The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is launching an exciting new service for members at SMM (Hamburg – 4-7 September) – the IMarEST Virtual Library.
Providing access to thousands of eBooks, journals, trade magazines, reports and news, it provides yet another significant benefit for its 15, 000 members around the world.
“Members visiting SMM are invited to visit our stand (Hall B1, Upper Floor, 601) in order to put this new service through its paces and provide feedback, ” explains IMarEST Chief Executive, David Loosley. “As a learned society we understand the importance of access to knowledge – indeed, this was why the Institute was founded over 120 years ago. This access not only supports scientific and engineering advancements, but helps individuals maintain their continuing professional development (CPD) and promotes validation of expertise through professional registration.
“With a global membership in over a hundred countries, it is vital to be able to provide consistent knowledge benefits for all our members. Our new Virtual Library comprises three key online resources all of which will become exclusively available to members via our website, further establishing IMarEST as the leading international membership body and learned society for marine professionals.”
The IMarEST Digital Archive will be showcased at SMM enabling all visitors and exhibitors to put it to the test. It comprises full text access to over 120 years of IMarEST publications, including the full catalogue of IMarEST journals and the Institute’s historic transactions, and back issues of magazines such as MER – Marine Engineers Review, Shipping World and Shipbuilder, and Marine Scientist.
The second component part of the Virtual Library is the IMarEST Discovery Service, which provides access to the full text and data on thousands of academic journals, trade magazines, market reports and news providers from publishers across the global engineering, scientific and technology community. In addition to engineering and scientific information, the Discovery Service includes business, marketing and financial information – the non-technical information that helps to augment a marine professional’s career development.
These two aspects are coupled with a growing collection of eBooks. Already available via the IMarEST website, these act as a catalogue of ‘cherry-picked’ titles (or the digital equivalent of a library bookshelf), allowing members to read them online, or to download them for a limited time.
“All of these services will be fully searchable online and easy to navigate, ” says David Loosley. “We are eager to provide our members with an easy-to-use system that they will come to rely upon as an essential daily work tool; and that’s why we have chosen to launch at SMM so the maximum number of people can put it to the test, and we can record their feedback.
“We know that many members – and others interested in marine engineering, science and technology – visit Lloyd’s Register to use the IMarEST library which has been housed there since the Institute moved in 2011, but had long intended to ensure that our global membership could make just as full use of our archive as those based in, or near, London.”
Further information on the IMarEST Virtual Library will be available from the IMarEST stand at SMM or via www.imarest.org/Technical/InformationServices.
Also at SMM IMarEST will be offering a 50% discount on any of their books purchased during the show – these include some invaluable titles used on a daily basis throughout the industry.
For the duration of SMM there will be no assessment fee for new Corporate Members (at both Member and Fellow level); this provides those new members with a saving of £60.00 – welcome news in straitened economic times.
IMarEST membership is acknowledged worldwide and many key employers view membership as indicative of an individual’s commitment to their career and to lifelong learning. Becoming a Corporate Member of the Institute provides independent recognition of standing and experience. Additionally, Corporate Members can become registered (e.g. chartered) through the IMarEST.
Other very tangible benefits include networking opportunities, free journal subscriptions, access to information services, reduced price attendance at IMarEST technical and social events, discounts on IMarEST published books and a dedicated marine employment service.
ENDS
About IMarEST
• The IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology) is the leading membership body and learned society for marine professionals, industry, research and education, with 50 branches and 15, 000 members worldwide • Professional Recognition: qualifications for membership are based on the educational background and/or multi-disciplinary experience ensuring that high professional standards are maintained • The only membership body that can award Chartered Marine Scientist and Technologist, Chartered, Incorporated and Engineering Technician status to their professional engineering counterparts • The IMarEST is part of the Marine Engineering, Science and Technology Federation • IMarEST Marine Partners: a membership network for organisations in industry, research and education operating in the marine and offshore sectors • Maritime journals include MER (Marine Engineers Review); Shipping World & Shipbuilder incorporating Maritime IT & Electronics; The Marine Scientist; and the Journal of Operational Oceanography. • IMarEST Publications: Technical Proceedings Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology (JMET), Journal of Operational Oceanography (JOO) and a catalogue of 100+/- books • The IMarEST Library is now housed at Lloyd’s Register at 71 Fenchurch Street, where IMarEST members and non-members alike have access to an extraordinary knowledge base. There is member-only access to a small but growing number of eBooks via www.imarest.org/knowlege. • IMarEST organises 30-40 events and conferences annually; and was the host organisation for the World Maritime Technology Conference held in London in 2006
Issued on behalf of IMarEST by Judith Patten @ JPPR
