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Next Generation Library Catalogs

note: The 2008 Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) conference features a number of programs related to "Next Gen" interfaces. A preconference on "The Future of the ILS" takes place May 6-7, 2008. For details see pages 3-4 of the conference program (pdf). Visit the MLA conference website at http://www.masslib.org/conference/2008Conference/ for more information.

 

A large group of interested librarians and others from Western Massachusetts and nearby areas of New England gathered for an interesting and informative program about "next generation" interfaces for library databases.

Wednesday afternoon, November 7, 2007
UMass Amherst Campus Center Auditorium, 1st floor

location information: University of Massachusetts at Amherst campus maps

the program:

A number of new software systems present "Amazoogle"-like experiences for online library catalog searchers. They are growing both in numbers and innovative features, and they are being developed either as open-source resources or marketed by vendors. Endeca, WorldCat Local, Primo, Encore, AquaBrowser, Evergreen/PINES, the WordPress-based catalog Scriblio, and the eXtensible Catalog (XCat) are some of these Web 2.0-enabled "NextGen" interfaces.

Following an opening talk on changes we're seeing with the launch of NextGen library database interfaces, speakers from libraries that have implemented WorldCat Local and AquaBrowser demonstrated their catalogs. They explained why they did so and how the new interfaces have been received by library users.

This program was sponsored by the Five College Librarians' Council with support from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

Audio podcasts of the speakers' presentations will be made available via the GSLIScast website: http://gslis.simmons.edu/podcasts/.

agenda:

1:00  Welcome
1:10  Overview of Next Gen Catalogs - David Lindahl
2:00  Break
2:20  WorldCat Local at University of Washington - Jennifer Ward
3:10  AquaBrowser at Oklahoma State University - Anne Prestamo
4:00  Conclusion

guest speakers:

David Lindahl, Director of Digital Library Initiatives
University of Rochester Libraries, New York
Co-principal investigator of the XC project,
http://www.extensiblecatalog.info

presentation: November 2007 powerpoint      GSLIS Podcast

bio: David Lindahl is Director of Digital Library Initiatives for the River Campus Libraries. He has extensive experience in library-related digital research and design projects, and is responsible for advanced development of all aspects of library systems including the library catalog and the institutional repository at the University of Rochester. At Xerox PARC, where he was previously employed, Mr. Lindahl received a user interface patent for the design of an image search and retrieval tool that integrated with an ILS. In addition, he was also the co-principal investigator of a recent IMLS National Leadership Grant, which involved a large user study and the development of enhanced functionality and interface features. He is currently a principal investigator on an IMLS-funded study of graduate student work practices as well as being a principal investigator for the eXtensible Catalog Project.

 

Anne M. Prestamo, Associate Dean for Collection & Technology Services
Oklahoma State University Library
http://www.library.okstate.edu/dean/prestamo/

title: "AquaBrowser Implementation at Oklahoma State University Library"
presentation: November 2007 powerpoint        GSLIS Podcast

bio: Before becoming Associate Dean of Libraries for Collection and Technology Services, Dr. Prestamo served as Head of Digital Library Services and a reference librarian in the Library's Science & Engineering Division at OSU. She holds a BM degree from Kent State University, an MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a doctorate in Educational Technology from Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining the OSU faculty, Prestamo held positions in the libraries at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Dr. Prestamo's main area of interest is with technology for the delivery of library resources.

 

Jennifer Ward, Head of Web Services
University of Washington Libraries

title: "Six Months with WorldCat Local: The University of Washington Libraries’ Experience"

presentation slides: pdf file       GSLIS Podcast

abstract: The University of Washington Libraries is participating in a pilot project with OCLC to test a new kind of library catalog, WorldCat Local. The goal is to provide a single search interface for local holdings, consortial holdings (in our case, the Orbis Cascade Alliance), and all other WorldCat libraries' holdings. WorldCat Local also provides almost 30 million article citations. On the delivery side, WorldCat Local integrates local and consortial delivery options with interlibrary loan, and of course, online access. By breaking down a number of discovery and delivery silos, we hope to offer users easier and more convenient access to the quality resources we and other libraries hold. This presentation will focus on the University of Washington Libraries' experience with the WorldCat Local system, which has been available to our users since April 30, 2007.

bio: Jennifer Ward received an MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is the Head of Web Services for the University of Washington Libraries and manages the Libraries' usability program. Her presentations and publications cover a range of topics, most notably institutional repositories and assessment/user experience.

 

Send questions to: Rebecca Henning, (rrhenning@amherst.edu), Cataloging Librarian, Amherst College, or to Anne C. Moore (annem@library.umass.edu), Associate Director for User Services, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

 

Links to additional information:

Eric Lease Morgan's musings on the "Next generation" library catalog (updated August, 2007)
http://www.library.nd.edu/daiad/morgan/musings/ngc

 

Computers in Libraries 2006 program notes on LITA Blog
"Future of Catalogs", with Andrew Pace & Roy Tennant
http://litablog.org/2006/03/28/cil-2006-future-of-catalogs/

 

Andrew Pace speaking at the Library of Congress on NCSU’s Faceted Catalog From Endeca [ResourceShelf » Webcast, July 2007]
ttp://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/08/07/webcast-andrew-pace-speaks-at-the-library-of-congress-about-ncsus-faceted-catalog/

 

available by subscription:

ALA TechSource announces "Next-Generation Library Catalogs" by Marshall Breeding, 2007.
http://www.techsource.ala.org/ltr/next-generation-library-catalogs.html
Library Technology Reports, Jul/Aug2007, Vol. 43, Issue 4
                    

 

"Toward a Twenty-first Century Library Catalog"
by Kristen Antelman; Emily Lynema and Andrew K. Pace.
Information Technology & Libraries; Sept. 2006, Vol. 25, Issue 3, p128-139
                    

 

"The Birth of a New Generation of Library Interfaces"
by Marshall Breeding.
Computers in Libraries; Oct2007, Vol. 27, Issue 9, p34-37
                    

 

ALA TechSource announces "Information Organization Futures for Libraries" by Brad Eden, 2007.
http://www.techsource.ala.org/ltr/information-organization-future-for-libraries.html
Library Technology Reports; Nov./Dec. 2007, Vol. 43, Issue 6
Chapter 3, "Reinventing the OPAC," annotates many article and online resource citations.
                    

 

Please send corrections to Sika Berger:
sberger@email.smith.edu
Last updated March 25, 2008