Drug Foundation E-library Offers Easy Access
15 October 2013 at 8:14 am
An e-library offering free information on alcohol, drug and related health issues has been launched by the Australian Drug Foundation.
The ADF Search service provides access to licensed content from about 4000 scholarly journals, ebooks, and the Australian Drug Foundations' own DrugInfo resources, and literature from Not for Profit organisations and governments.
Full access is available to anyone who joins the ADF, which is free.
Head of Information and Research, Julie Rae, says ADF SEARCH results range from drug effects information to the latest research, statistics and full text editions of published and peer-reviewed academic papers.
"For many years the Australian Drug Foundation provided an on-the-shelf traditional physical library where people studying, working or interested in alcohol and other drugs could come and read or borrow hard copy resources," she said.
"This was a popular and useful service, but the way we seek information has radically changed. We've reshaped our service so we can provide information through the pathways people want to find it, and in the format they want it in.
"We want to make it easier for people to get evidence-based information on alcohol and other drugs, bringing information and research from all over the world together in an easy to use online search bar.
"Here at the ADF, we're proud of the way we're using technology to connect people to information. Last year we launched a 'Get the effects by txt!' drug SMS information service, we also provide weekly updates on drug information topics, write a popular alcohol blog – Grogwatch, and provide important drug information telephone and web services."
Using the ExLibris Primo software platform, the Australian Drug Foundation has been able to create a single online search portal which allows a user to easily and quickly see a single list of information results for their search, rather than search individual journals or websites separately.
"This kind of resource isn't really found outside of big institutions such as universities. It's like a search engine to quickly find quality information about health promotion, alcohol and other drugs,” Rae said.
"We're really proud of our role connecting people with the information they need so we can all keep working with the community to prevent other drug and alcohol problems and live healthy lives."
ADF SEARCH is available on DrugInfo site.
