Web site gives desktop access to NCAR Library services

NCAR reference librarians Leslie Forehand and Gayl Gray will take local users on a "tour" of the NCAR Library web site upon request. Call (303) 497-1180 to arrange a demonstration.

The world of scientific and computing literature is now at hand through the NCAR Library web site. We created this site to provide desktop access to library catalogs, literature data bases, and NCAR Library services from a single web location.

You can explore the NCAR Library catalog, NOLA (NCAR Library On-line Access), from the site. Here you'll find descriptions of materials in a collection that has been built around the research needs of the atmospheric science community. NOLA describes all types of literature found in the library including journals, technical reports, maps, and weather data. Once in the catalog, you can use your employee- or library-assigned ID to request that items you locate be sent to your office.

What if the item you want doesn't appear in the catalog? From the library web site, select "Zap." Here you can place an order for an interlibrary loan; we will locate and borrow the item for your temporary use.

If you're looking for journal article descriptions, click on "UnCover." This is a free database containing descriptions of a large proportion of the articles published in journals over the last ten years. Enter the name of an author, or keywords describing a specific title or subject. You will see all citations pertinent to your description.

Any NCAR/UCAR staff member can use the Library web site on a regular basis as a practical tool for finding literature or information. Foothills reference librarian Leslie Forehand or I can meet with you by appointment to further elaborate on the web site. We've been presenting one-on-one demos in staff offices over the past six months and have now introduced the web site to more than 150 NCAR and UCAR employees.

The Library web site provides access to numerous literature data bases as well as many catalogs and library services. A demo can help you learn which of these will most serve you needs and how these sources can be used to best advantage.

For further information, contact the Library by e-mail or via the web site. If you are a local user, call (303) 497-1180 to arrange a demonstration.