York University Libraries strive to support not only the courses taught by faculty members (and graduate students), but also their research. Our collections will be of obvious importance, but the Libraries also offer expert assistance in locating information that researchers need.
Liaison Librarians
Each department (or faculty) has a librarian assigned to it to provide information and assistance to faculty members and graduate students in their roles as researchers and instructors. The liaison librarian can provide individual reference/research consultations with faculty members, graduate students, or research assistants. For example, the psychology librarian has assisted researchers with citation analyses; the biology librarian has worked with researchers to locate genomic data; and the music librarian’s work to obtain sound recordings from small publishers (see the profile in this newsletter). Consultations, which can occur in person, by phone, or through e-mail may include, among other possibilities:
Identifying relevant tools for handling information queries and offering guidance on over 200 electronic indexes and databases
Assisting with the construction of literature searches
Identifying and/or locating specific information such as bibliographic citations, statistical information, or documents produced by government agencies
Providing referrals for specialized assistance with the location and use of government information, geospatial information, datasets, audio/visual resources, and archival resources
A liaison librarian is also pleased to provide an orientation to the Libraries for new graduate students to support them in their research and teaching roles. Training for research assistants in library and Internet search skills and citation management can be arranged by appointment. A researcher can also arrange for a special borrower card for her or his research assistants.
The Libraries are developing a computing and procedural infrastructure to assist with the preservation and management of access to documents through the use of the D-Space institutional repository software and online journal production and administration software. Inquiries on these initiatives can be directed to the Libraries’ Bibliographic Services Department (416-736-2100 x88881).
Resource Sharing
We obtain materials for York researchers through inter-library loans from other libraries and archives around the world. For science and technology materials we use the CISTI document delivery service, and can obtain articles in 24-48 hours. Articles from any journals held in Ontario university library collections can be obtained within days. Information and request forms can be found on the Resource Sharing Department’s website: http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/BorrowRenew/NonYorkLibraries.htm
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The Libraries provide York researchers with access to RefWorks®, a premier citation management product for the creation of reference notes and bibliographies. Because RefWorks® is web-based, it allows collaborate contribution and access to shared reference lists.
The Libraries provide researchers with key reference tools for locating bibliographic and other information. Some examples include Proquest Dissertations and Theses, WorldCat, Web of Science, SciFinder Scholar, Global Books in Print, and various newspaper archives and indexes (e.g., The New York Times, The Times of London, and The Globe & Mail). Ask your liaison librarian about these and many other helpful resources.
Library Collections
The Libraries seek to develop a collection that supports the research, teaching, and learning that occurs at York University. If there are particular books, journals, audio-visual materials, or other sorts of publications that you would like to see in the York University Libraries collections, please do send us a request. We will do our best to respond favourably! Requests may be sent online at: http://info.library.yorku.ca/yorkline/purchase.htm
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