From 1 May 2002 the majority of databases in the Electronic Library (ELIB) suite will be available only from the Windows Terminal Service (WTS) desktop. WTS is available to any member of UCL using the Information Systems Managed Service or their own standalone machines. Information on installing ELIB on non-managed machines is available. Those few databases which for technical reasons cannot be transferred to the WTS service will remain accessible (though not updated) from the Windows 3.1 desktop until such date as this service is withdrawn by UCL Information Systems. Further information from the Group Manager for IT Services.
Library Services has carried out a survey into the use of journals at UCL. The aim is to gather information about patterns of usage and to obtain views on such issues as the usefulness of electronic journals and the priority that should be given to binding recent issues. A preliminary e-mail survey (asking respondents to list up to five comments about UCL's journals provision and how it might be improved) was followed by a questionnaire based on these initial replies. Some 500 academic staff, NHS employees and postgraduate students took the trouble to complete and return this and the results are currently being analysed. The survey will be a significant factor in future decisions about priorities and resources and the findings will be featured in the next issue. Further information is available from the Group Manager for Bibliographic Services.
The refurbishment of the Main Library, which was planned for this summer, has been postponed. It is hoped that the work will now take place in the summer of 2003. Further information from the Group Manager for Planning & Resources.
The Chancellor of the University of London, Princess Anne, officially visited UCL in March to open the refurbished Science Library.