Last revised: Nov-15-2005 Library Collaboration and Digital Exploration Presented by Ki Tat LAM, Head of Library Systems and Edward Spodick, IT Manager

Last revised: Nov-15-Last revised: Nov-15-20052005

Library Collaboration Library Collaboration and Digital Explorationand Digital Exploration

Presented by

Ki Tat LAM, Head of Library Systemsand

Edward Spodick, IT ManagerThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library

{lblkt,lbspodic}@ust.hk

JUCC 35th Anniversary IT Conference onCampus Informatization: Challenges and Opportunities

November 16-18, 2005, Hong Kong

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology LibraryThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library 22

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

IntroductionIntroduction HKUST Library’s IT BackgroundHKUST Library’s IT Background Digital LibrariesDigital Libraries Library CollaborationLibrary Collaboration

Digital Libraries Explorations at HKUSTDigital Libraries Explorations at HKUST Examples of Library CollaborationExamples of Library Collaboration

HKIUG Unicode InitiativesHKIUG Unicode Initiatives Resource Pool Web Site – Towards JULAC Software Resource Pool Web Site – Towards JULAC Software

SharingSharing Future IdeasFuture Ideas


About HKUST LibraryAbout HKUST Library

HKUST is a young institution having its first HKUST is a young institution having its first student intake in 1991student intake in 1991


About HKUST LibraryAbout HKUST Library

HKUST Library MissionHKUST Library Mission To support the University's teaching and To support the University's teaching and

research programsresearch programs To provide for and to promote the general To provide for and to promote the general

education of HKUST Studentseducation of HKUST Students To contribute to Hong Kong and its regional To contribute to Hong Kong and its regional

development in information sharing and development in information sharing and exchangeexchange


IT at HKUST LibraryIT at HKUST Library

The Library has been embracing new The Library has been embracing new technologies since its founding:technologies since its founding: 1991 – rolled out a fully Chinese-capable 1991 – rolled out a fully Chinese-capable

multilingual integrated library systemmultilingual integrated library system 1991 – set up a large-scale campus-wide CD-1991 – set up a large-scale campus-wide CD-

ROM networkROM network 1992 – mounted a large-scale networked full 1992 – mounted a large-scale networked full

text image jukebox systemtext image jukebox system 1993 – helped design and implement a 1993 – helped design and implement a

Course Reserve Image SystemCourse Reserve Image System


IT at HKUST Library IT at HKUST Library [2][2]

1995 – established the Library Web Server1995 – established the Library Web Server 1997 – managed a regional mirror site for the 1997 – managed a regional mirror site for the

Ovid database systemOvid database system 1997 – participated in a consultancy service 1997 – participated in a consultancy service

for the Open University of Hong Kong’s for the Open University of Hong Kong’s Electronic Library ProjectElectronic Library Project

1998 – began digital library projects and 1998 – began digital library projects and developed the following database systems: developed the following database systems: Digital University Archives, HKUST Electronic Digital University Archives, HKUST Electronic Theses and HKUST News ClippingsTheses and HKUST News Clippings



2000 – conducted Wade-Giles to Pinyin 2000 – conducted Wade-Giles to Pinyin ConversionConversion

2001 – implemented XML-based information 2001 – implemented XML-based information infrastructure for future digital library projectsinfrastructure for future digital library projects

2002 – developed an XML Name Access 2002 – developed an XML Name Access Control Repository System as a global Control Repository System as a global prototypeprototype

2003 – collaborated with HKIUG libraries to 2003 – collaborated with HKIUG libraries to improve the Unicode support in the library improve the Unicode support in the library catalogcatalog



2003 – implemented DSpace for Institutional 2003 – implemented DSpace for Institutional RepositoryRepository

2004 – implemented DSpace for Digital 2004 – implemented DSpace for Digital University ArchivesUniversity Archives

2005 – developed the open source JURO – 2005 – developed the open source JURO – Journal Usage Report Online softwareJournal Usage Report Online software

2005 – created a resource pool web site to 2005 – created a resource pool web site to host software developed by HKUST Library host software developed by HKUST Library for open downloadingfor open downloading


Digital LibrariesDigital Libraries

Drastic IT advancement in the past few Drastic IT advancement in the past few decades:decades: Increasing availability of technology for Increasing availability of technology for

information processinginformation processing Cheaper and faster hardwareCheaper and faster hardware More capable softwareMore capable software Readily accessible networkReadily accessible network

