Archive for August, 2007
For several years, INCOLSA, the Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority, has run a shared integrated library system for about 30 libraries. This week they announced that they are migrating from SirsiDynix to Koha ZOOM, an open-source ILS. I’ve started a conversation with INCOLSA’s executive director about their decision and the benefits they expect to see because of it.
INCOLSA’s decision to go open-source and migrate from a commercial system only serves to emphasize the unsettledness of the library automation marketplace right now. Big changes could be afoot.
August 31st, 2007
On and off over the past several years, I have fielded questions about whether MLC was interested in running a shared integrated library system. Up to now, we have declined to offer such a service. Lately the questions have become more numerous and with the added twist of whether we would consider running Evergreen, the open source ILS used by public libraries in Georgia.
Many of the libraries talking to us have implemented MeLCat and through that process realized that they wanted more than their current ILS was offering. Coupled with the recent surge of interest in open source software, we have begun to investigate whether the time is now right for MLC to offer libraries that have limited resources and choices an opportunity to join a shared system. In June, I took a small delegation to Atlanta to have a first-hand look at Evergreen and to talk to librarians actually using it. We came away impressed with what we saw and heard from users. (The delegation included Sheryl VanderWagen, Lakeland Library Cooperative, Bill Ott, Grand Rapids Public Library, and Debbi Schaubman, MLC.)
We have also had some informal talks with commercial vendors because we did not want to simply jump on a currently popular bandwagon without considering other options. Open source software offers some benefits but so do systems from established companies.
At this point, we have not made any final decisions about how or when to move forward but continue to examine our alternatives and weigh all the factors. We would love to hear from you. Are you looking for a new ILS? Would you consider an open source system that was shared among a number of other libraries? Are you more comfortable with a commercial system?
August 22nd, 2007
A Most Bookish Borough
Queens Library
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/opinion/17fri4.html?em&ex=1187582400&en=380a4faecf3c3b14&ei=5070
August 20th, 2007
As part of the new enhancements released today by Gale, the name of InfoTrac OneFile was changed to General OneFile to describe the type of content in that database. It contains the more general-interest periodicals, news sources, etc., while Academic OneFile contains content specifically aimed at college and graduate level researchers.
Note: Most of the other Gale databases that are part of MeL Databases are subsets of General OneFile or Academic OneFile (both are enormous OneFiles!).
August 15th, 2007
The following is a news release from Gale about enhancements to the PowerSearch platform and cross-searching interface.
Dear Valued Customers:
As communicated earlier this summer, there will be an exciting feature release late this evening which will affect the InfoTrac databases on the PowerSearch platform, as well as the cross-searching interface. This release will not result in any downtime, so you should not see any interruption in access to the databases. We expect to have all updates completed by tomorrow morning.
Included in this release are a number of new, key features. Below is a list of some of the most exciting ones:
Search Alerts with RSS export: Set up instant search alerts and journal alerts, with the added ability to create RSS feeds of InfoTrac content.
Did You Mean?/Also Try: When a search fails to bring desired results, users are given alternate spellings and preferred search terms to find appropriate results.
Search Within Results: Dynamically refine search results to pinpoint specific information by adding or excluding more terms to queries.
Enhanced Limiting: After a search is completed, the left sidebar will be repurposed to provide users with the option of selecting subject terms, subdivisions, article types and publications to allow further limiting of results.
Enhanced Navigation: Based on feedback, changes have been made to improve the interface navigation, including the creation of document tools (print, email, cite, download, translate) that appear in a visible box on each document.
Enhanced Tabs: The number of results now will appear on each tab, and color variation will be added to the tabs to signify more content behind the other tabs.
Enhanced Bookmarks: Direct access to individual documents, searches and collections of documents will be made available through PowerSearch Bookmarks, which are clearly visible, easy to use, and always persistent.
Improved “How-to-Cite” Functionality: MLA and APA formats for citations will be provided, with accurate elements, correct spacing and formatting.
Publication Details: More information about each publication will be provided, including embargo periods, publisher address and contact information, and publication descriptions.
For a preview of the features, please visit the new PowerSearch website at www.gale.com/PowerSearch
Here, you will find search tips, user guides and FAQ documents. We have also included a PowerPoint presentation to walk you through the major features.
We are committed to continue to provide you with the greatest technology and content through our library databases. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Best,
Nader M. Qaimari
Senior Director, PowerSearch Programs
Office: 248.699.8139
Mobile: 248.761.7095
August 15th, 2007
Update! Two FOUR more Michigan libraries to add to the MySpace list:
Cutler Memorial Library http://www.myspace.com/cutlerlibrary
East Lansing Public Library http://www.myspace.com/elpl
Howell Carnegie District Library http://myspace.com/howelllibrary
Manchester District Library http://myspace.com/manchesterlibrary
I’ve set up a page on the Michigan Libraries Wiki for a list of Michigan libraries with MySpace pages. Please feel free to update the wiki page to add your library’s MySpace link. Thanks!
