IMarEST launches its virtual library at SMM trade fair in Hamburg

THE Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) has announced that it is launching the IMarEST Virtual Library at the Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology (SMM) International trade fair this week in Hamburg.

This new service for IMarEST's 15,000 members worldwide will provide access to thousands of eBooks, journals, trade magazines, reports and news.

"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," said 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 and promotes validation of expertise through professional registration."

The IMarEST Digital Archive that will be showcased at SMM comprises full text access to over 120 years of the Institute's publications, including the full catalogue of its journals, historic transactions, and back issues of magazines such as Marine Engineers Review (MER), 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, the Discovery Service includes business, marketing and financial information.

"All of these services will be fully searchable online and easy to navigate," said Mr 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."