publications@ brown university library

The Library switched to the latest version of OVID/SilverPlatterís WebSPIRS software, 5.0, on March 15. This was the last step in implementing full access to their products via their server on the Internet. We no longer have any software or databases located on campus; users are connected directly to their website. Databases offered through the Library are: Art Index Retrospective, Art Abstracts (coming soon), Bibliography of the History of Art (BHA) , Biological Abstracts, Cross-Cultural Database, FRANCIS, GeoRef, International Repertory of the Literature of Art, International Political Science Abstracts, Medline, MLA Bibliography, PAIS International, Philosopher's Index, PsycINFO, and Zoological Record.

According to the vendor, usability tests were conducted, and the interface has been redesigned so that searchers will enjoy improved navigation and faster performance. One of the features of the new software is the ability to log directly into the specific database you want to search, rather than having to search and choose from a menu. For those who are interested, there is a link to the new menu, where all the databases are listed alphabetically. You can also still read a description of each database in the Libraryís e-resources list, available from the menu on our homepage. Also new is the "How do IÖ? " feature, a drop-down menu at the top right of the search screen. It provides quick information on how to do a search, find more or fewer records, find an author or journal, change the results display, and other such tasks. Most of the searching, printing, and downloading features remain the same, though they have added the capability of emailing results to yourself or someone else, should you choose to do so. These databases also work with our new SFX software [see article in this issue. Ed.]. So, links are provided between citations to articles (not to dissertations, as in the sample record display below) and full-text, electronic journals that we subscribe to, as well as to other sources related to individual search results.

Above are examples from PsychINFO of the search interface and record display.

--Anne Cerstvik Nolan

publications @ brown university library
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