Next Generation OPAC Technologies and NEOS

Looking into the Future

Kenton Good, Web Development Librarian, University of Alberta LibrariesDan Mirau, Library Director, Concordia University College of Alberta Library

1. Teach you how to recognize and evaluate next-generation functionality.

2. Create awareness of next-generation software products and implementations.

3. Explore the options NEOS has and what the next steps may be.

4. Answer your questions related to next-generation PAC technology.

Workshop Goals

• NEOS Strategic Plan, approved November 30, 2007

• Goal 1: NEOS clients have easy access to available information resources.

• Strategy 1a: Streamlining the clients’ experience in accessing resources

• Key Initiative: Report on next generation PAC technology

• Recommendation: Hold a workshop to inform NEOS members of existing options, to include information on U of A plans.

• Here we are.

Workshop Context

Defining Next-Generation

Next Gen ThemesIt’s intuitive and forgiving

Faceted browsingWeb 2.0

Specific Features

Spell-CheckAuto-correction as you type?

Suggested alternatives provided?

Error checking?

OCLC WorldCat Local

Endeca at McMaster

Ex Libris Primo at University of Minnesota

Stop WordsInterpreted intelligently?

(e.g. “It” by Stephen King)

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

Relevance RankingHow is relevance determined?

Can criteria be adjusted?

Endeca at NCSU

Real Time Availability

How many clicks?Where is information located?

click 1

Ex Libris Primo at University of Minnesota

click 2

Ex Libris Primo at University of Minnesota

click 3

Ex Libris Primo at University of Minnesota

click 1

OCLC WorldCat Local

click 2

OCLC WorldCat Local

click 3

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

Bibliocommons at Oakville Public Library

User Created Content

TagsLists

RatingsReviews

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

OCLC WorldCat Local

Ex Libris Primo at University of Minnesota

Faceted BrowsingCan you browse by format,

genre, audience level, series, subject heading?

OCLC WorldCat Local

Endeca at McMaster

Endeca at NCSU

Ex Libris Primo at University of Minnesota

Bibliocommons at Oakville Public Library

Blacklight at University of Virginia

Search ScopingCan you specify location?

Can you narrow or broaden search?

Bibliocommons at Oakville Public Library

OCLC WorldCat Local

RSS Supportand

Persistent Links

Endeca at NCSU

Endeca at NCSU

Endeca at NCSU

Endeca at McMaster

AquaBrowser at University of Chicago

Social Web Integration

Post to Delicious, Facebook, etc?

OCLC WorldCat Local

Integration with other Library Online

ServicesLink resolver?Meta-search?

Endeca at McMaster

U of A Next Gen OPAC Investigation

•Endeca•Primo by Ex Libris•Build it Ourselves•“Mystery” SirsiDynix Option

Why a new OPAC?

Usability Results

Specific NeedsLarge and Diverse Group

Multilingual SupportE-Resource Handling

Needs to Work with Unicorn

Our DiscoveriesStill Early – 1st Generation Tools

This will take lots of $$$$$It will help with usability

ILS IndependentAt the time, we liked the

homebuilt or Primo options

The Technology Behind Next Gen OPACSThe Technology Behind Next Gen OPACS

Harvested MARC RecordsHarvested MARC Records

Rapid Re-indexingRapid Re-indexing

You Still Need an ILS

You Still Need an OPAC (for now)

The Options

EndecaMature Product

Used with E-commerce Sites like

Abe Books and WalmartWould need to develop web 2.0

stuffPowerful and Open Platform

Still need to develop interface

Primo by Ex LibrisMature ProductWeb 2.0 Ready

Close to Out of the Box ReadyIntegrates well with MetalibWorks well with Consortia

Solid Vendor with Good Track Record

Encore by IIINew Product

Limited Integration with Unicorn

Unknown Vendor to NEOS and U of A

infokat.uky.edu/EncoreTab.htm

Enterprise by SirsiDynix

New Product – Just ReleasedVersion 1 has limited Web 2.0

StuffUnicorn Friendly – ex.

Harvesting“Fuzzy Logic”

FacetsFew example sites so far

WorldCat LocalNew Product

Web 2.0 FeaturesPower of the complete

WorldCat DBWorks well with ConsortiaLimitations with Records

VuFindOpen Source

Some Web 2.0 FeaturesWould need to figure out

Consortiavufind.org/demo/

AquaBrowserVery Professional Interface

VisualizationWould need to figure out

ConsortiaLimited Web 2.0 Functions

lens.lib.uchicago.edu

BlacklightOpen Source

Limited Web 2.0 FeaturesWould need to figure out

ConsortiaUnder Development at U of

Virginiablacklight.betech.virginia.edu

BibliocommonsWeb 2.0 PlusSoon at EPL

Public Library FocusCanadian Company

Where do we go next?