WISER coming up: SOLO, African Studies and Online Resources for Historians

Next week’s WISER sessions cover finding materials using SOLO, information resources for African Studies and the first in a series of workshop on online resources for historians…

WISER: Finding Stuff – Books etc on SOLO (Tuesday 31 May 9.30 – 10.30am)   – A general introduction to finding books and journal titles in Oxford libraries using SOLO.  Presenter: Angela Carritt.  Book your place online.  (Please note that this session will be repeated on 9 June)

WISER: Information Sources for African Studies (Tuesday 31 May 10.45 – 12.00 noon)- This session will introduce key information sources for African Studies. You will be shown useful finding tools to locate relevant material via SOLO and how to search them, as well as important portals and gateways to libraries and archives of online primary texts. There will be time for a brief hands-on at the end.
Presenters: Sarah Rhodes and Lucy McCann.  Book your place online.

WISER: Online Resources for Historians (Wednesday 1 June 9.30-10.45) – A general introduction to the vast range of electronic resources which are available for all historical periods for British and West European history including bibliographical databases, biographical and reference research aids, ebooks and ejournals, web portals, and collections of online primary source materials.  
Presenter Isabel Holowaty.   Book your place online.

WISER Online Resources for Historians is the first in a series of WISER workshops focussing on History. To find out more see the BodWISER blog, and keep an eye out for the WISER session on US History resources later in June.

Not a current member of Oxford University? – If you are not a current member of Oxford university, you can book your places by emailing usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk quoting your Bodleian Libraries card number. 

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk, follow  us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser  or visit the BodWiser blog at http://bodwiser.wordpress.com.

Round-up of other upcoming training and information resources sessions

Change of date for WISER: Online Resources for Historians session
Due to an unavoidable clash of commitments, the WISER session on Online Resources for Historians has had to be moved from the afternoon of Wednesday 8th June to the morning of Wednesday 1st June. Many apologies for any inconvenience caused.

The new details are as below:
WISER: Online Resources for Historians
Wednesday 1 June 09:30-10:45
A general introduction to the vast range of electronic resources which are available for all historical periods for British & W European history: bibliographical databases, biographical / reference research aids, ebooks & ejournals, web portals, and collections of online primary source materials.
Presenter: Isabel Holowaty
OUCS – Book Here 

Thesis Fair for 2nd year History Undergraduates
Thursday 19 May, 14:00-16:00 – Exam Schools

The Fair aims to help 2nd year History Undergraduates:

  • explore what source materials and information resources (archival, print and electronic) are available in Oxford libraries;
  • meet local experts for further discussion;
  • learn about useful tips and tools;
  • browse among stalls to learn about Oxford’s rich collections as well as attend brief talks;
  • find information at your own pace and together with local experts jointly explore information resources and finding tools.

Timetable of talks:

  • Top 10 Tips from a Student survivor @ 14:30

The stalls will include medieval and early modern sources, modern political papers, US History, collections in the HFL and college libraries & archives, and many more. There will also be stalls on how to make the most of IT and web tools.

Come and along and get some ideas for your dissertation!

For details of further useful courses this term, including the Information Skills Minimum Kit and RefWorks, please see the History Faculty Library Undergraduate Training page.  

Make: Together – textual scholarship in the twenty-first century
Monday 23 May, 12:30-13.30
This session looks at how humanities researchers can build a digital environment for their own projects. It examines some of the database and programming tools that are available, and most importantly, how a purpose built digital environment can enhance the process of understanding texts. It is based on the work of two DPhil students in history who will demonstrate how they are using such technology to study medieval manuscripts and charters.
OUCS – Further details and bookings (Ox users)

WISER coming up: maps and manuscripts

Next week Bodleian Libraries will be running WISER workshops on using maps and mapping to present spatial data and on the Bodleian’s manuscript collections:

WISER: Maps and Mapping (Wednesday 25 May 1.45 – 3.15pm) – Many areas of research use spatial data and digital mapping is an ideal way to present it.  This presentation will cover both web based resources (online map collections etc) and the digital mapping facilities available in the Bodleian. The course will include a short demonstration of MapInfo and a brief introduction to using it.
Presenter: Debbie Hall.  Book your place online at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZF7

WISER: Manuscripts (Wednesday 25 May 3.30 – 5.00pm) – This session will give an introductory overview of the rich heritage collections preserved in the Bodleian. This session will also help readers to locate relevant material and describe the procedures for access and getting assistance.
Presenters: Mike Webb.  Book your place online at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZWP

Not a current member of Oxford University? – If you are not a current member of Oxford university, you can book your places by emailing usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk quoting your Bodleian Libraries card number. 

