Some Thoughts on the Demise of the Client Version of Scifinder Scholar

If I remember correctly it was in 1999 when NJIT first subscribed to Scifinder Scholar (SFS) when it was only available in the client version.  Before then students and faculty had to discuss their chemistry related searches with me.  I would have to access Chemical Abstracts via STN and do the search after 5 PM to get the 80% academic discount.

SFS was the only database that was not on the web while our subscription was limited to two simultaneous users.  I remember walking over to the labs and installing it on computers and demonstrating it to promote its usage and unique features.  I regularly received frantic phone calls and e-mails stating that the database did not work.  Usually the searcher neglected to download the site.prf or placed it in the wrong directory.  CAS regularly changed the version of the client software necessitating searchers to download it and override the older version which eventually became obsolete.  Since many researchers used the database infrequently, they could not search with an older version of the software.

The community of chemical information professionals made a case to CAS for a web version of SFS.  I must compliment CAS for always being responsive to its customers.  It was in 2007 or 2008 when the web version of SFS became a reality offering many new enhancements.  I encouraged NJIT users of SFS to make the transition to the web.  I made a unilateral decision to take away the client version, but too many researchers insisted that I reinstate the client version which they felt was faster. My opinion was that the only advantage to the client was the faster access, but the special features of the web version were more important than speed.  I compromised and allowed one user for the web and one for the client.

During the summer of 2010 CAS announced that the client would be discontinued on June 30, 2011.  My users insisted that I provide access to the client until the very last day (today).

I shed no tears for the demise of the client software.  We all must move on and adopt the latest technology.  After making several announcements I am wondering when I will get the first phone call or e-mail asking "What happened to Scifinder?"

Do Patrons of Chat Reference Know They Are Chatting with a Librarian?

QANDANJ obvious means questions and answers from New Jersey people.  Many times I feel that the patron thinks he/she can get an answer about anything.  Very often they don't realize they are talking to a librarian.  For the question below I referred the patron to the divorce laws in New Jersey and Alabama, but suggested that an attorney be consulted.  She seemed satisfied with the information I gave her.

Patron:
09:33:03 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Chat Transcript: Divorce
Librarian 1:
09:33:03 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Note: Patron's screen name: bigbrowneyes57
Librarian 1:
09:33:15 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Librarian 'NJ INSTofTECH Bruce' has joined the session.
Librarian 1:
09:33:46 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Hi, I'm Bruce Slutsky, a librarian at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Your library and my library are part of a nationwide cooperative of libraries that staff this service. I'm reading your question now.
Librarian 1:
09:34:12 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Dorothy - what specifically do you need to know about divorce?
Patron:
09:35:00 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) I would like to get a divorce;however, I am not sure that I am even this married.I got married 35 years ago to a man I only stayed with 3 months.I have not seen this man since June of 1976 am I still legally married?
Librarian 1:
09:35:51 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) May I assume this is in New Jersey?
Patron:
09:36:14 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) No it was in the state of Alabama.
Librarian 1:
09:36:49 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Let me see if I can find the divorce laws for the states of Alabama and new Jersey
Librarian 1:
09:36:56 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Are you living in New Jersey now?
Patron:
09:37:51 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Yes I am.I've lived here since May,2004 in Asbury Park.
Librarian 1:
09:39:04 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Here is a web site about divorce law in Alabama http://www.divorceinfo.com/alabamalaw.htm
Librarian 1:
09:40:17 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Here is a web site about divorce law in New Jersey http://www.njlawnet.com/njlawreview/divorceoverview.html
Librarian 1:
09:40:59 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Here is another site http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/NJ/njdivexpln.htm
Librarian 1:
09:42:02 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) I am a librarian and do not feel qualified to answer this question
Librarian 1:
09:42:23 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) I suggest you consult with an attorney who specializes in Divorce
Librarian 1:
09:43:55 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) This site is a partial list of divorce lawyers near Asbury Park http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIC_enUS321US367&q=divorce+site%3anj.gov#q=divorce+lawyers+asbury+park+new+jersey&hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIC_enUS321US367&prmd=ivnscm&source=univ&tbm=plcs&tbo=u&ei=1UIDTue-AYXq0gHVoJDhDQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CFsQtQMwAA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=5a678f6409ce1751&biw=1259&bih=792
Librarian 1:
09:47:09 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) I am sorry, but I can't be of further assistance to you
Patron:
09:47:15 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Thank you so much Mr.Bruce Slutsky.I have met and fallen in love with a very wonderful man and I want to become his wife,but I want to make sure that I am legally able to do this first.Thanks a million for all the feedback,as I really appreciate it.
Librarian 1:
09:47:34 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Bye
Librarian 1:
09:47:36 2011/06/23 (GMT -0400) Librarian ended chat session