August 14th, 2007
Is your library on MySpace? I found a few Michigan libraries with MySpace pages (see list below). I know there must be more of you out there – please comment below with your library’s MySpace URL, and I’ll update the list. Thanks!
Ann Arbor District Library http://www.myspace.com/annarbordistrictlibrary
Benton Harbor Public Library http://www.myspace.com/bhlibraryteen
Blair Memorial Library, Clawson http://www.myspace.com/clawsonlibraryyas
Chesaning Public Library http://www.myspace.com/chesaninglibrary
Library of Michigan http://www.myspace.com/libraryofmichigan
River Rouge Public Library http://www.myspace.com/rougelibrary
Tecumseh District Library http://www.myspace.com/tdlteens
University of Michigan UGLi http://www.myspace.com/uglib
August 13th, 2007
The MLC Nominating & Leadership Development Committee seeks nominations from the membership for the following openings on the MLC Board of Directors:
Public Library Representative (one open seat)
At-large Representative (two open seats)
For details, see MLC’s News & Announcements.
August 13th, 2007
On September 21, MLC is offering a special program on Electronic Rights Management (ERM). Please note that we’ll only offer this program once, so register now if you need to learn about ERM for your library!
August 9th, 2007
The following is posted on behalf of Nancy Robertson, State Librarian, and Randy Dykhuis, MLC Executive Director.
Update for Michigan libraries from Randy Dykhuis and Nancy Robertson about
1) MeLCat servers and 2) the status of NCIP:
————————————————————
1. MeLCat servers
MeLCat is run on several servers. There are two that the DCB libraries use for bibliographic and patron records. The second of these, DCB2, was purchased earlier this year, and we anticipated having it up and running and in production by the end April. Unfortunately, we have run into some problems getting that server into production. In order for DCB2 to be used, it must pass a series of security tests that the Department of Information Technology requires of all servers housed at the State of Michigan data center. We have met most of the requirements but have yet to pass one crucial test. Until we are certified by DIT and the server is in production, we are unable to train any new libraries. We are working hard with DIT and Innovative Interfaces to identify solutions to the problems and get them fixed as soon as possible.
We are hopeful that we can have DCB2 in production by mid-August. But with DCB2 not yet in production, there is a ripple effect on our training schedule. Libraries that had been originally scheduled for training in August will now receive their training in October. All of these libraries have been notified of the change. Because of this change, the training group that had originally been scheduled for the fall, will be much smaller. We anticipate training approximately 20 libraries in November, rather than the 40 we do in a normal sized group.
The ripple effect will continue into 2008. The first group in 2008 will consist of those libraries that had been bumped from the last group in 2007, and they will go live on the system in May 2008. The libraries that had been scheduled for the first group of 2008 will be bumped to the second group and will come up in September.
There are two constraints on the number of libraries that we can implement in any given cycle: 1) the number of trainers and 2) system limitations on the speed and number of records we can upload. That means even with unlimited trainers we could only process a limited number of libraries, and we hit that limitation regularly now.
We know many of you are very eager to join MeLCat and that these changes will inconvenience you. We deeply apologize for that.
2. NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP)
NCIP affects the libraries who join MeLCat as DCB participants, i.e. any library not running an Innovative Interfaces system. Without NCIP, DCB libraries must perform two check-outs for each item. One check-out occurs on the library’s local ILS; the other occurs with the MeLCat software. In addition, DCB libraries must store patron data on the DCB server. NCIP obviates the need for both of these. We have been working hard with Innovative Interfaces and Sirsi/Dynix to get NCIP operational on the system run by the Upper Peninsula Region of Library Cooperation (UPRLC). We are very close. As with many software design projects, it is the last few requirements that seem to take the longest. We have weekly conference calls with Sirsi/Dynix and Innovative Interfaces so everyone can hear at the same time the latest progress reports. The good news is that the two systems can send and receive messages sent from the other. There are only a couple of messages that need to go between the systems. Once those are in place, we will have a working installation. We are very hopeful that the last remaining hurdles can be cleared in the next few weeks.
Once everything is working, Innovative Interfaces will update their documentation and make that available to any other system that wants to share messages via NCIP.
=====================
Randy Dykhuis
Executive Director
Michigan Library Consortium
and
Nancy R. Robertson
State Librarian
Library of Michigan
August 6th, 2007
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