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk, follow  us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser  or visit the BodWiser blog at http://bodwiser.wordpress.com

WISER and other training sessions for Trinity Term

The programme of WISER and Refworks sessions for Trinity Term is now available on the Bodleian Libraries’ website. Sessions of particular interest to Americanists this term include:

  • Refworks for Humanities: Wednesday 18th May, 2.00pm-5.00pm
  • Online resources for Historians: Wednesday 8th June, 2.00pm-3.15pm
  • Sources for US History: Wednesday 8th June, 3.30pm-5.00pm

There will also be the usual sessions on ‘finding stuff’, as well as sessions on reference management and getting information to come to you.  You can book for all the sessions via the website and OUCS.

Full schedule for Trinity Term

In addition to these sessions, the History Faculty Library is running a couple of additional sessions on specific resources relevant for US history:

Early modern history: Discover Early English Books Online (EEBO)
Friday 17 June (week 7), 14:15-15:30 – BOOK HERE
EEBO is an important database of early printed books from 1475-1700. If you need tracts, texts and pamphlets written in Britain and colonial America in this time, then this hands-on session will show how to search, manipulate and print the text.
Presenter: Rebecca Price (ProQuest)
IT Room, History Faculty, George Street

Read all about it!: Making the most of online Historical Newspapers
Monday 20 June (week 8), 14:00-15:15 – BOOK HERE
Join this session to get an introductory overview of the ProQuest Historical Newspapers database. This course covers the content, functions, and features of, as well as tips for using, ProQuest Historical Newspapers such as The Guardian/Observer, The Scotsman, The Irish Times and The Washington Post.
Presenter: Rebecca Price (ProQuest)
IT Room, History Faculty, George Street

WISER coming up: Bibliometrics

WISER: Bibliometrics I – Who’s citing you?
Wednesday 9 March 14.00-15.00
An introduction to citation tracking as a tool for finding out who has cited your work.  We will cover citation tracking using Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar and will include time for you to use each tool to find citations to your own work.
Presenters: Juliet Ralph and Angela Carritt.
Book your place at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZD19

WISER: Bibliometrics II – The Black Art of Citation Ranking
Wednesday 9 March 15.15-16.15
An introduction to using bibliometrics to calculate research impact. Using Web of Science & Scopus discover the pitfalls of impact factors for individuals and departments, how to calculate your h-index and view journal impact factors to find the most influential journals.  Intended audience: science and social science. If you are unfamiliar with citation tracking please attend “WISER: Who’s citing you?” before this course.
Presenters: Juliet Ralph and Angela Carritt.
Book your place at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZD14

Not a current member of Oxford University? – If you are not a current member of Oxford university, you can book your WISER places by emailing usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk quoting your Bodleian Libraries card number. 

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser or visit the BodWiser blog at http://bodwiser.wordpress.com?

WISER coming up: Finding stuff, Getting information to come to you, Languages and Maps

Next week there is a packed WISER schedule:

WISER Finding Stuff (Tuesday 22 February) is a series of four sessions designed to help you find materials for your research and learning in print and online. Attend the whole series or pick and mix the sessions you would like to attend from:

WISER Finding Stuff: Books etc on SOLO  (presented by Penny Roberts) – Tuesday 22 Feb 9.15-10.15.  Booking @ http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZWA
WISER Finding Stuff: Articles (presented by Kerry Webb) – Tuesday 22 Feb 10.15-11.15. Booking @ http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZW3
WISER Finding Stuff: Theses and Dissertations (presented by Jayne Plant) – Tuesday 23 Feb 11.30-12.30. Booking @ http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZW4
WISER Finding Stuff: Conferences (presented by Sue Bird and James Shaw) – Tuesday 23 Feb 12.30-1.30 http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZW5

You can find more information about WISER Finding stuff on the BodWiser blog at http://tinyurl.com/64cg2wg.

