Earlier this year mention was made in the Economist that eLife, an open-access journal for the best in science communication, will be launched towards the end of 2012. Now, eLife has published its first four research articles. To read the full announcement with a link to the full text articles, visit http://www.elifesciences.org/12-1015/
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Jotello F Soga Library joins the Department of Library Services’ centenary celebrations
The Department of Library Services had its centenary celebrations on 12 October.
It took place in the Learning Centre of the Merensky Library on the Hatfield campus.
The event was attended by current and retired staff and included the cutting of the Centenary cake by Mr Robert Moropa, current Library Director and Prof Eggie Gerryts who retired as Director in 2004.
A staff mosaic created by staff of the library’s digitisation office was unveiled and the book “The Merensky Story” was launched.
The event was concluded with tea in the foyer of the auditorium and the place was abuzz with old friends chatting along.
At our own library we had colourful balloons and a beautiful flower arrangement, a display of books from different periods of the library’s existence and sweets and water bottles to give to students who borrowed books.
We are proud to be part of the Merensky legacy and are looking forward to another century of success.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The e-book collection at the Jotello F Soga library is growing
Our e-book collection is gradually growing and includes titles on platforms such as Science Direct, Springer, e-Brary and Manson. View a list of available titles with publication dates 2010 +
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Tertia Coetsee publishes an article in Ariadne
Congratulations to Tertia Coetsee with the publication of a research article in the latest issue of Ariadne.
Tertia graduated with a distinction from the 5th Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, hosted in November 2011. Her research report 'Enhancing Collaboration and Interaction in a Post-graduate Research Programme' which she completed in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Academy has been accepted for publication in Ariadne.
Tertia describes a community of practice for post-graduate students where RefShare is deployed for digital storage and retrieval, alongside Blackboard for the purposes of communication. She also describes the role of the information specialist in the programme.
The article is cited as follows:
Tertia Coetsee. "Enhancing Collaboration and Interaction in a Post-graduate Research Programme". July 2012, Ariadne Issue 69
Tertia graduated with a distinction from the 5th Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, hosted in November 2011. Her research report 'Enhancing Collaboration and Interaction in a Post-graduate Research Programme' which she completed in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Academy has been accepted for publication in Ariadne.
Tertia describes a community of practice for post-graduate students where RefShare is deployed for digital storage and retrieval, alongside Blackboard for the purposes of communication. She also describes the role of the information specialist in the programme.
The article is cited as follows:
Tertia Coetsee. "Enhancing Collaboration and Interaction in a Post-graduate Research Programme". July 2012, Ariadne Issue 69
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Draft Veterinary and Para-Veterinary amendment bill
Information about the Parliamentary Committee Meeting held 31 July 2012 on the draft Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Amendment Bill hosted on the Parliamentary Monitoring Group Website may be of interest to our clients.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The library recently bought the Veterinary Medicine archival journal collection on the Wiley platform. This allows us access to the full text of articles from the very first volumes of the following journals:
Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia
Australian Veterinary Journal
Equine Veterinary Education
Equine Veterinary Journal
Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Journal of Animal Physiology and Nutrition
Journal of Small Animal Practice
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A (now known as Transboundary and Emerging Diseases)
Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series B (now known as Zoonoses and Public Health)
Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Veterinary Dermatology
Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound
Veterinary Surgery
We believe our clients will welcome this, as no more photocopying or scanning of older articles will be necessary.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
It was with great joy that we welcomed our colleague Tertia Coetsee back on Wednesday 2 May from her ten week long overseas study visit which she undertook with a group of South African university librarians.
Her visit kicked off with a study program at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, Univ of Illinois, Urbana Champaign which lasted from 21 Feb to 10 March.
During this time the librarians also visited, among other libraries and institutions, the OCLC (Online Computer Library Centre) in Dublin, Ohio, which is the world’s largest library cooperative and creator of the World Catalogue.
From 10 March – 30 March the group split up and spent time at various host institutions throughout the USA. Tertia had the privilege to spend her time at the Veterinary Medical & Health and Life Sciences library of the Purdue University. During this time she had the opportunity to attend various meetings and library events, meet many of the staff members and gained a lot of insight in the librarians’ role in supporting researchers at their university.
From 30 March – 4 April a mid-term meeting was held for all the participants in San Francisco and they had the opportunity to report on and share their experience with the rest of the group.
From 4 – 27 April they returned to their host institutions to continue their program after which they returned home.
Monday, April 16, 2012
New carpets!
The library is currently undergoing a partial facelift as worn-out carpets on level four are being replaced. We realise that this causes inconvenience to our clients, as we had to temporarily store part of the collection in boxes. We anticipate that the whole process won’t last longer than a week after which we will all enjoy the new, cleaner facilities.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Jotello F Soga library off to a good start in 2012
Judging by the load of activities of the first two months of 2012, the library staff can look forward to a fruitful year.
