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CISTI Source Service (formerly SwetScan)

Frequently Asked Questions

* What Is CISTI Source?

CISTI Source combines two different services.

  • CISTI Source (formerly SwetScan), an electronic table of contents database that covers 14,000 journals worldwide in all subject areas. The database can be searched by keyword in title, author, and journal volume and year. On its own CISTI Source serves as an excellent multidisciplinary current awareness tool.

  • document delivery through CISTI, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information. CISTI has developed a link with CISTI Source that allows researchers to order documents directly from the CISTI Source database for delivery to their institutional libraries. CISTI will provide articles that are held in its own collection, the most comprehensive science and technology library in Canada.
    • Over 60% of the journals covered in CISTI Source are in the areas of Science Technology and Medicine (STM). The vast majority of these STM journals are in CISTI's collection.

    Articles will normally be available in the Document Delivery Services offices of the MacKimmie or Health Sciences Library within two working days of being requested.

    * Who can use the service?

    All students, faculty and staff of the University of Calgary are authorized to search CISTI Source and order articles.

    * What if the University of Calgary Library already holds the item?

    We will be blocking document delivery requests for current subscriptions. If you try to order such an item you will be given the option of connecting to the Library catalogue.

    * What if neither the University of Calgary Library nor CISTI have an item and I still want to order it?

    In this case you will be given the option of linking to the University of Calgary Document Delivery Request form. You can fill out this form online to request that Document Delivery Services obtain the item for you.

    *How Current is the Information in CISTI Source?

    The database is updated weekly. Information is often available before the most recent issue of a journal is received by subscribers. For most journals, coverage goes back to September 1993.

    In fact, the CISTI Source database may be more current than CISTI's actual holdings. Orders for very recently published items may be cancelled because CISTI has still not received the item. If this happens you should wait a few weeks and then resubmit your request.

    *How does it work?

    You must authenticate yourself as an authorized University of Calgary user (student, faculty or staff) by entering your User ID and PIN. Your User ID is the first nine digits of the barcode on the back of your University of Calgary ID (gold or blue) Card. Your PIN is the number on the front of your campus card with all leading zeroes removed (e.g. if the number on the front of your campus card is 000123456, your PIN is 123456) - unless you have changed your PIN, in which case, enter the changed value.

    There are detailed help pages available at the CISTI Source site.

    Remember, orders will only be accepted if the item is held at CISTI. CISTI Source also indexes journals that are not held by CISTI. The best CISTI coverage will be for articles in science, medicine, and technology. If the item you order is not available at CISTI, CISTI Source will display a notice rejecting the order. In that case you can still place a normal request through Document Delivery Services.

    When completing order forms it is necessary to enter your full name in the box labelled Name.

    *Where do I pick up my article?

    Due to the nature of this service, you will be expected to pick up the articles. We will not be able to notify you of receipt of requested materials.

    You must make sure when filling out the order to specify to which library you want the article delivered. Your choices will be the MacKimmie Library or the Health Sciences Library. The document should be ready two working days after you placed the order.

    *Whom Can I Contact With Other Questions?

    Robert Tiessen
    Head, Access Services
    220-6043
    tiessen@ucalgary.ca

    *Search / Order from CISTI Source

    *Document Delivery Home Page