Wednesday 18 December 2013

No Library, Information Specialist is an Island - CILIP MmIT AGM and Technology Talks

On the 17th December CILIP's Multimedia and Information Technology Committee met for their quarterly meeting and yearly AGM at CILIP Headquarters.
The morning started with our usual two hour meeting where we discussed everything from our journal to next year's conference in Sheffield which will be on the exciting theme of Sound & Vision.
We were also lucky to be visited by Anthony Thompson who was one of the committee's longest serving members going back to the 1970s and a member of the journal's editorial board. After lunch guest speakers and Annual General Meeting attendees joined us for our AGM and three talks.

The three speakers, Nick Woolley Head of Academic Library Services, Northumbria University, and CILIP Vice President Barbara Band Head of Library and Resources at The Emmbrook School and finally myself as MmIT Secretary . All three speakers presented their views on the current issues and developments in library technology under the theme: The Changing Landscape of Library Technologies: Implications for the Library.

I started the presentations talking about the work of myself and colleagues at ScHARR and the drive to take advantage of the technologies afforded to them at the University of Sheffield. My presentation is below on Prezi.

Nick Woolley captured his extensive experience and talked about the connectivity of the library, connecting users with their library on and off campus using such as near-field communication and RFID. Nick touched on the various new developments that are helping shape his library's future including augmented reality, QR codes, MOOCs and the aforementioned near-field communications. The thing that under-pinned Nick's excellent presentation, as with Barbara and my presentations was the idea that technology should not purely determine how learning and library services are delivered, rather enhance them and their user's experiences.

Barbara Band finished the trio of talks speaking about her experiences of school libraries and in particular her own at The Emmbrook School. Again like Nick and myself talked about her drive as a keen advocate of technology but also wary of their misuses. Barbara spoke of her concerns about the increasing desire to put investment into technologies for schools at the expense of libraries and teaching information literacy. I felt that the sessions raised as many questions as they answered potentially, including mine, and answers that in time will need tackling. Issues over whether we are using technologies for the sake of it, at the expense of pedagogy, that information literacy plays a major role in this shift and if neglected could unravel the whole thing. Yet the real positive is that myself and the two speakers are just a tiny part of a huge collective of proactive bodies in the library and information sector that are considering and tackling these challenges. 
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to both speakers, and usually I like to send the odd Tweet or take notes at such events, but bar a solitary Tweet I was totally in tune with the speakers hanging on every word (a rarity for many in these days of diminished attention spans) 




Wednesday 11 December 2013

Information Resources videos now on iTunesU

On Monday (9th December) the University of Sheffield launched their own iTunesU platform with over 100 podcasts and videos from across the University. Amongst the many brilliant videos focusing on mathematics, history and dentistry we have two collections of our own. Firstly the series of screencasts Andy Tattersall created for staff and students to teach themselves the benefits of Mendeley. Secondly some of the more recent ScHARR Bite Size series - where academics and students get to learn about something new in 20 minutes (or so) on the topics of research skills, technologies and teaching.
A third collection will appear very soon which will cover information and research skills. To access the University's collections search for 'University of Sheffield' on iTunesU or discover the ScHARR ones via the links below.
Enjoy





Tuesday 10 December 2013

IR Xmas walk!

Today sees the IR gang set off on out annual Christmas 'do' this year with added 'walk'. We are walking from Bakewell to Hassop Station Cafe for
lunch then back to Bakewell for drinks. Secret Santa rides again this year with a eye watering £8 budget, and yes, that's santa's sack on Claire's back. Happy Christmas!

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Joy to the world! It's the IR online advent calendar!


You may not know this, but every year the IR team produces an online advent calendar for the staff here at ScHARR Towers. Every day there is a lovely, Christmassy video to enjoy… and the good news is, this year, being the kind souls that we are, we are making it available to the whole wide world! You can find it here: http://goo.gl/v2PX9o do you let us know if you like it!

Posted by Claire.

ScHARR Snack Size - December 18th - Lecture Room 1&2 - 12.30-1pm - Chris Blackmore & Marc Chattle - CMS




Want a reminder of how to use the CMS? Want to liven up your personal webpage? This session will be useful for anyone wanting to create or update a webpage, and will cover some of the most common tasks undertaken within the CMS, such as how to:

- create a webpage
- upload a photo
- embed a video
- list your publications
- create a document download
- link to a document, webpage or email address

NB- this session does not replace the CiCS CMS training which is obligatory for all staff wishing to access the CMS.