We started off with hands-on training sessions for the new "Diploma in Veterinary Nursing" students and our new series of library lectures for the new curriculum’s BVSc II students.
The library has the privilege to become part of the new BVSc curriculum introduced in 2011 and will be delivering lectures as part of the newly introduced Veterinary Professional Life module. Our lectures will focus on “Identifying and describing the need for, finding, evaluating, utilizing and managing information”. As part of the training the students will complete a practical assignment and demonstrate their ability to apply their newly acquired information literacy skills effectively. This is a first for the library as the time allocated for library training in the past was much less and the training was not integrated with the formal curriculum.
This couldn’t have come at a better time, as we started using our premier database CAB on the ISI platform since the beginning of the year and students had to receive the relevant training. Lunch hour training sessions are also offered to staff and students to acquaint themselves with CAB on the new platform.
Another bit of good news was when our colleague Tertia Coetsee was informed towards the end of last year that she was one of a privileged few academic librarians from South Africa chosen to, as part of the Carnegie Research Academy initiative in South Africa, participate in a ten week long study tour to the USA. The purpose of the visit is to gain insight in effectively supporting researchers at an academic institution. As with our colleague Marguerite Nel who had the same opportunity in 2011, Tertia will undergo a training program at the Mortenson Centre of the University of Illinois Library, have the opportunity to network with overseas colleagues, visit institutions like the OHIO State University, the Online Computer Library Center in Dublin, Ohio and the Association of College and Research Libraries in Chicago, Illinois. She will also spend a considerable amount of time at her host institution, the Purdue University Libraries. We look forward to learn from her when she returns in May.
We started off with hands-on training sessions for the new "Diploma in Veterinary Nursing" students and our new series of library lectures for the new curriculum’s BVSc II students.
The library has the privilege to become part of the new BVSc curriculum introduced in 2011 and will be delivering lectures as part of the newly introduced Veterinary Professional Life module. Our lectures will focus on “Identifying and describing the need for, finding, evaluating, utilizing and managing information”. As part of the training the students will complete a practical assignment and demonstrate their ability to apply their newly acquired information literacy skills effectively. This is a first for the library as the time allocated for library training in the past was much less and the training was not integrated with the formal curriculum.
This couldn’t have come at a better time, as we started using our premier database CAB on the ISI platform since the beginning of the year and students had to receive the relevant training. Lunch hour training sessions are also offered to staff and students to acquaint themselves with CAB on the new platform.
Another bit of good news was when our colleague Tertia Coetsee was informed towards the end of last year that she was one of a privileged few academic librarians from South Africa chosen to, as part of the Carnegie Research Academy initiative in South Africa, participate in a ten week long study tour to the USA. The purpose of the visit is to gain insight in effectively supporting researchers at an academic institution. As with our colleague Marguerite Nel who had the same opportunity in 2011, Tertia will undergo a training program at the Mortenson Centre of the University of Illinois Library, have the opportunity to network with overseas colleagues, visit institutions like the OHIO State University, the Online Computer Library Center in Dublin, Ohio and the Association of College and Research Libraries in Chicago, Illinois. She will also spend a considerable amount of time at her host institution, the Purdue University Libraries. We look forward to learn from her when she returns in May.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dr Jotello F. Soga (Jesse Lewis presentation)
Research reveals remarkable life of SA’s first veterinarian
Cape Argus, October 17 2011 at 12:06pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr Jotello Soga, the first South African-born veterinarian.
NEO MADITLA
Staff Reporter
FOR 26 years, he was the only South African-born veterinarian - a remarkable achievement for a man whose race meant he could not hold a position with the colonial government.
Dr Jotello Soga, the son of Reverend Tiyo Soga, a Xhosa man from the Eastern Cape, and his Scottish-born wife Janet Burnside, qualified at the University of Edinburgh.
This and other fascinating information emerged from research into Soga’s life by American former journalist Jesse Lewis, who presented his findings at the 30th World Veterinary Congress at the Cape Town International Convention Centre last week. Lewis told delegates he became fascinated by Soga’s story after stumbling across his name.
Soga was just 21 when he graduated from the Royal (Dick) College of Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh in 1886. And, said Lewis, he was “far more than just a statistical first”.
“For 26 years he was the only South African-born veterinarian. The second South African veterinarian did not qualify until 1912.”
During his remarkable life, Soga played a leading role as a member of a small team of vets in eradicating rinderpest, which threatened South Africa in the late 19th century.
“His efforts were publicly acknowledged by Lord Alfred Milner, the British governor, yet the British colonial government denied him a permanent position because of his race.”
Soga’s biography on the website of the University of Pretoria’s library, which is named after him, says he was born in 1865 at the Mgwali Mission, in the former Transkei. He was the fourth son of Reverend Tiyo and Janet Soga, and went to Scotland with his family when his father pursued religious studies in 1846.
