Special Features in Ovid

Ask-A-Librarian

Located on the main search page of Ovid, the Ask-A-Librarian feature permits the user to receive personalized assistance from an information specialist at the USC Health Sciences Libraries (the Wilson Dental Library and the Norris Medical Library) as appropriate. By clicking on the Ask-A-Librarian hyperlink, a form appears, allowing the user to type in a question which will be sent directly to an information specialist at the library. The form also provides the option of automatically appending a copy of the user's current search strategy to the message without the user having to re-type it. Thus, search-strategy assistance can easily be provided to users on a remote basis. Ovid searchers are encouraged to use this feature to obtain clarification of search techniques or procedures as well as to request assistance with particular search strategies. Responses generally are sent back to users within 24 to 48 hours.
This feature can also be used to ask the library to initiate a current alerting service for the user. This service is called AutoAlert and is described below.

AutoAlert

For USC researchers seeking to keep abreast of information on particular topics, the Ovid system supports automatic delivery of customized information through its AutoAlert service. With AutoAlert, the user establishes a search strategy once, then automatically receives periodic e-mail messages containing all new citations retrieved by that strategy with each database update. The user does not have to re-key the search, limit it to the latest update, or even know when the database has been updated. Ovid and the Wilson Dental Library handle these functions automatically for you.
To activate, complete the AutoAlert request form.

Online Document Ordering

Although USC faculty, students, and staff have online access to the full text of articles from a large number of biomedical journals, there is now a convenient way to request copies of articles from those journals that are not available online by using Ovid's document ordering feature.
Using this service, requests for copies of articles from MEDLINE and other Ovid databases can be automatically generated during the search session rather than by submitting printed request forms. When your Ovid search is completed, scroll down to the end of the page to the "Citation Manager" box. Specify the articles to be ordered and click on the "Order" icon. The Ovid system then displays screens prompting identifying information, such as name and address. This information is stored throughout the search session and is automatically redisplayed if items are ordered from a subsequent search.

The final page in the order process is the Verification/Copyright page. When the requester indicates acceptance of copyright compliance, the requests are submitted to the Photocopy Service of the Wilson Dental Library or the Norris Medical Library.

Articles available in the Wilson Dental Library, the Norris Medical Library, the LAC+USC Medical Center Libraries, or the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Library are photocopied at the Photocopy Service rate of $5.00 for most articles. If any requested articles are not held at these libraries, you will be notified of options for obtaining the articles through interlibrary loan or a commercial document supplier.

To permit the Photocopy Service staff to communicate efficiently with online requesters, it is necessary to have an e-mail address to utilize Ovid's online ordering feature. You will also be given the option of receiving an e-mail confirmation copy of each photocopy order.