In August, Engineering Village (Compendex), the most comprehensive source of published engineering research and practice, will launch an updated user interface.

The improved interface will have a more modern look and feel, while keeping all the current navigation and high quality functionality that users rely upon for managing engineering research. This interface refresh project is being completed with user input via focus groups and interviews which are driving the enhancement. Register for this this August 15 Webinar if you'd like to learn more. 

Starting this month, Engineering Village (Compendex) users will have an opportunity to preview these interface updates at their Beta website. Follow these steps to explore the Beta version: 
 

1. Create a user account in the current version. Be sure to use your VDOT email address!

2. Test your account to be sure it works. 

3. Next, return to the Beta website and select the option "Apply for Remote Access."

4. Follow the screen prompts to access remotely. 

Highlights of the interface update include:

1. Header navigation: The new header will include Search options (basic, advanced, experts search), Results, Alerts and selected records.

2. Search options:  The main search options such as the Database(s) selection, Date, Language and document – currently under advanced options – will be clearly visible.

3. Personalization details: personalized features such as Alerts & Saved searches and My preferences will be grouped under a pull-down menu.

Here is a look at some of these updates:
 

1. Updates to the home page:

2. A cleaner search results page, making it easier to find an article:

3. Intuitive refresh of the abstract and detail pages:

If you have any questions at all about using Engineering Village or any of these updates, just ask.

We're here to help!

Gil Kenner
(434) 293-1926
VDOT Research Library

Check out this new guide to using the library's online catalog!

Whether you're new to the VDOT Library and looking for help getting started, or an old pro looking to hone your searching skills, this new guide is for you!

Searching the library's holdings can sometimes be overwhelming. With collections including:

• The library's physical collection of over 50,000 books, periodicals, journals, CDs and DVDs.
• The records of several of the the library's online full-text subscription database collections (Books 24x7, EBSCO and Knovel). 
• Other special collections including Library Literature Searches, VTRC Technical Assistance Reports, and VDOT Videos.

No matter how you cut it, the library has a LOT of resources!  Translation: It can be hard to know where to look to find what you need.  If you need resources, the catalog is probably your best all-around starting place.

To get you started we've broken it down to the basics to help you get the most out of your search with this new quick start guide.

We've also included detailed instructions to help you request items, place a hold, and even sign up for a virtual library card. Here you can also find help with some of the catalog's additional features like accessing the library's subscription databases, ebooks and electronic materials, and navigating special title lists (like PE Exam prep materials).

And as always, if you need any help or have any additional questions, just ask!

Gil Kenner

(434) 293-1926

VDOT Research Library

ASTM Compass is VDOT's most used subscription, averaging about 4,000 downloads a year.  Get your free account today!

The VDOT Research Library is participating in a Product Advisory Council (PAC) on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at ASTM International headquarters in West Conshohocken, PA.

ASTM created the PAC to discuss product development, industry trends, future technology needs, and customer satisfaction of ASTM products and services, specifically the ASTM Compass database used by hundreds of VDOT employees statewide.  For more on ASTM Compass check out this Quick-Start Guide.

"VDOT's participation will help us evaluate the trends within transportation and shape the roadmaps and future direction of ASTM platforms. That includes product feature ideas, new product suggestions, and new technologies that our customers need or use," said Lisa Palmer, ASTM Product Manager.  "It is also an opportunity for us to document your likes and dislikes of what we offer now. Your insights are a crucial and valuable part of our continued efforts to support VDOT's business needs." 

VDOT is one of only two DOTs represented on the 15-agency committee, making this a unique opportunity for VDOT to get a "seat at the table" (literally). So if you are a frequent user of the ASTM and AASHTO content in ASTM Compass, we hope you'll share your opinions with us...so we can share them with ASTM!

In fact, the opportunity is so rare that we reached out to the top 275 VDOT employees (based on download metrics from the past 2 years) and invited you to complete this brief ASTM Compass User Satisfaction Survey.  So if you got that message but have not responded yet, please do.

 Your responses will allow VDOT to speak directly (and anonymously) to ASTM on your behalf, and will be useful in improving the content and functionality of the database.  

We've already gotten 40 responses, but our goal is to get at least 60 responses by July 18, however....the survey will remain open until July 31 in case you need more time and we will factor in all responses.

Questions?  Please contact: 

Ken Winter
VDOT Research Library
434-962-8979

Click on the image above to jump straight to the library's updated "What's New" page.

The VDOT Research Library receives hundreds of new print publications and countless electronic documents every quarter, from publishers you rely on like: AASHTO, ASTM, TRB and too many others to count. 

Check out the latest update to our "What's New Page" to see selected new items added in the past 90 days. Library staff review new acquisitions, select some of the most relevant items, then group them by category to save your time and energy. The new online listing lets you choose "Ship to me" or "Hold for me" and so we can reserve your items (first come first served!) and ship them free of charge to any district or division! 

These days, we also have an Online Recommendation Form VDOT employees can use to suggest new items for our collections. We'll consider anything that's within the scope of our collection development policy. 

If you have questions about the collections please contact Gil Kenner (434-293-1926) and if you have questions about borrowing contact Barb Neyman (434-293-1902).

As always, we're here to help!

Gil Kenner

(434) 293-1926

VDOT Research Library