Building Bridges Building Bridges That LastThat Last

Libraries and the Long HaulLibraries and the Long Haul

Roy TennantRoy Tennant

Health Science Libraries in a Networked WorldHealth Science Libraries in a Networked World Roy TennantRoy TennantRoy TennantRoy Tennant

Our Users…Our Users…Our Users…Our Users…

• Have livesHave lives• Prefer to avoid pain Prefer to avoid pain • SatisficeSatisfice• Seek efficienciesSeek efficiencies• Are diverseAre diverse• Need one thing one day and another the next Need one thing one day and another the next

(their needs are also diverse)(their needs are also diverse)

• Have livesHave lives• Prefer to avoid pain Prefer to avoid pain • SatisficeSatisfice• Seek efficienciesSeek efficiencies• Are diverseAre diverse• Need one thing one day and another the next Need one thing one day and another the next

(their needs are also diverse)(their needs are also diverse)

……Our SystemsOur Systems……Our SystemsOur Systems

• Are many and offer few clues as to their Are many and offer few clues as to their purposepurpose

• Are often painful to useAre often painful to use• Don’t offer everything our users expect Don’t offer everything our users expect • Tend to be tailored for expert users, not Tend to be tailored for expert users, not

novicesnovices• Do not enable the kinds of interactions people Do not enable the kinds of interactions people

have come to expect (e.g., save to a personal have come to expect (e.g., save to a personal list, tag, easily add to social bookmarking site, list, tag, easily add to social bookmarking site, etc.)etc.)

• Are many and offer few clues as to their Are many and offer few clues as to their purposepurpose

• Are often painful to useAre often painful to use• Don’t offer everything our users expect Don’t offer everything our users expect • Tend to be tailored for expert users, not Tend to be tailored for expert users, not

novicesnovices• Do not enable the kinds of interactions people Do not enable the kinds of interactions people

have come to expect (e.g., save to a personal have come to expect (e.g., save to a personal list, tag, easily add to social bookmarking site, list, tag, easily add to social bookmarking site, etc.)etc.)

Our Services…Our Services…Our Services…Our Services…

• Need serious review in light of user needNeed serious review in light of user need• May not always be what we’ve done in the pastMay not always be what we’ve done in the past• May be provided at the global level, group May be provided at the global level, group

level, local level, or (most likely) by a level, local level, or (most likely) by a combinationcombination

• Will need to interact with many other services Will need to interact with many other services seamlessly seamlessly

• Need serious review in light of user needNeed serious review in light of user need• May not always be what we’ve done in the pastMay not always be what we’ve done in the past• May be provided at the global level, group May be provided at the global level, group

level, local level, or (most likely) by a level, local level, or (most likely) by a combinationcombination

• Will need to interact with many other services Will need to interact with many other services seamlessly seamlessly

CollectionsCollections

Mass DigitizationMass DigitizationMass DigitizationMass Digitization

• Google Library Project:Google Library Project:– A number of large research libraries participatingA number of large research libraries participating– Online at Google Books and Univ. of Michigan (theirs only) Online at Google Books and Univ. of Michigan (theirs only) – Hundreds of thousands of books now online (an unknown Hundreds of thousands of books now online (an unknown

number freely available)number freely available)– Only searchable as a unified resource at Google BooksOnly searchable as a unified resource at Google Books

• Open Content Alliance:Open Content Alliance:– A number of libraries and sponsors (including Yahoo! and A number of libraries and sponsors (including Yahoo! and

Microsoft)Microsoft)– Digitizing more slowly than Google, but steadilyDigitizing more slowly than Google, but steadily– Content online at the Internet ArchiveContent online at the Internet Archive– Anyone can download Anyone can download allall the files the files

• Google Library Project:Google Library Project:– A number of large research libraries participatingA number of large research libraries participating– Online at Google Books and Univ. of Michigan (theirs only) Online at Google Books and Univ. of Michigan (theirs only) – Hundreds of thousands of books now online (an unknown Hundreds of thousands of books now online (an unknown

number freely available)number freely available)– Only searchable as a unified resource at Google BooksOnly searchable as a unified resource at Google Books

• Open Content Alliance:Open Content Alliance:– A number of libraries and sponsors (including Yahoo! and A number of libraries and sponsors (including Yahoo! and

Microsoft)Microsoft)– Digitizing more slowly than Google, but steadilyDigitizing more slowly than Google, but steadily– Content online at the Internet ArchiveContent online at the Internet Archive– Anyone can download Anyone can download allall the files the files

Implications for LibrariesImplications for LibrariesImplications for LibrariesImplications for Libraries

• With help from OCLC, possibility of all With help from OCLC, possibility of all libraries becoming virtually hugelibraries becoming virtually huge

• Online content may actually drive desire for Online content may actually drive desire for printprint

• Will require better methods of unifying Will require better methods of unifying access to print and digital access to print and digital

• Increased need to split Increased need to split inventory controlinventory control fromfrom discoverydiscovery

