5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/4655


Contents

Sponsors		3
Acknowledgements		10
Welcome		11
Conference programme		12
Welcome messages
Prof R A Mogotlane, Vice Principal, University of Pretoria		15
Mr R Moropa, Acting Director, Academic Information Service, University of Pretoria		16
Prof N P J Kriek, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria		17
Keynote speakers
Dr Adi Paterson - Towards e-Research in South Africa		19
Mr Roy Page-Shipp - South African Research Information Service project		20
Prof B Rubidge - Catalogue to our past and clues for the future - what the fossil record tells us		21
Dr Glenda Myers - Evidence-based medicine (EBM); evidence-based-librarianship (EBL); and all that jazz		22
Contributed papers
Session 1: Library Products and Services
1. Patching the publicity disconnect: Promoting information resources and services to Ohio veterinary professionals MURPHY, S.A. ( Veterinary Medicine Library, Ohio State University, USA)		24
2. Providing current awareness and information support services during a national crisis : the role of the Pirbright Library during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK 2001 SHRIGLEY, S. (Library , Institute for Animal Health Laboratory, Pirbright, UK)		29
3. Client relationship marketing in the provision of animal health information: implications for librarians HADEBE, Z C. (Library, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)		33
4. Programme for agricultural information service (PRAIS) in the SADC countries VERSTER, E. (Library and Information Services, University of the Free State, SA)		37
5. Effectiveness of Sokoine National Agricultural Library in disseminating veterinary information SIFE, A.S. and CHILIMO, W. (Sokoine National Agricultural Library, Tanzania)		42
Sessions 2 & 3: E-Resources
6. African web-based animal health information LWOGA, E. T. and SIFE, A.S. ( Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania)		51
7 . Assessment of the utilisation of Makerere University electronic information resources by academic staff; challenges and prospects AGABA, D.M. ( Veterinary Medicine Library, Makerere University, Uganda)		57
8. Enhancing the use of electronic resources on a university library's website; herding electronic resources into subject groupings . CARRIGAN, E., SEWELL, R., WILSON, M.D.and HIGHSMITH, A. (Medical Sciences Library, Texas A& M University, USA)		63
9. Seamless library services using the Open URL syntax KING, P. (Kresge Library, The Scripps Research Institute, California, USA )		67
10. Towards a development and use of internet web and information communication technologies for veterinary medicine education in Nigeria. BABALOBI, T. (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria)		73
Session 4: Knowledge Management
11. Reconstructing knowledge about livestock management in southern Africa before colonisation. SWANEPOEL, D. and SNIJDERS, A. (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Library, SA)		82
12. From libraries to knowledge centres: transforming library services for the knowledge age. LAWRENCE, R. (Knowledge Resource Centre, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia)		90
13. Communities of practice in an academic library: a run on the wild side? VAN WYK, J (Academic Information Service, University of Pretoria, SA)		97
Session 5: The Web
14. Digital collections; introduction and development of a model for the collection and dissemination of scientific and technologic information in veterinary medicine and other fields. ZIMBA, H.F. and HARUN, M. (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique)		104
15. Herding tacit knowledge; the opportunity for real teamwork to digitise information resources in support of learning, teaching and research at the University of Pretoria. BREYTENBACH, A., GRIMBEEK, E., GROENEWALD, R., HARMSE, N. HAUPT, S. and SMITH, C. (Academic Information Service and Telematic Learning & Education Innovation, University of Pretoria, SA)		108
16. Portal business; the conception, production and marketing. COATES, L. (Zoological Society of San Diego Library, San Diego, California, USA)		116
17. Web portals for animal health; capturing and harnessing information and knowledge for the e-environment. LOURENS, A., COETSEE, T., BREYTENBACH, A. and VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, E. (Academic Information Service, Veterinary Science Library, University of Pretoria, SA)		119
Sessions 6 & 7: Role of the Information Specialist
18. Benchmarking; pathway to knowledge sharing. BURFORD, N. (Medical Sciences Library, Texas A&M University, USA)		126
19. Library management issues, then and now. KOK, V. T., KRIZ, H. and FANG, C.S. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia, USA)		128
20. Enhancing access to animal health information; the role of information specialists. SIMUI, M. (Veterinary Library, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia)		131
21. Exploring new information habitats: the information specialist as guide in the e-Research environment. VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, E. and RANDALL, E. (Academic Information Service, University of P retoria, SA)		136
22. Developing information skills training to meet the changing needs of veterinary education. BROWN, F. and DOZIER, M. (Veterinary Library, University of Edinburgh, UK)		141
Poster session
