CPERS (Cooperative Purchasing & Electronic Resources Services) Blog

A twelve (12) hour maintenance window will take place to install three new platform enhancements. The window will begin Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 22:00 EDT to Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 10:00 EDT. Some ProQuest products will not be available during this maintenance window. See below for a more complete list of times and time zones.

Enhancements include
• RSS feeds - End users will be able to create RSS feeds for any search and active publications on the ProQuest platform (RSS feeds are not available for inactive or ceased publications). RSS feeds are a great way for researchers to keep on top of the latest news and research in their field, and a great way for libraries to broaden the visibility of electronic resources they license.
• Arabic interface - A new Arabic interface will include interface labels and search limiters translated into Arabic and interface elements in Arabic - navigation bars, tabbed options, etc. - will read right to left. Content will remain in the language provided, and read from left to right. We welcome feedback from Arabic readers, which can be submitted through the Product Suggestion Form. on the ProQuest web site.
• Update to COUNTER reports - COUNTER reports in CSV format have been updated by removing an extra column on the left hand side of the report. This update will make it easier for libraries to manipulate the data in COUNTER reports when trying to load them into COUNTER reporting tools.

The following products will be unavailable during these windows:
• ProQuest interface products, ProQuest Historical Newspapers (traditional and graphical K12 interface), American Periodicals Series
• Third-party databases such as ERIC® PlusText
• ProQuest Archiver™
• eLibrary®, SIRS®, and CultureGrams™
• Chadwyck-Healey products housed in the US (all products with domain names ending with chadwyck.com)
• "Digital Vault" products, including ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Digital Sanborn Maps

Maintenance window schedule, by time zone:
• EDT: Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 22:00 for twelve (12) hours
• BST: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 03:00 for twelve (12) hours
• Central European Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 04:00 for twelve (12) hours
• Japan/Korea Standard Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 11:00 for twelve (12) hours
• Malaysia/China Standard Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 10:00 for twelve (12) hours
• Australia Eastern Standard Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 12:00pm for twelve (12) hours
• Brazil Standard Time: Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 23:00 for twelve (12) hours
• New Zealand Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 14:00 for twelve (12) hours

Posted by Rita Baladad at 12:38 PM | Permalink

from the H.W. Wilson listserv:

New 100% Full-Text Version of the Acclaimed Biography Reference Bank Offers "Instant Gratification" for Young Researchers

H.W. Wilson announced a new 100% full-text version of Library Journal Best Reference Biography Reference Bank. Featuring only complete profiles, the new Biography Reference Bank, Select Edition marries "instant gratification" the web generation expects with the reliable, vetted information that's long earned the H.W. Wilson reputation.

Created to suit the fast pace of today's student research, this affordable new resource delivers complete articles on more than 236,000 names (and growing), whether an original profile from H.W. Wilson, a profile licensed from another acclaimed publisher, an article from nearly 3,000 periodicals indexed by other Wilson databases, or all three.

With coverage of names in the news and history-makers from a wide range of professions and areas of endeavor, the database supports virtually all core undergraduate coursework. From literature to politics, ethnic studies to media studies, the arts to science, here are full biographical articles on headliners and history-makers (antiquity through today), plus more than 36,000 images accompanying profiles. Daily additions--new articles from periodicals, plus coverage of at least 1,500 new names per year--grow the database and keep "master records" on each individual fresh with new coverage.

Biography Reference Bank, the larger database from which Biography Reference Bank, Select Edition is distilled, was chosen a Library Journal Best Reference Source, a Reference Books Bulletin Best Reference Source, and a Choice Outstanding Academic Title. School Library Journal describes it as "a top-of-the-line biographical reference tool." The debut of Biography Reference Bank, Select Edition coincides with H.W. Wilson's new accelerated schedule of staff-written profiles, set to provide quicker coverage of people in the news.

Contact MINITEX for pricing or trials.

Posted by Rita Baladad at 11:06 AM | Permalink

Join us for live, no cost, Web sessions dedicated to the success of your NetLibrary eBook and eAudiobook collections. In each session, you watch a live Web presentation and participate via a conference call. You can ask questions, listen to others' questions, and join in the discussion with the OCLC implementation specialist. These sessions are intended for current NetLibrary customers. 

Go to http://www.oclc.org/support/training/netlibrary/successlive/default.htm

Posted by Mary Parker at 3:54 PM | Permalink

Five self-paced demonstrations give the users perspective on how to access NetLibrary, create a user account, search and view eBooks, plus download and transfer eAudiobooks, all with ease. For added convenience, these demos can be linked directly from your library's website.  Go to http://www.oclc.org/netlibrary/demo/default.htm

Posted by Mary Parker at 3:51 PM | Permalink

You and your library staff are invited to attend a free, 60-minute web-based session for an overview and demonstration of NetLibrary and how users can get the most from your library's eBook collection. Topics will include: getting started, creating end-user accounts, searching for titles, copying and pasting text, printing pages, adding notes, saving titles to a favorites list, plus other features and functions. The session will also review the essential resources available to help your users access NetLibrary eBooks with ease.

