A quiet transformation for the RSM Library
Amidst the chaos and disruption caused by Covid-19, the RSM Library is undergoing a quiet digital transformation. Across the education sector the move to remote learning has brought into focus the need for robust access to rich electronic resources to support learning and research.
During the lengthy enforced closure of the RSM’s physical premises, the library team grasped the opportunity to accelerate the development of new digital resources that bring significant potential to widen access to research and embed learning for RSM members.
Here’s a run-down of the new resources already available:
Library Search Hub
The Library Search Hub, launched in November, brings together all the expert search functionality the medical researcher might need. A single search in the hub will retrieve results from databases including Clinical Key, articles from the library’s extensive portfolio of subscription e-journals, and chapters from thousands of e-books within our curated collection. After a few clicks to refine the search, an article is delivered, ready to read.
Whether you’re browsing your favourite journals or working on a specific research project the Library Search Hub offers an integrated and streamlined service to all, at any time and from any device.
BrowZine
How does the digital researcher – who might also be a busy clinician – keep up to date with the huge volume of papers published by the medical journals? This is where BrowZine steps in, by delivering the latest issues of the leading journals in your specialty to an electronic bookshelf on your PC or laptop. There are instant alerts to new articles and you can read offline on a mobile or tablet. You can find BrowZine on the Library Search Hub, along with our handy guide to accessing BrowZine.
Online courses
From January 2021, RSM members will have access to KargerLEARN, a suite of 15 online courses covering all aspects of academic research and writing for publication. From drafting your research paper to choosing the right journal for your research, the step-by-step tutorials will guide you through the scholarly publishing process to becoming an accomplished author for leading journals, such as the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Live interactive webinars will accompany the tutorials offering delegates the opportunity to pose questions to an expert panel. Register your interest in these courses by emailing library@rsm.ac.uk.
2021 and beyond
Supporting RSM members to use the library’s e-resources and enhancing the digital researcher’s experience will continue to be a core aim for the Society during 2021.
Investment in OpenAthens next year will provide a more consistent, robust and secure route through to the library’s e-journal content, allowing library users to spend more and better quality time on their learning and research when using RSM resources.
As libraries adapt and evolve to a post-pandemic world, supporting learning and enhancing research remain core to our purpose. In-person seminars and networking will doubtless remain vital to learning, but simplifying access to our library resources and creating a truly digital service for RSM members will remain the number one priority for the library team.