Allowing smaller and less well funded Allowing smaller and less well funded libraries to participate in digital exploration libraries to participate in digital exploration


Digital Libraries Digital Libraries [2][2]

Similar terms: “digital”, “electronic”, “virtual” Similar terms: “digital”, “electronic”, “virtual” librarieslibraries

“Personally I think they went a step too far in making the library electronic”[Extracted from: http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue24/cartoon/]



Three meanings of “digital libraries”:Three meanings of “digital libraries”: 1.1. Libraries providing:Libraries providing:

• Access to digital information using a variety of Access to digital information using a variety of networks, including the Internet; andnetworks, including the Internet; and

• Services in an automated environmentServices in an automated environment

2.2. The result of projects to digitize library The result of projects to digitize library materials for network accessmaterials for network access

3.3. A discipline which refers to research on the A discipline which refers to research on the theories and technologies for the building of theories and technologies for the building of digital librariesdigital libraries

[extracted from the authors’ ICADL 2005 presentation][extracted from the authors’ ICADL 2005 presentation]



Digital Library reflects a fundamental shift Digital Library reflects a fundamental shift in in howhow libraries do what they do, rather libraries do what they do, rather than in than in whatwhat they do they do Basic mission of a library to support its user Basic mission of a library to support its user

community through enhanced access and community through enhanced access and services remains the sameservices remains the same

Improvements in IT allow greater flexibility in Improvements in IT allow greater flexibility in all stages of these processesall stages of these processes


Library CollaborationLibrary Collaboration

With the increase in digital capabilities, With the increase in digital capabilities, more projects which previously relied on more projects which previously relied on large regional or global entities can now large regional or global entities can now be accomplished through local be accomplished through local collaborationcollaboration

Through the adoption of open-source Through the adoption of open-source software, libraries have become software, libraries have become empowered with the tools needed to build empowered with the tools needed to build the infrastructure for these collaborationsthe infrastructure for these collaborations


Library Collaboration Library Collaboration [2][2]

Why collaboration?Why collaboration? Progressive budget cuts reduce the ability of Progressive budget cuts reduce the ability of

a library to efficiently respond to new IT a library to efficiently respond to new IT developmentsdevelopments

Reductions in salary and positions make a Reductions in salary and positions make a library less competitive with the private sector library less competitive with the private sector for skilled stafffor skilled staff

Growing need for resource-intensive activities Growing need for resource-intensive activities in contrast to a library’s stagnant ability to in contrast to a library’s stagnant ability to perform themperform them


Library Collaboration Library Collaboration [3][3]

Librarians have a strong tradition of Librarians have a strong tradition of resource sharingresource sharing

JULAC Libraries CollaborationJULAC Libraries Collaboration JULAC White Paper on collaboration to JULAC White Paper on collaboration to

HUCOM early this yearHUCOM early this year HKALL System for joint universities book HKALL System for joint universities book

borrowingborrowing Activities from various JULAC committees and Activities from various JULAC committees and

task forces; CDC (Collaborative Development task forces; CDC (Collaborative Development Committee) being the most active one.Committee) being the most active one.


Digital Library ExplorationDigital Library Exploration

1994 - potential capability for the Web to 1994 - potential capability for the Web to become primary gateway to informationbecome primary gateway to information

Once the web infrastructure and Once the web infrastructure and technology were in place, a progression of technology were in place, a progression of digital library projects began to take placedigital library projects began to take place

The HKUST Library was suddenly able to The HKUST Library was suddenly able to provide much more accessible information provide much more accessible information about its collections, programs and about its collections, programs and services for our users.services for our users.


Digital Library DevelopmentDigital Library Development

Web technologiesWeb technologies Web-enabled content and servicesWeb-enabled content and services Mark-up optionsMark-up options Searching and harvestingSearching and harvesting XML and its related technologiesXML and its related technologies


Digital Library Development Digital Library Development [2][2]

D a t a b a s e

- B i b l i o g r a p h i c M e t a d a t a

- P D F D o c u m e n t s

- P l a i n T e x t o f D o c u m e n t s

D a t a b a s e / S e a r c h E n g i n e

W e b I n t e r f a c e

D i g i t a l L i b r a r y S y s t e m

T h e I n t e r n e t

D a t a b a s e




D a t a b a s e / S e a r c h E n g i n e

W e b I n t e r f a c e

D a t a b a s e




D a t a b a s e




D a t a b a s e / S e a r c h E n g i n eD a t a b a s e / S e a r c h E n g i n e

