Search

This article details the outcomes of the 'National Learning and Teaching Resource Audit and Classification' project, commissioned by the Australian Government's Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT). The project used a range of methodologies to reorganise the OLT's Resource Library (http://www.olt.gov.au/resource-library), constructing and selecting an optimal set of metadata elements, along with certain vocabularies for these elements, and then reindexing the content of the Resource Library utilising the new schema and vocabularies. This paper reports on a before-and-after evaluation of the Resource Library's search performance through an information retrieval experiment based on searches logged by the repository's content management system. It was found that the reindexing produced a significant increase in average recall from 25.1 to 37.1% and a significant increase in average precision from 37.6 to 50.4%. The paper also describes the construction of a new controlled vocabulary for the 'resource type' element and confirms the importance of clarity, conciseness, structure and scope in research report summaries for accurate document selection. Further, the paper outlines the audit of the OLT collection based on the frequency of particular Australian Thesaurus of Education Descriptors and Australian Standard Classifications of Education used in the reindexing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about makers is critical to bibliographic research, and special collections cataloging norms provide maker metadata. Still, access to maker metadata is hampered in online library catalogs. This article investigates the betterment of maker metadata in (or alongside) library catalogs using existing content guidelines, encoding schemas, and data models. Discussion finds that libraries have appropriate tools for improving access to maker metadata. This article thus encourages the profession to coordinate access to maker metadata. Cooperative maker description and the merger and/or linking of datasets generated by the research community are suggested areas for future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the development and automation of quality assurance procedures for locally loading electronic books (ebooks) on the Ontario Council of University Libraries’ Scholars Portal Platform. The authors conducted a two-phase study of MARC record fields indexed on the platform to detect errors and implement workflow changes to the quality control process. The authors report on this process and the costs involved and suggest that the challenges of ebook metadata are not met by MARC and a new metadata standard should be considered in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will be of interest to librarians, particularly those in consortia that are evaluating OpenURL link resolvers. This case study contrasts WebBridge (an Innovative Interface product) and LinkSource (EBSCO's product). This study assisted us in the decision-making process of choosing an OpenURL link resolver that was sustainable to maintain and, most importantly, made it easier for users to access the full text of an article. This case study does not propose that one product is superior to another; however, the criteria and methods used to evaluate the products will be of use to those seeking to improve user access. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There are several issues with Web-based search interfaces on a Sensor Web data infrastructure. It can be difficult to (1) find the proper keywords for the formulation of queries and (2) explore the information if the user does not have previous knowledge about the particular sensor systems providing the information. We investigate how the visualization of sensor resources on a 3D Web-based Digital Earth globe organized by level-of-detail (LOD) can enhance search and exploration of information by easing the formulation of geospatial queries against the metadata of sensor systems. Our case study provides an approach inspired by geographical mashups in which freely available functionality and data are flexibly combined. We use PostgreSQL, PostGIS, PHP, and X3D-Earth technologies to allow the Web3D standard and its geospatial component to be used for visual exploration and LOD control of a dynamic scene. Our goal is to facilitate the dynamic exploration of the Sensor Web and to allow the user to seamlessly focus in on a particular sensor system from a set of registered sensor networks deployed across the globe. We present a prototype metadata exploration system featuring LOD for a multiscaled Sensor Web as a Digital Earth application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: This study analyzes more than 400 SFX broken-link reports sent by users of an academic library. It raises technical issues regarding OpenURL linking in the handling of special journal volume and issue numbers, journal supplemental issues, embargo release dates, book reviews, DOIs, and other areas. It reports on full-text resources with the most broken links, causes of broken links, and the library''s responses to users. It also explores how journal publishers, database vendors, and OpenURL vendors can improve the quality of their products and how librarians can better serve users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reviewed link resolver success comparing 360 Link and a local implementation of WebBridge. Two methods were used: (1) comparing article-level access and (2) examining technical issues for 384 randomly sampled OpenURLs. Google Analytics was used to collect user-generated OpenURLs. For both methods, 360 Link out-performed the local implementation of WebBridge. 360 Link provided more direct article access and demonstrated fewer technical issues for theOpenURLs tested. 360 Link also provided management of target syntaxes, which created time savings. The assessment outcome for a local instance of WebBridge may not translate to other WebBridge implementations. The methods employed could be used to compare any link resolvers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Twenty-one volunteers tested the usability of revisions to the Texas A&M University Libraries' SFX® OpenURL link resolver menus, including the addition of Ex Libris' new bX™ recommendation service and a plug-in which pulls additional information about the journal into the menu. The volunteers also evaluated the quality and desirability of the bX recommendations and discussed their preferences for help options and full-text format. Results of the usability testing are reported along with the resultant menu changes. This study will be of interest to librarians implementing or redesigning OpenURL menus as well as those interested in the user experience. Serials Review 2011; 37:162-170. