Atlantic Scholarly Information Network Portal Slavko Manojlovich Memorial University of Newfoundland (ASIN Portal Project Manager) and Memorial University

Atlantic Scholarly Information Network Atlantic Scholarly Information Network PortalPortal

Slavko ManojlovichSlavko Manojlovich Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland

(ASIN Portal Project Manager)(ASIN Portal Project Manager)andand

Stephen SloanStephen Sloan University of New BrunswickUniversity of New Brunswick(ASIN Portal Content Manager)(ASIN Portal Content Manager)

SIRSIDynix European Users Group ConferenceSIRSIDynix European Users Group ConferenceSeptember 2006September 2006

Atlantic Scholarly Information Atlantic Scholarly Information NetworkNetwork• Initiative of the Council of Atlantic Initiative of the Council of Atlantic

University Libraries (CAUL).University Libraries (CAUL).• 17 universities in the Atlantic provinces.17 universities in the Atlantic provinces.• 80,000+ FTE students (+ faculty + 80,000+ FTE students (+ faculty +

staff).staff).• ASIN Borrower’s Card.ASIN Borrower’s Card.• Centralized off-site storage.Centralized off-site storage.• Consortial Licensing of Digital Resources.Consortial Licensing of Digital Resources.• Relais ILL/Document Delivery.Relais ILL/Document Delivery.• Bath Profile indexing of Z39.50 servers.Bath Profile indexing of Z39.50 servers.• ASIN Portal.ASIN Portal.

ASIN Member InstitutionsASIN Member Institutions

Acadia University Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University

Atlantic School of Theology Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University

Dalhousie University Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton

Memorial University of Memorial University of Newfoundland Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne

Mount Allison University Mount Allison University University College of Cape University College of Cape Breton Breton

Mount Saint Vincent Mount Saint Vincent University University University of King's College University of King's College

Nova Scotia Agricultural Nova Scotia Agricultural College College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick

Nova Scotia College of Art & Nova Scotia College of Art & Design Design

University of Prince Edward University of Prince Edward Island Island

Saint Mary's University Saint Mary's University












COMPREHENSIVE 20,000+ students












SPECIALIZED – 300+ students












UNILINGUAL – FRENCH












ALEPH ILS












BIBLIOMUNDO ILS












UNICORN ILS

The VisionTo be the Atlantic resource for scholarly

information.

Back To The FutureBack To The Future(from a CAUL/CBUA Press Release – January (from a CAUL/CBUA Press Release – January 2001)2001)

• You should expect to see:You should expect to see: •A button on your local library catalogue A button on your local library catalogue

allowing you to search all CAUL/CBUA allowing you to search all CAUL/CBUA catalogues simultaneously (2001 -- catalogues simultaneously (2001 -- technicalities permitting); technicalities permitting);

•A "deliver it to me" option that will supply A "deliver it to me" option that will supply the work to you from the holding the work to you from the holding institution quickly (2001-- ditto on institution quickly (2001-- ditto on technicalities); technicalities);

•Coordinated licensing of electronic Coordinated licensing of electronic resources in the name of the project, resources in the name of the project, allowing all users at all sites remote access allowing all users at all sites remote access (2001-2002); (2001-2002);

Original Goals of the ProjectOriginal Goals of the Project• To give the inexperienced researcher a To give the inexperienced researcher a

better way to find information.better way to find information.• Results from LibQual and anecdotal Results from LibQual and anecdotal

evidence suggested that students were not evidence suggested that students were not benefiting from our instruction programs as benefiting from our instruction programs as much as we would have liked – need to much as we would have liked – need to improve access independent of instruction.improve access independent of instruction.

• To build resources co-operatively; provide To build resources co-operatively; provide things collectively that we could not achieve things collectively that we could not achieve acting alone.acting alone.

• Recent goal: accommodate our differences.Recent goal: accommodate our differences.

