Technical Notes - e1

Impact of the NLM ILS on CATLINE® /AVLINE® /SERLINE® - e2

CANCERLIT® and PDQ® To Be Removed from the NLM Databases - Available from NCI's Web Site - e3

Introducing Internet Grateful Med Version 2.6 [corrected 1998/11/24] - e4

NLM Online Training Program - 1999 - e5

Gold Standard Search - e6

NLM Online Training Program - 1999

The new online training program and classes have been a huge success. What a difference a year makes! In 1997 NLM and the National Online Training Center trained about 450 searchers during the January-July time period. In 1998 we trained over 1,500 searchers during that same time period! That's a 200% increase.

And we are determined to try to reach those of you we missed this past year. The National Online Training Center conducted over 75 PubMed/Internet Grateful classes during the months of January through July 1998. Even with this large number of classes, there were cities and states in which the Center was unable to conduct training because of a lack of computer labs and facilities. The year of 1999 promises to be different.

In response to requests for training on the west coast, the trainers will be able to conduct classes in Hawaii, the San Francisco area, the San Diego area, the cities of Irvine and Sacramento, in addition to classes scheduled in Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland.

Some of the new sites added for the mid-section of the US, a site was added for the Detroit area, Albuquerque, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Denver, Columbus and Des Moines.

The eastern portion of the U.S. sees the addition of Morgantown, West Virginia, two sites in Pennsylvania - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

The 1999 training schedule along with the remainder of the 1998 classes may be found at the National Online Training Web site http://nnlm.gov/mar/online/

Classes Offered
We will continue to offer, at no charge, two classes for PubMed and Internet Grateful Med, and a class on the chemical and toxicological databases:

• Making the Transition: Converting to PubMed and Internet
  Grateful Med to Search NLM's Databases

This one-day class is designed for experienced MEDLARS or MEDLINE searchers. It is expected that students attending this class have familiarity with MEDLINE, MeSH vocabulary and Boolean logic. Those core topics are not covered in this Transition class. The class examines both the PubMed and Internet Grateful Med search interfaces. It includes information for "translating" functions used by experienced searchers, especially those using ELHILL command language, to methods used by these Web-based interfaces. There is no charge for this class.

• Introduction to Web-based Searching for the Librarian and
  Information Specialist: Using PubMed and Internet Grateful
  Med to Search NLM's Databases

This two-day class is designed for librarians and information specialists who are new to searching MEDLINE. This includes those who have never searched before, or the user with some searching experience but little prior knowledge of the MEDLINE database or the MeSH vocabulary. Students learn to search MEDLINE via both PubMed and Internet Grateful Med, with emphasis on areas specific to NLM databases, including the MeSH vocabulary, database fields and creation, and Boolean logic. There is no charge for this class.

• Chemical/Toxicology/TOXNET Specialized Module

This two-day class covers NLM's chemical and toxicology files, including TOXNET databases and assumes knowledge of the ELHILL command language. Both command language and the new TOXNET Web interface are now taught in these classes. There is no charge for this class. It is taught only at NLM in Bethesda, MD.

How to Apply
You may view the training class schedule and register online for classes at http://nnlm.gov/mar/online/.

Every attempt will be made to place training applicants in the class requested. If a class is filled, the applicants will be registered for their second choice, and also automatically placed on a waiting list for their first choice. Approximately one month prior to the class, registrants will receive a packet with information on hotels, local site arrangements and the class agenda. Information on location of training sites and links to many of the site's Web sites are also available from this Web site. Please note that all classes are considered "tentative" pending sufficient enrollment one month before the class.

Each person makes a difference
Our classes are in demand and usually fill rapidly, often creating a waiting list. In order to help us provide training opportunities to as many people as possible, if you register for a class and your plans change, please notify the National Online Training Center office. The more advance notice you give us, the more likely it is that someone else can take the space available. It is very disappointing to begin a class with empty chairs that could have been occupied. We are asking for your cooperation to help allow as many people as possible to benefit from this free training program.

Training Workbooks Available
PubMed and Internet Grateful Med training workbooks are available for downloading from the NLM's Web site. The workbooks are available in three formats: PDF, WordPerfect, and PostScript. These workbooks are not copyrighted. Feel free to use any part of the workbooks -- you may customize part of the workbook for training programs, demos, or workshops you conduct. Or you may use the workbooks as a self-training guide if you can't get to a class or your scheduled class is several months away. The workbooks are found at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/web_based.html

Questions/More Information
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the National Online Training Center or NLM Customer Service:

E-mail:

notc@nyam.org

custserv@nlm.nih.gov

Phone: National Online Training Center

800-338-7657 (press 2) or

212-822-7396

NLM Customer Service

888-FINDNLM

(888-346-3656)

Web Site: http://nnlm.gov/mar/online/

--prepared by Janet Zipser

MEDLARS Management Section

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