The British Nursing Index database is no longer available on the EBSCO platform and has been removed from the list of electronic resources.  At present it is not yet clear who will be the new provider but we are keen to hear your views if you think this is an important database that we should try and retain. If you would like any further information or assistance with searching Cinahl (Cumulative index to nursing and allied health) and restricting searches to UK material, please contact the nursing subject librarian, p.watt@qub.ac.uk.

We are continuing to experience delays in supplying some inter-library loan requests due to maintenance work being carried out at the British Library.  Parts of the building have been closed temporarily, leading to the unavailability of some items.

Whenever we are unable to obtain an item from the British Library we then try other locations.  This takes time and may delay the process by a week or more.  

The British Library recently issued a statement saying that their priority is “to get higher use collection items back in service as quickly as possible, with some of the most heavily-used material now scheduled to be back in use by mid-April”.

If you have any concerns, or want an update on your request please contact the Inter-Library Loans Department on 028 9063 2551 (Medical Library).

The Medical & Healthcare Library carried out a survey of HSC users in January 2011 to obtain feedback on the service provided. The results of the survey are now available in PDF format below, or from the Issue Desks of the following libraries: Medical, Biomedical, Antrim Healthcare, Craigavon Healthcare, Altnagelvin, Knockbracken and Causeway.

Medical & Healthcare Library Survey Report April 2011

Plans are well underway to introduce a new integrated Library System for the University. Following a detailed tender process, a suite of products from Innovative Interfaces has been chosen to provide a complete management and access solution. In addition to the Millennium System, the Library has selected the Encore Platform and an electronic resource management system to provide access to its extensive collections.

The initial rollout of the products is expected to take place in August 2011 and the transition will involve improvements to the Library Catalogue, the issue system and the method of locating and accessing electronic resources. While there is the potential for a range of exciting and enhanced services in all of these areas, the primary focus in summer 2011 will be to replicate the functionality provided by the current system.

We will communicate a detailed schedule of the changes and any implications for service delivery throughout the spring and early summer. However, disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum and contingency measures put in place where necessary.

If you have any immediate questions, please contact Trevor Lyttle, Assistant Director (Resources Management) on extension 6223 or e-mail library@qub.ac.uk.

This problem was resolved on 23/3/2011.

There is currently a problem with accessing ProQuest journals from the honni A-Z list, and journal articles from ProQuest via CrossSearch.  The problem is under investigation and, until a resolution is found, please go to ProQuest from Find Database and search for material in the native interface.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will rectify the problem as quickly as possible.

As an integral part of the ongoing refurbishment project, improvements to the Clinical Science B car park, external steps and Mulhouse walkway are now planned for the coming weeks. From Saturday 19 February the Clinical Science B car park will be closed and consequently, access to the Medical Library in the Mulhouse Building will not be possible by the usual route. The pedestrian diversion will be via the footpath between the Microbiology Building and the School of Dentistry.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this diversion.  The end result will be a much improved access route and car parking facilities.

The Medical Library, in the Mulhouse Building, RVH, has been recently refurbished to improve study facilities and create a more pleasant and conducive learning environment.

• There are now three group study rooms seating between 8 and 10 people. Each room is equipped with wireless access, digital projection facilities and whiteboards. The study rooms can be booked via the Medical Library Borrower Services Desk (med.issue@qub.ac.uk).
• Computing facilities have also been improved with
  • wireless access throughout the building
  • laptops and digital projectors available for loan
  • SCC (Student Computing Centre with 50+ computers) upgraded
• The student lounge has been relocated and expanded to include a new casual seating area in the Fry Room.

Please come and visit the improved Medical Library. Library staff will be happy to help with any queries (med.info@qub.ac.uk).

OTSeeker, a database specifically for occupational therapists, has developed a resource for those wanting to know more about the process of closing the gap between research and practice, called Implementing Evidence in Practice. The resource currently has information about the process of implementing evidence, links to other related websites and will be developed further over the coming year. For further information and to access the resource, go the OTSeeker database or click here.

FileOpen have now released a new client plug-in that is fully compatible with Adobe Reader X and which should solve this problem. It can be downloaded here.

There is currently a problem printing SED documents from PCs running the latest version X of Adobe Reader. When attempting to print the following error message is received –
This printer is not allowed for secure printing.
Do you want to change your choice?

Until a new FileOpen plugin is released, it is necessary to change a setting in Adobe Reader to get round the problem. Go to Edit, Preferences, General and untick the box ‘Enable protected mode at startup’. Restart Adobe Reader and try printing again.

Note that, if your PC has Adobe Reader X, you should change this setting BEFORE opening an SED document. Otherwise you may find that you cannot subsequently retrieve it. Should this happen you will need to contact the library to get the document reactivated.