These are the barriers to These are the barriers to informationinformation

Reasons why our users hate Reasons why our users hate usus

Reason 1: ‘Siloed’ Web sitesReason 1: ‘Siloed’ Web sites

Reason 2: Database Reason 2: Database InterfacesInterfaces

Reason 3: Confusing Reason 3: Confusing CitationsCitations

Reason 4: No links to full-Reason 4: No links to full-texttext

Reason 5: Difficult and obscure Reason 5: Difficult and obscure ILLILL

Reason 5 (cont’d)Reason 5 (cont’d)



Reason 5: (cont’d)Reason 5: (cont’d)

Goals Re-stated: No Dead Goals Re-stated: No Dead Ends!Ends!• For an inexperienced user, a dead end is For an inexperienced user, a dead end is

any display where it is not immediately any display where it is not immediately obvious - with little or no instruction - how obvious - with little or no instruction - how the user is to obtain the information or the the user is to obtain the information or the document. A dead end will cause the user document. A dead end will cause the user to stop seeking the information.to stop seeking the information.

• If we examine the previous reasons why If we examine the previous reasons why users have a hard time with library research, users have a hard time with library research, we find these can be seen as dead ends.we find these can be seen as dead ends.

The first Dead End : The first Dead End : Information by formatInformation by format

• User often has a subject in mind, not User often has a subject in mind, not a format.a format.

• User wants information, not “journal User wants information, not “journal articles” or “books”.articles” or “books”.

• Explanation needed from Reference Explanation needed from Reference staff - not always sought.staff - not always sought.

• User makes a bee-line to Google. User makes a bee-line to Google. There, they know they will get There, they know they will get information without having to make information without having to make a decision on the material’s format.a decision on the material’s format.

Another Dead End : Database Another Dead End : Database InterfacesInterfaces• Confusing presentation of information.Confusing presentation of information.• Even a user familiar with one database Even a user familiar with one database

may balk at using a new database with a may balk at using a new database with a different look.different look.

• Users dealing with a multi-disciplinary Users dealing with a multi-disciplinary topic or faculty (Kinesiology) face the topic or faculty (Kinesiology) face the daunting prospect of learning daunting prospect of learning multiplemultiple user interfaces.user interfaces.

• The same can be said for the user The same can be said for the user searching cross-disciplinary databases searching cross-disciplinary databases such as Academic Search Elite, Web of such as Academic Search Elite, Web of Science, Cisti Source, etc.Science, Cisti Source, etc.

• Especially lost may be those who wish to Especially lost may be those who wish to search search outsideoutside the normal subject the normal subject databases (Oscar Wilde as a topic in databases (Oscar Wilde as a topic in medical or science databases).medical or science databases).

Yet another Dead End : Yet another Dead End : Confusing citations Confusing citations

• Presenting citations in a common Presenting citations in a common format would lead to greater clarity.format would lead to greater clarity.

Yet another Dead End : No Yet another Dead End : No links to full-text links to full-text

• A killer.A killer.

• User will often abandon the idea of User will often abandon the idea of using an item if it involves a manual using an item if it involves a manual search to locate local library rights.search to locate local library rights.

The last Dead End : Difficult The last Dead End : Difficult and obscure ILLand obscure ILL

• When no local rights exist, we need When no local rights exist, we need to make it easy and inexpensive (in to make it easy and inexpensive (in time and money) for the user to time and money) for the user to obtain a wanted item.obtain a wanted item.

What to do?What to do?

How can new technologies How can new technologies eliminate the dreadedeliminate the dreaded

If we can present the user If we can present the user with one search interface with one search interface that will present results that will present results

clearly and consistently, we clearly and consistently, we will eliminate onewill eliminate one

Federated Search does thisFederated Search does this

ResultsResults

Federated Searching Federated Searching FeaturesFeatures

• Searches database targets through Z39.50, Searches database targets through Z39.50, API, or HTML screen scraping.API, or HTML screen scraping.

• Converts all results to a common XML record Converts all results to a common XML record syntax.syntax.

• Search defaults may be configured to match Search defaults may be configured to match an institution’s requirements (e.g. only search an institution’s requirements (e.g. only search metadata in full-text databases). metadata in full-text databases).

• Makes links for each record that are Makes links for each record that are appropriate for the resource (full-text, full appropriate for the resource (full-text, full record from native display, to Resolver for record from native display, to Resolver for further exploration).further exploration).