1. The Hernquist Library - changing bookshelves, changing roles. Beata Akersten. ( Hernquist Library, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. )		148
2. A knowledge platform in veterinary public health: the experience of IZSA&M. B. Alessandrini, P. Colangeli, D. Orientale, S. Del Papa. ( Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'A bruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale". 64100 Teramo, Italy.)		148
3. Development of an expert information system for the management of animal diseases epidemics. P. Colangeli, R. Lelli. (I stituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'A bruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.)		149
4 . How information beats iron or knowledge management enables Strasser hoofcare. Martha de Jager. ( Knowledge Management, Deloitte & Touche, Pretoria, SA )		149
5. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale" and international cooperation. S. Del Papa, B. Alessandrini, O. Pediconi. (OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Training, Epidemiology, Food Safety and Animal Welfare ; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale". 64100 Teramo, Italy.)		150
6 . Mentoring in a veterinary library. Raisa Iivonen. ( Viikki Science Library, University of Helsinki, Finland.)		150
7 . The Health Sciences library as partner in case-based learning exercises: the diagnostic challenges at Washington State University. Sarah K. McCord and Vicki F. Croft. ( Washington State University, Health Sciences Library, Pullman, WA, USA.)		151
8. Open access issues and how these are being addressed at the University of Glasgow. Maureen McGovern. ( James Herriot Library , University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK )		151
9. Totally E: Meeting the challenge of going electronic only for document delivery and interlibrary loan. Becky McKay, Chris Foster , Martha Bedard . ( Medical Sciences Library, Texas A&M University, USA.)		152
10. Harnessing information resources: collection management at the Veterinary Science Library, University Pretoria. Marguerite Nel. ( Academic Information Service, University of Pretoria, SA .)		152
11. Promoting information literacy as a cooperative project between five Nordic countries. Teodora Oker-Blom, Anne Cathrine Munthe, Heli Myllys. ( *Viikki Science Library, University of Helsinki, Finland; Library, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Norway. )		153
12. Bluetongue entomological surveillance in East European and Balkan countries: collection and display of geographical data. L. Savini, Carla Ippoliti, Sandro Pelini, Annamaria Conte, Paolo Calistri. ( Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'A bruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.)		153
13. The international scientific visibility: the case of the research in veterinary medicine in Mozambique (A visibilidade científica internacional: o caso da pesquisa na área de medicina veterinária em Moçambique). Horácio Francisco Zimba & Suzana Pinheiro Machado Mueller. (Veterinary Library, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Moçambique; Universidade de Brasília, Brazil. )		154
List of delegates		155
Index to authors		160

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South African Research Information Service project
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa); Page-Shipp, Roy J.
Keynote paper delivered at the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, held 4-7 July 2005 at Onderstepoort, South Africa with the theme Running wild, running free: capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health.
Evidence-based medicine (EBM); Evidence-based-librarianship (EBL); and all that jazz
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Myers, Glenda; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Keynote paper delivered at the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, held 4-7 July 2005 at Onderstepoort, South Africa with the theme Running wild, running free: capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health.
Catalogue to our past and clues for the future - what the fossil record tells us
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Rubidge, B.; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Keynote paper delivered at the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, held 4-7 July 2005 at Onderstepoort, South Africa with the theme Running wild, running free: capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health.
Welcome message Prof N Kriek, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Kriek, N.P.J.; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Welcome message delivered by the Dean of the Veterinary Science Faculty, University of Pretoria at the opening of the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, held 4-7 July 2005 at Onderstepoort, South Africa with the theme Running wild, running free: capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health.
Towards E-research in South Africa
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Paterson, Adi; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Keynote paper delivered at the opening of the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, held 4-7 July 2005 at Onderstepoort, South Africa with the theme Running wild, running free: capturing, harnessing and disseminating knowledge flows in support of animal health.
