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What's new at the University of Sydney Library
December 2007
Spellcheck feature introduced on the library catalogueThe Library has purchased an add-on product which offers a spelling checking option when using Keyword or Advanced keyword search options.
When a search term is incorrectly spelt resulting in 'No records found' message, you'll be presented with a suggestion of the correct spelling. If this is not what you meant, then clicking on the 'more' option will enable a display of other suggested terms from the dictionary.
Spellcheck is based on an American English dictionary, however the Library maintains an extensive list of synonyms which is consulted before Spellcheck comes into play. For example, a search for "color" will find "colour" and vice-versa. This list should alleviate any bias in American spelling.
If you'd like to let us know what you think of this new feature, please email us at ocg@library.usyd.edu.au
November 2007
On Monday 19 November 2007, work begins on the redevelopment of the Fisher Library forecourt. This is stage 3 of the Camperdown Public Domain revitalisation (stages 1 and 2 being Eastern Avenue boulevard and its gardens).
The renovations for the sunny square in front of the Fisher Library include new lawns, plazas and ample seating. The ramp access to the library will be enlarged to fit better with the building's entrance and the historic Moreton Bay fig tree will continue to provide shade. The work will be completed by 4 March 2008, in time for semester one.
Pedestrian access to the library, including disabled access, will be maintained at all times.
The existing carparks for disabled drivers in front of Fisher Library will remain throughout the redevelopment. There will be no changes to carparking in front of the Quadrangle.
Road closures: University Place will be closed between University Avenue and Eastern Avenue. Manning Road will be closed between Eastern Avenue and Fisher Road.
The security bus route will change because of the road closures around the site. While the forecourt is being redeveloped, the bus will not stop outside Fisher Library or travel along University Place. The run will start and finish at the Manning Rd carpark on the corner of Manning and Fisher Roads. The amended route is detailed on Security bus website
The Moreton Bay fig tree is unaffected by the works. The other trees on the forecourt will be replaced by new landscaping.
The USU's coffee cart outside the library will close during construction. However, the coffee cart between the Eastern Avenue auditorium and Carslaw building (by the water feature) is open for business during the summer break.
For drawings showing the location of the works and paths around the site, please visit the Campus 2010 website.
October 2007
eResearch Forum 2007The Library is hosting an eResearch Forum,
featuring an opening address by Rhys Francis (Executive Director of the Australian eResearch Infrastructure Council) and a closing address from Merlin Crossley (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research).
The focus will be on:
- raising awareness of eResearch activities
- information sharing and networking among those engaged in eResearch
- providing information about University of Sydney eResearch services, initiatives and policies
- discussion of issues related to eResearch
- providing an informal space for researchers to engage with policy makers
The forum will be held on November 1st at the Refectory, within the Holme Building on Camperdown Campus.
Registration is free and attendance open to anyone within and beyond the University of Sydney. Contact the forum organiser for more information: Rowan Brownlee, r.brownlee@library.usyd.edu.au
September 2007
Results of survey carried out at Fisher LibraryThanks for your participation in the recent Fisher Library survey. Results show that 69% of those who filled in the survey were able to find what they wanted. We are currently analysing the reasons clients failed to find an item and will post the results here. These results will help us to improve identified problem areas.
August 2007
Finding what you are looking for in Fisher LibraryLast week, Fisher Library conducted a survey on how successfully users could find what they were looking for.
Thank you to all those who participated.
The results will be used to help us improve services by determining whether:
- additional copies of items are needed
- the library catalogue isn't clear enough
- physically finding items in the library is difficult
July 2007
22 July - We've made some improvements to the library catalogueAs a result of your feedback, we've made the following changes:
- Different colour buttons to make Start Over, Another Search and Request Item
options easier to see
- Simpler layout on the first brief results screen:
The call numbers and location details are now in the full record. Click the 'Full details' link to view.
'Request this item' button only appears on items available for request. - Full record view shows all the information about the item - no need to click on any tabs.
- The "permanent link to this item" is now at the bottom of the full record. This is a URL which you can save or bookmark and will always link you to that item.
Did you know that you can:
- tell if an item is available online by looking at the Item Location? "Electronic item" means that book or article is available online.
- find electronic items by limiting your search? Select "e-resources" from the "entire collection" picklist by the search entry box.
- re-sort your results on keyword search? Click on the links 'title' or 'date' near the top of the search results page.
June 2007
19 June - Milt Luger FellowshipsThe Milt Luger Fellowships aim to promote the State Library of New South Wales as a centre of research by and for young people between 18 and 25 years of age.
The Fellowships are awarded for projects which investigate and document aspects of Australian history, life and culture through research based on the holdings of the State Library of New South Wales.
Preference is for projects which have not received prior financial support and which highlight the role of innovation and leadership in Australian life for and by young people.
The winning applicant will receive $5,000, and the second top shortlisted candidate, $3,000. The terms of the Fellowships are for up to 12 months.
The State Library's web site has guidelines and application forms.
May 2007
1 May - The latest issue of the Library Newsletter, Discover, is now available.Issue 53, May 2007 covers the Library's achievements during 2006 and the exciting new developments for 2007 and beyond.
Read the online version here.
April 2007
24 April - Have you seen we now have access to the Macquarie Dictionary online?You can go to the Macquarie Dictionary 4th edition here, or from the 'M' section on our list of databases.
Alumni members can also use the dictionary! You will need to login with your library borrower number from the Alumni Services page.
February 2007
25 February - New look Library catalogue is here!We have upgraded our library management system, which enabled us to introduce new features and functions to improve our Library catalogue. We have also taken this opportunity to give it a new look.
Let us know what you think - contact your Faculty Liaison Librarian or email libweb
Some things to look out for are:
- Keyword as the default search
- Up to 50 results shown per page
- Location and status of the item on the first page
- Improved My Library features
January 2007
2 January - Major changes to loan conditionsGood news! The Library has simplified and standardised its loan conditions to improve your access to the Library collections. Loan periods, the number of items you can borrow, and the number of renewals are now standard for most borrowers.
Additionally, undergraduate students as well as university staff and post-graduates can now request an item be transferred from a library on another campus if there is no copy available at their home campus.
More good news! The fines and penalties system, in place to encourage the return or renewal of items on time, has also been simplified.
Details of these new arrangements are on our Borrowing pages.
2 January - Changes to names of "Undergraduate" collections
We have changed the names of the collections "Fisher Undergraduate" and "Law Undergraduate" to Fisher Short Loan and Law Short Loan.
Items in these collections are still available for a one week loan only, and loans are not renewable.
These new names reflect more accurately the nature and the use of these collections by our users. Both collections remain in the same physical locations in the Fisher and Law Libraries but the Fisher Short Loan collection, currently on levels 1 and 4, will be consolidated on level 4 before the start of the first semester.