Libraries and librarians: Supporting chemists with information

CINF 108

Andrea Twiss-Brooks, atbrooks@uchicago.edu, University of Chicago, John Crerar Library, 5730 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637-1403
University chemists with various levels of expertise need information to carry out a variety of synthetic experiments. Chemistry faculty and research associates need sophisticated tools to discover the latest research in synthetic methodology; graduate students need information tools to develop their skills as synthetic chemists and as users of the synthetic literature; undergraduate students need basic information resources designed to support their educational needs; and researchers in other disciplines need to discover chemical information specific to their own areas of interest. The university chemistry librarian fulfills a critical role by selecting appropriate information resources to meet user needs, ensuring adequate access for all users, providing instruction in effective resource selection and use, serving as liaison between information provider and researchers, and increasing scientists' and students' awareness of new and existing information resources. The presentation will discuss the librarian's present and future roles in supporting the work of the synthetic chemist.