Monday 25 November 2013

Tuesday 19 November 2013

New ScHARRHUD Database launches!

 On the 4th November The Information Resources team launched an innovative new bibliographic database - ScHARRHUD.

ScHARRHUD (Health Utilities Database) provides details of studies containing health state utility values (HSUVs). Whilst the focus is on generic, preference-based measures, such as the EQ-5D, the database extracts and indexes the names of all instruments used in studies.

ScHARRHUD was instigated by the ScHARR Information Resources Group. A pilot version of the database was developed using start-up funding from the NIHR Research Design Service (RDS). ScHARRHUD  is a free, searchable, web-based resource and can be found at www.scharrhud.org


The launch took place at the ISPOR (International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes  Research) conference in Dublin and we were delighted with the response we received from visitors to our Stand in the exhibition. 

If you would like to keep up with the latest developments on ScHARRHUD you can follow us on Twitter (@ScHARRHUD) or register your interest by email at scharrhud@shef.ac.uk.


                                       
                               

Latest Research Funding Update - Projects and Programmes (November 2013)

The latest Research Funding Update (Projects and Programmes) is available to download from the ScHARR Library web pages.


Friday 8 November 2013

Tuesday 5 November 2013

ScHARR Library Picnic fundraising event

ScHARR Library has received a certificate of recognition for the money raised at the ScHARR Library Picnic back in July of this year. The total amount raised was £160.15 and the certificate is now on display in the library.



A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the picnic and kindly donated their time and money. We couldn't have done it without you!

Look out for the ScHARR Library Picnic next summer and make sure you don't have a big lunch that day.

Thursday 31 October 2013

Recent publications by ScHARR staff

The following articles were published by ScHARR staff in September:

Hill-McManus D, Angus C, Meng Y, Holmes J, Brennan A, Sylvia Meier P.
Estimation of usual occasion-based individual drinking patterns using diary survey data. 
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2013 Sep 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Goodacre S, Campbell M, Carter A.
What do hospital mortality rates tell us about quality of care? 
Emerg Med J. 2013 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Thokala P, Baalbaki H, Brennan A, Pandor A, Stevens JW, Gomersall T, Wang J, Bakhai A, Al-Mohammad A, Cleland J, Cowie MR, Wong R.
Telemonitoring after discharge from hospital with heart failure: cost-effectiveness modelling of alternative service designs.
BMJ Open. 2013 Sep 18;3(9):e003250.

Booth AR, Norman P, Goyder E, Harris PR, Campbell MJ.
Pilot study of a brief intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour and self-identity to increase chlamydia testing among young people living in deprived areas.
Br J Health Psychol. 2013 Sep 18. [Epub ahead of print]

Hernández Alava M, Wailoo A, Wolfe F, Michaud K.
A Comparison of Direct and Indirect Methods for the Estimation of Health Utilities from Clinical Outcomes.
Med Decis Making. 2013 Sep 11. [Epub ahead of print]

Latimer N, Dixon S, Drahota AK, Severs M.
Cost--utility analysis of a shock-absorbing floor intervention to prevent injuries from falls in hospital wards for older people. 
Age Ageing. 2013 Sep;42(5):641-5. Epub 2013 Jul 9.

Tattersall A, Beecroft C, Freeman J.
Learn something new in 20 minutes: Bite Size sessions to support research and teaching. 
Health Info Libr J. 2013 Sep;30(3):253-8.

Palmer R, Enderby P, Paterson G.
Using computers to enable self-management of aphasia therapy exercises for word finding: the patient and carer perspective.
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2013 Sep;48(5):508-21. Epub 2013 Jun 18.

Photo by taberandrew via Flickr CC

Please note: for a complete list of new publications over the last three months (July-September) please see the notice boards on the 1st and 2nd floors. 

If you have any queries about the above publications, please contact Kath Williams: k.c.williams@sheffield.ac.uk / 0114 2220801

Wednesday 30 October 2013

PubAdvanced – a new tool for searching PubMed with advanced features

PubAdvanced (http://www.biowebspin.com/pubadvanced/) is a new search interface for searching PubMed with additional features you won’t find via the usual PubMed platform. In particular, PubAdvanced utilises a citation tool called CitImpact - the score of a given publication determined via various algorithms and taking into account:
  • Journal Impact Factor
  • 5-Year Journal Impact Factor
  • Eigenfactor score
  • Article Influence score

PubAdvanced is open access but does require that you register with the site in order to perform a search. The registration form is quick and simple enough and asks for a few details about your job and geographical location.