• This last is a key point: makes ALL resources This last is a key point: makes ALL resources (where possible) openURL aware – works well (where possible) openURL aware – works well with Resolver.with Resolver.

A Brief DigressionA Brief DigressionFour Methods of Discovering Four Methods of Discovering

EverythingEverything• Multiple searches of native Multiple searches of native

interfaces.interfaces.

• Federated search of native Federated search of native interfaces, APIs, Z39.50, etc.interfaces, APIs, Z39.50, etc.

• Harvest, index, and search metadata Harvest, index, and search metadata with links to full-text.with links to full-text.

• Load, index, and search full-text.Load, index, and search full-text.

Multiple Searches of Native Multiple Searches of Native Interfaces (what most of us offer Interfaces (what most of us offer

now)now)• Very precise.Very precise.

• Each UI can be Each UI can be manipulated by the manipulated by the user to get the best user to get the best results from each results from each database.database.

• Requires an expert Requires an expert user – in subject user – in subject and in searching.and in searching.

• Multiple UIs.Multiple UIs.

• Cataloguing and Cataloguing and organizing organizing resources can be resources can be somewhat taxing.somewhat taxing.

ASIN resources include 400+ resources from 250+ information providers.

Federated Searching of Native Federated Searching of Native Interfaces Interfaces (what the ASIN Portal (what the ASIN Portal

will do)will do)• Fast and easy for the Fast and easy for the

user.user.• Less knowledge of Less knowledge of

subject and databases subject and databases required.required.

• Results are consistent Results are consistent in presentation.in presentation.

• User cannot take User cannot take advantage of special advantage of special features of UIs.features of UIs.

• Vocabulary for Vocabulary for searching may differ searching may differ across databases across databases (books vs. journal (books vs. journal databases, subject databases, subject specific vs. specific vs. generalized).generalized).

• Requires maintenance Requires maintenance by the host of the by the host of the federated search federated search engine. engine.

Harvest, Index, and Search Harvest, Index, and Search MetadataMetadata

(the OAI and Google Scholar (the OAI and Google Scholar approach)approach)• Scalable.Scalable.

• Established Established procedures and procedures and standards (OAI).standards (OAI).

• Quick and easy Quick and easy searching for the user.searching for the user.

• Vendors, libraries, Vendors, libraries, digital repositories digital repositories keen to make keen to make metadata available metadata available freely.freely.

• Not all sources Not all sources support metadata support metadata harvesting or support harvesting or support it in a standard way.it in a standard way.

• Lots of contacts / Lots of contacts / maintenance to do by maintenance to do by the host.the host.

• Links to full-text may Links to full-text may be difficult to be difficult to maintain.maintain.

• Software development Software development needed.needed.

Load, Index, and Search Full-Text Load, Index, and Search Full-Text (Ontario’s (Ontario’s Scholar’s PortalScholar’s Portal built on built on licensed content and CSAIllumina)licensed content and CSAIllumina)

• Full-text Full-text alwaysalways available for the available for the user – no linking user – no linking problems.problems.

• User can search User can search metadata or full-metadata or full-text.text.

• Long-term Long-term preservation of preservation of scholarly content.scholarly content.

• Massive Massive infrastructure and infrastructure and staff support staff support required.required.

• Not all vendors Not all vendors would be eager to would be eager to participate in such participate in such a project.a project.

• Very expensive.Very expensive.

If we can link search results If we can link search results to the full-text (where we to the full-text (where we own it) we can eliminate own it) we can eliminate

another hugeanother huge

An OpenURL link resolver does this.

For some types of resources, Federated searching can do this…

But for resources where full-text is in doubt, a Resolver is needed.

Steps in Building a ResolverSteps in Building a Resolver

• Install Resolver software and configure each Install Resolver software and configure each institution.institution.

