Google Scholar Alerts

For those who enjoy Google Scholar, do note that it now enables you to set an alert--that is, to save a particular search strategy on a topic, specific article, or author and have Google send you an email notification when more articles are added to its database that match your criteria.

It’s as simple as running your search, then clicking the envelope icon "create email alert". If you are interested in "cited by" information for a particular article, run the search for that article, click "Cited by" beneath the search result, then click the envelope icon "create email alert".

• See the Help pages for more information.

Additionally, consider setting your Scholar Preferences to include a link to Find It at UW-Madison and a link to export your records to a preferred Citation Manager (EndNote, RefWorks, etc.) The Find It at UW Madison link will map you to local holdings for particular articles--either in full-text online or as available in print from campus libraries. (When using Google Scholar on-campus, you should see this Find It at UW-Madison link).

If you are using Google Scholar from off-campus, select Scholar Preferences from the Google Scholar search page, and search for the name of your library in the Library Links section (for example, enter UW Madison).

Select boxes for your campus library system and the Open WorldCat Library Search.

Select your preferred Bibliography Manager from the drop menu near the bottom of the Preferences page. Once selected, links will appear with your retrieval to enable you to export citations to that manager.

Click to Save Preferences.

(Do note that selecting a link to a full-text article from off-campus will require you to login with your UW-Madison NetId).

Manage Your References!

Citation Managers are software products that can help you to perform the following tasks:

• Create and organize a personal research database of references gathered from databases.

• Format manuscripts and reference lists instantly in a variety of styles (MLA, APA, Turabian, etc.)

• Share your databases with classmates and colleagues.

In order to decide which product will work the best for you (and you may even find it useful to use more than one), visit the online chart to compare features or consult the flyer, "Which one is right for you?"

The libraries support several products (EndNote, RefWorks & Zotero) and offer free workshops to students and staff. Visit the workshop schedule for November, browse the workshop calendar by topic (look for citation managers) or ask to speak with your librarian consultants.

• EndNote & EndNote Web Consultants
• RefWorks Consultants
• Zotero Consultants

Every Purchase Matters

October has been designated as National Fair Trade Awareness Month by TransFair USA, a third-party certifier of fair trade products in the United States and member of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International which looks to alleviate poverty by securing sustainable, fair practices on behalf of small producers and agricultural workers.

And, do note that, earlier this year, WISPIRG’s Fair Trade Campaign also managed to secure the city of Madison the distinction as "First Fair Trade State Capital" and 16th "Fair Trade City" in the United States.

So, how can you make your purchases matter? Look for fair trade certified products in campus shops and local businesses. You may also wish to "save the date" for the 14th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival, Saturday, December 4, 2010 at the Monona Terrace.

• Where to Get Fair Trade Products in Madison, Willy Street Coop
• Where to Buy Fair Trade Certified Products, TransFair
  

Go Big Read, Author Event (October 25)

Plan to attend the free, Go Big Read public lecture with Rebecca Skloot, October 25 (7:00 PM), at the Kohl Center.

Rebecca Skloot’s book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, compassionately recounts the very human origin of HeLa cells and their astounding contribution to modern medicine.

No tickets are required for this event; it is FREE and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:00 PM.
Captioning for attendees will be provided.

• Read the Response from Damon Williams, Vice-Provost for Diversity and Climate (as posted to the Go Big Read blog, October 20).

Putting the Wisconsin Idea Online (Oct 19)

The Wisconsin Idea is the principle that our efforts here, as students and staff, should inform and enrich our communities beyond the university. UW-Madison researchers are now able to fulfill this guiding principle by using the Web to reach Wisconsin residents and an interested audience worldwide.

On October 19, faculty, staff, students and librarians will have an opportunity to discuss efforts to archive and to impart the product of one’s research online.

Visit the site to view the schedule of featured speakers and to submit your registration. Registration for this day-long event is free.

Putting the Wisconsin Idea Online
October 19, 2010 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Memorial Library Commons (Room 460)

This event coincides with Open Access Week 2010.