Amongst the various additional search features are the ability to sort publications from PubMed according to their CitImpact score.

A search for ((“school of health and related research”) or (scharr)) gave the exact same number of results in PubMed and PubAdvanced. I also got the same results when limiting the search by author.

At first glance PubAdvanced seems to be a useful tool and is certainly worth using if you are interested in analysing article and journal impact scores.

For more information about the people behind the tool go to: http://www.biowebspin.com/more/

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Thursday 17 October 2013

Internet Librarian International 2013 - MOOCs and Technophobe slides


Internet Librarian International 2013

Claire Beecroft speaking on Track A - Technologies - at Internet Librarian International 2013

This week Andy Tattersall and Claire Beecroft delivered a brace of sessions at the excellent Internet Librarian International held at London Olympia.
On Monday they delivered a workshop on their journey from being MOOC Students to facilitators and finally in Claire's case, tutor.
On Wednesday morning they delivered a session to a packed room with their top ten tips on how to get technophobes to use technology.
Once again Internet Librarian International 2013 proved to be a great conference, with many new and old friendly faces, interesting talks and chances to discover a wealth of useful resources and technologies out there.





Tuesday 8 October 2013

Internet Librarian International 2013 Conference Presentation - It's all gone a bit Blair Witch





Andy Tattersall and Claire Beecroft return to the excellent Internet Librarian International conference on the 14th-16th October at London Olympia with their session titled - Leading the Horse to Water - 10 Ways to get Academics and Students to Drink from the Technology Waterhole.

As with last year they decided to create a short promo video with the idea of highlighting how easy you can make and host these creations. Obviously inspired by The Blair Witch Project, it's quite apt as we get ever closer to the season of the witch...whooo hooo ha!


'One of the greatest problems library and information professionals have is trying to get users to engage with technology. The benefits are not always obvious and the pitfalls many, but for those who are willing to try something new the rewards can be bountiful. We often hear colleagues say they don’t know which tool to use, why they should use it, that something better will come along, or that they just don’t have time. Many are just scared of technology, with even the brightest spark intimidated at mere the mention of screencasting. In this ever-busy world we need ways of engaging and educating users. Digital literacy, copyright, terms of use and how to use the technology are just a few of the issues facing librarians and information professionals.
This session will look at 10 different ways you can engage and encourage users to adopt a new technology or make better use of their smart (but often idle) mobile devices. From Twitter to Prezi, from Google+ to Mendeley and beyond, we will present 10 case studies of how we have implemented a new technology or idea and how well it has been received and adopted.
The possibilities are endless with many of these affordable technologies, but time and opportunities not always so in a world that is time-poor but technology-rich. In our session we will cover some of things that have aided our efforts to get people to the waterhole AND take a sip of that fresh, sweet and cool technology.'

Catch Andy and Claire on Wednesday 16th October and follow the conference on Twitter with the #ili2013 hashtag.

11.30 – 12.30
Moderator: , South Australia Health Library Service
Smart use of eresources in libraries
Uppsala University Library
Uppsala University Library
Leading the horse to water: 10 ways to get academics and students to drink from the technology waterhole
ScHARR University of Sheffield
ScHARR University of Sheffield
Smart solutions for customer measurement
University of Warwick Library
University of Warwick
In this ever-busy world libraries need to find new ways of engaging with and educating users and colleagues. These case studies explore how a library can increase its relevance to the wider organisation, through improving enquiry services, supporting skills development and by supporting the mobile user.

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Thursday 26 September 2013

MELSIG Smart Devices in Learning event- an update

It's a bit late but I did say I'd report back on the MELSIG event on smart devices in learning event that I attended earlier in the month. Well, it's a busy time here at ScHARR Towers, so I've struggled to find time for blogging, but in the meantime, here's a really useful resource I learned about that day, Kathy Schrock's clever site that maps iOS and Android apps to Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning:



The above is a screen shot but you can find her page at:

http://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html

It's a great resource if you want to make sure you are using the best app for any kind of teaching!