List of delegates : proceedings of the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, 4-7 July 2005, Onderstepoort, South Africa
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za
List of delegates to the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, 4-7 July 2005, Onderstepoort, South Africa with postal addresses and e-mail information
Authors list : proceedings of the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, 4-7 July 2005, Onderstepoort, South Africa
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa); Lourens, Antoinette
Digital collections : introduction and development of a model for the collection and dissemination of scientific and technologic information in veterinary medicine and other fields
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Zimba, Horácio F.; Harun, Mohamed; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
This paper will describe the Digital Collections project of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique. The main aim of the project is the introduction of a standardized methodology for the collection of scientific and technological information in veterinary medicine and other fields, in support of the democratization of the access to information and the joint endeavours of the academic community and the production sectors, by creating a national network for information exchange. The implementation of this project will increase accessibility to public information produced by institutions, researchers and others on veterinary medicine in Mozambique. The system to be introduced will function as a web site. This means that anyone will be able to access the information no matter where he/she is located in the world, as it will only be necessary to have a computer with access to the Internet. For documents without copyright restrictions the full text will be available, and for other cases, references showing the location of the source will be available. The end results of this project will be : • a gateway to scientific information • a decentralized web system (site) with different access levels to ensure the safety of the information • a virtual library and/ or digital collection with the full text of theses, monographs, articles, reports and other documents • a reference list of databases of national and international academic and research institutions, researchers, and entities dealing with veterinary medicine • a model to generate and disseminate digital contents which can be used in other similar institutions • a collected database that will help in determining veterinary scientific production and • a means to determine the information needs of the user community by applying web metering methods that will be part of the web information system.
The international scientific visibility : the case of the research in veterinary medicine in Mozambique
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Zimba, Horácio F.; Mueller, Suzana P.M.; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
A survey was conducted on the scientific visibility of Mozambican researchers in the area of Veterinary Medicine. Visibility is described as having one's papers readily and widely accessible and being cited by others. The main source to identify Mozambican authors who have published abroad is the ISI Web of Science, and this source also provided information on citations received. The period examined for citations was 1993 to 2002. The study makes use of Schott's conception of central and peripheral countries, itself based on Shils, to perceive Mozambique’s place in relation to other countries. Results identified five Mozambican authors who qualified for the study, and who published a total of 19 papers, which received 63 citations. All of those papers were written in collaboration with foreign authors, which makes it difficult to attribute visibility of those papers solely to the Mozambican authors. The study raises the question about scientific policies for developing countries, considering that all kinds of partnership with developed countries may contribute to international visibility, but, at the same time other issues should be considered such as national interests and accessibility to texts published in international periodicals that are not always available within the country
Bluetongue entomological surveillance in East European and Balkan countries : collection and display of geographical data
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Savini, Lara; Ippoliti, Carla; Pelini, Sandro; Conte, Annamaria; Calistri, Paolo; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Within the project “Cooperation for the implementation of a bluetongue surveillance network in the Balkan area” a web site was developed to provide East European Veterinary Services with an effective tool for data management, analysis and exchange of information on bluetongue, an infectious, arthropod-borne disease of ruminants. The site was designed and implemented by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise (Italy) in collaboration with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission (Ispra, Italy). Following new needs of veterinary services and the evolution of the disease, the site was structurally modified using different GIS technologies for the system optimization. Furthermore, geographical data and relevant attributes were organized in a sole Information System (IS) integrated with a relational geographic database and a new function allowing to retrieve information on the spread of the vector causing the disease. The Geographic Information System is based on ESRI products. In particular, an ArcSde was used to connect to Oracle 8.i database while Java and VB script procedures were applied to prepare Asp and Html pages in ArcIms. A multi-user access was implemented, by activating different working sessions, in order to allow a simultaneous geographical data query and map display to different users. Features in the maps displayed may correspond to a polygon (representing the administrative boundaries in which the event of interest occurred) or to a point (farms where data relevant to the event of interest were collected). The querying system allows one to select one or more polygons or points present on the map and to retrieve by the spatial query all the relevant information on the epidemiological status in alphanumerical form; at the same time the ArcIms server shows on the map the selected territory or farms. By linking to the reference database, the alphanumerical database of any country, present in the table shown, can be accessed (Administrative Boundaries) and new data can be entered directly on-line.