If your library is new to using NetLibrary, has experienced a recent staff change, or simply needs a refresher on end-user features, this session is right for you!

This interactive session is delivered live, over the web and via teleconference, by an OCLC Implementation Specialist. This session also provides a great opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with other library participants.

Posted by Mary Parker at 3:47 PM | Permalink

Hello Everyone..
It's time to order or renew your Britannica Online 2008-09 subscription.
MINITEX subscriptions for Britannica Online run 7-1-08
through 6-30-09...If you would like to order or renew please fill out
the worksheet and send it or fax with your P.O. to Tim Peters at the
MINITEX office by 6-1-08.

http://www.minitex.umn.edu/cpers/electronic/britannica/order.pdf

Product description available here: http://www.eb.com/

2008 Pricing is available here:
http://www.minitex.umn.edu/cpers/electronic/britannica/pricing.pdf

If you have any questions please call Tim Peters 800-462-5348.

Posted by Tim Peters at 1:14 PM | Permalink

McGraw-Hill AccessScience
Hello Everyone,
It is time to renew your Access Science subscription which will run 7-1-08 through 6-30-09....
for product information go to:
http://www.minitex.umn.edu/cpers/electronic/mcgrawAccessSci/

For pricing go to:http://www.minitex.umn.edu/cpers/electronic/mcgrawAccessSci/default.aspx

For renewing please out: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/cpers/electronic/mcgrawAccessSci/order.pdf
and return it to me..with a PO if required.

Please Reply either way by May 15th, 2008.......If you are planning renewing and submitting payment after 7-1-08 fill out the order form and note on the bottom that you will be paying after 7-1-08
if you have questions please call Tim Peters 800-462-5348

Posted by Tim Peters at 11:57 AM | Permalink

Dear ProQuest Customer,

Three ProQuest platform enhancements are scheduled for release on April 26th, 2008. To prepare for this release, a series of maintenance windows will occur on the following dates (maintenance window time in parentheses):

• April 12th, 2008 at 22:00 EDT (2 hours)


• April 19th, 2008 at 22:00 EDT (2 hours)


• April 26th, 2007 at 22:00 EDT (12 hours)

See below for a more complete list of times and time zones.

Enhancements include:

• RSS feeds - End users will be able to create RSS feeds for any search and active publications on the ProQuest platform (RSS feeds are not available for inactive or ceased publications). RSS feeds are a great way for researchers to keep on top of the latest news and research in their field, and a great way for libraries to broaden the visibility of electronic resources they license.


• Arabic interface - A new Arabic interface will include interface labels and search limiters translated into Arabic and interface elements in Arabic - navigation bars, tabbed options, etc. - will read right to left. Content will remain in the language provided, and read from left to right. We welcome feedback from Arabic readers, which can be submitted through the Product Suggestion Form. on the ProQuest web site.


• Updates to COUNTER reports - COUNTER reports in CSV format have been updated by removing an extra column on the left hand side of the report. This update will make it easier for libraries to manipulate the data in COUNTER reports when trying to load them into COUNTER reporting tools.

The following products will be unavailable during these windows:

• ProQuest interface products, ProQuest Historical Newspapers (traditional and graphical K12 interface), American Periodicals Series


• Third-party databases such as ERIC® PlusText


• ProQuest Archiver™


• eLibrary®, SIRS®, and CultureGrams™


• Chadwyck-Healey products housed in the US (all products with domain names ending with chadwyck.com)


• "Digital Vault" products, including ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Digital Sanborn Maps

April 12th Maintenance window schedule, by time zone:

• EDT: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 22:00 for two (2) hours


• BST: Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 03:00 for two (2) hours


• Central European Time: Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 04:00 for two (2) hours


• Japan/Korea Standard Time: Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 11:00 for two (2) hours


• Malaysia/China Standard Time: Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 10:00 for two (2) hours


• Australia Eastern Standard Time: Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 12:00pm for two (2) hours


• Brazil Standard Time: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 23:00 for two (2) hours


• New Zealand Time: Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 14:00 for two (2) hours

• EDT: Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 22:00 for two (2) hours


• BST: Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 03:00 for two (2) hours


• Central European Time: Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 04:00 for two (2) hours


• Japan/Korea Standard Time: Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 11:00 for two (2) hours


• Malaysia/China Standard Time: Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 10:00 for two (2) hours


• Australia Eastern Standard Time: Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 12:00pm for two (2) hours


• Brazil Standard Time: Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 23:00 for two (2) hours