W e b I n t e r f a c eW e b I n t e r f a c e

D i g i t a l L i b r a r y S y s t e m

T h e I n t e r n e tT h e I n t e r n e t


Content DigitizationContent Digitization

In 1998, after more than four years of In 1998, after more than four years of experience digitizing materials using the experience digitizing materials using the TIFF format for access from dedicated TIFF format for access from dedicated PCs, it was decided to base newer PCs, it was decided to base newer digitization projects on Adobe’s PDF digitization projects on Adobe’s PDF document format with a Web interface. document format with a Web interface. HKUST ThesesHKUST Theses Digital University Archives Digital University Archives HKUST-related News ClippingsHKUST-related News Clippings


Content Digitization Content Digitization [2][2]

PDF was more portable created smaller PDF was more portable created smaller files than TIFF, and a freely available files than TIFF, and a freely available multi-platform viewer could be used as a multi-platform viewer could be used as a Web browser plug-in. Web browser plug-in.

Documents were digitized and hyperlinked Documents were digitized and hyperlinked to the bibliographic metadata. to the bibliographic metadata.

Text was extracted from the PDF Text was extracted from the PDF documents using Acrobat Capture and documents using Acrobat Capture and some Chinese OCR software.some Chinese OCR software.


XML MetadataXML Metadata

The Library Catalog contains bibliographic The Library Catalog contains bibliographic metadata for all print, multimedia and metadata for all print, multimedia and electronic resourceselectronic resources

Metadata is exported from the Catalog to Metadata is exported from the Catalog to the database for indexing and displaythe database for indexing and display

The HTML format is limited by its lack of The HTML format is limited by its lack of metadata optionsmetadata options

eXtensible Markup Language (XML)eXtensible Markup Language (XML)


XML Metadata XML Metadata [2][2]

2001 - An Electronic Journals database 2001 - An Electronic Journals database system was developed, using XML system was developed, using XML technologies to automate the process of technologies to automate the process of metadata extraction from the Catalogmetadata extraction from the Catalog

Real-time XML extraction was later Real-time XML extraction was later available using a special vendor-provided available using a special vendor-provided URLURL

XSL style sheets were developed to XSL style sheets were developed to transform the metadata into a format transform the metadata into a format suitable for the Library’s applicationssuitable for the Library’s applications


XMLXML

Partially fulfills the old promise of having Partially fulfills the old promise of having computers doing more of the work, computers doing more of the work, through the development of more through the development of more compatible database connectivity, SOAP-compatible database connectivity, SOAP-based and other Web Services and native based and other Web Services and native XML database systemsXML database systems

A current example is RSS, used by A current example is RSS, used by libraries for everything from announcing libraries for everything from announcing current service hours to distributing current service hours to distributing “podcasts”“podcasts”


XML XML [2][2]

2003 - HKUST Library’s first RSS “feeds” 2003 - HKUST Library’s first RSS “feeds” for new book and media acquisitionsfor new book and media acquisitions

A set of standards which greatly simplified A set of standards which greatly simplified collaboration effortscollaboration efforts


Name Access ControlName Access Control

In cataloging, the use of names is In cataloging, the use of names is governed by governed by Authority ControlAuthority Control, which , which ’authorizes’ one form of a name as an ’authorizes’ one form of a name as an access pointaccess point

Access ControlAccess Control provides a central provides a central place for looking up various forms of a place for looking up various forms of a name, allowing the linking of variant name, allowing the linking of variant forms without declaring any of them to forms without declaring any of them to be the authorized formbe the authorized form


Name Access ControlName Access Control [2][2]

2002 - An XML Name Access Control 2002 - An XML Name Access Control Repository was developed to address the Repository was developed to address the problems identifying personal authors problems identifying personal authors whose names are in non-Latin scriptswhose names are in non-Latin scripts

http://library.http://library.ustust..hk/info/nac/hk/info/nac/

Global prototypeGlobal prototype Great collaborative potential, but only if the Great collaborative potential, but only if the

concept is widely adopted and becomes concept is widely adopted and becomes an actual or defacto standardan actual or defacto standard


Journal Usage Report OnlineJournal Usage Report Online

Software to acquire electronic resource Software to acquire electronic resource usage statistics from vendors, and allow usage statistics from vendors, and allow online querying and generation of usage online querying and generation of usage reportsreports

Using COUNTER-compliant vendor usage Using COUNTER-compliant vendor usage datadata