Promoting information literacy as a cooperative project between five Nordic countries
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Oker-Blom, Teodora; Munthe, Anne-Cathrine; Myllys, Heli; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
The project is a good example of cooperation between five countries. Its aim is to reach common benefits and synergy by sharing experiences and best practices between six libraries in veterinary medicine and adjacent subject areas in finding new ways to increase integration of information literacy (1) in education and in the cooperation between teachers and librarians. The directors of the Viikki Science Library in Finland, the Library of the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the Library of the Agricultural University in Norway, the Library of the Swedish Agricultural University, the Library of the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark and the Library of the Hvanneyri Agricultural University in Iceland are the generators and the guardians of the project. They form the Information Management Group of the NOVA University. The NOVA University is a cooperative network of the six universities of veterinary medicine, agriculture and forestry in the five Nordic countries mentioned above. These universities are in a process of renewing and restructuring their exams in accordance with requirements of the internationalisation and interoperability of higher education in Europe. This offers an opportunity for the libraries to cooperate with university departments in a more systematic way in linking information literacy more closely and coherently to the subjects taught in their curriculum. The strategic objectives of the project are: *To promote the quality of university education by finding and describing means to increase the integration of information literacy in the curriculum *To find ways to strengthen the cooperation between teachers and librarians in the teaching information literacy *To report the current status of information literacy as part of higher education in the NOVA countries and possibly in the Baltic countries *To find and promote examples of best practice in integrating and teaching information literacy in the NOVA universities and how the awareness of information literacy issues is addressed *To produce common information material on this topic for open distribution in each NOVA University * To plan and arrange a half-day seminar on information literacy for teachers of the NOVA University in connection with another NOVA meeting, preferably on pedagogic and networking issues. The NOVA University is financing this project. The planning process, the contents of the common information material and the programme of the seminar with examples from veterinary medicine will be described in the poster. This could be a model for similar cooperation between countries.
Harnessing information resources : collection management at the Veterinary Science Library, University of Pretoria
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Nel, Marguerite Alice; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
The Veterinary Science Library of the University of Pretoria serves the only veterinary faculty in South Africa. Collection development is therefore not only important for giving optimum support to the Library’s primary client group, such as lecturers, students and researchers, but also to support the secondary market, such as private practitioners and pharmaceutical companies throughout the country. Information support is also given to veterinary faculties and institutions in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The focus of this poster is on collection management in the virtual library environment. The goals of collection development in academic libraries are still the same, namely to meet the information needs of users and to serve the research and teaching missions of the university. Today’s e-environment together with the expansion of distance learning programs has led to higher user demands for fast and relevant information on the user’s personal desktop. In an environment where budgets for acquisitions decrease, but user expectations and demands increase, the collection manager is forced to take on new collection development challenges. There are also the issues of access versus ownership and library cooperation and resource sharing as well as the role of consortia. The effect of digitisation on library function areas such as interlibrary loans, the use of information databases, e-journal collections and circulation of printed library material are clearly seen in user statistics. This poster will emphasise how access to full-text electronic journals and databases at the Veterinary Science Library of the University of Pretoria, influenced these library functions and services over a period of five years. The importance of training users to optimise use of these resources will also be highlighted.
Totally E : meeting the challenge of going electronic only for document delivery and interlibrary loan
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) McKay, Becky; Foster, Chris; Bedard, Martha; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
In June 2002 the Texas A&M University Libraries instituted a new electronic document delivery service called DeliverEdocs. The service uses the Illiad software, presents a single interface to our users uniting previously separate campus library interlibrary loan/document delivery departments, and offers free desktop access to any article, even those found on our own shelves. The system is entirely web-based and users can log on to the system to request or pick up articles in pdf format from any computer with access to the Internet. The TAMU Medical Sciences Library serves the only college of veterinary medicine in the state of Texas, and has a strong commitment to serving animal health practitioners throughout the state. In addition we serve a college of medicine, a unique school of rural public health, and a multitude of agricultural extension stations. Our user population is widespread and seldom able to physically visit the library. To date we have 2,508 registered users of the new system. During the fiscal year 2004 we borrowed 6767 articles on behalf of our users, filling and delivering to the desktop a total of 11,526 requests. While DeliverEdocs has received rave reviews from our users, it has not been without challenges. Providing electronic delivery caused significant impact on staff, especially in redesigned workflows, position descriptions, and user expectations for rapid turn around times. Reduced library traffic and new tasks have resulted in a change in our staffing patterns. Technological issues remain a constant issue from our varied and geographically separate clientele. This poster illustrates the effect of DeliverEdocs on staff and users alike. We also discuss some of the future considerations in maintaining the system and the service.
