New Hampshire/Vermont Electronic Document Delivery Project

To replicate the success of the Maine EDD project, hospital libraries in New Hampshire and Vermont will begin their own EDD project this Fall. The goal of the NH/VT EDD project is to improve the document delivery capabilities of smaller hospital libraries in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Objectives for the project are:

1. To provide health science librarians with firsthand experience with EDD technology;
2. To encourage the incorporation of EDD into the resource sharing workflow; and
3. To increase resource sharing among rural members within the state

Through the project, libraries will purchase and install necessary hardware and software that enables library staff to send and receive interlibrary loan articles. Some participating libraries have requested upgrades to ARIEL software. Other libraries have requested document scanners to be used independently, or in conjunction with the ARIEL software. This option was given so libraries can develop their EDD service according to their own volume and specific workflow.

The primary document delivery provider for the project will be the University of Vermont's Dana Medical Library (UVM). As directed, UVM will be able to electronically send requested documents to the requesting library's patrons. The eleven (11) participating libraries are:

Participating libraries will receive purchase awards to acquire the hardware and/or software. On purchase of hardware or software libraries will be given a period of time to install and implement their EDD workflow.

The NER office is a sponsor for the project with the University of Vermont's Dana Medical Library as the principal. A July kickoff meeting was held at the VA Hospital in White River Junction, VT, to discuss project particulars and timelines.

The RML's mission is to maintain a strong viable network of libraries and librarians, dedicated to making health information accessible to as many people as possible. It's in the best interest of all members to advocate for hospital libraries.

It was recently proposed that the NN/LM-NER formalize a Hospital Library Task Force to discuss a wide range of issues facing hospital libraries. The Hospital Library Task Force is part of the NER's Regional Advisory Council.

The goals of the Task Force will be:

• To inform the NNLM-NER of ongoing hospital library concerns.
• To explore strategies which promote the value of health science libraries within health care institutions.
• To devise a plan to conduct a Hospital Library Evaluation workshop.

A group of hospital librarians have met on an ad-hoc basis to discuss the "hot button" issue of hospital library accreditation. Not long ago, the Connecticut Medical Society adopted the MLA Standards for Hospital Library Accreditation. This occurred in large part to the hard work and dedication of Jeannine Gluck and Robin Hassig. They have also taken their charge nationwide. Their continuing efforts will not be diminished nor overshadowed by formation of this task force.

The following ten members comprise the Hospital Library Task Force:

A meeting will be planned later this Fall to discuss pressing issues and to devise a plan to conduct a Hospital Library Evaluation workshop.

DOCLINE Release 2.2

DOCLINE 2.2 was released into production on August 3, 2004. This was a minor release of the software and does not entail major changes in functionality.

For the posted release notes: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/docline/docline_rel_info_v2_2.html

There has been one glitch following the release: a small number of users have noticed a scripting error in "Lend". NLM has received confirmation from an IE 6 (browser) user that clearing the proxy server cache resolves the problem. IE 5.0x users are advised to upgrade their PC's to use the IE 6 browser and to also clear their proxy server cache. If anyone continues to experience a problem after these steps are taken, please fill out a "Report a Problem" form in DOCLINE.

OCLC-SERHOLD Batch Update Program

So far 49 libraries nationwide have signed up for the OCLC-SERHOLD Batch Update program. A procedure for starting the program will be detailed in a forthcoming Technical Bulletin. Libraries signing up for use of this program will have to contact OCLC directly to determine a file production schedule. NLM cannot overstress the importance of maintaining clean data in OCLC serial records before attempting to port them over to the DOCLINE system.

Level 2 SERHOLD Records

While we're on the subject of serials … NLM and the RML have recently established the goal to eliminate all encoding level 2 serial holdings from DOCLINE.

• Level 2 records are holdings records that are missing BOTH Volume AND Year.
• Level 3 records are holdings records that contain EITHER Volume OR Year.
• Level 2 records that are not upgraded to Level 3 (by adding Volume and/or Year) will be deleted by the system at the end of the calendar year.

Several DOCLINE participants have questioned whether this means that records with limited retention (such as those flagged with "latest 10 years") will need to altered. NO -- Records indicating limited retention will NOT be affected!

For an FAQ page link about serial title changes and encoding levels:

E-Journal Holdings in SERHOLD

Libraries that have negotiated e-journal licensing agreements which stipulate the option to provide copies of materials for ILL loans may consider adding these holdings as part of their SERHOLD records. Holdings records should be assigned the physical format -- "computer file, remote (cr)".

This is a rising trend among larger (resource) libraries; all libraries are encouraged to go over and re-read their e-journal subscription/licensing agreements in great detail before adding/updating their holdings in SERHOLD.

DOCLINE Statistical Reports

NLM has released DOCLINE quarterly statistical reports for April-June 2004, and report 1-8A, the Ranked List of Serial Titles Requested (July 2003 - June 2004.)

NETWORK NUMBERS (as of August 2004)

Former DOCLINE Participants

Many health care institutions are finding themselves caught at the crossroads, facing tough budget decisions in a climate of spiraling health care costs and consolidation. Sadly, the medical library is all too often one of the early casualties of attrition, resulting in either a diminution in function or elimination of an entire cost center.

Below is a listing of former NER network members that at one time participated in DOCLINE but have since elected to remove their participation.

NER

NEW MEMBERS

Let us ring in and welcome new members to the NER - libraries that have joined the NN/LM network since the beginning of May 2004!

HELP? ADVICE? QUESTIONS?

Please contact Mark at the RML:
508-856-5964 -or- mark.goldstein@umassmed.edu.