Posted by Claire on Thursday 26th October 2013

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Cloud busting: Demystifying the ‘Cloud’ and its impact on libraries - Panibus Magazine


Andy Tattersall has co-authored an article with Leo Appleton which is the lead article in this month's Panibus Magazine. Following on from their presentation as part of the MmIT Committee at this year's CILIP Umbrella conference the article is titled: Cloud busting: Demystifying the ‘Cloud’ and its impact on libraries. The article explains the Cloud concept how it applies to searching, library management and enterprise systems. The article also looks at how library and information professionals can apply the Cloud to their own development.

The latest issue of Panibus can be accessed here:
http://www.capita-softwareandmanagedservices.co.uk/software/Documents/libraries-panlibus29.PDF

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Monday 16 September 2013

Tempting technophobes: top tips - Information Today Article


In preparation for next month's brilliant Internet Librarian International 2013 where myself and Claire Beecroft will be delivering a session on how to get staff and students to drink from the technology waterhole we revealed three of the tips for Information Today. 
Find Champions
Get Visual
Find a 'Twin'


As for the other seven you will have to come to our session at Internet Librarian International (ILI) in Session A202 -New ways to promote services, hopefully we will see you there.

Thursday 12 September 2013

ScHARR Snack Size - Digital Copyright - Staying on the Right Side of the Law with Creative Commons and Beyond - 25th September - 12.30-1pm - Eric Wilkes Room



Did you hear about the student who was asked to leave his
institution after heavily plagiarising content?
Conversely did you hear about the academic who caused his
University embarrassment and lost important library content
after sharing licensed materials?
Whether you learn, teach or research, copyright law watches us all,
and in a digital age the chances of breaking that is greater than ever.
This session will look at how to stay safe

on the Web without compromising on content.

Friday 6 September 2013

Hi Ho to Huddersfield!

IR's Claire Beecroft is off on a jolly today to #MELSIG's 'Smart  
 Devices in Learning' Event. I've got my iPhone, iPad, Nook, headphones, a portable speaker and two chargers:



What could possibly go wrong?...(I'll blog a full report later :0)'

C

Thursday 5 September 2013

New Paper in Health Information and Libraries Journal by ScHARR IR







After 70 sessions, numerous versions on our campus and much further, four conference appearances and a few articles and workshops, the ScHARR Bite Size model reaches the heady heights of academic publishing in a journal paper. Learn something new in 20 minutes: Bite Size sessions to support research and teaching authored by Andy Tattersall, Claire 
Beecroft and Jenny Freeman is in the latest issue of the Health Information and Libraries journal.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hir.12033/abstract

Hear more about the paper from the authors





Keywords:
  • education and training;
  • instructional design;
  • knowledge transfer;
  • professional development;

  • teaching



  • Abstract

    The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at The University of Sheffield run an innovative series of informal 20-minute Bite Size sessions to help staff and students teach, research, collaborate and communicate more effectively. The sessions have two clear strands: one focused on teaching and the other on research. The remit is not to teach people how to use something in their work or study, but to let them know why they should use it and how they can employ it. By introducing participants to the possibilities and how they can apply ideas and technologies in their work and study in an enthusiastic manner, it is possible to send them away with at least the intention to explore and experiment. The evidence shows that this organic approach is working – staff and students are starting to use many of the tools that Bite Size has covered. Any kind of widespread change within organisations can be hard to deliver, but by bringing champions on your side and delivering sessions in a convenient, informal and timely manner; good practice and ideas can spread naturally.

    Friday 30 August 2013

    Current awareness @ ScHARR Library

    ScHARR Library provides a range of current awareness services for its users, from old-fashioned notice boards to the ScHARR Library Blog and Twitter account (@scharrlib). In recognition of this, and of the importance of current awareness to the health libraries sector generally, I have written an article for the latest issue of CILIP's Health Libraries Group Newsletter. Click here to read the article - entitled 'Current awareness - not just a nice added extra'.

