Creating Linkable Subject Bibliographies and New Book Lists in Symphony

Presents methods for creating subject bibliographies and new books lists in the SirsiDynix Symphony Integrated Library System. The links to these bibliographies can be used in other formats, such as library guides and web pages

Enhance and mobilize the library catalog with cloud services

Explores new products and services that make it possible to enhance and mobilize traditional library catalogs

Assessing Use of Two Discovery Services at Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

Introduction The Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, at The George Washington University, introduced Health Information @ Himmelfarb, a custom health sciences focused implementation of EBSCO’s Discovery Service (EDS) in the fall of 2012. Less than a year later, the Library Catalog was migrated to Innovative’s Encore. With two different discovery tools delivering some overlapping content and features, librarians wanted to know more about how the two services were being used. Methods A Discovery Task Force completed a staff focus group and a brief demographic survey of Health Information @ Himmelfarb users in spring 2015. All library staff who search the services were invited to the focus group. The demographic survey was embedded in Health Information @ Himmelfarb for three weeks and reached all users who accessed the service at that time. Results The focus group revealed that staff use both discovery tools frequently and use them in somewhat different ways. Some needs were identified for follow up, including better integration of content from the main campus library. The demographic survey had 1,300 responses and confirmed that students were the primary audience for Health Information @ Himmelfarb and that they are using it primarily for class work. Use of Health Information @ Himmelfarb was evenly spread across the three schools Himmelfarb serves (Health Sciences, Public Health, and Nursing), and may indicate a continuing need to include a broad spectrum of resources in the service for searching. A follow up survey to learn more about user satisfaction with the two services is planned for fall 2015

Web-Scale Discovery in an Academic Medical Library: Our Experience with EBSCO\u27s Discovery Service

This poster explores the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library\u27s steps to determine if a highly tailored version of EBSCO\u27s Discovery Service (EDS) aimed at an academic health sciences audience will be an appealing and effective tool for searching the library\u27s collections and to compare its use to that of the library\u27s current federated search tool

Himmelfarb 911! Using LibGuides and Scenarios to Inform and Train Library Staff on Disaster Response

Objectives Create and update disaster planning and response materials so that they are accessible at time of need and educate the library\u27s staff on the library\u27s safety and emergency response policies and procedures. Introduction This urban health sciences library has experienced a number of potentially serious disaster incidents in the local region in the last fifteen years including terrorist attack, earthquake, fire, tornado, and hurricane. The library has a standing Disaster Planning committee which has produced extensive policy and planning documents for disaster response including a Disaster Planning and Response Manual, a Continuity of Operations Plan, a Pocket Response Plan, and a staff telephone tree. The accessibility and usability of these documents along with staff training on emergency policies and procedures are a high priority. Methods During the last two fiscal years, the standing committee has engaged in initiatives to educate staff members and provide a stable, cloud based, centralized platform for resources. A Himmelfarb911 LibGuide was established in fall of 2013 and includes all of the library\u27s disaster documents, links to outside resources, and photo documentation of facilities, collections, and art work in the Library. Online availability of resources complements printed copies which are held at key locations both on- and off-site. In addition, the committee has engaged staff in disaster scenarios (Snowmaggeddon, severe thunderstorm, active shooter, etc.) at meetings to discuss appropriate responses and resources. The committee has also organized training with the Univerisity\u27s Office of Safety and Security to brief staff on evacuation and shelter in place procedures, and other important safety information. Results The disaster scenarios elicited enthusiastic response and discussion among library staff members and provided an opportunity for staff to ask questions and help refine library policies. Both initiatives help ensure that staff will be well prepared for whatever disasters or emergencies they might face on the job