REFERENCE AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SERVICES
Reference Services are provided to readers by the librarians at the Yaatz Reference Desk and by librarians in the reading rooms. The librarians assist the user in obtaining the most from library resources by making effective use of the on-line catalogue (Aleph) and of computerized and print bibliographic sources. The Yaatz Reference Desk is the central reference point in the library. It is recommended that the reader begin his/her search with the help of the librarians in Yaatz, who will refer him/her to the appropriate subject specialist if needed. Information searches are performed in databases housed on cd-rom or on-line computers or on the Internet. Reference services include group and personal instruction in the use of the on-line catalogue (Aleph) and the various databases the library makes available for public use. The Yaatz reference desk is staffed whenever the library is open to the public. Reference assistance is available in the reading rooms Sunday through Thursday until 15:00. Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and Instructional Services: Haya Asner telephone: 6461-413For assistance in the following areas, please contact the appropriate subject specialist librarian: Exact Sciences and Engineering: Dr. Haya Regev telephone: 6461-422
The Computerized Catalogue - ALEPH
The library catalogue is computerized using the Aleph system and connected to the Israeli national network of university and research institute libraries. The catalogue covers books, journals and other monographic materials and provides bibliographic details (e.g., place of publication, publisher, year of publication, edition) and holdings information (e.g., location, number of volumes and copies, and circulation status). Use the Aleph catalogue to verify if citations located in a database search are held by the Ben-Gurion University libraries. The computerized catalogue provides access to other academic library catalogues in Israel and to national cooperative projects such as the ULI, Union List: Israel (books) and the ULS, Union List of Serials (journals). Instructions for use of the computerized catalogue can be found on the computer screen itself or on explanatory sheets prepared by the library. The librarians at the reference desk provide assistance in using the catalogue to locate books and information.
Computerized Databases
CD-ROM Databases (General Information)
The library holds cd-rom databases (see list) in various fields. Most of the databases are available on a university-wide network and can be searched from the cd-rom computers in the library or via selected computers in the academic departments. Other CD-ROM databases, or earlier years of some databases on the network, are located only at local stations in Yaatz or the library reading rooms.
Databases Available Via Internet (General Information)
Many databases are accessible via Internet (see list) to Ben-Gurion University students, faculty and staff under four types of license:
The Israeli Academic Libraries have formed a consortium with the aim of providing the universities? clients with access to databases and electronic journals. The system recognizes the user by his IP address and authorizes access to the requested database. An Israeli university IP is required for authorization. (The IP address is the specific number identifying the universities' computers.) Some of the Databases are located on the Consortium's computer in Jerusalem, and some are located abroad. (see List)
Ben-Gurion University maintains its own subscriptions to a number of web-based databases. These databases also recognize the user by his IP address. A BGU IP is required for authorization. Included in this category are thirteen Silver Platter databases that are accessed through the WebSpirs retrieval system located on the Ben-Gurion unix computer.
Several databases located on the Internet provide free access to all users. The library is not responsible for the accuracy or maintainance of the addresses or sites. (see List)
A) Ha-Arets Newspaper:
Ben-Gurion University has a subscription to the archives of Ha-Arets newspaper. This search is full-text based and less precise than searches in the Haifa and Beit Arielah newspaper indexes; it is recommended that the Haifa and Beit Ariela indexes be searched first. The Ha-Arets database may be searched from any computer, but a password is required to see the articles themselves. As the cost of each article opened is deducted from the library's subscription, the reader is requested to make use of the library's microfilm (1919 -) and paper copy (two most recent months) holdings. Should a given article (from 1994 -) be unavailable, contact Haya Asner in Yaatz (6461413) for access to the online copy.
B) OCLC/First Search: OCLC/First search, located abroad, provides Internet access to databases not owned by the library or that offer additional years or more frequent updates than the library's cd-roms. Unlike most other Internet database licenses, each search performed on OCLC is deducted from the number of searches the library has purchased. It is recommended, therefore, that this service be used only after material owned by the library has been searched. Search strategy should be carefully worked out in advance. To schedule an appointment to search OCLC databases available only via the Ben-Gurion University subscription contact the Yaatz reference desk ( telephone: 646-1413 ). The Malmad consortium of Israeli academic libraries subscribes to five OCLC databases (ArticleFirst, ECO- Electronic Collections Online, NetFirst, the OCLC Union List of Periodicals and WorldCat). These databases may be accessed from any computer with a BGU IP. At the end of each session, it is important to click on "Exit". Failure to do so will prevent other users from connecting to OCLC. (see List)
After completing a database search, use the computerized Aleph catalogue to locate the material in the library. Use ULI (for books) and ULS (for journals) to locate materials in other libraries in Israel. Material not owned by the Ben-Gurion University Library can be ordered through interlibrary loan.