Open access issues and how these are being addressed at the University of Glasgow
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) McGovern, Maureen; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Scholarly Communication The term Scholarly Communication refers to the process by which researchers including academics, researchers and independent scholars publish their work and access the work of others. This process is traditionally carried out via recognised publishing outlets such as peer reviewed journals where the published works are evaluated, made accessible and archived. The traditional system of scholarly communication is no longer working as academic institutions and research centres can no longer keep up with the ever rising price increases in scholarly journals. To continue to meet the needs of scholarly communication, involvement by those working in the academic field is critical, thus ensuring a system that will meet the needs of future scholars and researchers. Glasgow University – Daedalus Project One of the ways of addressing this problem is the creation of institutional repositories to hold and make freely available scholarly research. At Glasgow University an “e” prints service has been set up and is managed by a project team. There are now over 600 records (including publications by members of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) in the Glasgow ePrints service (http://eprints.gla.ac.uk). The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was one of the first faculties to participate in this service. The service is an online repository developed specifically to provide access to published and peer reviewed scholarly publications produced by Glasgow academics. The articles are freely available to all. Research has shown that articles freely available online are cited more often than those articles only available via subscription journals. The benefits both to researchers and to society as a whole are considerable. For researchers publications in repositories can be accessed by the scholarly community on a scale impossible in paper, research is stored centrally and access is readily available to similar repositories worldwide. For members of the public institutional repositories allow access to important research findings, e.g. in areas such as medicine and science. At Glasgow academics can add publications to the ePrints repository in a variety of ways. Options include self deposit, mediated deposit (project staff do the work on behalf of academics) or records can be downloaded from databases held in such software as Reference Manager and Endnote. Project staff check the copyright agreements relating to individual articles before full text is added to the ePrints service. Further information on the DAEDALUS Project is available at http://www.gla.ac.uk/daedalus.
The health sciences library as partner in case-based learning exercises : the diagnostic challenges at Washington State University
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) McCord, Sarah K.; Croft, Vicki F.; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
The Washington State University Health Sciences Library (HSL) is a specialized academic library at a land-grant public university located in Pullman, WA, USA. This discussion focuses on instruction to students in the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) during their participation in a case-based learning activity known as Diagnostic Challenges (DCs). DCs take place twice during the veterinary students' second professional year and are an intensive departure from the typical course schedule. The purposes of the DCs are to decrease discipline-based compartmentalization of the curriculum, increase the opportunities for active learning, develop students' interpersonal and communication skills, and promote independent learning skills. A literature search is a required part of these assignments. At the end of the week, the teams present synopses of their cases and the clinical reasoning they went through to design treatment regimens. Over the years a variety of strategies have been employed to help students understand both why a literature search is important as well as how to complete one. This summary provides examples of what worked, what did not, and the effects of library involvement in the program on the students' successful completion of the exercise.
Mentoring in a veterinary library
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Iivonen, Raisa; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
What is mentoring? According to Lee Herman (1) some definitions are made first: • The principles of mentoring and the philosophy of dialogue • Asking questions • Curriculum as collaborative planning and learning • The personal and the academic: dialogue as cognitive love • The mentor as learner: habits of work • Access to and within the academy The libraries of the University of Helsinki have started a mentoring program, in which the Viikki Science Library is participating with six people. The former Veterinary Medicine Library forms now one of the subject fields of the Viikki Science Library and one of its librarians is involved in the mentoring program forming a mentor/actor –couple with a colleague from the Student Library. The poster describes the program of the mentoring process: what is expected? How do the mentor and actor plan their process (“the journey”) and do they find their way home (or wherever they plan to travel). What are the benefits for both libraries of this program? One goal is to gather all the “silent knowledge” from both libraries writing their histories; it is the background for the documentation process of the working practices. Also the spreading of best practices is wanted, deconstruction of automated working processes, creating new ways when thinking and planning work flows. Mentoring is a dialogical process between two persons: prediction of its results is difficult. The program started at the end of 2004 and its duration is one year. What are the benefits to the veterinary libraries community? Can the veterinary librarians and/or animal health information specialists apply internationally the results of this program? There is already a lot of international co-operation between veterinary libraries, why not try mentoring across the frontiers?
