On our main databases page we have a heading Databases Quick Links in the right nav bar.
I have had a request to remove TopoMap from this list and add Google Scholar. I’ve also been asked to add Google Scholar to the list of databases in the G alphabetical list. I seem to remember that when Google Scholar first came out there was some (heated) discussion about whether it was a kosher database, which is probably why it’s not there already.
I think that all librarians should have a chance to comment about these two suggestions, so here’s your opportunity. Please add a comment to say whether you agree with either or both of these suggestions.
If I don’t get any comments by the beginning of next week, I’ll assume everyone agrees and will action both suggestions.
Catherine
I would like to see the Springer package and Wiley InterScience added to the list.
Am happy to have TopoMap removed and Google Scholar added.
I definitely endorse adding GS to Quick Links as it’s a widely used resource. I’ve also seen students trying to find it in the databases list.
yes please add google scholar.
Where will TopoMap go if removed from the database pages? Will it still feature on the alphabetical list?
I think Scholar is returning useful results for most of my subject areas and linking fairly well into our resources when preferences are set up, so please add it.
Dave C.
It would be very useful to have Google Scholar linked in the Quick links and the A_Z list, so that it is easy for students to find when teaching. In the A-Z list the description of GS should include instructions for setting up preferences to link to the UC fulltext and to EndNote. Many students who use GS are completely unaware of these excellent features, and are delighted when they are told about them. In classes it is useful to point out the differences between databases and GS, and the advantages of using both.
Janette
I would also like to see Wiley and Springer added. Wiley was in the top 10 for usage last year and Springer soon will be.
GS is a no-brainer.
Perhaps Sage/HeinOnline should be up there too?
Do we need Te Puna?
GS currently appears on 3 databases lists – Geological Sciences, Multidisciplinary and Social Work and Human Services – and it does include a note about using preferences. See
http://webapps.libr.canterb…
Deirdre
As the above comments were all positive about the idea of replacing Topomap with Google Scholar on the Databases Quicklinks list, I have now done so. I’ve also added Google Scholar to the alphabetical list of databases under G. Topomap remains in the alphabetical list under T.
Any decisions about other databases would have to be made separately. I think the list is long enough, so would suggest that any other databases are replacements not additions. Could this list be revised at an Information Librarians’ forum?
Catherine
I’d be interested to know what people think the criteria should be. Usually a quicklinks function links people to "most used" but then that is not obvious with databases as they can be used in different ways – e.g. Most searched or most full text downloads? Another option is to use quicklinks to highlight specific databases but to some extent this may tend to confuse what quicklinks are. Suggestions? Views?