The library has developed a database search model that serves as a basic guide for database searches. The search model is accompanied by a list of definitions of pertinent terms.
To assist the user in effective use of computerized databases, the library provides several types of instruction.
For further information on database instruction, please contact:
Gabriel Edmont Head of Public Services
telephone: 6461-418
Haya Asner Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and instructional services
telephone: 6461-413
On-Line Searches
On-line retrieval services in scientific, engineering and patent databases are provided by Dr. Haya Regev and are available to faculty, researchers and advanced degree students for a fee. It is recommended that this service be used to update and supplement information retrieved from other sources such as cd-rom and internet-based database searches.
For further information or an appointment, please contact:
Dr. Haya Regev telephone: 6461-422
Electronic Journals (General Information)
Selected electronic journals are accessible via Internet to Ben-Gurion University students, faculty and staff under Malmad and Ben-Gurion University licenses:
The Israeli Academic libraries have formed a consortium with the aim of providing the universities? clients with access to databases and electronic journals. The system recognizes the user by his IP address and authorizes access to the requested journal. An Israeli university IP is required for authorization. (The IP address is the specific number identifying the universities? computers.)
Ben-Gurion University maintains its own subscriptions to a number of electronic journals. These journals recognize the user by his IP address. A Ben-Gurion University IP is required for authorization.
Location of electronic journals is in an intermediate stage that requires searching several holdings lists. We recommend that you first search the regular ALEPH catalog, either via telnet or via internet. (If ALEPH via internet is used, you can link directly to the full-text.) Last, search the Union List of Electronic Journals (ULE) (by internet only) or the Union List of Serials (ULS) for electronic journal holdings in Israel. (Internet access is from the library?s homepage.) If this search is performed via Aleph on internet, you can link directly to the full-text
Internet Access Policy
Public access to surf the Internet is available via a computer located in Yaatz. Internet searches may be performed by the librarian when, in his/her judgment, the currency or type of material needed makes the Internet the most suitable source to answer the question. In this case, the librarian will take the information and contact the requester with the answer. The library provides Internet access to selected databases to students, faculty and staff who use computers bearing a BGU address or from the database search computers in the library. For further information, ask at the Yaatz reference desk.
(telephone: 6461-413)
To subscribe, send a message to listserv@listserv.ac.il . In the body of the message type: subscribe BGU-LIB yourfirstname yourlastname .
Postings to the list should go to bgu-lib@bgu.listserv.ac.il. Listserv commands (e.g. sub, unsub, rev, set, etc.), should go to listserv@listserv.ac.il .
You can also browse the BGU-LIB Listserv Archives.
Instruction The reference librarians provide bibliographic and library use instruction according to the needs of the users. 1. Group instruction is given to new students at the beginning of each school year. The course is a requirement for receipt of the Bachelors Degree. The instruction is given by the public service librarians. The course provides the student with basic information about the library and instruction in the use of the computerized catalogue (Aleph), the development of effective search strategies and the development of the tools necessary for independent use of the library. At the completion of the course, each student is required to complete a hands-on exercise which is checked by the librarian-on-duty and listed among the student's grades. 2. Group instruction of faculty members in the use of specific computerized databases can be arranged by contacting the Head of Public Services or the Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and Instructional Services. 3. Group database instruction for students can be requested by the course instructor. Please contact the Head of Public Services, the Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and Instructional Services or the librarian specialist in the appropriate subject area. 4. Individual instruction in the use of the computerized databases is available daily. To arrange an appointment, ask at the Yaatz Reference Desk or contact the appropriate subject specialist librarian. The library provides instruction sheets in the use of the Aleph catalogue and the cd-rom databases and has developed a Database search model that serves as a basic guide for database searches. The search model is accompanied by a list of definitions of pertinent terms. For further information on library instruction, please contact: Head of Public Services: Gabriel Edmont telephone: 6461-418
Librarian-in-charge of Yaatz and Instructional Services: Haya Asner telephone: 6461-413
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