Consolidates multiple partially duplicative Consolidates multiple partially duplicative efforts by different Library unitsefforts by different Library units


Journal Usage Report Online Journal Usage Report Online [2][2]

Meets a clearly defined need not yet being Meets a clearly defined need not yet being met by available software met by available software

Permits much more accurate analysis for Permits much more accurate analysis for Collection Development and Acquisitions Collection Development and Acquisitions efforts efforts

Semi-integrated with the Library CatalogSemi-integrated with the Library Catalog

http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/juro.plhttp://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/juro.pl


Journal Usage Report Online Journal Usage Report Online [3][3]

Enhancements:Enhancements: Local usage statistics for products from Local usage statistics for products from

vendors who do not provide usage datavendors who do not provide usage data Periodic surveys of manually compiled print Periodic surveys of manually compiled print

journal usage datajournal usage data


HKIUG Unicode InitiativesHKIUG Unicode Initiatives

HKIUG – Hong Kong Innovative Users HKIUG – Hong Kong Innovative Users GroupGroup Originally founded in 1996 by JULAC as a Originally founded in 1996 by JULAC as a

users group to facilitate communication users group to facilitate communication among local libraries in using the INNOPAC among local libraries in using the INNOPAC library system, which is developed by library system, which is developed by Innovative Interface Inc.Innovative Interface Inc.

Became an independent body in 2001, with Became an independent body in 2001, with membership expanded to include all membership expanded to include all INNOPAC libraries in Hong Kong and MacauINNOPAC libraries in Hong Kong and Macau


HKIUG Unicode Initiatives HKIUG Unicode Initiatives [2][2]

HKIUG Unicode Initiatives - one of the HKIUG Unicode Initiatives - one of the many successful library collaboration many successful library collaboration projects in which HKUST Library projects in which HKUST Library participatedparticipated

Results:Results: Improved Unicode support in members’ library Improved Unicode support in members’ library

catalogcatalog Vendor gaining better understanding of issues Vendor gaining better understanding of issues

in Chinese information processingin Chinese information processing



INNOPAC CJK (Chinese, Japanese, INNOPAC CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) background in 2003Korean) background in 2003 Local libraries were heavily using the BIG5 Local libraries were heavily using the BIG5

legacy Chinese character encoding systemlegacy Chinese character encoding system INNOPAC adopted EACC (East Asian INNOPAC adopted EACC (East Asian

Character Code) for storing and indexing CJK Character Code) for storing and indexing CJK data; and used an unreliable mapping table to data; and used an unreliable mapping table to display and search Chinese characters in display and search Chinese characters in BIG5BIG5



INNOPAC was in the transition towards INNOPAC was in the transition towards Unicode support, with the development of the Unicode support, with the development of the Millennium softwareMillennium software

CJK support in the Millennium software was CJK support in the Millennium software was immature and buggyimmature and buggy

Vendor did not understand the actual CJK Vendor did not understand the actual CJK needs and requirementsneeds and requirements

The EACC to Unicode mapping table was The EACC to Unicode mapping table was inaccurate and failed to handle multi-inaccurate and failed to handle multi-mappings, resulting in incorrect display, mappings, resulting in incorrect display, retrieval and storage of CJK data.retrieval and storage of CJK data.



An example of multi-mappingsAn example of multi-mappings

EACCEACC UnicodeUnicode

27462A 27462A 历历(Simplified form (Simplified form

of of 歷歷 )) U+5386 U+5386 历历274349 274349 历历

(Simplified form (Simplified form of of 曆曆 ))



Multi-mapping causing failure of round-trip Multi-mapping causing failure of round-trip cross-walkcross-walk

Retrieve 27462A 历(Simplified form of 歷 ) Mapping Table

One-to-manyObtain 27462A ? or 274349 ?

(Simplified form of 歷 ? or 曆 ?)

Save U+5386 历Mapping Table

Many-to-one

Obtain U+5386 历

EACC-basedDatabase

Unicode-basedEditor



TSVCC Linking ProblemTSVCC Linking Problem Linking Traditional, Simplified and Variant Chinese Linking Traditional, Simplified and Variant Chinese

Characters Characters For example, when searching For example, when searching 系 as the simplified as the simplified

form of form of 係 , it is desirable to retrieve both, but not , it is desirable to retrieve both, but not 繫 .