• With help from OCLC, possibility of all With help from OCLC, possibility of all libraries becoming virtually hugelibraries becoming virtually huge

• Online content may actually drive desire for Online content may actually drive desire for printprint

• Will require better methods of unifying Will require better methods of unifying access to print and digital access to print and digital

• Increased need to split Increased need to split inventory controlinventory control fromfrom discoverydiscovery

DiscoveryDiscovery

MelvylMelvylMelvylMelvyl

WorldCat LocalWorldCat LocalWorldCat LocalWorldCat Local

• Customized view of WorldCat.org that can Customized view of WorldCat.org that can serve as a library or library consortium’s serve as a library or library consortium’s local discovery servicelocal discovery service

• In In prototypeprototype now at the University of now at the University of Washington, Peninsula Library System, etc.Washington, Peninsula Library System, etc.

• Customized view of WorldCat.org that can Customized view of WorldCat.org that can serve as a library or library consortium’s serve as a library or library consortium’s local discovery servicelocal discovery service

• In In prototypeprototype now at the University of now at the University of Washington, Peninsula Library System, etc.Washington, Peninsula Library System, etc.

Open WorldCatOpen WorldCatOpen WorldCatOpen WorldCat

• Over 90 million bib recordsOver 90 million bib records• Over a billion physical itemsOver a billion physical items

• Over 90 million bib recordsOver 90 million bib records• Over a billion physical itemsOver a billion physical items

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Customized WorldCat.orgCustomized WorldCat.orgCustomized WorldCat.orgCustomized WorldCat.org

Downloadable Search Box & Custom Ranking

Local Branding

Inherits all features of WorldCat.org

Article Metadata

Faceted Browse

Holdings: Local, Group, GlobalHoldings: Local, Group, GlobalHoldings: Local, Group, GlobalHoldings: Local, Group, Global

UW First

Then Summit

Rest of WorldCat

Full record displayFull record displayFull record displayFull record display

Local Availability

WorldCat Local PossibilityWorldCat Local PossibilityWorldCat Local PossibilityWorldCat Local Possibility

• Instead of a group based on region, how about Instead of a group based on region, how about one based on topic affinity such as health one based on topic affinity such as health sciences?sciences?– First level: local institutionFirst level: local institution– Second level: a consortium of health science Second level: a consortium of health science

librarieslibraries– Third level: everything elseThird level: everything else

• Instead of a group based on region, how about Instead of a group based on region, how about one based on topic affinity such as health one based on topic affinity such as health sciences?sciences?– First level: local institutionFirst level: local institution– Second level: a consortium of health science Second level: a consortium of health science

librarieslibraries– Third level: everything elseThird level: everything else

Providing One-Stop ShoppingProviding One-Stop ShoppingProviding One-Stop ShoppingProviding One-Stop Shopping

• Most metasearch tools are optimized for Most metasearch tools are optimized for bibliographic information…bibliographic information…

• ……but health science libraries also need to but health science libraries also need to provide access to a great deal of non-provide access to a great deal of non-bibliographic sourcesbibliographic sources

• Most metasearch tools are optimized for Most metasearch tools are optimized for bibliographic information…bibliographic information…

• ……but health science libraries also need to but health science libraries also need to provide access to a great deal of non-provide access to a great deal of non-bibliographic sourcesbibliographic sources

DeliveryDelivery

Better Linking Through ChemistryBetter Linking Through ChemistryBetter Linking Through ChemistryBetter Linking Through Chemistry

• Our goal: get the user to what they want as Our goal: get the user to what they want as quickly and as painlessly as possible quickly and as painlessly as possible

• OpenURL resolvers OpenURL resolvers are the are the beginningbeginning, , not the endnot the end

• Example: GUFExample: GUF

• Our goal: get the user to what they want as Our goal: get the user to what they want as quickly and as painlessly as possible quickly and as painlessly as possible

• OpenURL resolvers OpenURL resolvers are the are the beginningbeginning, , not the endnot the end

• Example: GUFExample: GUF

GUF: Getting Users to Full-Text*GUF: Getting Users to Full-Text*GUF: Getting Users to Full-Text*GUF: Getting Users to Full-Text*

• Title links on results Title links on results screen lead to either:screen lead to either:– Full-text (best)Full-text (best)– Print-holdings information Print-holdings information

with map (2with map (2ndnd best) best) – Pre-filled interlibrary loan Pre-filled interlibrary loan

request form (worst)request form (worst)

• Issues Addressed:Issues Addressed:– Follow long click-paths Follow long click-paths – Get stuck at dead-endsGet stuck at dead-ends– Resubmit search mid-Resubmit search mid-

sessionsession

• Title links on results Title links on results screen lead to either:screen lead to either:– Full-text (best)Full-text (best)– Print-holdings information Print-holdings information

with map (2with map (2ndnd best) best) – Pre-filled interlibrary loan Pre-filled interlibrary loan

request form (worst)request form (worst)

• Issues Addressed:Issues Addressed:– Follow long click-paths Follow long click-paths – Get stuck at dead-endsGet stuck at dead-ends– Resubmit search mid-Resubmit search mid-

sessionsession

* This slide by David Lindahl, University of Rochester

GUF Uses Other ServicesGUF Uses Other ServicesGUF Uses Other ServicesGUF Uses Other Services

• Database of print journal holdingsDatabase of print journal holdings• OpenURL resolverOpenURL resolver• OCLC’S xISBN serviceOCLC’S xISBN service• DOI resolverDOI resolver• Etc.Etc.