WISER Getting information to come to you (Thursday 24 February 9.15-10.45)  –  This session will show you how to set up alerts to journals, databases and websites, so that you receive notifications when new content is added. Participants will have the opportunity to set up feed readers and/or email notifications during the session.  More information at http://tinyurl.com/6dazcwt.   Presenters: Jane Rawson and Penny Schenk.   Booking @  http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZD20

WISER: Learning a Modern Language (Thursday 24 February 11.00-12.15) – This session will help you find valuable resources for learning modern languages and make use of the language you are learning in your searches.  We will: find tools for non-latin writing systems, search non-English search engines, and use resources offered by Oxford and from referential sites  Presenter: Lucile Deslignères. Booking @ http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZD17

WISER Maps and Mapping (Friday 25 February 12.30-1.30) – Many areas of research use spatial data and digital mapping is an ideal way to present it.  This presentation will cover both web based resources (online map collections etc) and the digital mapping facilities available in the Bodleian.   Presenter:  Debbie Hall.  This is a repeat of the 11 Feb session. Booking @ http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZF7

Not a current member of Oxford University? – If you are not a current member of Oxford university, you can book your WISER places by emailing usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk quoting your Bodleian Libraries card number.

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk, follow  us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser  or visit the BodWiser blog at http://bodwiser.wordpress.com?

WISER coming up: Ebooks and maps

Next week Bodleian Libraries will be running the following WISER workshops:

WISER: E-Books
Wednesday 16 February 2.00-3.00
An overview of what is currently available and how to access them from the point of view of the student, the researcher and the academic.
Presenter: Hilla Wait
To book your place: Current members of the University – please book at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZC4. Non University members – please email usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk quoting your Bodleian Libraries card number

WISER: E-Book Readers
Wednesday 16 February 3.00-4.00
How useful are e-book readers in academic work? Can they be used for accessing library materials? What are the features to look out for when considering purchase?  These and similar questions will be considered with particular reference to the i-Pad, the Amazon Kindle and Sony Touch e-readers and smartphones.
Presenter: Hilla Wait
To book your place:  Current members of the University –  please book at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZE11 .  Non University members – please email usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk  (quoting your Bodleian Libraries card number

WISER Maps and Mapping
For those who did not manage to book a place on the session scheduled for 11 February which booked up very quickly, we will be running a repeat on Friday 25 February. Please book your place at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZF7 (or email usered:@bodleian.ox.ac.uk)

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk, follow  us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser or visit the BodWiser blog at http://bodwiser.wordpress.com?

WISER coming up: Maps and mapping

WISER Maps and Mapping 
Many areas of research use spatial data and digital mapping is an ideal way to present it.  This presentation will cover both web based resources (online map collections etc) and the digital mapping facilities available in the Bodleian. 
Presenter:  Debbie Hall 
To book your place:
Current members of the University – please book at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZF7  
Non University members – please email usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser.

WISER coming up: Reference Management

Bodleian Libraries will be running the  workshop “WISER: Technology Tools – Reference Management” on  Wednesday 2 February (week  3).  More details…

WISER: Technology Tools – Reference Management
Wednesday 2 February 2.00-5.00
Choosing a reference management package can be tricky. This session introduces the two market leaders, RefWorks and Endnote and two popular free packages, Zotero and Mendeley.  We will discuss some of the pros and cons of each package and factors to consider when making a choice. Participants will also have opportunities to try out the different packages.
Presenters:  Ljilja Ristic, Oliver Bridle and Angela Carritt
Book your place:
University members – please book your place @ http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZW6.
Non university members –  please book your place by emailing usered@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

To find out about more Reference Management sessions taking place during Hilary Term please see “All you need to know about reference management” on the BodWiser blog.

Why not join our WISER mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser.

Refworks course, Monday 17 January

RefWorks for Sciences and Social Sciences (Monday 17 January 2.00-5.00 pm)
RefWorks is an online reference management tool which allows you to manage your references, insert them into your work, automatically generate bibliographies and easily switch between citation styles. This introduction to RefWorks is open to everyone but the section on importing references will focus on Science and Social Science examples.
Presenter: Nia Roberts.
To book your place:  http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TDBL

To find out about more Reference Management sessions taking place during Hilary Term please see “All you need to know about reference management” on the BodWiser blog (http://bodwiser.wordpress.com).

This term’s WISER programme will commence in week 3. Check out the WISER programme at http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/wiser and book your places.  Why not join our mailing list by sending an empty email to wiser-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oxwiser.