Published in Probe Volume 1(1-2): Spring-Summer 1991
Vincent Caccese, Librarian
Biological & Agricultural Sciences Reference Department
Shields Library
University of California, Davis
Some scientists, students, and others involved in research may not consider using library reference services when they need a database on molecular biology. They may fail to take advantage of a research librarian's access to non-bibliographic databases such as GenBank or NBRF-PIR. But, today, an increasing number of research libraries have access to specialized databases to better serve users. Along with those mentioned, similarly recondite databases have recently become part of reference services. One example is molecular structure searching on chemical databases, such as Chemical Abstracts, which librarians in many universities and companies have successfully mastered to benefit their users.
New Databases Created
Leading research libraries have recognized the importance of molecular biology databases to their mission. Increasingly, research libraries are not only using specialized databases but creating them as well. The National Agricultural Library (NAL) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), for example, are updating their bibliographic files (NAL's AGRICOLA and NLM's MEDLINE) to incorporate molecular biology data while creating new databases to integrate several kinds of reference/data files (NLM's GenInfo Backbone is the most recent example).
University Library Services
Along with national libraries and special libraries in private industry, academic research libraries are important centers for genetics information. At Johns Hopkins University's Welch Medical Library, the database GDB/OMIM (Genome Data Base/Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) has been available for some time from computers on public data lines to registered users around the country.
The Biological Sciences Library at Columbia University provides its students and faculty with access to locally mounted GenBank. While the University of California, Davis, libraries do not use dedicated equipment for such access, users can access sequence databases (such as GenBank) mounted on the campus computer via general purpose terminals in the libraries. With the additional availability of GenBank and other sequence databases via SprintNet and Internet for daily updated information, it is likely that the user population will increase.
User Assistance
Although libraries address local demands according to individual means and staffing, scientists and other users should not hesitate to ask for assistance in locating databases. Appropriate requests that do not make inordinate demands on staff or strain budgets include identifying a database, including its scope and currency; finding documentation for the database; identifying means of access and its cost; finding ancillary documentation in the scientific literature; and, if all else fails, suggesting who to call. Some libraries may also aid a new user in learning the system or in running a search. If the database requested is not available, the librarian will at least know that there is local demand for such information.