Chemical Information Sources Wikibook

Chemical Information Sources Wikibook:the open source created by chemical information professionals for chemical information professionals

Charles F. Huber

Davidson Library, University of California

Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010Presented at the 250th ACS National Meeting

Boston, MA Wednesday, August 19, 2015

250th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, Aig. 19, 2015 2

Chemical Information Sources Wikibook

Origins and history

What it contains; how it works

What the future holds…

250th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, Aug. 19, 2015

History: Before the Web…

Gary Wiggins (1991) Chemical Information Sources McGraw-Hill.

“…is designed to give the chemist, librarian or student the command of the chemical literature which is needed to solve most chemical information problems.”

Described key concepts in chemical information, information sources, and best techniques for their use.


Migration to the Web

To improve accessibility and ease of updating, Gary created a web version of his text:

1994: Chemical Information Sources from Indiana University (CIS-IU)


Migration to Wikibooks

In 2007, Gary moved to the more flexible Wikibooks platform, creating:

Selected Internet Resources for Chemistry (SIRCh),

Chemical Information Instructional Materials (CIIM) (which grew out of a print collection by the ACS CINF Education Committtee)

Chemical Information Sources Wikibook


Further developments

Following Gary’s retirement, G. Ben Wagner (University at Buffalo) took over as editor-in-chief in 2011.

In 2014, it was proposed that the CINF Education Committee take the project under its wing.


And now…

Prof. Martin Walker (SUNY Potsdam) has taken over as Technical Editor.

Chuck Huber has volunteered to act as editor-in-chief for a three year term (2015-2018).


Where we are now

Main Topic Includes

How and Where to Start The Publication ProcessGuides to Chem. Inf. SourcesGeneral Search StrategiesCurrent Awareness and ReviewsMonographs, Encyclopedias, etc.

How and Where to Search: General Author and Citation SearchingSubject SearchingChemical Name and FormulaStructure Searching

How to Search: Specialized Synthesis and Reaction SearchesChemical Safety and Toxicology SearchesAnalytical Chemistry SearchesPhysical Property SearchesChemical Patent Searches


Where we are now (cont.)

Main Topic Includes

Communicating in Chemistry Blogs, Social Networks and Mailing ListsMolecular Visualization Tools and SitesScience Writing Aids

Miscellaneous Chemical History, Biography, Directories andIndustry SourcesTeaching and Studying ChemistryCareers in ChemistryCheminformatics

Supplemental Information SIRChCIIMInformation Competencies for Chemistry UndergraduatesCHMINF-L


Where are we going from here?

Integration of SIRCh and CIIM into the main Wikibook structure.

Reorganization for easier navigation. Updating and enhancing of articles…some

sections need work! Adding additional material to cover neglected

areas and new topics, e.g.: Biochemistry and Chemical Biology Materials Chemistry Metrics (both traditional and altmetrics)


How you can help!

Visit the Wikibook:

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chemical_Information_Sources

Explore it, critique it, and let us know what you think, both good and bad. What’s missing? What could be better organized? What’s out of date?

Volunteer to write/edit sections that match your interests and expertise.

Contact: Chuck Huber, [email protected]

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chemical_Information_Sources


Acknowledgements

Gary Wiggins, Prof. Emeritus, Indiana University

A. Ben Wagner, Univ. at Buffalo

Grace Baysinger, Stanford University, Chair of CINF Education Committee

Martin Walker, SUNY Potsdam, Technical Editor

All the writers and editors who have contributed to the Chemical Information Sources Wikibook to make it the powerful resource it is, and those who will make it more so in the years to come.