• New Zealand Time: Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 14:00 for two (2) hours

April 26th Maintenance window schedule, by time zone:

• EDT: Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 22:00 for twelve (12) hours


• BST: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 03:00 for twelve (12) hours


• Central European Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 04:00 for twelve (12) hours


• Japan/Korea Standard Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 11:00 for twelve (12) hours


• Malaysia/China Standard Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 10:00 for twelve (12) hours


• Australia Eastern Standard Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 12:00pm for twelve (12) hours


• Brazil Standard Time: Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 23:00 for twelve (12) hours


• New Zealand Time: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 14:00 for twelve (12) hours

We welcome customer feedback. Please email your comments to platform feedback or visit www.proquest.com/suggestions.
Thank you for continuing to support ProQuest and the products we provide.

Posted by Rita Baladad at 6:32 PM | Permalink

from Elsevier:

Dear ScienceDirect Administrator,

Please be advised that Science Direct will be unavailable for approximately 30 minutes during the period: 22:00 to 23:00 EDT on Friday, 11 April (03:00 to 04:00 GMT on Saturday, 12 April). This is due to scheduled maintenance work. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Kind regards,

The E-Helpdesk

To find the contact information for the e-Helpdesk closest to you, please click on the link below

ScienceDirect - www.info.sciencedirect.com
Scopus - info.scopus.com

Posted by Rita Baladad at 1:08 PM | Permalink

from the ProQuest listserv:

Dear CSA Illumina Customers,

On April 7, 2008 an exciting set of enhancements will be available on CSA Illumina. The following features will help empower both the librarian and the end user.

Custom Categories
New to the CSA Administrative Module (http://md1.csa.com/ids70/admin_profile.php) is the ability to add customized groups of databases. Through a new tab labeled "Custom Categories" administrators may create brand new categories populated with the databases they choose. There are no limits on the number of custom category groups, or the number of databases that may be added to each group. The four existing subject areas: Arts & Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technology will remain, but can be placed anywhere in the list of Custom Categories. Your patrons will see the Custom Categories in the "Change Databases" selection box in the CSA Illumina interface.

In addition to administratively created Custom Categories, patrons who have created My Research personalization accounts and who are logged into My Research will see their group of Preferred Databases as the first option in the "Change Databases" selection box.

Two new Usage reports are available in the Usage System (http://usage.csa.com/usage/usage.php) to illuminate the way users utilize the Custom Categories and Preferred Databases selection options.

Login Links to Custom Categories can be generated through the Administrative Module's Login Link feature.

Limits & Indexes on the Advanced Search Page
All available Limits or Indexes for each selected database is available on the Advanced Search page. If more than 4 databases are selected the limits are available under a "More Search Options" label, otherwise they are automatically presented to the user. Users can select their limit terms from select boxes or through Browseable Indexes which will insert the index term into their search.

Additional Enhancements

• Marked items will automatically update


• Ability to add Descriptors to your Current Search


• Ability to Search within Full Text publications through the Browse Table of Contents page (dependent upon subscription to Full Text packages)


• Administrator may set the default search field for Quick Search to Anywhere or Keyword

We hope these enhancements will introduce more power and performance into the research environment. For assistance with or questions about any of the new enhancements please contact ProQuest support (support@csa.com).
Best regards,
ProQuest Support

Posted by Rita Baladad at 4:15 PM | Permalink

from Project MUSE:

Project MUSE is pleased to reveal plans for a significant redesign of its web presence at http://muse.jhu.edu. The launch date for the new site design is August 2008; preliminary screens and more information will be shared at the American Library Association's annual conference in Anaheim, CA, in late June. Among the goals of the redesign are more intuitive navigation among and within both content and informational pages, compatibility with emerging web standards, support for selected Web 2.0 functionality, and an enhanced online experience for users and librarians utilizing MUSE in teaching and research.

Prior to the main site redesign launch in August, some new features will be rolled out in the intervening months. Specifically, some MUSE journal articles will begin appearing in a new format during the month of April. The appearance and layout of the article page have been enhanced to provide users with more functionality and more information specific to the article, such as its DOI and the LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings) assigned to an article.

Initially, the new design will apply only to newly-produced journal issues/articles; older articles will be gradually converted to the new look over the next 18 months. As conversion of back articles progresses, users may see both old and new formats for articles in their search results. Currently, the new format applies only to the HTML version of articles; a new PDF format will launch with the main site design in August. The advance launch of the new article design is happening in part to coincide with a new XML production process at MUSE, which is expected to increase efficiency and create opportunities for expanded functionality.

Please "pardon our dust" as we begin the process of enhancing and improving our web presence. We welcome comments, questions, and feedback to muse@press.jhu.edu.

Posted by Rita Baladad at 4:02 PM | Permalink