Minutes of May 10, 2006 Meeting

Present:

M. Kesselman, A. Montanaro, L. Mullen, J. Nettleman, M. Page, C. Pecoraro, G. Smulewitz, C. Sterback

This meeting focused on preliminary implementation steps regarding the ERM, OpenURL, and federated searching products purchased via SirsiDynix and Serials Solutions.

Our report was discussed at both PSC and TSC. PSC suggested that we demonstrate various approaches and develop test beds for federated searching. TSC expressed concern over the migration from LinkSource to Article Linker. They suggested that we may also look into studying the use of federated searching by library users.

We agreed to the importance of letting RUL-Everyone know about the RUL purchases and the continuing role of our committee. Ann is drafting an email for RUL-Everyone.

Below are specific suggestions we agreed to related to implementation:

Article Linker and A to Z

• Implement by July 2006 and discontinue LinkSource.
• How can we assist Cathy in moving to Article Linker. We need to find out if Serials Solutions can make sure of our Ebsco knowledgebase or use an Excel output of it.
• We need to have a generic link name that our users can identify with the service, no matte what product we are using in the background. e.g. RULink
• Rather than the current error reporting from LinkSource, it would be preferable to have an option that goes to the FAQ and from there then goes to our regular Ask A Librarian service.
• Should we move our print subscriptions to A to Z? Not at the moment, but definitely something to consider as an option later.
• Should we instead build the new knowledgebase from scratch? Cathy suggested this as an approach in order to learn the new system. We decided to use Science Direct as a test bed in addition to a smaller package and some individual titles. We supported that Cathy needs some additional help from 2 other staff members from Collection Services.
• We need to tell Ebsco right away about our cancellation of Link Source - Mary Page will draft a response to Ebsco

Federated Searching

• We need to educate our librarians and others about federated searching.
• Kayo, Laura, and Marty will provide oversight of Central Search implementation.
• The task force was in full agreement that we should begin with the use of Central Search for a general multidisciplinary search where users need a few good articles to get them started. Kayo, Laura, and Marty will identify 6-10 major databases for Central Search and how this service might be presented to our undergraduates, the target audience for our implementation. It was suggested that we may wish to see how other libraries, such as NC State, present federated search products to their users.
• For more articles they would be referred to our subject arranged listing of databases. The subject arranged listing of databases is something that needs some work from WAC and the subject specialist librarians in order to identify core-resources in each subject.
• Other niche opportunities for Central Search were mentioned such as federating journal-finding resources together - i.e. IRIS, A to Z, Open Access Directories, Government Periodicals Listing and it's use for factual/background information by federating various electronic reference sources both purchased and available freely.

Other:

Do we need the serials MARC records from Serials Solutions? Mary and Gracemary will discuss this with Elizabeth and Bob

Respectfully submitted,
Marty Kesselman,
Secy per diem