• Multilingual – English and French required.Multilingual – English and French required.• Load ‘packages’ of journal subscriptions. These Load ‘packages’ of journal subscriptions. These

form the main part of the knowledgebase.form the main part of the knowledgebase.• Handles embargoes.Handles embargoes.• DOI aware – join CrossRef.DOI aware – join CrossRef.• Load local holdings of e-journals and print Load local holdings of e-journals and print

subscriptions. Knowledgebase complete.subscriptions. Knowledgebase complete.• Build links to the catalogue and Relais ILL.Build links to the catalogue and Relais ILL.• Inform vendors of URLs for Resolvers.Inform vendors of URLs for Resolvers.• Obtain the blessing of the Godess of PubMed.Obtain the blessing of the Godess of PubMed.

Resolvers appear in vendor Resolvers appear in vendor sites…sites…

The links lead to a check of the knowledgebase The links lead to a check of the knowledgebase and a “we have it” / “we don’t have it” and a “we have it” / “we don’t have it” response.response.

From EBSCO

From CSA

… … but not allbut not all

Remember this one – we will return to it

Resolver links appear in Resolver links appear in Federated Search results….Federated Search results….

Regardless of the source of the Regardless of the source of the citation (native interface or citation (native interface or federated search), clicking on federated search), clicking on the Resolver link brings you to the Resolver link brings you to the same place…the same place…

Federated searching can add Federated searching can add Resolver links where they are Resolver links where they are not available in the native not available in the native interface….interface….

Feminae ResultsFeminae Results

Feminae linked to Resolver in Feminae linked to Resolver in federated search results.federated search results.

If we could just link search If we could just link search results to ILL, so that items we results to ILL, so that items we don’t own could be quickly and don’t own could be quickly and easily ordered, we would easily ordered, we would eliminate a eliminate a bigbig

Linking Resolver to ILLLinking Resolver to ILL

• Extreme co-operation from Relais.Extreme co-operation from Relais.

• Relais ILL accepts openURL.Relais ILL accepts openURL.

• AuthorizesAuthorizes user for ILL through use of user for ILL through use of NCIP (note this is not authentication).NCIP (note this is not authentication).

• Fast, simple, and cheap (even the Fast, simple, and cheap (even the experienced users love this one – experienced users love this one – faculty will faculty will worshipworship you). you).

Relais linkingRelais linking

Clicking link brings up local Clicking link brings up local authentication….authentication….

AuthenticationAuthentication

• User enters id and PIN.User enters id and PIN.

• A script authenticates user.A script authenticates user.

• The same script then adds user The same script then adds user credentials to bibliographic data sent credentials to bibliographic data sent to it in the openURL from Resolver.to it in the openURL from Resolver.

• Redirects user to Relais ILL with Redirects user to Relais ILL with bibliographic data and credentialsbibliographic data and credentials

Authentication and Authentication and AuthorizationAuthorization

• Relais ILL accepts data from URL.Relais ILL accepts data from URL.

• Uses credentials to query (via NCIP) Uses credentials to query (via NCIP) user’s circulation system to ensure user’s circulation system to ensure user has authorization to perform ILL.user has authorization to perform ILL.

• Gets other data such as name, home Gets other data such as name, home library, etc.library, etc.

• Shows user completed ILL form.Shows user completed ILL form.

Top of ILL screenTop of ILL screen

User information via NCIPUser information via NCIP

Pristine pre-populated search Pristine pre-populated search formform

User defaults via NCIP

Another DigressionAnother DigressionAdd RefWorks Into The MixAdd RefWorks Into The Mix

• It was discovered that RefWorks also It was discovered that RefWorks also accepts OpenURLs and that our accepts OpenURLs and that our Resolver works with RefWorks.Resolver works with RefWorks.

• Citations may be imported with Citations may be imported with minimal typing.minimal typing.

• RefShare added to consortial RefShare added to consortial purchase.purchase.

One Dead End leftOne Dead End left

• What to do about siloed information.What to do about siloed information.

• Solution : EPS/Rooms.Solution : EPS/Rooms.

• Directs user to subject-based resources.Directs user to subject-based resources.

• Incorporates federated searching, Incorporates federated searching, Resolver, and other aspects of the Resolver, and other aspects of the project.project.

• Development of subject-based Rooms Development of subject-based Rooms shared across region.shared across region.

