LinkOut in the Hills : the West Virginia University Experience – Past, Present, and Future Jean L. Siebert Collection Manager Reference Librarian B.S. Pharmacy, M.L.S., M.B.A

Health Sciences Library Projected 2007

Acknowledgements Susan Arnold Virginia Bender Terrance Burton Kathy Kwan Julie Kwan Michael Kronenfeld Ruth Nellis Frances O’Brien Dave Piper Dale Prince Susanne Rasmussen Jean Shipman Tansy Szeliga M.J. Tooey Nancy Wasson Toni Yancey

Objectives Share West Virginia University Health Sciences Library (WVU HSL) Methods for Teaching Users about accessing full text from PubMed Describe Past Present and Future of LinkOut Project Present Outcomes of LinkOut Project

Methods Elevator Moments User Friendly Icons Press Releases Message of the Week Staff Training In Library Training Office Visits Colorful Handout Integrated with Instruction Program Web Site Information

Elevator Moment Waiting for Elevators Look for PubMed Paper Printed Search Results without LinkOut Icons

Press Releases E-News The Center (HSC publication) The Spirit (WVU campus newsletter) “What’s New” on Health Sciences Library web page

User Friendly Icons Incorporate Color and Design of Parent Institution –West Virginia University Health Sciences Center Benchmarked other library LinkOut Icons Utilize Word(s) which users Understand –Avoid Library Jargon Tried and tested Alternative words On Shelf Print Collection ONLINE

User Friendly Icons Full Text Journal In Library

Message of the Week Colleges –Pharmacy –Nursing Send out weekly to students, faculty and staff Also Posted on their web pages Upon Request they include messages related to the library

Incorporate Into Everything!! Staff Training –Library Staff Essential In Library Training Handout Racks New Faculty Information/Orientations Office Visits Library Instruction Reference Desk Questions Directional Help

Promotion Must Be Continuous Faculty Turnover –Retirement –New Faculty –Interdisciplinary Research Student Turnover –Graduation –Jobs which require library research – Rural Rotations Staff Turnover –Retire –Switch Jobs from other campuses –Change to Research Based Positions

Past Started on LinkOut 2002 Published Article Fall 2002 in PDI Alert Major Library Projects Slowed Project Down –Moving Journals put project on hold Summer of 2004 –Weeding and Moving Books

Present Over 1,200 Journals in Access Database Creates Reports When Needed Change in Vendors Creates Additional Work –Addition of Full-Text Databases –Serial Vendors Mergers and Acquisitions Adding More E-Journals Increases Data Entry –Elsevier Science Direct –LWW Journal Collections

Reasons for High Use Only Academic Medical Center in town –Two Hospitals into without libraries Largest Research University in State Geographically Limited Access –Construction Two Research Buildings –Largest Square Foot Building in State –Stairs (100+ from Parking Lot) Leader Online Journal Conversion WV –Highest Number of Electronic Journals WVU HSL Supports Rural Rotations –Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy Etc

Change of Cast LinkOut Data Entry and Activation Executed by Reference Librarians –Susan Arnold –Virginia Bender –Jean Siebert Training Serials Library Associate to take over LinkOut for Reference Librarians –Susanne Rasmussen

Quotation In Research, Data Speak –Curtis L. Meinert 1966

Description Full-Text Access Journals NOT Full-Text All Journal Access Outcomes

Future Investigating Connecting Serials Solution with PubMed Submit for Poster Session on Outcomes at Regional Meeting Writing an article on Our Project and Outcomes

Lessons Learned LinkOut Project –Takes longer than Projected –Access Database Critical –Anticipate Delays Continual Need for Promotion –“I didn’t know you could do that” –“Usually use

Lessons Learned Who Will be Responsible Long Term? –Weekly or Bi-Weekly Work –Understanding the Importance of PubMed –Bring Them into Project Earlier Unanticipated Outcomes –Heavy Use Full-Text Journals –Decreased Library Visits –Increase in More Difficult Serial Questions

Questions and Comments Now Later –

Conclusion Achieved Objectives Delighted to Discuss with you in Future Hope You Will Implement and Maintain LinkOut Thank you for Listening