The Southern Medical University (SMU) Sci-Tech Novelty Search Center operates under the SMU Library, which originated from the Library of the First Military Medical University. The Center was established in 1992 as one of the first 12 military-level novelty search stations approved by the Health Department of the General Logistics Department. On August 24, 2004, following a directive from the State Council and the Central Military Commission, the First Military Medical University was transferred to Guangdong Province and renamed Southern Medical University. The SMU Library Novelty Search Center has continued to provide novelty search services for the university, Guangdong Province, and military healthcare institutions. In January 2009, the Center was designated as a Ministry of Education-level Sci-Tech Novelty Search Station (Medical Category, No. Y01) (Document No.: Jiao Ji Han [2009] 3).

Since the 1980s, the SMU Sci-Tech Novelty Search Center has utilized domestic and international retrieval tools, online databases, the DIALOG international online retrieval system, and extensive library collections to provide users with literature retrieval and sci-tech novelty search services. The Center primarily handles fee-based, non-profit services including novelty search for research project initiation, achievement appraisal, award applications, new product development, new technology introduction, and indexing and citation verification in medical and related disciplines for SMU, military units, and organizations within and outside Guangdong Province. It also offers information consulting services and supports information resource development. The service scope covers healthcare institutions in various provinces and cities including Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, Fujian, Xinjiang, and military systems, contributing to the advancement of medical science and technology.

The Center maintains strict review procedures, comprehensive confidentiality measures, and efficient operational processes. It operates under the guidance of the Sci-Tech Novelty Search Advisory Committee, composed of experts and professors from various schools and departments of SMU, providing high-quality services for research institutes, enterprises, public institutions, and the university itself. These services include sci-tech project initiation, achievement appraisal and awards application, indexing and citation verification, and information consulting.

Scope of Novelty Search Services:

• Research project initiation

• Application for scientific and technological achievement awards

• Appraisal, evaluation, acceptance, and transformation of achievements

• Technical consulting (including technology introduction, technology transfer, new product development, and special topic research)

Subject Librarian: Liang Haiyang
Tel: 020-61648053
Email: smuckzxb@smu.edu.cn