LibrarySearch - a new search facility to try

The University Library has made available a beta version of the new search facility it will be implementing, called LibrarySearch.

Searching the various library catalogues is far more efficient than on Newton, and the results are much easier to understand. Helpfully, if you are trying to find out if the University holds a particular journal, the electronic version will appear at the top of the results if it is available.

But as scientists, will less interest in books, you might find the additional facility of simultaneously searching across the major reference databases most helpful. So you can perform a metasearch across Scopus, PubMed and Web of Knowledge, for example, saving time and comparing the appropriate coverage of each.

If you are trying to find books, and you remember them by their colour or appearance, the additional images of the covers will also help you identify the one you need with a quick scan.

You can use the beta version instead of Newton, so it is highly recommended you give it a try - see the search interface on http://search.lib.cam.ac.uk/

Signs of life...

The Library is once again staffed.
Here's a reminder of when you can expect to find a real live person to help you out in the Plant Sciences Library:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings
But remember, you can always e-mail library@plantsci.cam.ac.uk if you need help

Even quieter than usual

The Plant Scis Library will not be staffed between Friday 13 August and Tuesday 31 August. Please e-mail Library@plantsci.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions and I'll get back to you ASAP after 31 Aug

First from the Cage

THIS is the Cage. It is the source of Plant Sciences Library blogs, which will be issued if and when there is something of possible interest to say.

The title of this blog, 'From the cage' is shamelessly plagiarised from Richard Savage, who was the popular and funny librarian in this department for many years.