ERM from the Ground Up: MULER

Aaron A. Lupton, Electronic Resources LibrarianFebruary 5, 2011

Agenda

• Background: What we had pre-MULER • Why a New ERM?

• Our Approach: Do it Yourself

• MULER - key features

• Next Steps - an evolving product

• Take Aways - collaboration

What We Had

Electronic Resources Database• Table in Access database

• Moved to Oracle

• Programmed with Visual Basic

• Local install

Sample Index Record

Sample eJournal Record

Sample eJournal Record

Why a New ERM ?

• Outdated

• Number of eResources growing

• Need for batch record uploading

• Local install and reinstall inconveniento Especially during PC upgrades

• Managed by Library Computing Services

What We Wanted

• Something web-based

• Mimic commands of old Electronic Resources Database

• Simple to use

• No intervention required by computing department

• New enhancements

New Enhancements

• Easier loading and holdings managemento batch record uploading

• Admin and contact infoo previous function did not work

• Publisher/Provider/Database info display in search results

• Improved reports: statistics, expenditures, duplications

New Enhancements con’t

• Trial workflow module

• License agreement module

• Multiple URLs for the same title in same record

• Read only

Where We Looked

• Commercial products: ExLibris Verde, SirsiDynix ERM Solution, Endeavor Meridian, Innovative Interfaces ERM

• Could not do everything we wanted

• Not convinced these products offered something worth the $

• Would require learning a whole new system

• So…

We Did It In-House

• We could develop it to meet specific job functions: eResources management, Cataloguing, Accounting, and more

• Could mimic the old system

MULER

• Project Lead: Taras Danylak (LCS)

• Web Applicationo www.library.yorku.ca/e/manager/

products/edit/509

• Open Source - 2 main components were:o Code Igniter (web application

framework)o JQuery (popular JavaScript library)

MULER – Home Page

MULER – Browse All Products

MULER – Browse All Titles

MULER – Index Record

MULER – Title List

MULER – Subscription Details

MULER - Contacts

MULER - Statistics

MULER – Subscriptions By Type

MULER - Reports

What’s Next

• Subject Field – tag eResources by Subject, integrate them into subject research guides, course research guideso http://www.library.yorku.ca/subjects/manager/subjects/o http://www.library.yorku.ca/subjects/

• Read-Only Access

Wish List

• Trial, Acquisitions, and Cancellations modules

• # of users – SUPO or MUPO

• Search by vendor, eg all Proquest, Gale, etc

• Licensing moduleo Store scanned licenseo ILLo Course kitso Visitor access?o Alumni access?

Take Aways - Positive

Facilitates Collaboration – multiple exercises from one location

Truly customizable - Will only do what we need it to do

Problems resolved quickly

Easy to learn and use

Take Aways - Negative

• Requires technical/programming expertise on staff

• Changes require more organizational/planning timeo Save $$ but not time

Questions ??