We're pleased to announce a new web interface for Scifinder Scholar, the search interface for access to Chemical Abstracts online. The web interface can be used without downloading and installing client software, and does not require use of the VPN.

While all search features are available in the web interface our Math Sciences Librarian, Peggy Dominy, has identified some functions -- primarily used by those doing bibliometric analysis -- for which the downloadable interface may be preferred, therefore we will continue to make this version available as well.

Chemical Abstracts covers the published scientific research in chemistry, and offers searching by author name, research topic, substance identifier, chemical structure, or chemical reaction. Now includes the Substructure Module (SSM). The limit of 4 simlutaneous users will continue to apply regardless of which interface is in use.

Look for both versions of Scifinder Scholar in our lists of databases.

Posted by Web Editor (Kathleen Turner) at 02:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spam, spam, spam, eggs, and spam . . . In an effort to lessen the flood of spam in our email boxes generated from the forms on our website, we've added "reCAPTCHA" to our pages.

What is Recaptcha? You've seen "CAPTCHA's" before -- after you've filled out a form online, you're asked to type a string of distorted letters and numbers. This verifies that you're a real person, because people can read distorted text; machines, for the most part, can't. reCAPTCHA provides the same spam-deterring function, and at the same time harnesses this unique power of the human brain to contribute to Carnegie Mellon University's book digitization project. reCAPTCHA uses images of words that cannot be read by OCR, presenting one that has already been correctly translated, and one that is still in question. Each reCAPTCHA submission helps to translate the unknown word. If you're as tickled about this as we are (hey, we are librarians!), read more about it at http://recaptcha.net/learnmore.html.

So email us a question, or a suggestion, or a recommendation of something to purchase for the library collections, help us fight spam, and help digitize more books!

Continue reading "We're Fighting Spam -- and Answering your Questions" »

Posted by Web Editor (Kathleen Turner) at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Browse the April New Book Lists for recent additions to the Hagerty and Health Sciences Library Collections. For your convenience, the lists are grouped by broad subject areas -- set a bookmark for your area of interest ; although the lists are updated each month, the page address for each subject area will always stay the same.

For a more personalized or specialized announcement of additions to the library collections, set up an email alert using the "Preferred Searches" feature of our catalog.

At right, Bananas : how the United Fruit Company shaped the world / Peter Chapman.

Posted by Web Editor (Kathleen Turner) at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Team Bookin' It -- Drexel University Libraries staff, along with friends and family members -- will be participating in the 2008 Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® on Mother's Day. We're walking for our loved ones, our friends and our colleagues whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. We're walking for our mothers, our sisters, and wives and our daughters and granddaughters, for all the women -- and men! -- whose lives could be affected by breast cancer in the future.

We'd love to have your support! You can make a donation to our team or individuals, or . . . if you're in Center City early in the morning on Mother's Day, cheer for us as we go by!

Posted by Web Editor (Kathleen Turner) at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beginning on May 7th, tutors from the Drexel Writing Center will be available in Room 125 in Hagerty Library on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Students in need of help with writing assignments can make appointments via sign-up sheets posted on the door.

For more about Writing Center hours and services, see http://www.drexel.edu/writingcenter/.

Posted by Web Editor (Kathleen Turner) at 07:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)