Enjoy these issue highlights:

• From the Director – IPE
• John W. Mauger – Library Champion
• Introducing . . . Christy Jarvis
• Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Eccles Library — Part III
• Reorganizing the Eccles Library Website
• Cool Tools: Dropbox
• eReader/Tablet Checkout Available at the Library
• Jean P. Shipman Appointed Co-Convener of Chicago Collaborative
• Upcoming Events
  • Exploring Health Care Disparities
  • Priscilla M. Mayden Lecture Focuses on eScience-eResearch
  • Join Us for the NCBI Discovery Workshops
  • Workshops @ the Library
• 2012 Eccles Library Construction Notice

Questions can be directed to the newsletter editor:
Jeanne Le Ber; 801-585-6744
Assistant editors:

• Julie Quilter; 801-581-5534
• Amy Honisett; 801-587-9246

eSynapse is published using open source software. The Open Journal Systems is a complete online journal management and publishing package that has been developed by the Public Knowledge Project through its federally funded efforts to expand and improve access to research. OJS assists with every stage of the publishing process, from submissions through online publication and indexing.

The Library recently purchased a number of eReaders and mobile devices for faculty and students to check out and try before purchasing. They include:

• Apple’s iPad (3 available)
• Motorola Xoom (3 available)
• Amazon Kindle (6 available)
• Barnes and Noble Nook (3 “1st Edition” and 3 color)

Eccles Library staff and faculty demonstrated each of the devices at our September LIFT Forum (see earlier blog post), after which attendees had the opportunity to try the devices.

These devices come pre-loaded with software and eBooks for patrons to peruse. Are you considering purchasing one of these devices? Or are you just curious about them? Stop by the Library and check one out today. And then come back and tell us what you think!

Program Description: Current hot mobile devices include Tablets and eReaders.  The Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library has purchased a number of tablets and eReaders to provide our patrons the opportunity to try these latest mobile technologies. This presentation provides an overview of the library’s tablet/eReader project, introduces the basic features of the iPad, Xoom, Nook and Kindle, and reviews some favorite apps.  The devices are WiFi only, and require a wireless network in range to work effectively. On campus, the devices can easily use UConnect and UGuest WiFi networks.

Devices will be available for show and tell after the presentation.

Please join us to learn more about these devices and how you might check one out.

Presenters
Amy Honisett: Education Librarian
Peter Jones: Consultant
Jeanne Le Ber: Associate Director for Education and Research
Nancy Lombardo: Associate Director for Information Technology
Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library

For more details, visit the LIFT Forum page.

Program can be viewed from off-site via links from the web page; and available on demand after the program.

The LIFT Forum is co-sponsored by the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library and the Media-on-Demand committee.

Questions can be directed to:  Jeanne Le Ber; 801-585-6744 or jeanne.leber@utah.edu

Issue highlights include:

• From the Director — New Beginnings
• Library Champion — Don Blumenthal
• Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Eccles Library — Part II
• Introducing . . . Amy Honisett
• Research Support for You via RISe
• Tablets and eReaders Available for Checkout
• Cool Tools: Wiggio
• Meet Our Experts!
• Workshop Registration System Has a New Look!
• Need help? Contact our Reference Team
• What’s New with STAT!Ref
• Save the Date!

Questions can be directed to the newsletter editor:
Jeanne Le Ber; 801-585-6744 or jeanne.leber@utah.edu
or assistant editor Julie Quilter; 801-581-5534 or julie.quilter@utah.edu

eSynapse is published using open source software. The Open Journal Systems is a complete online journal management and publishing package that has been developed by the Public Knowledge Project through its federally funded efforts to expand and improve access to research. OJS assists with every stage of the publishing process, from submissions through online publication and indexing.

What would this mean for libraries? If every student has every book for every course, libraries would not have to purchase a copy to keep on reserve. They could focus more on purchases that would complement a given course’s content, including professors’ preferred journals.

But what form would this complementary content take? If eBooks become the norm, replacing print, we would need new ways for students to access our resources — journals, reference materials, etc. In other countries, to pay for purchases it is common to swipe one’s cellphone. Would libraries need a kiosk or similar device where students would swipe their eReader and receive materials they ordered during their research? Or would that functionality be handled by a learning management system (a later version of Blackboard)? If the latter were the case, libraries might simply become database-purchase-and-management centers, gradually losing the library-as-place concept and function.

Or, librarians could take the lead, and build a system that pulls topics from the instructor’s syllabus in a course management system (CMS), noting which areas will be covered at what point in the semester. The librarians could then uploading links to helpful resources directly to the CMS tailored to the class schedule. As students submit topics & descriptions for assignments to the CMS, librarians monitor them and offer personalize search assistance, even inviting students to the library for one-on-one search coaching.

These are two visions of the future of libraries. What do you think? What is your vision? Tell us!

The Eccles Library has purchased a number of eReaders (iPads, nooks, Kindles) for patrons to learn about and experiment with, and will be made available to the public after our staff have been trained on them. Stay tuned…