    For those of you just keen to know what services we provide, here are the various ways that you can keep up-to-date with all things ScHARR Library:

    • ScHARR Library on Twitter: @scharrlib
    • ScHARR Library Daily: http://paper.li/scharrlib/1338371438
    • ScHARR Library Blog: http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.co.uk/
    • ScHARR Library Portal: http://www.netvibes.com/scharr#Homepage
    • Delicious bookmarks: https://delicious.com/scharrlib
    • Notice boards - located on the 1st and 2nd floors

    Photo credit: birgerking via Flickr Creative Commons

    Thursday 15 August 2013

    Monday 5 August 2013

    Latest Research Funding Update - Fellowships and Studentships (August 2013)

    The latest Research Funding Update (Fellowships and Studentships) is available to download from the ScHARR Library web pages.


    Mendeley HQ Open Day - The Movie


    Back in June I attended the latest Mendeley HQ Open Day. The guys at Mendeley have captured the day in  a 5 minute funky video. I'm in towards the end obviously doing my best to earn a free mug which now sits proudly on my desk. Everyone has their price.

    Tuesday 30 July 2013

    Our online Master's programme in Health Informatics - places available for 2013!



    For over 12 years IR staff have been involved with teaching a joint Master's programme in Health Informatics run by ScHARR and the ISchool here at the University. In 2012 our own Angie Rees took over as the course director for this innovative distance learning programme which is studied over three years. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds: library and information professionals, clinicians as well as those working directly in Health Informatics in the NHS and various healthcare systems around the world.

    The course is delivered online using our virtual learning environment MOLE and live lecture software Collaborate.

    Our next intake for September 2013 will close in 6 weeks time so to be in with a chance of studying part time for an MSc this year apply now or email Angie for further information. 

    Thursday 25 July 2013

    Calcasieu libraries to loan cake pans!

    Photo by Anthea Sutton

    When we're not busy delivering a top-notch information service, we're more often than not thinking about cake, so are whole-heartedly in approval of this development from an LA library:  Calcasieu libraries to loan cake pans

    Tuesday 23 July 2013

    Health Information and Libraries Journal and IR success!


    Some great news relating to the writing activities of Information Resources Group here at ScHARR.  We were delighted to discover that 4 of our papers featured in the top 50 downloads from Health Information and Libraries Journal and 2 contributed to the 2012 Impact Factor:

    Booth, A. and Beecroft, C. (2010), The SPECTRAL project: a training needs analysis for providers of clinical question answering services. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 27: 198–207.

    Papaioannou, D., Sutton, A., Carroll, C., Booth, A. and Wong, R. (2010), Literature searching for social science systematic reviews: consideration of a range of search techniques. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 27: 114–122. 

    Sutton, A. (2012), Increasing impact in a time of decreasing budgets [Editorial]. Health Information & Libraries Journal Virtual Issue 2012.

    Sutton, A. and Booth, A. (2012), What type of leader am I?: a training needs analysis of health library and information managers. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 29: 39–46.

    Sutton, A. and Grant, M. J. (2011), Cost-effective ways of delivering enquiry services: a rapid review. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 28: 249–255.

    Woods, H. B. (2012), Know your RO from your AE? Learning styles in practice. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 29: 172–176. 




    Saturday 20 July 2013

    Cakenado! A.K.A The ScHARR Library Picnic



    Once again, on Tuesday this week, the library hosted the annual ScHARR Library Picnic. This Is really just an excuse for the IR team to show off their baking skills, and then eat three times their own body weight in cake. We raised over £135 for DaBKA (Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association) and a jolly good time was had by all! Thanks everyone!

    Friday 12 July 2013

    Sunny days

    We love ScHARR towers but sometimes it's nice to break out and relocate to sunnier climbs. This morning saw IR stalwarts Claire Beecroft and Angie Rees  heading to Weston Park next to the university's Firth Court building. The sun was shining the birds were singing and the ducks were… doing whatever it is that ducks do. Happy days!


    Monday 8 July 2013

    ScHARR Library Charity Picnic - 16th July - 11-1pm in aid of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association



    As with previous years we are proud to announce this year's ScHARR Library Charity Picnic on 16th July 11am - 1pm in the library in Regent Court.

    We are pleased to announce that this year's chosen charity is the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association http://www.dabka.org.uk

    We will have our usual selection of lovely cakes and bakes, alongside free teas and coffees. It would be great to see new and old faces in our library which contains a whole wealth of expertise that goes much further than physical books. So if you have any questions on everything from searching databases to critical appraisal, from Web technologies to aid research and teaching to infographics, from Creative Commons to Inter-library Loans, from MOOCs to how to bake that perfect lemon cake - come and see us and help us raise some funds for this great cause.