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OpenURL links provide access to full-text articles from citation databases; however, end users who have found citations outside of library databases must find the full text of their journal articles another way. Many OpenURL link resolvers offer a citation finder service which allows the end user to search for specific known items at the article level. This paper studies the usability of the "citation linker" search from Ex Libris' SFX®. Twenty-one volunteers tested finding known journal articles using both a standard A-to-Z list and SFX' citation linker search. The researchers compare results from the two search interfaces, document the problems found, recommend which interface makes the best default search interface, and suggest improvements to the citation linker interface. Serials Review 2011; 37:93-98. (c) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART) is a project concerned with the optimal implementation of the OpenURL specification. As a collaborative effort between the United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG) and the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and co-chaired by presenter Peter McCracken, its goal is to establish best practices to be used by content providers, aggregators, electronic resource management (ERM) system vendors, and libraries. Their concerted efforts are ultimately there to improve access to electronic resources for the end user, that is, the library patron. The KBART working group is identifying and pointing out problems in the use of OpenURL to those who provide the data and is further engaged in education and advocacy to assist the involved parties in finding solutions to those problems. A report is in progress that includes best practice recommendations on what type of data to provide and how to deliver the data. There are also topics under discussion related to error reporting, the methods of educating the involved parties, and how to incorporate the specific needs of individual libraries. The report to be delivered by the KBART working group is well under way but remains at the same time open for discussion and future input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a survey of U.S. academic libraries that was conducted in the spring of 2008 to determine if and how academic libraries were actively cataloging e-journals in the age of the OpenURL, A-Z journal lists, and the batch loading of purchased MARC records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART) is a joint project between the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and the UK Serials Group (UKSG) that is now underway with a focus on improving the functioning of OpenURL by providing standards for the quality and timeliness of data provided by publishers to knowledgebases. In this presentation Peter McCracken, Co-founder of Serials Solutions, provided an overview of KBART and discussed the future plans of this new initiative. A major goal of KBART is to develop a best practices guide that can be used by content providers as they focus on quality control as it relates to the data they provide to the knowledgebase. By bringing together librarians, publishers, aggregators, and e-resource and access management services (ERAMS) vendors the hope is that the real beneficiaries will be library patrons. Several problems that impact the ability of users to get to full-text content include OpenURL data errors and syntax errors. Peter provided an overview of the problems facing library patrons, the various factors that can lead to errors in the knowledgebase and what the KBART project may be able to do to contribute to better data for everyone. The various groups are meeting monthly and presentations are planned at several national-level conferences. KBART will be successful if it results in better data for everyone including those who provide it, those who process it, those who present it, and those who use it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation and widespread adoption of the OpenURL standard has improved the visibility, and therefore the usage, of libraries' online holdings, although there are some times when OpenURLs fail to resolve. To better understand why problems occur and encourage network-level solutions, librarians at Cornell University have begun working on a study of OpenURL metadata quality. Their goal is to create a systematic approach to assessing and validating metadata quality so that libraries and content providers may collaborate on solutions for metadata problems. One member of this project team, Glen Wiley, shared details about the types of problems this approach seeks to remedy and the status of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OpenURL is a valuable tool within library communities because it offers a gateway to the rapidly growing online information sources otherwise disconnected. However, the access it provides is not, as it is often billed, seamless. Reference librarians at Adelphi University were concerned that students were having difficulty retrieving full text articles via our link resolver and that distinctions between the various resources included in the OpenURL process was unclear. To examine these and other issues we designed a usability study with four objectives: (1) to measure the relative success of student use of OpenURL to link to full text; (2) to evaluate, edit, and improve an existing OpenURL instructional guide; (3) to explore additional ways of promoting effective use of the link resolver; and (4) to seek new methods of advancing information literacy skills. Within the investigative process, the researcher concluded that student difficulties might well be addressed by building scaffolding into the OpenURL results page. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The College of the Holy Cross implemented a pilot project to test the feasibility of using MilMedia and Metadata Builder (Innovative Interfaces, Inc.) to store and catalog images created by Holy Cross faculty. Five personal collections have been added: original artwork, stained glass images, vascular plant images, Chinese cultural images, and American classical architecture images. A workflow involving the faculty, Educational Technology staff, Cataloging staff and student workers has been established. Over 1,000 images have been added to the online catalog. Each set of images may be retrieved by collection name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author addresses how electronic resources acquisition and management processes fit into the library's larger information technology (IT) landscape from development in and outside the library domain. He believes that an OpenURL-enabled application would be immeasurable to libraries and even more useful to its users. He argues that the vastness of content available freely on the Web and unavailable to the systems cannot and should not be ignored.

