Math Library News

Syllabi Central

Syllabi Central is an SIS application for the storage and display of class syllabi. It features an intuitive web site that makes it easy for faculty or administrators to upload a syllabus. Links to these syllabi are included in University applications such as Course Listings to make it easy for students to see a syllabus when they are searching for courses. Students want to be able to review a syllabus for courses they are considering taking. Syllabi are rarely available three to four months in advance when students are preparing for registration, but by accessing an archive of past syllabi, students can make better informed decisions about courses in which they are interested. Other benefits of a central syllabi archive are:

• A resource for departments/schools during accreditation and curriculum planning.
• A resource for subject librarians and other course staff in helping faculty with course materials and planning.
• A resource for University archivists.
• A resource for new faculty.
• An easy way for faculty to distribute the syllabus to a class (every syllabus has a unique URL).

Syllabi Central can be used by faculty, TAs, course staff, and WUCRSL administrators. They are automatically linked to the courses for which they are responsible. I can add current or past syllabi to the system for you if you wish; just email it to me, rlewis@wustl.edu. Default is open access, so specify if you want it available to WU users only.

Upcoming classes and Taste of Technology fair

Upcoming classes from the library: Twitter, Prezi, Zotero, and more -- http://wulibraries.doattend.com/.

Taste of MOBILE Technology: Come enjoy the buffet of mobile services offered by the Libraries at the Taste of Mobile Technology Fair, Tuesday, September 13, 2011, noon-2 pm at the Danforth University Center (DUC). Technology tastings will feature information on library services accessible through mobile devices such as the iPad, netbooks, and various Smartphones. Come learn about new tech tools and register for upcoming workshops! Feel free to stop by the Fair anytime noon-2. This event is open to the entire University community. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration not required for the Taste of Mobile Technology.

Upcoming changes for printing and copying in the libraries

Sometime before July 1, printing and copying equipment and procedures will change in the libraries:
    - B/W printing, color printing or copying for WU folks will be on new equipment and will use the PaperCut system which is already available in many other locations on campus.
    - Payment will be via WU Campus Card system or printing allowances from various programs.
    - Printing jobs created in libraries can be printed in dorms or other locations on campus (and vice versa).
    - Info about PaperCut system from Arts & Sciences; allowances will vary in other programs.
    - Additional free scanners will be added throughout the libraries.
    - Visitor printing and copying will no longer be available; visitors can get temporary workstation accounts and use scanners.
More information, such as how to get refunds on unused copycard balances, will be available later as this system is implemented.

Taste of Technology, Feb. 2

Taste of Technology sampling tables will be available in Olin Library lobby, Wednesday, Feb. 2, noon-4. Stop by to sample newer gadgets such as the iPhone, iPad, netbooks, and many more. You will also have the opportunity to learn about new tech tools, as well as register for upcoming technology training.

MathJax implemented in Project Euclid

Project Euclid is now using MathJax to display math "the way the author intended" in 20 online journals. "Eventually MathJax will be used throughout Project Euclid." More info. MathSciNet also uses MathJax.

Progress on digitizing world math literature

Not all of these are new but I thought these links, about ongoing projects on various digital mathematics libraries, were interesting:

• Specifics of Open Access Publishing and Retrodigitization in Mathematics: An Experience from DML-CZ and EuDML Projects 28 minutes video with Petr Sojka speaking
• DML Digital Mathematics Library
• World Digital Mathematics Library
• Towards Digital Mathematics Library DML-CZ (OCR of Mathematical Texts), by Petr Sojka [33 p. pdf]

MathSciNet now uses MathJax and includes PhD dissertations

The American Mathematical Society has been a sponsor of MathJax, open source software for displaying mathematical notation in modern browsers. As of October 12, MathSciNet is now using this.

• More info with example links [scroll down to What's New Oct. 12, 2010]
• MathJax demos page

Thanks to Drexelmath for the tip!

PhD dissertations are now included in MathSciNet also however they are only retrieved by author or author-related searches. WU example: MR2713386.

Upcoming classes in the library

--   Prezi Basics, Thursday, October 21, 3:00-4:30pm, Olin Library Arc Lab -- Tired of creating or seeing uninspired PowerPoint presentations? Ready to wow your colleagues by giving your next presentation some visual pizzazz? Come learn the basics of the new online presentation software, Prezi. Once you've use Prezi your presentations are sure to inspire presentation envy. Register for Prezi Basics. Please contact Miranda Rectenwald (mrectenwald@wustl.edu) for questions or more info regarding Prezi Basics.
--   RefWorks 2.0, The Savvy Researcher, Thursday, October 27, 3:30-4:30pm, Olin Library Arc Lab -- Refworks has a new look! Experienced Refworks users will learn about the new Refworks 2.0 interface and those new to Refworks will learn how use this research management, writing and collaboration tool. Come find out how to save time keeping track of references and generating bibliographies. The best part is that Refworks is FREE because the Library has purchased it for you! Register for RefWorks 2.0. Please contact Sarah Bombich (sbombich@wustl.edu) for questions or more info regarding RefWorks 2.0.
--   Screencasting with screenr, Thursday, November 18, 3:00-4:00pm , Olin Library Arc Lab -- Have you ever spent a long time writing a detailed answer to a question about how to use software or an electronic resource? And when you were done, even YOU were confused? Try making a short video of your screen instead using screenr. In this class, you will find out how to create screen-captures (videos of your computer actions) and share them online in less than 5 minutes. Register for Screencasting with screenr. Please contact Sarah Bombich(sbombich@wustl.edu) for questions or more info regarding Screenr Training.

WUSTL Directory for Firefox or IE Search box

If you loaded the Firefox search plug-in for the WUSTL Directory, you will need to upgrade so it will continue to work. Installation information is available at http://dbrews.com/search.html. It works for Firefox or IE browsers.

ProfHacker

ProfHacker is a group blog from the Chronicle of Higher Education, delivering "tips, tutorials, and commentary on pedagogy, productivity, and technology in higher education, Monday through Friday." It's freely available and includes good tips of all kinds regularly. I sometimes find the comments just as useful as the posts. There are lots of ways to follow this; at the web site, through its own feed http://chronicle.com/blog/ProfHacker/27/rss) which you can add to your favorite RSS reader. It's also included in the Wired Campus emails or RSS. Some recent posts include:
Automating Research with Google Scholar Alerts
Using Mendeley for Research Management
Letting Us Rip: Our New Right to Fair Use of DVDs | Information on the New DMCA Exemptions [not from ProfHacker but more info on this topic: Reading the Fine Print]