Adjunct Faculty are certainly an asset to universities

As I returned from vacation I recieved an email from one of my favorite adjuncts in the chemistry department stating that for health reasons he is resigning.  After retiring as a research director of a major chemical company, he came to NJIT to teach.  He taught here for 10 years.  Adjuncts bring to the university expertise and experience that faculty members don't have.  Since salaries for adjuncts are low good people from industry often don't want to teach. It is important for retirees to be active so teaching is a very good option.  Most of my expereinces with adjuncts as a librarian at NJIT have been positive.  They are certainly an asset.

Unrealistic Expectations of Chat Reference

This had to be the most complex question that I ever received on chat reference.

I'm trying to do some research on a substrate similar to particleboard. I'm interested in looking into tests for changes in humidity and swelling. The hardest part is finding allowable values. I have a sheet from the Herman Miller standards from 07/29/87 and it mentions water stability. It gives a few percentages for maximum allowable expansion and absorption. There is also a TM Number, TM-2205. I wasn't sure if that could be a manual or test standard number. If so, I would be very interested in getting a copy. The values don't mean much if I don't know how to test them. I was also wondering if Herman Miller has published other standards since 1987. ASTM withdrew a few humidity standard as of 2001, so I want something as recent as possible. I'm specifically looking for quality assurance for particleboard when used as a work surface or table top.

Below is the transcript from this chat session.  What was most frustrating was that the chat was a "one way street."  I received no responses from him as I sent him information.  I suggested that he make an appointment the engineering librarian at his school and work at length on how to find the desired information.

Hi, I'm Bruce Slutsky, a librarian at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Your library and my library are part of a nationwide cooperative of libraries that staff this service. I'm reading your question now.
Bruce Slutsky:
09:33:16 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) Sam, this is a very complex question. There is only so much that we can do in chat reference. We can guide you through the research process, but can not do extensive research through chat. Let me see if I can find some information about standards by Herman Miller
Bruce Slutsky:
09:35:26 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) Would this web site be of interest to you/ http://www.hermanmiller.com/Design-Resources/Materials/Quality-Standards ? Is this the same Herman Miller?
Bruce Slutsky:
09:39:13 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) A did a search in the ASTM standards database on humidity http://www.astm.org/search/standards-search.html?query=humidity&searchType=standards-summary Perhaps you should look at this answer set
Bruce Slutsky:
09:40:38 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) I did the same for swelling http://www.astm.org/search/standards-search.html?query=swelling&searchType=standards-summary#62858837
Bruce Slutsky:
09:49:10 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) Chat reference should be a two way street. It is very frustrating for me not to hear back from you.
Bruce Slutsky:
09:50:32 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) I suggest you make an appointment with  the engineering Librarian at your university .
Bruce Slutsky:
09:50:44 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) I hope that what I have sent you is useful
Bruce Slutsky:
09:50:48 2011/06/09 (GMT -0400) Librarian ended chat session.

Some Thoughts on the Summer Session

Let's turn the clock back to the historical summer of 1969.  Since this is a professional blog I won't discuss the cultural history of that era.  I was an  chemistry undergraduate student at City College at that time and took two summer session courses.  One was in basic economics while the other was an introduction to sociology.  Back then advice was given to me not to take a course in my major over the summer.

Summer session courses are very concentrated.  Even though the number of class hours is the same as those during a normal Fall or Spring Semester the professor just can not cover the same amount of material.  This situation is true today at NJIT.  There are relatively few course offered.  I assume that some students chose summer classes so their class load are less during the normal semesters.  It must be difficult to concentrate on studyng when the weather is so hot.  Fortunately, the classrooms are air conditioned.

NJIT will close on Fridays during the summer

This is the last Friday that NJIT will be open until late August.  There are no classes scheduled on Friday and the university administration reports that $200,000/year is saved in energy costs by working a Monday - Thursday schedule.  We are required to work 30 hours over the 4 days.

A few professors and one graduate student complained to me the research productivity declines due to a 4 day schedule.