Minutes
SciFinder usage is continuing to rise. This month, to date, usage (defined as log on attempts) has doubled. The committee suggested capturing more usage statistics such as the amount of time both seats are being used and number of activities being conducted.
Michael Golden presented the changes to the Library website. Journal listings are now up to date but access information is missing. The committee suggested adding a link to display years of available access for print and online journal holdings. In addition, popular search engines i.e. Google should be added to the web page. EBSCO Academic Search Complete and Worldcat will also be added shortly. Any comments and suggestions regarding the Library website can be directed to Michael Golden.
Issues with the LBNL reports database were raised. Users must clear the search field at each distinctive search otherwise the search function combines the search with all previous searches. Uploads to the database indicate that the date the report was submitted, as the date the report became available in the database. This is misleading and should be changed to the actual date of the report submission. Similarly, the author should appear in the ‘submitted by’ field in lieu of the name of the individual who uploaded the paper into the database.
The library space reduction project is coming into completion. There are a few remaining items and issues related to the earthquake retrofitting that remain unsettled. Data gathered on Compact Shelving Access and Requests for materials from the warehouse were shared. To date, the library has not seen a tremendous impact from the space reduction.
The library would like the feedback of the committee and their divisions, on the relevancy of the new journals accessible to the lab due to the UCB partnership. The committee agreed to assist. As vendors contracts are solidified, the library will send out spreadsheets to the committee to rate the value of the individual journals in the package. The library will also research and confirm that we do have access to all the journals that LBNL researchers publish in.
Print journals for the library reading room, will be reviewed for usage.