Updated Training Materials Available from NLM

The following training materials have been updated for 2008:

• The PubMed® training workbook
• The Basics of Medical Subject Headings® Web site
• The PubMed Tutorial

These materials reflect changes in the medical subject headings and PubMed through December 2007. For details regarding these changes, see the November-December 2007 issue of the NLM Technical Bulletin.

Additional training materials for PubMed and other NLM® resources are available from the NLM Distance Education Program Resources page and the NLM Training Manuals and Resources site. The training manuals are designed for use with the NLM National Training Center and Clearinghouse training courses described at: http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/description.html.

From The NLM Technical Bulletin, January 2008 :
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/techbull/jf08/jf08_updated_training.html

Back to Basics : What's the Difference between Affinity's Health Science Libraries and The Public Library?

Question : What’s the difference between the Public Library and Affinity’s Health Science Libraries?

Answer : A Health Science Library is a “special library” that focuses its resources in the areas of health and medicine. Our mission is to help health professionals, patients, consumers and community members find the quality information they need to make informed health care decisions.

Therefore, most of what we have focuses on health, medicine, nursing, allied health, patient education and consumer health.

What we do NOT have :

You won’t find blockbuster movies, romance novels, westerns, car magazines, dog-training, gardening or quilting books in The Affinity Libraries. While these subjects have a great mass appeal, it is beyond the scope of our special health science library focus.

Public Libraries typically have a much broader mission that covers entertainment, cultural, educational and informational needs. Public Libraries often have SOME health and medical resources, but not to the extent and depth that a health science library has. This is our business.

Here are examples of some health-related questions we can help answer :

For health care consumers
Do you have cookbooks with recipes for diabetics?
What are the latest treatments for asthma?
My father’s doctor prescribed a new heart medication for him. What are the possible side effects and drug interactions?

For Health Professionals (Doctors, Nurses, and others …)
Where do I find current drug information on ABC drug?
Best practices for patient care
Patient Education Materials
Policy Updates
Patient Safety Initiatives
Continuing Education

In short, if you want to research a health topic, Affinity Library Services is the place!

Used Book Sale at Mercy Medical Center Library

We just put out a new batch of used books at the MMC Library. These are old editions (In most cases new editions are available for checkout, but are not for sale).

Prices are $1 per volume.
Limit 5 books per person.
First come, first served.

Subjects this time include the following :
Surgery (heart and chest)
Nursing Nursing Nursing
Quality
Obstetrics / Gynecology
Neurology
and many more...

Stop in to see the selection!

As always NEW books can be checked out for 2-4 weeks at a time.

In addition, we still have a decent selection of the old AudioDigests free to a good home. Series that remain are :
Family Practice
Ophthalmology
Internal Medicine
Gastroenterology
Anesthesiology
Obstetrics / Gynecology

OvidSP Transforms Searching

OvidSP, Ovid’s up-n-coming search interface, boasts new features and functionality that will make working in Journals@Ovid faster and easier than ever before. Sophisticated search technology and time-saving workflow tools help you quickly pinpoint relevant issues or article content, and refine and manipulate search results for better, more productive research. Benefits include:

Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP fuels the new Basic Search mode, where all types of users—not just beginners—can simply use everyday natural language to find precise, relevant results.

eTOCS via RSS or Email
Electronic tables of contents keep you up-to-date on new journal issues as soon as they’re available in Journals@Ovid. Subscribe to an RSS feed or have them delivered via AutoAlert email.

Issue Covers and Numbers Now Visible
Covers (where available) and numbers of each issue now appear in the journal issues list to help users instantly identify the source of their information.

Inline Article Abstracts
Expand or collapse abstracts inline—you don’t have to go to another page!

Click on the Try OvidSP! link in Ovid Medline or CINAHL to see for yourself just how much easier and faster journal searching is in OvidSP. Remember – we’ll have dual access to both platforms until the old Ovid interface retires on February 4, 2008.

Contact Affinity Librarians (Margo Lambert at 8-2325 or Michele Matucheski at 3-0340) if you have questions on OvidSP.

Old AudioDigests Free to a Good Home

Once again, the MMC and STE Libraries have 1 year's worth of old AudioDigest tapes available for FREE.

Although these tapes are too old to apply for CE credits, they do still offer a lot of good information for Physicians, PAs, Nurses, and other health professionals.

Subject areas include the following :

Urology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Otolaryngology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Family Practice, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology.

Look for them on the book sale tables at each library this month.

Why are we giving them away?

• --limited shelving space for audiovisuals
• --CE credits are available only for 3 years since date of publication
• --Our libraries emphasize the most up-to-date info, so we want to make room for more recent issues.
• -- Newer editions are available on AudioCD and MP3 files that can be downloaded to your computer or MP3 player.

Contact Michele Matucheski for more details on accessing recent AudioDigest MP3 files.