In this issue of the ERA eNewsletter we introduce Tony Leschen who represents NSLA on the ERA Executive Committee, highlight upcoming events such as the ERA Members Forum and the Product Poll, and provide updates on product enhancements to Oxford Reference Online and Health Center Academic. 

Readers may also be interested in the article on ERA in this month's edition of Incite.

ERA continues to grow - over 800 libraries now subscribing

Library participation in ERA has increased significantly in the last few months, with over 800 libraries now subscribing to products through ERA.   

Find out which libraries are subscribing through ERA.

Introducing Tony Leschen - NSLA representative

I am happy to represent National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA) on the ERA Executive Committee.  NSLA members include all Australian state and territory libraries and the National Libraries of Australia and New Zealand.

NSLA has a strong commitment to developing free Australia-wide home access to online information, working in partnership with the other library sectors. ERA has made a promising beginning, but further work is needed to raise its profile with library clients, to promote the benefits of participation for libraries, and to develop the range of databases available under the ERA umbrella.

If you would like to contact Tony Leschen, please click here.

National Library to host the ERA Members Forum in May

The National Library of Australia will host the first of the annual ERA Members Forum on Monday, 12 May 2008 in Canberra. This forum will provide an opportunity for libraries purchasing e-resources through ERA to come together and discuss important issues relating to the future direction and development of ERA.

A draft agenda and discussion paper on the selection of new products are now available.

Further details will be coming and updated on the ERA website.

Product Poll opens 25 March 2008

The 2008 Product Poll will open on 25 March 2008.

Libraries interested in renewing their subscriptions or joining ERA in the new subscription cycle commencing 1 July 2008 must register their interest through the product poll.  The extent of Australian library pick-up may influence the final ERA subscription price for any of the e-resources on the Product List.

Officers who are in a position to commit their library, or library consortium, to subscriptions are invited to indicate their interest between 25 March and 29 April.

Oxford Reference Online - new content and functionality

Two new Australian titles have been added to Oxford Reference Online within the last 6 months as part of regular content updates: 

      • The Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia
      • The Oxford Companion to Australian Politics

Several new timelines have also been added and there is now also an interactive periodic table within the Dictionary of Chemistry, and a Natural History subject area.

Full information on the October and January updates can be found on the vendors website.

Health Center Academic - over 280 live surgeries now available

More than 280 live surgeries are now available via Health Reference Center Academic and more surgeries will be added over the coming weeks.

Coverage includes Cardiovascular, Orthopedics, Neurology, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Transplants, Weight loss surgery, Cosmetic surgeries, and many more.

Accessing this content is simple --

• Try a keyword search (Basic) on: Knee Replacement Surgery, Gastric Bypass, Aortic Aneurysm, Rhinoplasty
• Click on the Multimedia Tab.
• Results will display a brief overview of the procedure with a link to see the live video. Clicking on the link will take you to OR Live.
• Click View webcast to see the procedure being performed.

ERA: the power of working together - Incite article

This month's issue of Incite contains an article on ERA.

Key dates to remember

• 25 March - ERA Product Poll Opens
• 29 April - ERA Product Poll Closes
• 12 May - ERA Members Forum
• 1 July - New Subscription Cycle Commences