Agenda
- Open URL Generator [Kitty for the SFX Maintenance Team]
- Series and cataloging [meeting to be scheduled with Metadata Committee]
- Testbed Project Team report [Jason]
- Information Competencies/Instruction Project
- Reference Forum update
- Instruction Forum update
- ACORN--who uses it and how
Meeting Notes from Teresa Gray
Present: Amy Limpitlaw, David Carpenter, Melinda Brown, Flo Wilson, Sue Erickson, Kitty Porter, Jason Battles, Robert Rich, Teresa Gray, Leslie Boyd. Absent: Janet Hirt
OpenURL Generator - Kitty Porter
There is a lack of communication about the intent of SFX. SFX is not a discovery tool. Its purpose is to establish a stable URL so that resources can be safely linked in web pages. Publisher URLs are not stable and may change over time. The library provides an instruction page on generating such URLs here: [1]. Publisher-provided URLs do not include proxy information, making it difficult for patrons to reach the resources they're looking for.
Discussion/Issues:
- Melinda raised the issue that some links don't link directly to the cited article but link to a database. Some users may find this frustrating. Flo asked whether there is a need for more information on different approaches to getting to a specific article.
Series and Cataloging - Flo Wilson
The Metadata Committee will create a project team to discuss series cataloging issues and what needs to be done locally. A joint meeting between our two committees will be scheduled to determine the fallout of LOC's decision to eliminate series cataloging. Marshall Breeding will be in charge of theis meeting, which will be scheduled shortly.
In eliminating series cataloging, LOC is trying to free up time for other tasks. We need to figure out whether we need to continue to do series cataloging ourselves. Currently the program for Cooperative Cataloging has primary responsibility for this task.
Keep an eye out for the announcement of the joint meeting. There is a lot of discussion in the library community about this issue. Bring comments about this issue to the next meeting.
Testbed Project Team Report - Jason Battles
Jason Battles provided a demonstration of the new Testbed web page. The page is still under development and will launch formally in June. The Digital Library Steering Committee is in charge of the project. The design of the page borrows havily from the Google Labs site. The purpose of the page is to test for usability and the development of new services. A name for the page hasn't been slected yet, but the current look and feel will probably be retained. More content will be added. The page redesign has been pushed back to August. Page designers will be using validators to vet the code of the page to ensure compatibility with current standards. A spell check feature is currently under development.
The project team is looking at creating a watermark of logo for Acorn search which will link back to the test site so users can leave comments. They are developing a ranking systems to accomodate users who don't have time to write extensive comments. The comments link uses javascript to open a text box for user comments. Content submitted using this feature will deposit all comments in a SQL database which developers can access to plan future development. Users will also be given the option to install Firefox plugins.
The Library X toolbar was developed by Virginia Tech. It adds a search box to the browser toolbar and can do complex searching. The FAQ page will deal with questions about why Firfox is being used instead of IE. Firefox is open source software and can be used for local developments while IE is not open source and cannot be customized.
Comments:
- It was suggested that the list of items be moved to the top of the page. If a user is not intrigued by the first item on the list, he/she may not scroll down to see other options on the page.
- The Acorn test page includes Ask Us/Tell Us buttons. If users use this feature to comment, librarians at the other end may not be able to tell that the questions/comments refer to items on the test page rather than the Acorn page. It was suggested to replace the Ask Us/Tell Us buttons with a link back to the test bed home page.
Ex Libris
Ex Libris will be here on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday morning, the Ex Libris representative will do a presentation on Monday morning with a demo of Primo at 9:30am at the University Club. Please RSVP to make sure there is room if you plan to attend. After Tuesday we will have a better idea of what will need to happen and how it will affect Acorn.
ACORN: Who uses it and how?
Surveys indicate dissatisfaction with Acorn. There have been a number of decision to turn things off which has limited the features available in Acorn.
- Testbed provides an opportunity to ask users about Acorn. Other groups need to formulate questions for the Testbed group to try out.
- What happens if we decide to stop using the toolbar? Each installation is on an individual machine so we'd just remove the link and stop building plugins into releases.
- Acorn test page is about one day behind the regular Acorn. Suggest we add statement to the test page saying that results may not be the most up to date.
For next meeting, bring suggestions for things to include on the test page.
Information Competencies/Instruction Project
The goals for this project have been outlined in the library's strategic plan (a handout on the project was provided). The goals as stated include the committee's early thinking about information competencies, which are over a year old now. The project team may need to change the listed tasks.
- Develop work plan for developing an information competencies program.
- Timeline needs to be developed by project team.
- Next step is to submit plan and timeline to Library Council, then the Strategic Planning Committee.
Some people will be drafted to participate, others invited. Information competencies is part of the library's reaccreditation. The QEP proposal was one of two forwarded on to the Chancellor and are currently awaiting action from his office. The Center for Teaching and the Writing Studio are both very interested in this project. It may also require action from the Staff Development Committee.
Reference Forum Update - Sue Erickson
Twelve people attended the first forum. It was very informal with attendees introuducing themselves, talking about their background, and talking about reference. The plan is to try to have a forum every month and alternate between discussion topics and database demos.
Most people who attended filled out a Reference Data Sheet which collection informaiton on areas of expertise.
Instruction Forum
Since the project team is still being assembled, the Instruction Forum can function like the Reference Forum. We may be able to interest people from UTK to attend. We will put out a call for volunteers on the listserv.