Best Practice

Free Internet Resources

Using the Internet

BBC Absolute Beginners Guide to using the Internet
BBC Becoming Webwise
Learn the Net
National Learning Network (NLN)
Resource Discovery Network (RDN) Virtual Training Suite
Tutorials on using the internet in all subject areas
Tonic

Reference and Subject Indexes

Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences
Detailed subject index covering a multitude of resources
JISC Regional Support Centre South East
Strong on links to resources

Research and Retrieval

INFORMS
Interactive tutorials to using specific resources
University of Strathclyde: Research Techniques
Designed to help identify and locate information needed for assignments, projects and postgraduate work
University of Leicester Distance Training Unit:
Information Retrieval Skills

Specialist subjects

Graphics

WINK:
Creates framed Flash animations from screen grabs

Library and Information Science

Phil Bradley’s website
Lis-pub-libs
Mailing list for public librarians

Medical

Cochrane Library
For NHS staff, patients and the public to supply high quality evidence for those providing and receiving care and those responsible for researching, teaching, funding and administration at all levels.
Health Libraries Network (HLN)
Supports library staff working in healthcare in the south east and
south east London.
PubMed
Public access for the Medline service

Quizzes

HOT POTATOES 6
Creates online quizzes

Databases produced by the KILN Membership

CVS:
A pilot database of CVS holdings (currently available to CVS only)
KCC Libraries and Archives:
Guide to online services
Kent Clubs and Societies (KOALA)
Guide to location, opening hours and access of KCC libraries
Calendar of events held in KCC libraries
Kent Institute of Art and Design:
KIAD Student Portal
A programme called “Inform” has been developed introducing students to information skills and the main sources (electronic or otherwise). Using a workshop approach this is currently paper-based but plans to develop an online version are being considered, probably post-merger

Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust:
A variety of help guides are on the library website, which are printed off and made available to users at the 3 libraries. They are designed for NHS staff, rather than the general public:

  • Advance searching: using filters (how to use methodology filters to get more precise results from literature searching)
  • Basic Internet guide
  • Cochrane Library: How to use the Cochrane library databases
  • Databases described
  • Focusing your question
  • Harvard referencing
  • How long will my request take? A guide to the inter-library loan process
  • How to use Zetoc: how to receive email alerts about new journal issues or
    articles of interest
  • How sound is the evidence? Basic evaluation and critical appraisal
  • Literature searching: simple instructions for literature searches using
    the Dialog service
  • Using Boolean in searches: using Boolean operators and other search
    syntax to improve your search
  • Using the internet: a basic guide to searching the web

Medway Council:
MOLE: List of clubs and societies in Medway
About Medway: Community information portal for Medway
Library Links: Via the library home page provides a list of useful websites in subject order
CityArk: Catalogue of Medway Council’s historic archives

South Kent College:
Extensive learning resources (not available generally) are on the student intranet, including course resources, information literacy and induction (Passport to learning; College Knowledge)
Subject/course specific library and online quizzes
Understanding Dewey

University of Kent and Canterbury:
Online Journals
Exam Papers
Reading Lists (built using the Loughborough system)
Online Cartoon Catalogue
Skills for Knowledge, Information & Literature Searching (SKILS)
Tutorial – a generic information skills resource
Subject guides
LAWLINKS
Includes:
Law Skills
Electronic Law Library
LawPaths