Technical Notes - e1

Searching POPLINE on Internet Grateful Med - e2

Highlights of the New Beta Version of PubMed - e3

MEDLINE Logs 10 Millionth Journal Citation - e4

NLM Online Training Program - 2000 - e5

Images from the History of Medicine - e6

Farewell to ELHILL - e7

September 30th and the end of public access to ELHILL are almost here; it's time to transition your searching to either PubMed or Internet Grateful Med (IGM), if you haven't already done this. We will continue offering the 1-day Transition class (for ELHILL searchers learning to use PubMed and IGM) through the end of the 1999 calendar year as we have already scheduled those classes. We are planning to offer a new class beginning in 2000 (to replace the Transition class) in addition to the 2-day Introduction class and the 1-day TOXNET on the Web class.

The 2000 training schedule along with the remainder of the 1999 classes may be found at the National Online Training Web site (http://nnlm.gov/mar/online/).

Classes Offered
Keeping Up with NLM's PubMed and the Next Generation Gateway
To replace the Transition class, we will offer a new 1-day class covering PubMed and the anticipated NLM Next Generation Gateway. For further information about the Gateway, see the March-April 1999 NLM Technical Bulletin article titled Next Generation Gateway (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/techbull/ma99/ma99_gateway.html). This class will be designed for the NLM searcher who has been searching the PubMed system but would like a refresher or an update on the newest enhancements and also wants to learn about the new NLM Next Generation Gateway expected in the coming months. It is expected that students attending this class have some knowledge and experience with PubMed searching. In addition, students should be familiar with MEDLINE, MeSH vocabulary and Boolean logic as these core topics will not be covered in this class. If you have never searched PubMed before, the 2-day Introduction class (described below) would be the appropriate class selection. There is no charge for this class.

Introduction to Web-based Searching: Using PubMed, Internet Grateful Med, and the NLM Next Generation Gateway to Search NLM's Databases
This 2-day class is designed for the searcher who is new to searching MEDLINE. This includes those who have never searched before, as well as users with some searching experience but little prior knowledge of the MEDLINE database or the MeSH vocabulary. Students learn to use both the PubMed and Internet Grateful Med search systems as well as NLM's Next Generation Gateway, 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.

TOXNET on the Web Specialized Module
This 1-day class is designed to convey the basics of searching the National Library of Medicine's TOXNET, a Web-based system of databases in the areas of toxicology, environmental health, and related subjects. Students will learn the content and structure of files covering toxicology data, toxicology literature, toxic releases, and chemical searching and nomenclature. Among the databases highlighted will be TOXLINE, the Hazardous Substances Data Bank, the Integrated Risk Information System, the Toxic Release Inventory, and ChemIDplus. There is no charge for this class and 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 the National Online Training Center Web site found at http://nnlm.gov/mar/online/.

Every attempt will be made to place training applicants in the class requested. If a class is filled, 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 the required minimum 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, please notify the National Online Training Center office if you have registered for a class and your plans change. The more advance notice you give us, the more likely it is that someone else can take the available space. 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
The training workbooks for the Introduction and Keeping Up classes are available for downloading from the NLM's Web site. The workbooks are available in two formats: PDF and WordPerfect. These workbooks are not copyrighted. Feel free to use any part of the workbooks -- you may customize the workbook for training programs, demos, or workshops you conduct. You might also want to 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.

Distance Education via the Web
A Web-based tutorial on PubMed is in development. It is expected to be available in early 2000. Later next year we also hope to experiment with desktop videoconferencing as yet another training alternative. It is anticipated that this technology can allow us to reach many of you on a frequent basis with short, timely presentations on new features, enhancements, or that most frequently asked topic. These videoconferences would be archived and available on the NLM Web site for viewing at a later date. Please stay tuned next year for upcoming details on both the PubMed Web-based tutorial and the videoconferencing experiment.

Questions/More Information
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the

National Online Training Center

notc@nyam.org

800-338-7657 (press 2) or

212-822-7396

or

NLM Customer Service:

custserv@nlm.nih.gov

888-FINDNLM (888-346-3656)

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

--prepared by Janet Zipser

MEDLARS Management Section

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