Shrinking deadends

EPS/Rooms FeaturesEPS/Rooms Features

• Each institution has its own subject hierarchy of Each institution has its own subject hierarchy of Rooms.Rooms.

• Each Room may be configured to search an Each Room may be configured to search an appropriate set of resources.appropriate set of resources.

• Rooms built using a web-based interface (little Rooms built using a web-based interface (little knowledge of HTML required).knowledge of HTML required).

• Information is added to Rooms through building Information is added to Rooms through building small Content Modules.small Content Modules.

• Content Modules may be shared across Rooms Content Modules may be shared across Rooms and institutional hierarchies.and institutional hierarchies.

• Communal editing of content.Communal editing of content.

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Summary: The Project’s Summary: The Project’s ComponentsComponents

• OpenURL Resolver – the heart of the OpenURL Resolver – the heart of the systemsystem

• Federated searchingFederated searching

• Relais ILL Relais ILL

• NCIP and ILSNCIP and ILS

• Local authentication scripts + EZproxyLocal authentication scripts + EZproxy

• RefWorks: Reference ManagerRefWorks: Reference Manager

• Rooms / EPSRooms / EPS

What Have We Learned?What Have We Learned?• The technology works.The technology works.• Collaboration works.Collaboration works.• Communication, trust, and a passion for success are Communication, trust, and a passion for success are

critical.critical.• OpenURL is the driver.OpenURL is the driver.• OpenURL allows you to provide your users with OpenURL allows you to provide your users with

alternatives to pay-per-view for many new resources.alternatives to pay-per-view for many new resources.• Most problems are related to the lack of standards Most problems are related to the lack of standards

on the content side.on the content side.• Metasearch will not cure all of the problems Metasearch will not cure all of the problems

associated with dysfunctional native user interfaces.associated with dysfunctional native user interfaces.• The NISO Metasearch Initiative will only makes things The NISO Metasearch Initiative will only makes things

better.better.• This is a This is a newnew experience for both users and experience for both users and

librarianslibrarians..

What Have We Learned?What Have We Learned?

• Focus more on the user rather than Focus more on the user rather than on the portal.on the portal.

• Expose the portal in the user’s Expose the portal in the user’s research environment rather than research environment rather than expect the user to come to the expect the user to come to the portal.portal.

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Getting federated search to Getting federated search to the user…the user…

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Implementation to DateImplementation to Date• 2 servers hosted by UNB (Rooms and 2 servers hosted by UNB (Rooms and

SingleSearch/Resolver)SingleSearch/Resolver)• Implementation Team ([Acadia], Memorial Implementation Team ([Acadia], Memorial

and UNB)and UNB)• Authentication scripts (Memorial, StFX)Authentication scripts (Memorial, StFX)• Resolver maintenance (UNB, UPEI)Resolver maintenance (UNB, UPEI)• SingleSearch maintenance (Memorial)SingleSearch maintenance (Memorial)• Rooms templates (Memorial, UNB)Rooms templates (Memorial, UNB)• Usability studies (Memorial)Usability studies (Memorial)• Majority of sites have authentication, Majority of sites have authentication,

SingleSearch, Resolver, Relais ILL and SingleSearch, Resolver, Relais ILL and RefWorks (remainder by end of 2006)RefWorks (remainder by end of 2006)

• Rooms development – ongoing processRooms development – ongoing process

Next StepsNext Steps• Integrate Serials Solutions’ Central Integrate Serials Solutions’ Central

Search and Resolver into EPS for Search and Resolver into EPS for Dalhousie.Dalhousie.

• Develop a long-term management and Develop a long-term management and support infrastructure for the project.support infrastructure for the project.

• Develop a set of best practices for the Develop a set of best practices for the creation of shareable content modules creation of shareable content modules and Rooms.and Rooms.

• Conduct more usability studies.Conduct more usability studies.

Questions?Questions?

Thank-youThank-you

Slavko ManojlovichSlavko [email protected]@mun.ca

AndAnd

Steve SloanSteve [email protected]@unb.ca

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Atlantic Scholarly Information Network Portal Slavko Manojlovich Memorial University of Newfoundland (ASIN Portal Project Manager) and Memorial University