00am	Tompkins-McCaw Library Open House	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
10:00am	RefWorks	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Noon	Library Orientation	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Noon	Library Orientation	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Noon	Film Screening: Secret World of Pain	Hunton Student Center
Monday, September 10, 2012
Noon	PubMed	Online
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Noon	Community Health Education Center Program on Women's Health: Urinary Incontinence	VCU Medical Center Gateway Building
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Noon	Library Orientation	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Monday, September 24, 2012
1:30pm	Correlation of Disease Genes to Phenotypes	Sanger Hall
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
11:00am	RefWorks	Online
Friday, October 5, 2012
Noon	Film Screening: Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors without Borders	Hunton Student Center

A World Without Nurses Video

Posted July 26, 2012 10:13 AM in Of Interest

While doing reading this morning I came across this video on a listserv and thought I would pass it along. While it is done by an Australian company, it does call attention to the worldwide nursing shortage as well as all the great things nurses do. Take a look and enjoy and hope you are having a great summer break :).

Link to Video: http://youtu.be/XsjNXWIW2

Health Services Research Information Center

Posted July 5, 2012 8:31 AM in New Books/Resources , Of Interest

This is a new site that has been created by the National Library of Medicine in order to better serve the needs of those in the health services research community. It is a collection that cover areas like health data, funding announcements, reports, podcasts, and discussion groups. The site is not intended to provide a comprehensive collection of resources on the web that pertain to health services, but is just a sample. Those items that have been included have been selected based on their quality. This site is a an ongoing project and will change as more organizations become involved and sites are added.

For more information or to check out the site click here.

July - Monthly Entry

Posted June 29, 2012 9:54 AM in Monthly Newletter, Of Interest

Well July has arrived and so has the heat, but it also is a signal that the summer session will soon be over. Also with the end of the semester comes papers and projects that are coming due. If you should need any help do not hesitate to contact me or any of the other librarians here at the library.

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Construction on the 2nd Floor of TML Continues

Well the continuing push to improve the library space for students, which leaves the second floor out of commission this month and most likely a part of August as well. While this construction is going on there could be some periods of time where it is going to be a little loud as work is being done but you can always head downstairs to the newly remodeled multimedia collaboration room during those times. The books upstairs are still accessible.

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Workshops of interest this Month: If you or someone you know needs some help with any of these databases, please let them know. All of these take place at TML unless otherwise indicated.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Noon PubMed

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Noon RefWorks (Online)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Noon Library Orientation (Online)

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VCU Libraries upgrades Chronicle of Higher Ed access

Just in time for summer, when faculty and staff are on the go, VCU Libraries has upgraded its subscription to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Readers can now access The Chronicle using an iPad, smart phone, tablet or any computer located anywhere in the world.

Simply create a free account using your "@vcu.edu" e-mail address at http://www.chronicle.com/.

Account holders may download The Chronicle's iPad editions at no cost, view the new mobile interface using a web browser on a smart phone or tablet and access the publication via computer from any location

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June - Monthly Entry

Posted June 1, 2012 9:30 PM in Monthly Newletter, Of Interest

Well June is here and with it everyone is finding themselves in the midst of class and nonstop reading & assignments. For all of you are a bit stressed, persevere as the summer session will be over before you know it. If you should need anything I am around as well as the other librarians at the library. Do not hesitate to ask for help. As for the library there is plenty still going on and here are just some things you may find of interest.

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Out of the Office June 4-5 and 11-16

I will be out of the office at different times during the month of June but will always be monitoring my email, but if you would like to meet with a librarian please do not hesitate to contact the library and ask to set up an appointment with one of my colleagues as they are more than happy to help you as well. You can contact the library at 804 - 828 - 0636.

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Remodel of the Multimedia Collaboration Room Complete

In the basement of TML, if you go down the stairs and take a left you will come upon the multimedia collaboration room. This room contains computers and equipment to help create multimedia collaboration and has wireless internet access. Aside from the multimedia it is also serves as a nice place to get away and study. If you are looking for a good place this is one I would recommend.

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Construction on the 2nd Floor of TML

Well TML the last couple of months has been going through the process of improving the spaces for students. With the multimedia collaboration room done, the next is to remodel the second floor which transform the space and be a place that we hope will be enjoyed by students.

LIC/TompCat construction starts June 13th and lasts til approximately July 9th
Rest of the Second Floor - Start Sometime in June and Finished by approximately August 1st

During construction access to books will still be available but study space will not.

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Workshops of interest this Month: If you or someone you know needs some help with any of these databases, please let them know. All of these take place at TML unless otherwise indicated.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012
1:30pm	Webcast: Social Determinants of Health Disparities: Moving the Nation to Care about Social Justice	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
11:00am	PubMed	Sanger Hall
Monday, June 11, 2012
Noon	RefWorks	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Noon	Library Orientation	Tompkins-McCaw Library
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Noon	Keeping Current with Your Research	Online

Ina May Gaskin Article in New York Times

Posted May 24, 2012 8:54 AM in Of Interest

This morning while doing some reading, I came across an article in the New York Times about Ina May Gaskin. I know Mrs. Gaskin came to the VCU SON earlier this year and gave a talk to the faculty, staff and students. I attended the talk and found it well attended and very interesting. I thought I would pass on a link to the article in case you were interested, as well as a link to her website in case you would like more information on her and her work.

Mommy Wars: The Prequel : Ina May Gaskin and the Battle for at-Home Births

Ina May Gaskin Website

PubMed - Limits Now on the Results Page

Posted May 11, 2012 8:00 AM in Of Interest

Well if you have been using PubMed and are used to the limits being located on their own separate page, when you log in this morning you will find a difference that should make things a bit easier. Limits are now located on a sidebar which you will see to the left of your results when you are doing your search.

For more info: PubMed Filters Sidebar Replaces the Limits Page / You Tube Video Link