ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries February 1990 /1 0 7 This newsletter (ISSN 1046-3410) is published by ALA’s Association of Library Collections and Technical Services, Vendor-Library Relations Committee, Serials Pricing Issues Subcommittee. To subscribe via BITNET send the following one- line message to LISTSERV@UNCVX1: SUBSCRIBE PRICES-L your_full_name U pdegrove, D aniel (U PD EG R O V @ ED U - COM), Muſfo, John A. (IRM UFFO@VTVMl), Dunn, John A. Jr. (DUNN‹ŝ›TUFTS), “Electronic Mail and Networks: New Tools for Institutional Research and Planning.” July 1989, BITNET. This is an excellent introduction to e-mail and national networks, written for the beginner. The document includes tips on e-mail etiquette and specific suggestions for getting started. To obtain the file send the message: GET EMAILNET UPDEGR_D to LISTSERV@BITNIC ■ ■ R E SEARCH FORUM Bonnie, Gratch, editor BIOSIS Previews and psychological research By Bob Perdue Science Reference Librarian University o f West Florida and Chris Piotrowski Adjunct Professor o f Psychology University o f West Florida The literature in psychology is replete with ref­ erences to the advantages of m ulti-database searching in conjunction with P sycIN F O .1 Whereas PsycINFO and PsycALERT are the data­ bases of choice for psychology researchers, many other files have been shown to be highly relevant for information retrieval in the behavioral sci­ 1Chris Piotrowski and Bob Perdue, “Multi-Data- base Searching in Forensic Psychology,” Forensic Reports 1 (1988): 55-63; Linda K. Lewis, “Biblio­ graphic Computerized Searching in Psychology,” Teaching o f Psychology 13 (February 1986): 38-40; and Alice A. Brand, “Searching Multiple Indexes and Data Bases in the Behavioral Sciences: Which and How Many?” Behavioral and Social Sciences Librarian 1 (1979): 105-12. ences—including BIOSIS Previews.2 Although the potential usefulness of BIOSIS has been docu­ mented for the behavioral researcher, no studies have surveyed the extent of its present use in 2Bob Perdue, “BIOSIS Previews: Implications for Research on Behavioral Medicine,” Medical Reference Services Quarterly 7 (1988): 57-62; Nancy G. Bruce and Ann L. Farren, “Searching BIOSIS Previews in the Health Care Setting,” Medical Reference Services Quarterly 6 (1987): 17-37; Bob Perdue, “Personality Assessment On­ line Literature Retrieval Strategies,” Forensic Reports 1 (1988): 259-66; Larry S. Perry and Rich­ ard H. Dana, “Macroconceptual Analysis of Psy­ chological Literature: Online Computer Search Systems,” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 16 (1985): 354-62. 108 / C&RL News research related to psychology. The BIOSIS Previews database provides access to a wealth of behavioral literature as a result of indexing over 9,000 source journals as well as numerous monographs, books, and theses. In addi­ tion to the inclusion of many multi-disciplinary biomedical sources, more than 450 journals de­ voted exclusively to psychology and psychiatry are also indexed. The database now contains more than 6 million records dating back to 1969.3 Obviously, a file of this size and scope offers the psychological researcher a large potential pool of relevant schol­ arly information. As part of a larger national survey conducted in the fall of 1988, the authors asked database search­ ers whether they access BIOSIS for topics in psy­ chology. The sample included psychology database searchers from an average of four institutions in higher education in each state and the District of Columbia. Out of 200 survey Questionnaires, 130 3DIALOG Inform ation Services, DIALOG Database Bluesheets (Palo Alto, Calif.: DIALOG Information Services, 1988). were returned for a response rate of 65%. A com­ ments section afforded respondents an opportu­ nity to explain their use or lack of use of BIOSIS. This data provided further insights into factors affecting BIOSIS Previews usage for topics in psy­ chology. The results of our survey indicated that 24% of our respondents had used BIOSIS for psychology- related topics, while 76% had not. However, sev­ eral interesting observations were noted from the comments section. For example, online searchers use BIOSIS primarily for literature in animal be­ havior or where animals were designated as sub­ jects. Research dealing with physiology, psychobi­ ology, and neurotransmitters was also mentioned. Several respondents indicated that BIOSIS was informative in investigations on pharmaceuticals, effects of medications or drugs, as well as health- related issues. Interestingly, many respondents indicated that they were not aware that BIOSIS was a useful source for psychological topics. Our data indicate that many psychology data­ base searchers (over 75%) many be unaware of the Book review editor needed for College & Research Libraries The editor designate of College & Research Libraries invites nominations and applications for the volunteer position of book review editor for College & Research Libraries. The book review editor will serve through the editor’s three-year term. Applicants must be members of ALA and ACRL. Preferred qualifications include experience in academic libraries, evi­ dence of editing activity, and a knowledge of the issues confronting academic libraries and their parent institutions. The value of the work to other academic librarians is the primary re­ ward. However, the book review editor’s insti­ tution may receive the monographs reviewed in exchange for partial secretarial and indirect expenses. The position offers excellent experi­ ence for someone seeking a future editorial assignment. Nominations and resumes, with names of three references, may be sent to: Gloriana St. Clair, Editor Designate, College & Research Libraries, Library Administration, Oregon State University, Kerr Library 121, Corvallis, OR 97331-4501; (503) 737-3411; fax, (503) 737-3453; Bitnet, STCLAIRG%CC- MAIL@UCS.ORST.EDU.BITNET. Applica­ tions received by March 15 will receive first consideration. Letters Leadership To the Editor: Apropos of Richard M. Dougherty’s letter in C&RL News (October 1989, p.799), may I com­ ment for many librarians who have not found it possible to become active professionals? I happen to be a life member and was active before my retirement nine years ago. This is a luxury few can now afford. Our first responsibility as a profession is to in­ crease the salary scale of professional librarians. Secondly, we need to reduce the professional bu­ reaucracy at the national level, and the prolifera­ tion of meetings. Thirdly, membership dues keep going up to where the average librarian cannot afford to join (other organizations compete for his or her membership dollars). Finally, put the cost of journal subscriptions at a level that the average librarian can afford. Lower membership dues and less expensive journal subscriptions will attract more members, and future leaders, in our professional organiza­ tions. Only subsidized librarians can afford to at­ tend national conferences that cost the individual between $500 and $1,000. I believe that most librarians would prefer a democratic ALA to one that appears to be elitist.—H. Vail Deale, Director o f Libraries Emeritus, Beloit College. ■ ■ February 1990 /1 0 9 potential usefulness of BIOSIS as an adjunct to literature searching in the behavioral sciences. Although some respondents indicated they used BIOSIS for studies involving animal experiments, recent literature does suggest its usefulness to a wide range of applications in the field of psychol­ ogy. However, the relatively higher cost of access­ ing BIOSIS in relation to other useful files, such as Medline or ERIC, may mitigate against its use. The relatively low use of BIOSIS for psychology research may also be a reflection of the lack of marketing and availability of basic information on its potential usefulness to behavioral science li­ brarians. Specialized workshops, professional pub­ lications, and commentary in Bio Search could be an effective method of promoting its value to re­ searchers pursuing topics in psychology. BIOSIS would thus attain a higher visibility among end- users. ■ ■ IN N O V A TIO N S Humor and creativity: Library committees By Norman D. Stevens Director The Molesworth Institute In my initial introduction to what has turned out to be a longer than anticipated series of short pieces on contemporary library humor and, to a lesser degree, creativity, I commented on some of the virtues of humor in the library workplace. One of those virtues, I suggested, was the extent to which the development of an inbred sense of humor among the members of the committees that so dominate the life of most academic libraries helped alleviate the tedium of committee work. Indeed one of my few and fondest recollections of serving as chair of the University of Connecticut Libraries’ MRAP (Management Review and Analysis Pro­ gram) Committee foisted off on us by ARL’s newly established Office of Management Studies in the early 1970s is of the light-hearted approach to our work that safely carried us through to a successful conclusion. I am sure that I still have buried in my files somewhere the extensive list of alternative adjectives to express varying degrees of confidence in our conclusions that we developed as a handy— but never applied—guide to the editing of our final report. Much, if not all, of that internal committee humor is so inbred that it makes little sense to outsiders even in the same library. Nor is most of it published or distributed very widely so it is among the scarcest kinds of library humor. Not to worry. Committees have become so prevalent as a way of life in academic libraries and library associations and organizations that there is no lack of independent outside hum or addressing the serious impact that committees have on our inability to get our real work done. Unfortunately few of us have either the power or the wisdom demonstrated by one of our best-known and best- beloved college librarians who has firmly told his staff that he is available to attend committee meet­ ings only before lunch. The widespread adoption of WAM’s Law of Creativity—I hesitate to give him the full credit he is due for fear it will lead to censure by the ACRL Committee on Commit­ tees—would do more to increase productivity in academic libraries than any other step we might take.