Blogs

                  The Medical Library lends a variety of computer and audiovisual technology.  Everything from chargers to camcorders to computers.  We've recently added to our offerings in several areas : Camcorder ... Canon Vixia HFG220 Audio equipment ... Zoom digital recorder, shotgun microphone and boom mic stand Computer peripherals ... External Superdrive for Macs, USB Webcam and a USB conferencing microphone Only medical center students may borrow computers but all other equipment is available to any Yale student, faculty or staff member. Visit the Equipment for Loan page for details  

An image from the Teratology exhibit There are 3 upcoming exhibits opening this month in the Rotunda, Hallway, and Foyer, in addition to Harry Potter!  Please join us for an exhibit tour for the Teratology and Prodigies exhibits on Wednesday, January 28th, at noon.   "Teratology: The Science and History of Human Monstrosity," in the Rotunda of the Medical Library Opening Jan. 22 at the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library Dates: January 22nd-May 15th, 2015 Curated by Courtney Thompson, doctoral candidate in the History of Science and Medicine, and Melissa Grafe, Ph.D, John R. Bumstead Librarian for Medical History From early modern marvels to sideshow performers, the abnormal body has provoked wonder and fascination, even as it has inspired the scientific study of monsters. This exhibit explores the history of the science of human monstrosity, from early modern accounts of human-animal hybrids and prodigies through to present-day explorations of birth defects. The exhibit traces the different approaches to human abnormalities/monstrosity since the fifteenth century, demonstrating the various ways in which monsters have been described, explained, classified, and displayed to an interested public. An image from the "Prodigies and Marvels" exhibit "Prodigies and Marvels" on view in the main Hallway of the Medical Library, curated by Susan Wheeler Many of the individuals who evoked wonder were well known to contemporary audiences through the dissemination of inexpensive broadsides and prints. A selection from the Library’s extensive, and seldom seen, collection on this subject introduces a few of these individuals from the 16th through the early 19th centuries. The exhibit was prepared by Medical Library curator Susan Wheeler. Please join us for an exhibit tour for the Teratology and Prodigies exhibits on Wednesday, January 28th, at noon. This exhibit will run through May 15, 2015. "100 Years of Public Health at Yale" in the Foyer of the Medical Library, January 29th-May 15th, 2015 Curated by Toby Appel, Ph.D, and Melissa Grafe, Ph.D, John R. Bumstead Librarian for Medical History The Yale School of Public Health celebrates its centennial throughout 2015. One of the oldest accredited schools of public health in this country, it today advances public health through research, education and practice in its home city of New Haven, across the United States and throughout the world.  This exhibit examines the rise of public health at Yale beginning with the appointment of C.E.A. Winslow in 1915 through the work of the School in the present day.

As I previously announced, the library's homepage is undergoing a redesign. Our user experience team completed user testing on the "hi-fi" version of the design today.   Here is a quick guide to where to find key items in the new homepage design: Item New location Email Staff Quick Links Request Materials/Interlibrary Loan Dropdown menu > Services > Request Materials Reserve Study Rooms Dropdown menu > Services  Adopt a Rare Book Search "Adopt a Rare Book", 1st result Privileges  Dropdown menus > About > Borrowing & Access Privileges Policies  Search "Policies," 2nd result Orbis Homepage > Popular Resources PubMed@Yale  Homepage > Popular Resources Scopus Homepage > Highlighted Resources Web of Science Homepage > Highlighted  Resources E-Books & E-journals Homepage > Popular Resources Classes Homepage, under slideshow Tech Support (links to Printing, Remote Access, Desktop Computing, etc) Dropdown menu > Services > Computing & Technology Support Remote Access Homepage, upper right (click on "You are on the Yale network" or "you are NOT on the Yale network") Portals Dropdown menu Department Liaisons Dropdown menu > Services  Request forms Search "Request forms," 1st result The new homepage is scheduled to go live on the evening of Saturday, January 3, a time of the week when website use is particularly low.  This will permit us to have the new homepage in place at the start of the winter semester.   As always, please contact me with questions and concerns.  We are doing our best to make sure you don't get lost in the new interface, but if you do, remember you can ask a librarian for help.

Earlier this fall, we at the Medical Library decided it was time for a new look for the homepage of the library website.  We used an iterative design process to revamp the layout of the page.  We invite you to check out the design and "kick the tires," so to speak.   Your feedback on the proposed design will be crucial in improving it and making sure it meets your needs.  Contact me with your thoughts and suggestions.  Be sure to note the browser and device you used to view the page - even better, attach a screenshot of how it looks on your device.  We will be conducting user testing on the design the week of December 15.  After user testing, the page will undergo a final round of revision.  I will also provide an update on this blog summarizing key changes to the interface to help you better navigate the new look. I look forward to hearing from you.

Example flow chart used in systematic reviews, from Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. Did you know our librarians are available to assist with systematic reviews? The librarian, as full partner and co-author, is committed to collaborating and supporting the following Systematic Review tasks: Determining if a systematic review has already been done on a topic. Translating the research question into an appropriate search strategy. Translating the search concepts into controlled vocabulary and keywords so that both precision and retrieval are maximized. Choosing specific databases and other information sources to be searched. Conducting the literature searches across all the information sources chosen. Maintaining records of search results and following up with alerts and updates as needed Helping to obtain all required articles cited in search results and other venues. Providing guidance and support regarding bibliographic management tools, such as EndNote or RefWorks, to manage citations and easily produce bibliographies. Writing the literature search methodology section for the submitted manuscript. The Library adheres to the requirements for authorship and contributorship by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). For more information, contact your department liaison.