The LSUMC Libraries provide access via the OVID web interface to a number of health science databases. Searching the databases, while not complicated, may appear overwhelming to anyone unfamiliar with OVID. Classes are scheduled as a way to educate our users in a hands-on group setting. Classes focus on particular aspects of the OVID system which will strengthen your searching techniques and ultimately help you retrieve citations to the most relevant resources.

The reference librarians at the Isché Library offer general library systems classes each month to LSUMC personnel. Classes are 1 to 1½ hours long and are a good way to learn the library systems in a classroom setting. Instruction is given on accessing, searching, and retrieving bibliographic information from the web-based databases for use in research and teaching. We also provide instruction on using the Innopac catalog to find books and journals that are available in the Library.

We recommend that all LSUMC faculty schedule library instruction as part of their curricula. We are anxious to work with the faculty to schedule classes that would coincide with course topics and research papers. Please call the reference office 568-6102, or email Mary Marix (mmarix@lsumc.edu link removed) or Kathy Kerdolff (kkerdo@lsumc.edu link removed) to schedule these classes.

Special systems classes are also provided to all LSUMC personnel on a request basis. These classes may be topic or database specific, must have at least 3 people, and need to be scheduled at least a week ahead of time to secure the use of the computer classroom. Additional classes are being developed and will be offered to the LSUMC community as soon as the course content is finalized. Announcements about these new classes will be posted on the Library's Homepage as well as in future issues of the newsletter.

Library systems point-of-contact help and instruction are available in the Isché Library from the reference librarians Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone assistance is also available during these times (568-6102).

--Kathy Kerdolff
kkerdo@lsumc.edu link removed

The Dental Library also offers instruction in OVID and Innopac to dental school faculty and students. Individual or group instruction can be scheduled. First year dental students receive training in database searching as part of the Dental Information Management Skills course. Instructors of other classes in which research papers are assigned are encouraged to schedule a one-hour review of database searching before students begin their library research. To arrange for OVID classes or individual instruction, or to request assistance using OVID, email Elizabeth Strother (estrot@lsumc.edu) or call 619-8507.

--Elizabeth Strother
estrot@lsumc.edu link removed