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “Giuseppe Caporale” and international cooperation
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Del Papa, Stefania; Alessandrini, Barbara; Pediconi, Ombretta; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Since the beginning of 90s, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “Giuseppe Caporale” (IZSA&M) has been supporting scientific and managerial improvement of Veterinary Services in developing countries – with specific attention to East European, Latino-American, Mediterranean, and central and south African countries – carrying out programs and involving its own human, technical and financial resources. International Cooperation was originally developed under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), that recognised IZSA&M as collaborating centre and subsequently upon request of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which asked IZSA&M to care scientific and managerial training of developing countries. Research projects, training activities, technical consultancy and support including laboratory, classroom and field activities have been carried out thanks to the collaboration of the best internal resources. Financed projects (about 20 in the last five years) are just a sector of IZSA&M activities in the field of international cooperation: about 10% of personnel missions, in fact, are abroad. These travels are increasing continuously and in 2004 they were 21,3% more than 2003. In the last five years specialists in the fields of animal health and welfare, food safety, information and communication technologies, information system management, travelled in many countries supporting organisational, scientific and technical development of official veterinary services, laboratories and industries. Traceability, animal database, technical and managerial training, implementation and management of surveillance systems on animal diseases – such as bluetongue, zoonoses – epidemic emergency management: these are some of the subjects of international projects. Major funds come from European Union, Italian Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Research, and Foreign Affairs. Other financial support is obtained through Abruzzo Region (Interreg and Docup funds). In 2004, moreover, IZSA&M obtained funds to build an international training centre for veterinary education and information on animal health and welfare and food safety. This Centre aims at supporting the OIE Collaborating Centre on veterinary training, epidemiology, food safety and animal welfare of IZSA&M. The centre works to improve the educational and informative offer, for East European Countries. It is based on the opportunity of enhancing the development of norms and technical/scientific skills on OIE international standards. It represents an important tool to implement cooperation in the Adriatic border zone, with specific attention to the learning needs of the Countries of the Eastern Adriatic shore willing to have access to the European Union market. The Centre will provide basic training, continuing education and knowledge management programs also using eLearning technology for veterinary service and veterinary laboratory officers as well as for veterinarians responsible for the food chain safety control. Training priorities will be sanitary legislation, technology and best practices to be applied to inspection, surveillance, risk assessment and management as well as laboratory quality management and techniques. Training shall provide: • knowledge and skills to assure the control of food safety chain, according to the most advanced level of technology and • to assure the management of control system of "equivalent" quality and safety, within the global animal and animal product market.
How information beats iron or knowledge management enables Strasser hoofcare
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) De Jager, Martha; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
The nailing of iron shoes to horses’ hooves is an established tradition. The discovery that this practice is not in the interest of horses, in fact, that it can be detrimental to their hooves and health in general, was quite revolutionary and is to this day a controversial topic. At present, however, the idea of barefoot horses is gaining in popularity worldwide, as excellent results have been achieved, particularly with the Strasser method of hoofcare. Strasser Hoofcare Professionals are trained by specialists at practical sessions, in addition to distance education. Trainees are introduced to a comprehensive list of conventionally published material and have the added advantage of a wealth of information on a number of Web sites and through on-line discussion groups. Once qualified, Hoofcare Professionals continuously share their knowledge. They attend annual recertification meetings and support each other by participating in discussions on the Internet. Digital technology is used extensively. Peter Senge, an authority on learning organisations, contends that learning organisations require leaders who are designers, stewards and teachers. The leader of this barefoot movement is Dr Hiltrud Strasser of Germany. According to her “The dissemination of knowledge is one of the most important tasks of the Hoofcare Professional, because the goal is not just to rehabilitate lame horses, one after the other; it is to further the understanding of the horse's biological needs in the equestrian community on a global scale. Only through education can we lay the foundation for a lifetime of soundness for horses worldwide.” Peter Drucker, a management specialist, among others, argues that, in the emerging economy, knowledge is the primary resource for individuals and for the economy overall; land, labour, and capital do not disappear, but they become secondary. Owners of horses, once they have been fully informed about the condition of a horse and the cure, are also encouraged to participate in the rehabilitation process and have access to many of the sources of information mentioned. The Strasser method harnesses the technical possibilities available today for the capturing, dissemination, sharing and use of knowledge, under the leadership of experts. In this way, many horses that are in a bad state, especially as far as their hooves are concerned, are being rehabilitated, as can be evidenced by case studies.
