Web journals 'narrowing study': Online publishing reduces academic research to little more than a 'popularity contest', critics warn

Click on the title above to read an article from Guardian (Tue 28th Oct) on how the emphasis on publication impact factors is affecting research publishing. The article also gives some hints for researchers on how to make their papers more e-friendly.

York Library redesign - be involved

Vision for the re-development of the Computer Science space - briefing and consultation sessions
Stephen Town, the Director of the Library & Archives, will be running a series of briefing and consultation sessions in November to update staff and students on the Library’s vision for the re-development of the space in the Computer Science building when it becomes available in 2010/11 and the associated re-development and refurbishment of the JB Morrell Library.
These briefings are an opportunity for staff and students to provide your comments, feedback and other creative ideas on the plans.

The sessions will be held in the Raymond Burton Library seminar rooms on the following dates:

Tuesday 11th November, 11am-12pm
Wednesday 19th November, 2.30-3.30pm
Thursday 27th November, 3-4pm

These sessions are open to all staff and students. The Library will not be reserving places for these briefings, so please be aware that there is capacity for 60 people per session.

Chair of NICE on limits of RCTs and drug tests

Click on the link above (normally available for 1 week after broadcast) to hear Sir Michael Rawlins on the need to "reappraise the way we decide which drugs are effective, the head of drugs body NICE says. Chairman Sir Michael Rawlins made the argument in a speech to the Royal College of Physicians. He says controlled trials are not effective in finding out whether the drug is working in the real world." (Summary from Radio 4 website)

Podcast from Radio 4's Today Programme, 17th Oct 2008, 07:17

Clinical Evidence monthly update

This month's highlights include:

• Alcohol Misuse - the newest systematic review now online
• Venous leg ulcers
• Acute renam failure

Click on title above for more details.

(Clinical Evidence is available via Hull Athens or York Account.)

York Uni Library changes to service

Following an extensive University of York Library consultation exercise conducted during 2007/08 some changes in service have been introduced. Click on the title above to see a summary.

New Library catalogue pages at Hull

Please note that the Brynmor Jones Library will launch it's updated version of the library catalogue on 2nd September 2008. If you have any queries about this or need further help using the new interface please contact library@hyms.ac.uk.

York Hospital intersite delivery service unavailable

Please note that the intersite return service to/from York Hospital Library is unavailable until future notice. If you are unable to visit the JB Morrell University library books can be returned to the Kings Manor Library in the centre of York (beside the Art Gallery).