Online resources for mathematics in the scientific virtual reference desk

Abstract(s)

The present work briefly describes the Virtual Reference Desk for mathematics elaborated during the time I worked at the CERN Library (European Laboratory for Particle Physics or Laboratoire européen pour la physique des particules) in Geneva. This instrument is dedicated to the CERN librarians, with whom I have shared important moments of my professional career. In particular, I would like to gratefully acknowledge their valuable co-operation and assistance during our time spent working together. The Web metasource is comprised of three directories, annotated and interrelated with dual application: The first is intended as a work tool for librarians working in mathematics libraries, but above all for librarians of high energy physics, who more often than not must turn to mathematics and the use of mathematical applications and models for the physical sciences and in particular particle physics. The second is an on-line resource for mathematics; that is, a Virtual Reference Desk for the community of mathematicians, with whom I have been collaborating for some twenty years at the University of Padova. The bibliographical instrument is born from the need to have at our disposal a scientific Virtual Reference Desk created according to the needs of those working in physics and mathematics libraries – a tool which is comprised of materials collected during years of work as much as material available on-line through the use of new technologies.