Posted on: March 16, 2015
This is an important message for TRU Library RefWorks users.
As of June 2015, the Canadian version of RefWorks will cease to exist, because the Canadian server that hosts RefWorks is no longer available. Having your username, email address and citations stored on a US server means that your account information will be subject to US laws, specifically the US Patriot Act, which allows US authorities to have access to your personal information.
Please note: there are no citation management products that store data exclusively on Canadian servers. Popular competitor products like Endnote, Mendeley and Zotero all store their data on non-Canadian servers.
UPDATE (May 8, 2015): TRU Library has decided to NOT renew its subscription to RefWorks on a US server. Until TRU Library has determined the viability of a RefWorks subscription on a US Server. We recommend that ALL TRU RefWorks users back up their accounts and download a copy of their information. Instructions on the backup and download process. All TRU RefWorks accounts will be permanently and unrecoverably deleted on May 22th.
If you are an instructor at TRU, you must not mandate the use of RefWorks in your classes after the migration date. BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) requires that use of systems located outside of Canada must be with prior written consent if the user has to provide personal information.