Development of an expert information system for the management of animal diseases epidemics
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Colangeli, Patrizia; Lelli, Rossella; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
In the last ten years, the risk of introduction and spread of several major viral epidemics of list A diseases has been constantly increasing worldwide. Italy, due both to its geographical position, in the middle of the Mediterranean basin, and to it being one of the world’s largest importing countries of live animals and commodities of animal origin, is particularly at risk. Another important predisposing factor is the complete susceptibility of Italian animal populations. All the available evidence shows that speed is vital in handling outbreaks of infectious diseases. This necessitates planning of a high order and an executive empowered by a wide acceptance of the strategies to be adopted. This project aims to improve the managing skills of Veterinary Services in the event of an exotic disease outbreak, developing an integrated management system, of which one of the main sections is an information system able to guide and coordinate the services’ activities while containing the outbreak. The system has been initially tested in 4 Italian regions, markedly different as far as geographical features and farming practices are concerned: this has allowed us to develop a system better fitting the remarkably uneven nature of Italian territory and livestock rearing. Presently, the system is in the adaptation stage to the entire national territory; new functions are being introduced, especially where report activities are concerned. The following objectives have been achieved: 1. Contingency plans for list A diseases 2. Collection of relevant legislation 3. Development of a geographical information system (GIS), linked with the National Animal Identification System 4. Link with the European System for Animal Movements (ANIMO) 5. Implementation of a telematic system to support epidemics management 6. Training of personnel This system provides the NHS with an information system for the management of disease epidemics; the system can be used as a decision tool by every level of the NHS: central (Ministry of Health), regional (Regional Veterinary Agencies) and local (Veterinary Services operating locally). It will be possible to introduce the new version in the EU.
A knowledge platform in veterinary public health : the experience of Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise
(University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library, 2007) Alessandrini, Barbara; Colangeli, Patrizia; Orientale, Daniela; Del Papa, Stefania; Van der Westhuizen, Erica E.; Croft, Vicki F.; erica.vanderwesthuizen@up.ac.za; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (5th : 2005 : Onderstepoort, South Africa)
Information has today a strategic role and the Web can guarantee its immediate availability. Management science considers opportune and appropriate information, which gives rise to knowledge, one of the most important success strategic factors. At Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “Giuseppe Caporale” (IZSA&M),(Italy), research is one of the most important institutional tasks and is considered as starting and arrival point of scientific knowledge. Information distribution is critical for the fulfilment of its strategies and the dissemination of the results of research projects is a concrete indicator of goal achievement. Research projects on animal health, veterinary public health, epidemiological surveillance, animal welfare, food safety, and learning methodologies are currently developed upon financial support of the Italian Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Research, the European Union, and other international organisations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). IZSA&M implemented a documentation system able to further production, sharing, flow, and efficient use of internal knowledge. This arises from scientific research and requires the integration of services and competences within a system for global access, transmission and exchange of information. The IZSA&M project develops an information system able to make visible and accessible outside its existing competences; a user friendly database is available on the web and researchers can update it directly. Every kind of documents - published or preprint – can be treated, detected and found electronically, through links to the full-text. The software is realised in a web based technological environment, with open source products; it is on line and can find scientific articles published in specialist journals, personal communications, research projects and technical reports produced by IZSA&M. Thanks to this project, the Institute today has: • a unique data base, which is complete and updated, of its competences; • homogeneous and processed information on specific fields of action. Data collected are organised in order to: o simplify information detection, o allow a personalised access to information, according to the access profile, o guide users through navigation paths giving exhaustive but not redundant results, o facilitate access at local, national and international level, o enhance collaborative networks and partnership based on common goals. The final project goal is to implement an ePortfolio, in order to realise the first network of competences in the veterinary field.

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