系(U+7CFB)

繫(U+7E6B)

係(U+4FC2)

related



Individual efforts to resolve these Individual efforts to resolve these problems – not workingproblems – not working Individual libraries communicated with the Individual libraries communicated with the

vendor – fixes were in piece-meal fashionvendor – fixes were in piece-meal fashion Some libraries conducted their own Some libraries conducted their own

CJK/Unicode study with attempts to propose CJK/Unicode study with attempts to propose to the vendor how to tackle these problems – to the vendor how to tackle these problems – again without much progressagain without much progress• HKUST (April 2003)HKUST (April 2003)• City University of Hong Kong (July 2003)City University of Hong Kong (July 2003)



Collaborative effort at HKIUG followedCollaborative effort at HKIUG followed 20 June 2003 – HKIUG Standing Committee 20 June 2003 – HKIUG Standing Committee

met and agreed that a joint proposal was met and agreed that a joint proposal was essential for gaining acceptance from the essential for gaining acceptance from the vendorvendor

11 July 2003 – A 11 July 2003 – A seminar was organized by seminar was organized by CUHK to solicit ideas and comments from CUHK to solicit ideas and comments from HKIUG colleaguesHKIUG colleagues



June-September 2003 – established a June-September 2003 – established a working group to study and develop a joint working group to study and develop a joint proposal to the vendor. Members consisted of proposal to the vendor. Members consisted of catalogers and systems librarians from catalogers and systems librarians from CITYU, CUHK, HKUST and HKU.CITYU, CUHK, HKUST and HKU.

16 September 2003 – working group 16 September 2003 – working group completed the study and submitted the completed the study and submitted the proposal to the vendor together with a HKIUG proposal to the vendor together with a HKIUG version of the EACC/Unicode Mapping Tableversion of the EACC/Unicode Mapping Table

October 2003 – vendor accepted the proposalOctober 2003 – vendor accepted the proposal



November 2003 – the HKIUG code table was November 2003 – the HKIUG code table was first implemented at HKUST as a pilot test and first implemented at HKUST as a pilot test and subsequently at other HKIUG librariessubsequently at other HKIUG libraries

27-28 January 2004 – K.T. Lam of HKUST 27-28 January 2004 – K.T. Lam of HKUST was invited to the vendor’s Headquarters to was invited to the vendor’s Headquarters to work with its staff on resolving outstanding work with its staff on resolving outstanding CJK issues – a face-to-face opportunity to CJK issues – a face-to-face opportunity to express HKIUG libraries’ concerns and to express HKIUG libraries’ concerns and to make them understanding the issues. Results:make them understanding the issues. Results:• Multi-mapping problem in Editor – fixedMulti-mapping problem in Editor – fixed• TSVCC Linking – began development TSVCC Linking – began development



23 October 2004 – HKUST created the 23 October 2004 – HKUST created the TSVCC linking tables and submitted to the TSVCC linking tables and submitted to the vendor for testingvendor for testing

30 November 2004 - the TSVCC tables were 30 November 2004 - the TSVCC tables were endorsed by HKIUG with more enhancementsendorsed by HKIUG with more enhancements

25 February 2005 – established HKIUG 25 February 2005 – established HKIUG Unicode Task Force to maintain the Unicode Unicode Task Force to maintain the Unicode and TSVCC code tables and to assist the and TSVCC code tables and to assist the vendor on Unicode migration; members from vendor on Unicode migration; members from CUHK, CITYU, HKUST and HKU.CUHK, CITYU, HKUST and HKU.



Lessons learnt:Lessons learnt: Vendors are more comfortable and Vendors are more comfortable and

responsive to work with collaborative groups responsive to work with collaborative groups than individualsthan individuals

Joint effort increases productivity and reduces Joint effort increases productivity and reduces redundancyredundancy

Deliverables produced in collaborative effort Deliverables produced in collaborative effort are more authoritative and attractive for are more authoritative and attractive for adoption by othersadoption by others


Shared Resource PoolShared Resource Pool

HKUST Library is organizing a Website to HKUST Library is organizing a Website to host software packages developed and/or host software packages developed and/or modified by the Librarymodified by the Library

http://library.ust.hk/software/http://library.ust.hk/software/

They are freely available for downloading They are freely available for downloading by any interested partiesby any interested parties

Open source codes are provided wherever Open source codes are provided wherever possiblepossible


Shared Resource Pool Shared Resource Pool [2][2]

We believe that it is highly beneficial that We believe that it is highly beneficial that libraries which develop non-commercial libraries which develop non-commercial software tools which might prove useful to software tools which might prove useful to other institutions make their efforts other institutions make their efforts available to the larger Community of available to the larger Community of Libraries.Libraries.



