1. Ontario Veterinary College
RefWorks - from a Reference Librarian’s Perspective OCUL Meeting, Dec. 8, 2004
Jim Brett, Librarian
Learning Commons
Ontario Veterinary College
University of Guelph
Want to give an overview of fall activity wrt RW
Have some good feedback from my colleagues at other OCUL Libraries
Trends at UG as examples

2. OCUL Members and RW Quite varied picture by institution
few have postponed “launch” for local reasons
some “soft launches”
many more formal introductions
most have some degree of “web presence”
many without prior exper. in bib mgmt s/w
Postponed launches waiting for SFX (get it”)
Soft launches - RW is available but nothing formally scheduled
Formal introductions - RW is advertized; sessions for faculty and grads

3. Current RW Activity

4. User Reaction Overall extremely positive Most “get it”
They have a “WOW” moment
They come back for help
Faculty call to set up classes
Great Feedback
“…this is a Godsend”
Most “get it” (see the advantages)
They have a “WOW” moment (with WnC)
Users are very positive

5. Staff Reaction Some initial unease … - so how does it fit?
- my world just got more complex!
Not just another web resource!
Easier to use than other bib. mgmt. tools
Well integrated with other products
Instruction is easy and rewarding
People are used to web based products - they have a basic understanding of
the web environment and what to expect
Not a software package where you have to develop unique expertise
Integration with Scholar’s Portal and CSA databases is a big plus

6. Guelph’s rollout Trial of RW in W ‘03 F ‘04 formal rollout
Reached ca. 400 users
F ‘04 formal rollout
20 one hr. signup workshops
Reached ca. 85 users
Lots of good experience
People are used to web based products - they have a basic understanding of
the web environment and what to expect
Not a software package where you have to develop unique expertise
Integration with Scholar’s Portal and CSA databases is a big plus

7. RW Activity - Guelph Repeat users are increasing
Monthly users are increasing
Sessions per month are increasing

8. RW Activity - Guelph
Relatively small number of faculty (we haven’t formally targeted that group)
Good number of grad students
High numbers (comparatively) of undergrads

9. Problems / Support Issues
Good news … no major problems
Implementation went smoothly
Support from refworks.scholarsportal team has been superb!
Local “problems” - proxyservers, firewalls, user’s computers
Specific aspects of RefWorks functionality
ProCite, RefMan, Endnote …
No major issues from front line staff
My first indication of how things were going to go was with the roll-over from refworks.com to refworks.scholarsportal.info
Still may be issues to be resolved locally around EZProxy
Still have to diagnose individual machine problems, e.g., registry problems
(started out as asian character set problem)
Support regarding import filters, e.g., 4 different APA formats essentially locall knowledge of what these things mean for the user

10. Research Support Stuff
It’s so integrated (SP, SFX, CSA)
Easy to import information
Easy to organize and personalize information
Takes the work out of formatting the final product
Shared databases for group work, faculty research
Link between finding the material you need and producing the final paper

11. Research Support Stuff
Positive contribution to problem of plagiarism
Collaboration with campus “writing services”
Great for academic liaison activities
Shared instructional resources between libraries (CORIL)

12. Frontline Issues RW workshop takes (me) 1 hr.
Limited time given / available
Point of need instruction
What’s the best way to introduce RW? (ug, grad faculty)
Getting all staff comfortable with RW
Sharing info locally and wider

13. Opportunities / Issues within OCUL
Getting everyone on the same page
Move towards common interfaces / database providers, e.g. CSA
Shared instructional resources
Continuing to provide good, useable tools