Interface Changes to Popular Databases

CAB Abstracts, FSTA, Agricola and other databases have a new look! For many years, campus libraries have supplied access to these databases via Silver Platter (aka WebSPIRS). As the SP platform will soon be discontinued, the libraries have moved these databases to new vendors. While this will change how you search (and export records to EndNote or RefWorks), you can still access the same research content from each of these database products.

Details:

Databases that have moved to ISI (Web of Knowledge):

CAB Abstracts

Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA)

• Moving references to EndNote

• Moving references to RefWorks

• QuickGuide (searching tips)

(Other ISI databases include: Web of Science, Biological Abstracts and Zoological Record)

Note: Biological Abstracts/Reports, Reviews, Meetings (BA/RRM) remains on Silver Platter but will soon move to ISI.

Database(s) that have moved to Ebsco:

Agricola

• Moving references to EndNote

• Moving references to RefWorks

• QuickGuide (searching tips)

(Other Ebsco databases include: Academic Search, GreenFILE and SocINDEX)

Database(s) that have moved to a free website:

Agris

Databases that have been canceled:

Analytical Abstracts

Tropag & Rural

Spring Semester Workshops

Plan to attend a library workshop during the spring semester. Steenbock drop-in workshops are free and do not require advance notification in order to attend.

The schedule is posted online and is also available as a printable flyer.

Forthcoming opportunities include:

UW-Madison Libraries: What You Really Need to Know (Friday, January 16, 11:00am – noon)

Managing Your Citations with RefWorks (Wednesday, January 28, 3:00 – 4:30pm)

Managing Your Citations with EndNote/EndNote Web (Thursday, January 29, 3:00 - 4:30pm)

If you are not able to attend a scheduled workshop, you may contact Steenbock staff to arrange for an individual or small group consultation, class or tour.

Student Bus Pass available at Steenbock

ASM bus passes for the spring and summer semesters will be available beginning Monday, January 12, 2009 at Steenbock Library. The library location replaces the west campus distribution site formerly at Union South.

Collect your pass, Monday through Friday (January 12-16), from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM; and, Monday through Friday (January 20-30) from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

The east campus distribution site will be the Annex Room of Memorial Union (Monday-Friday, January 12-January 30, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM).

Associated Students of Madison (ASM) supports the bus pass program given how expensive and inconvenient it can be to bring and/or keep a car on campus.

While most UW students qualify for an ASM Bus Pass, there are some conditions. See the ASM FAQ page to learn more.

Madison Metro WebWatch

If you are a bus commuter, it is nice to know when you can expect your bus to arrive—particularly as the temperature dips (and with recess changes to campus routes). While you can view route schedules at the City of Madison Metro Transit site, real time arrivals can be tracked using its WebWatch monitor. Despite disclaimers regarding its potential accuracy when route deviations may occur and its “testing” status, I have found it to be quite useful for estimating my wait at any one stop.

43 Things, Online Goal Setting

I generally like to start the New Year by revisiting my to-do lists. While many of mine take the form of assorted, recycled slips of paper attached to the office monitor or slipped into the portable calendar, there is a nifty (and free) online application suitable for making those to-dos a bit more social—that is, to record and to share them in a venue where you can draw inspiration from and cheer on others as you and they tick off the items from your respective lists. If you are similarly given to this reflection and would like to incorporate this process into your online work-flow, check out the 43 Things site.

Wishing you a happy and productive New Year!