The Open Source Software MovementThe Open Source Software Movement What is open source software?What is open source software?

• ““The The basic idea behind open sourcebasic idea behind open source is very simple: When is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.”conventional software development, seems astonishing.”

http://www.http://www.opensourceopensource.org/.org/

• Free RedistributionFree Redistribution• Source CodeSource Code• Derived WorksDerived Works



The Open Source Software MovementThe Open Source Software Movement Customize, inspect, secure, repurpose, etc.Customize, inspect, secure, repurpose, etc.

• Required customization would not have been Required customization would not have been possible with closed-source softwarepossible with closed-source software

• Example: adding the ability to search and display Example: adding the ability to search and display only authorized documents in the Digital University only authorized documents in the Digital University Archives based on each individual user’s identityArchives based on each individual user’s identity



The Open Source Software MovementThe Open Source Software Movement We use open source software extensively, We use open source software extensively,

such as…such as…• LAMP: GNU/Linux, Apache, MySql, PHPLAMP: GNU/Linux, Apache, MySql, PHP• Two of our digital library projects use Two of our digital library projects use DSpaceDSpace• Meeting Room Booking System (MRBS)Meeting Room Booking System (MRBS)• Statistics programs (Analog, AWstats, etc.)Statistics programs (Analog, AWstats, etc.)• Sleepycat Berkeley DB XMLSleepycat Berkeley DB XML• ……• we could keep going for several screens… we could keep going for several screens…



Available packages on the Resource Pool Available packages on the Resource Pool website:website: Pinyin Conversion Project Pinyin Conversion Project University Archives EAD XSLT University Archives EAD XSLT Room Booking System Room Booking System Library Catalog Print2Mail Project Library Catalog Print2Mail Project JURO: Journal Usage Report OnlineJURO: Journal Usage Report Online



Wade-Giles -> Pinyin Conversion ProjectWade-Giles -> Pinyin Conversion Project Example of indirect collaborationExample of indirect collaboration Feedback: Feedback: ““When using the Text2Marc programme to When using the Text2Marc programme to

turn the reviewed files back to MARC format, turn the reviewed files back to MARC format, we found that if the 008 tag ended in a blank, we found that if the 008 tag ended in a blank, it was truncated to the last non-blank it was truncated to the last non-blank character. This would generally be the end of character. This would generally be the end of the language code in 008/35-37, resulting in the language code in 008/35-37, resulting in some 008 tags that were 2 bytes too shortsome 008 tags that were 2 bytes too short” ”

– – McGill UniversityMcGill University


Future IdeasFuture Ideas

Expanding the Shared Resource Pool to Expanding the Shared Resource Pool to host JULAC downloadable softwarehost JULAC downloadable software Site-specific customizationSite-specific customization Reducing redundant effortsReducing redundant efforts Distributed input yields improved software Distributed input yields improved software

qualityquality A good project for JULAC Libraries’ A good project for JULAC Libraries’

CollaborationCollaboration


Future Ideas Future Ideas [2][2]

Joint LDAP attribute definitions for cross-Joint LDAP attribute definitions for cross-institutional authorization tokensinstitutional authorization tokens Example: cross-institutional students needing Example: cross-institutional students needing

access to resources assigned by their access to resources assigned by their Professor - so authorizations are needed for Professor - so authorizations are needed for required resources from both institutionsrequired resources from both institutions

Possibly in collaboration with JUCC via the Possibly in collaboration with JUCC via the Internet2 ProjectInternet2 Project


ConclusionConclusion

Expansions in information technology Expansions in information technology have opened up many new vistas of have opened up many new vistas of information and service provision. information and service provision.

Possibilities continue to be enormous, Possibilities continue to be enormous, limited more by the inability to find time to limited more by the inability to find time to explore them than by fiscal constraints.explore them than by fiscal constraints.

These are exciting times to be a These are exciting times to be a Librarian!Librarian!


Closing ThoughtsClosing Thoughts

Set aside some time to simply Set aside some time to simply thinkthink about about new options and technologies, and new options and technologies, and ponderponder how to relate them to solving how to relate them to solving identified local needsidentified local needs

CollaborateCollaborate for the traditional library roles: for the traditional library roles: providing access to needed informationproviding access to needed information providing services to support that access providing services to support that access improving users’ ability to utilize the improving users’ ability to utilize the

information obtainedinformation obtained


Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers