Behind the Scenes @ Briscoe Library with Rebecca Ajtai, Librarian Liaison to the School of Health Professions (SHP)
Rebecca Ajtai | Librarian Liaison to the SHP | ajtai@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-2428
Behind the Scenes @ Briscoe Library is a series of monthly newsletter posts to introduce you to all the people working behind the scenes at the library. As we work remotely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are discovering new and unexpected ways to provide services to all of you in our UT Health community. We are working together to keep us all safe.
This month, we sat down with Rebecca Ajtai, the Liaison Librarian to the School of Health Professions (SHP). Rebecca provides specialized librarian services to the SHP, along with other general services for all UT Health faculty, students, and staff. We talked with Rebecca over Zoom to find out how things are going for her working remotely and some of the new opportunities she has discovered.
What have you been working on lately?
During this time working from home, I have been amazed by the increase in requests from SHP faculty for assistance with research review projects. As a professional librarian, it is very gratifying to apply my training in support of SHP research and publication. As the number of review requests continue to increase for all liaison librarians, we are working to meet the increased demand and to prioritize requests. Each review process can be very time consuming. I am currently working on multiple reviews for different departments within the SHP. I work with faculty and students on all kinds of reviews for publication and two have recently been accepted. Right now, I’m working on four SHP projects – two scoping reviews with the Speech & Language Pathology Department, and one scoping review and one literature review for the Occupational Therapy department. All these review project teams include both faculty and students. For another scoping review, I am on a team working with faculty across disciplines led by the Interprofessional Education (IPE) office. We are looking at best practices in health sciences didactic interprofessional education.
As a member of the SHP Research Committee, I attend meetings (now virtually) to discuss research projects going on in the various programs. I have created a research guide with a list of all SHP publications that is available through a link on the SHP Research Committee web site.
Have your interactions with students and classes changed?
I still talk to students by email and phone and do virtual consultations. I still teach classes, just all online now. I work with SHP course directors and instructors to provide online classes. I have one class this week on how to search databases and use citation management programs. I also regularly teach about the APA style guide and guide updates. Recently, working with a Distance Respiratory Care program faculty person who lives outside of the country, I created a Zoom class about database searching that we recorded for her to use as she needs throughout the year.
I also produce specialized guides (LibGuides) for SHP students and faculty that can be found on the library’s web site. In collaboration with other liaison librarians, we plan to produce online training modules including short video lessons and interactive tutorials with quizzes.
Just for Fun: A little window into life at home
Life at home has settled into a new normal with my two children and our pet hamster, Happy.
If you've been following Briscoe Library's social media accounts lately you've probably noticed the collection of furry faces! These happy animals belong to the students, staff, and faculty of UT Health San Antonio. The library’s virtual take on the interactive exhibit Pets of UT Health features photos of dogs, cats, and even a hamster, that the campus community has been sending to us for the last few weeks. We will continue posting your pets through the end of the month, so make sure to send us picture of your own furbaby!
To submit a photo of your pet, send a direct message to us on any of Briscoe Library's social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In your message, please include a photo of your pet, your pet's name, your pet's age, your name, your school/dept., and a fun fact about you or your pet.
The library is offering a trial on Acland’s Atlas of Human Anatomy from July 15 – September 18, 2020.
For students who don’t have access to dissection facilities, the Video Atlas provides an appreciation of the real human body and a direct understanding of the mechanics of body movement. Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy uses fresh, unembalmed specimens that retain the color, texture, mobility of the living human body. A concise synchronized narration runs throughout the program. As each new structure is shown, its name appears on the screen.
Features include:
360 view of specimens accompanied by clear narration and labeled structures
Quick navigation to desired sections by region or via A-Z index
Choice of the complete 5-volume collection or specific body region
Available online and optimized for mobile devices
Exams to test your knowledge (Must create a personal account)
For details about each volume, see our libguide and let us know what you think of the resource by filling out the survey.
For a list of the newest titles at the Briscoe Library click here.
Purchase suggestions?
Complete the online Purchase Suggestion Form or contact
Andrea N. Schorr, Associate Director of Resource Management.