Switchover set for enhanced JHU libraries catalog interface

Next week, the original JHU Libraries catalog interface will be officially replaced by a new interface, which has been available in pilot mode since February.

Among the array of features if offers are improved response time; more options to refine a search, such as restricting language (including English); and the ability to request materials online. Users also will be able to register to receive library notices by e-mail.

The retirement of the original catalog interface will allow the libraries to continue to provide enhancements that allow fast, easy access to the more than 3.5 million records in the catalog.

Library staff request that anyone who hasn't explored the new interface try it before the changeover takes place Oct. 1. Comments or questions can be sent to catalog@library.jhu.edu.

SAIS professor elected to U.N. Human Rights Committee

Ruth Wedgwood, director of the SAIS International Law and Organization Program, has been elected to a four-year term as the U.S. member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the implementation body for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This covenant is considered by many scholars and international lawyers to be one of the most important international human rights treaties now in existence.

Wedgwood joins representatives from India, Japan, Switzerland, France, Tunisia, Argentina, Poland and Panama who also were elected on Sept. 9 to the 18-member committee.

United Way campaign kickoff event scheduled for Friday

The university will officially launch its 2002 United Way Campaign for Central Maryland with a kickoff event at noon on Friday, Sept. 27, at Shriver Hall, Homewood campus.

This year's campaign chairs have set a combined Hopkins goal of $2,344,500.

The short ceremony will include a presentation and talk by Leslie Strasdaukus and Piper Leigh-Daniels from Project PLASE, a woman's shelter that was the site of this year's Day of Caring event. The day's other speaker will be Drew Langloh, senior vice president for the United Way of Central Maryland, who will discuss both his organization's needs and the recent scandals associated with the United Way, including the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the chief executive officer of the United Way of the National Capital Area.

Following the addresses, all who attend are invited to the lower quad to enjoy complimentary hot dogs, chips and soda.

CIDR announces plans to expand, NIH funding renewed

The Center for Inherited Disease Research has announced that its contract with the National Institutes of Health has been funded for another five years, bringing the center's total budget to $64 million. The center provides genotype and statistical genetics services to investigators wanting to identify genes that contribute to human disease.

As part of the new contract period, the center plans to increase its genotyping capacity from 6 million genotypes per year to 11 million, an effort that will require hiring an additional 21 staff members. Among those to be hired are administrative personnel, lab and research technicians, a programmer and a statistical geneticist. For more information, go to www.cidr.jhmi.edu.

The Peabody Wind Ensemble releases its second CD

The Peabody Wind Ensemble, Harlan Parker, conductor, has just released its second CD, titled Orff, Bird and Reed. The recording includes three selections--Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" Suite, Arthur Bird's Serenade for Wind Instruments and Herbert Owen Reed's La Fiesta Mexicana.

This release by the Peabody Wind Ensemble follows the tradition set in its debut recording, From an Antique Land, to program a wide variety of music including contemporary pieces, chamber works and standard repertoire.

"This recording exemplifies the vast range of music available to wind ensembles today," said Parker, who is coordinator of the Music Education division at Peabody.

The CD is available online at the Peabody Wind Ensemble's Web site http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/cons/ensembles/pwe/ at the Peabody Book Store and at various local retailers.

East Baltimore Medical Center celebrates reopening

On Sept. 21, the East Baltimore Medical Center hosted a reopening ceremony to mark the completion of its $5 million renovation. The extensive upgrades include a new ob/gyn and pediatric unit and an enlarged, updated Care Plus After Hours department.

The event included free health screenings for high blood pressure, asthma and pregnancy as well as music and lunch. Expected at the event were Ronald R. Peterson, president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System and executive vice president of JHM; Barbara Cook, acting president of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians; Donald Claxton, regional medical director of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians; and Claude Earl Fox, director of Hopkins' Urban Health Institute.