In 1892 Soga returned, and Lewis said that as a trained vet his skills were vital when rinderpest and other diseases threatened herds and flocks.
“While formal apartheid was not introduced until after 1948, racial discrimination was already entrenched in British-controlled South Africa, and the status of ‘non-whites’ was restricted.”
It worked to Soga’s advantage that he spoke English and Xhosa.
At the time there were only a few other vets here, but they were from outside the country. His immediate task was to contain the spread of lung sickness, which was decimating cattle. He did his own inoculation experiments, and his methods were later accepted as standard.”
Soga also lectured farmers on ways to control and treat livestock diseases.
But in 1902 his health began to fail. He left government service and tried to set up a private practice. Later, he worked as a farm supervisor near East London, and ran a small clinic.
Soga died at 41.
neo.maditla@inl.co.za
Cape Argus, October 17 2011 at 12:06pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr Jotello Soga, the first South African-born veterinarian.
NEO MADITLA
Staff Reporter
FOR 26 years, he was the only South African-born veterinarian - a remarkable achievement for a man whose race meant he could not hold a position with the colonial government.
Dr Jotello Soga, the son of Reverend Tiyo Soga, a Xhosa man from the Eastern Cape, and his Scottish-born wife Janet Burnside, qualified at the University of Edinburgh.
This and other fascinating information emerged from research into Soga’s life by American former journalist Jesse Lewis, who presented his findings at the 30th World Veterinary Congress at the Cape Town International Convention Centre last week. Lewis told delegates he became fascinated by Soga’s story after stumbling across his name.
Soga was just 21 when he graduated from the Royal (Dick) College of Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh in 1886. And, said Lewis, he was “far more than just a statistical first”.
“For 26 years he was the only South African-born veterinarian. The second South African veterinarian did not qualify until 1912.”
During his remarkable life, Soga played a leading role as a member of a small team of vets in eradicating rinderpest, which threatened South Africa in the late 19th century.
“His efforts were publicly acknowledged by Lord Alfred Milner, the British governor, yet the British colonial government denied him a permanent position because of his race.”
Soga’s biography on the website of the University of Pretoria’s library, which is named after him, says he was born in 1865 at the Mgwali Mission, in the former Transkei. He was the fourth son of Reverend Tiyo and Janet Soga, and went to Scotland with his family when his father pursued religious studies in 1846.
In 1892 Soga returned, and Lewis said that as a trained vet his skills were vital when rinderpest and other diseases threatened herds and flocks.
“While formal apartheid was not introduced until after 1948, racial discrimination was already entrenched in British-controlled South Africa, and the status of ‘non-whites’ was restricted.”
It worked to Soga’s advantage that he spoke English and Xhosa.
At the time there were only a few other vets here, but they were from outside the country. His immediate task was to contain the spread of lung sickness, which was decimating cattle. He did his own inoculation experiments, and his methods were later accepted as standard.”
Soga also lectured farmers on ways to control and treat livestock diseases.
But in 1902 his health began to fail. He left government service and tried to set up a private practice. Later, he worked as a farm supervisor near East London, and ran a small clinic.
Soga died at 41.
neo.maditla@inl.co.za
Dr Jotello F. Soga tribute:30th World Veterinary Congress
Report from SABC news: Oct 2011
The 30th World Veterinary Congress in Cape Town has paid a special tribute to the first South African veterinarian, Dr Jotello Soga for his leading role in eradicating rinderpest. Soga graduated from Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom in 1886. He died in 1906 at the age of 41.
Jotello Festire Soga was the son of Tiyo Soga, the first black South African to be ordained as minister in the United Presbyterian Church in December 1856. Soga became the first South African to become a qualified veterinarian in 1886 at the age of 21.
Former American journalist Jesse Lewis has described Jotello Soga as a veterinarian who played a leading role in eradicating rinderpest, a merciless killer of cattle that threatened South Africa in the late 19th Century. Lewis who is also a short film maker of South African history says Soga's name should not end with his death.
It is very special that Dr Soga who is a South African travelled and qualified as veterinarian about 120 years ago
"Dr Soga has been dead for over 100 years, and I think he is a role model, a beacon for young South Africans of all races and culture to explore veterinary science as a career and for them to achieve that excellence, I think he is a model to show all South Africans of whatever colour that they too can contribute meaningfully to South Africa's future."
In 2008 the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science marked its 100th anniversary by naming its Library in Dr Soga's honour. The South African Veterinary Association has an annual award known as the Soga Medal for community service.
Professor Banie Penzhorn says: "It is very special that Dr Soga who is a South African travelled and qualified as veterinarian about 120 years ago, that is why we like to commemorate his contribution to veterinary science in South Africa."
The 30th World Veterinary Congress under the theme, "Caring for Animals, Healthy Communities" ends today with a visit to the Khayelitsha Animal Clinic.
The 30th World Veterinary Congress in Cape Town has paid a special tribute to the first South African veterinarian, Dr Jotello Soga for his leading role in eradicating rinderpest. Soga graduated from Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom in 1886. He died in 1906 at the age of 41.
Jotello Festire Soga was the son of Tiyo Soga, the first black South African to be ordained as minister in the United Presbyterian Church in December 1856. Soga became the first South African to become a qualified veterinarian in 1886 at the age of 21.
Former American journalist Jesse Lewis has described Jotello Soga as a veterinarian who played a leading role in eradicating rinderpest, a merciless killer of cattle that threatened South Africa in the late 19th Century. Lewis who is also a short film maker of South African history says Soga's name should not end with his death.
It is very special that Dr Soga who is a South African travelled and qualified as veterinarian about 120 years ago
"Dr Soga has been dead for over 100 years, and I think he is a role model, a beacon for young South Africans of all races and culture to explore veterinary science as a career and for them to achieve that excellence, I think he is a model to show all South Africans of whatever colour that they too can contribute meaningfully to South Africa's future."
In 2008 the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science marked its 100th anniversary by naming its Library in Dr Soga's honour. The South African Veterinary Association has an annual award known as the Soga Medal for community service.
Professor Banie Penzhorn says: "It is very special that Dr Soga who is a South African travelled and qualified as veterinarian about 120 years ago, that is why we like to commemorate his contribution to veterinary science in South Africa."
The 30th World Veterinary Congress under the theme, "Caring for Animals, Healthy Communities" ends today with a visit to the Khayelitsha Animal Clinic.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
30th World Veterinary Congress, Cape Town 2011
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the veterinary medical profession in the world, a history session was included in the program of the 30th World Veterinary Congress, held in Cape Town in October 2011. The Jotello F. Soga Library librarians participated in this session by presenting a paper (see details below). Libraries have a most important role in preserving and documenting historical developments so this paper was definitely a highlight. To read the full text click on the link given.
The authors focused on the importance of making valuable and scarce veterinary information available on an open access platform such as an institutional repository, to ensure the preservation of the veterinary history of a country.
http://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/568
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17556
The digital preservation of the history of veterinary science in South Africa
authors: Amelia Breytenbach, Antoinette Lourens and Susan Marsh
Jotello F.Soga Library, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria
ABSTRACT
The history of Veterinary Science in South Africa can only be appreciated, studied, researched and passed on to coming generations if historical sources are readily available. Material and sources with historical value in any country are often difficult to locate, are often dispersed over a large area and not part of the conventional book and journal literature. The Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria and its library have access to a large collection of historical sources. The collection consists of photos, slides, documents, proceedings, posters, audiovisual material, postcards and other memorabilia. Other institutions in the country are also being approached if relevant sources are identified in their collections. In 2006 the University of Pretoria’s institutional repository, UPSpace, was launched. This provided the Jotello F Soga library with the opportunity to populate the repository with relevant digitised collections of diverse heritage and learning resources that can contribute to the long term preservation and accessibility of historical veterinary sources. These collections can be utilised not only by historians and researchers in South Africa but also Africa and the rest of the world.
Description:
Paper presented at the 30th World Veterinary Congress: 'Caring for animals: healthy communities', Cape Town, South Africa, 10-14 October 2011.
The authors focused on the importance of making valuable and scarce veterinary information available on an open access platform such as an institutional repository, to ensure the preservation of the veterinary history of a country.
http://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/568
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17556
The digital preservation of the history of veterinary science in South Africa
authors: Amelia Breytenbach, Antoinette Lourens and Susan Marsh
Jotello F.Soga Library, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria
ABSTRACT
The history of Veterinary Science in South Africa can only be appreciated, studied, researched and passed on to coming generations if historical sources are readily available. Material and sources with historical value in any country are often difficult to locate, are often dispersed over a large area and not part of the conventional book and journal literature. The Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria and its library have access to a large collection of historical sources. The collection consists of photos, slides, documents, proceedings, posters, audiovisual material, postcards and other memorabilia. Other institutions in the country are also being approached if relevant sources are identified in their collections. In 2006 the University of Pretoria’s institutional repository, UPSpace, was launched. This provided the Jotello F Soga library with the opportunity to populate the repository with relevant digitised collections of diverse heritage and learning resources that can contribute to the long term preservation and accessibility of historical veterinary sources. These collections can be utilised not only by historians and researchers in South Africa but also Africa and the rest of the world.
Description:
Paper presented at the 30th World Veterinary Congress: 'Caring for animals: healthy communities', Cape Town, South Africa, 10-14 October 2011.
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