The article explores electronic-resource librarianship in current library and information science education. Over the past 10 years, electronic resource management tools such as OpenURL resolves and electronic resource management systems have emerged to help practicing librarians make voluminous numbers of electronic resources as visible as possible in a landscape of multiple access points and simultaneously manage all the technology, tasks, and data necessary to facilitate such ubiquitous access.

LibX (http://libx.org/) is an open source Firefox extension that provides direct access to library resources in multiple ways: through a toolbar, a context menu, and via cues that LibX places into web sites a user visits. A LibX edition integrates support for the resources to which a particular user community has access, including the library OPAC, databases, and their OpenURL link resolver. As one of its features, LibX supports the fast (one-click) retrieval of known items. such as research articles. This frequent task is automated by exploiting Google's Scholar service as a hidden backend that is used for searches. In this paper, we evaluate the effectiveness of LibX in retrieving known items that were listed as references in a sample of articles in four widely read journals. We conclude that LibX's matching algorithm can lead the user to an accessible copy of an item on average in 81% of cases with a negligible number of irrelevant items retrieved. As a result, LibX can dramatically reduce the time spent on known item searches [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late 2002 and early 2003, the Serials and Electronic Resources Department of The Ohio State University Libraries collected for correction a total of 864 nonfunctional URLs in bibliographic records for electronic resources on subscription. This paper identifies the types of errors found and reports the proportion of success versus failure to correct the URLs and restore access to the affected titles. Of the URLs examined, 54% were from .gov websites, with the remainder evenly distributed between .edu, .org, .com, and other websites. The high proportion of nonfunctional government (.gov) URLs may be due to the period of collections and might have been affected by the September 11, 2001 attack. Overall, 15% of the affected URLs ultimately did not require changes; 70% required some type of correction; and 14% could not be corrected (percentages are rounded). The article concludes with a discussion of policy implications for review and ongoing maintenance of URLs in the library's online catalog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interview with Oren Beit-Arie, Chief Strategy Officer at Ex Libris Group, describes various products related to OpenURL technology, context-sensitive linking, metasearching, electronic resource management systems, and digital collections such as SFX, Primo, MetaLib, Verde, and DigiTool. doi:10.1300/J383v04n03_05 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper is about important artifacts of scientific research, namely models. The author proposes that the representations of scientific models be treated as works. Bibliographic families of models may better reflect disciplinary intellectual structures and relationships, thereby providing information retrieval that is reflective of human information seeking and use purposes such as teaching and learning. Two examples of scientific models are presented using the Dublin Core metadata elements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Formal scientific communication is constituted by the documentation and dissemination of concepts through scientific works of accepted genre. Using analysis based on Peirce's ten semiotic triads and Eco's connotative semiotics, a scientific work can be identified as a trivalent compound connotative semiotic. It is concluded that a subject approach to document identification and retrieval may be based on document metadata, subject indexing, documentary surrogates, document full-text, the faceted indexes of XML Topic Maps, the graphics of Kohonen Self Organized Maps, and citation histories presented as mappings of co-citation clusters. Any and all of these approaches may relate to any or all of the three classes of knowledge content outlined above as being characteristic of a scientific work. Numerical analysis by neural networks of any of these characteristics of a document could lead to production of a “fingerprint” identifying the document and specifying its knowledge content. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents information on metadata standards and includes a collection of web addresses for essential resources in this area to help library catalogers. It is stated that metadata standards are an emerging field, where frequent change and development are an ongoing process. Substitute methods for describing digital objects and storing/transmitting data about these objects are useful to explore for a variety of reasons. The list of web addresses includes Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Standards, lcweb.loc.gov/marc, MARC21 DTDs for SGML and XML, lcweb.loc.gov/marc, Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS) http://lcweb.loc.gov/mets.

This article begins by defining the evolving Internet-based educational terrain. Questions about cataloging tools and the development of metadata standards are examined, followed by inquiry on metadata creation. The final section introduces the articles contained in this special volume. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one by Stephen Profit on the chat service officer at the College of Charleston in South Carolina and one by Lois O'Neil on Open Uniform Resource Locator (URL) technologies in libraries.

The article introduces a peer-reviewed article available online by Tina E. Chrzastowski and Michael Norman on the SFX openURL link resolver.