• Database of print journal holdingsDatabase of print journal holdings• OpenURL resolverOpenURL resolver• OCLC’S xISBN serviceOCLC’S xISBN service• DOI resolverDOI resolver• Etc.Etc.

DeliveryDeliveryDeliveryDelivery

• Must be available from any and all discovery Must be available from any and all discovery locations, which means APIs for:locations, which means APIs for:– Holdings and availabilityHoldings and availability– Licensed content (OpenURL resolver)Licensed content (OpenURL resolver)– RequestingRequesting

• Can we go all the way? Can we go all the way?

• Must be available from any and all discovery Must be available from any and all discovery locations, which means APIs for:locations, which means APIs for:– Holdings and availabilityHoldings and availability– Licensed content (OpenURL resolver)Licensed content (OpenURL resolver)– RequestingRequesting

• Can we go all the way? Can we go all the way?

InfrastructureInfrastructure

The WorldCat GridThe WorldCat GridThe WorldCat GridThe WorldCat Grid

“ “OCLC is restructuring to make an OCLC is restructuring to make an information information basedbased gridgrid that will power OCLC systems and that will power OCLC systems and services and also the systems and services of services and also the systems and services of OCLC member libraries, associates, and OCLC member libraries, associates, and partners.”partners.”

“ “OCLC is restructuring to make an OCLC is restructuring to make an information information basedbased gridgrid that will power OCLC systems and that will power OCLC systems and services and also the systems and services of services and also the systems and services of OCLC member libraries, associates, and OCLC member libraries, associates, and partners.”partners.”

WorldCat GridWorldCat GridObjectivesObjectives

WorldCat GridWorldCat GridObjectivesObjectives

• Expose data at the services layerExpose data at the services layer– Make data work harderMake data work harder– Enable new kinds of servicesEnable new kinds of services

• Increase the value of being a OCLC memberIncrease the value of being a OCLC member– More ways to access dataMore ways to access data– More business functions implemented at the More business functions implemented at the

service levelservice level

• Expose data at the services layerExpose data at the services layer– Make data work harderMake data work harder– Enable new kinds of servicesEnable new kinds of services

• Increase the value of being a OCLC memberIncrease the value of being a OCLC member– More ways to access dataMore ways to access data– More business functions implemented at the More business functions implemented at the

service levelservice level

In SummaryIn SummaryIn SummaryIn Summary• Our discovery systems must encompass more Our discovery systems must encompass more

than what is in our buildings…than what is in our buildings…• ……be focused on user needs…be focused on user needs…• ……and interoperate with other services on the and interoperate with other services on the

networknetwork• Search results should be presented in terms of Search results should be presented in terms of

how easy/quickly they can be obtainedhow easy/quickly they can be obtained• In particular, we must fix access to full-textIn particular, we must fix access to full-text• And address the ‘last mile’ of resource deliveryAnd address the ‘last mile’ of resource delivery

• Our discovery systems must encompass more Our discovery systems must encompass more than what is in our buildings…than what is in our buildings…

• ……be focused on user needs…be focused on user needs…• ……and interoperate with other services on the and interoperate with other services on the

networknetwork• Search results should be presented in terms of Search results should be presented in terms of

how easy/quickly they can be obtainedhow easy/quickly they can be obtained• In particular, we must fix access to full-textIn particular, we must fix access to full-text• And address the ‘last mile’ of resource deliveryAnd address the ‘last mile’ of resource delivery

What Works No Matter WhatWhat Works No Matter WhatWhat Works No Matter WhatWhat Works No Matter What

• Start and end with your Start and end with your clienteleclientele• LearnLearn the technologies available to you that the technologies available to you that

are appropriate to your missionare appropriate to your mission• Imaginatively applyImaginatively apply those technologies to those technologies to

serve the unique needs of your usersserve the unique needs of your users• Provide Provide easy accesseasy access to what they want, to what they want, howhow

and and whenwhen they want it they want it• MarketMarket those services well those services well• Rinse and Rinse and repeatrepeat

• Start and end with your Start and end with your clienteleclientele• LearnLearn the technologies available to you that the technologies available to you that

are appropriate to your missionare appropriate to your mission• Imaginatively applyImaginatively apply those technologies to those technologies to

serve the unique needs of your usersserve the unique needs of your users• Provide Provide easy accesseasy access to what they want, to what they want, howhow

and and whenwhen they want it they want it• MarketMarket those services well those services well• Rinse and Rinse and repeatrepeat