Right, so I was thinking maybe we should expose linked data and let various people index it, and allow linking back to our library inventory systems for holdings info, so people could search google scholar, google book, worldcat.org, hathi trust ) and somewhat easily link back to our collections if they are tracking back to a printed copy. And, of course we'd be refining Open URL so wherever they find a cite they can get to an "appropriate copy".
Then for next gen ILS we make a search tool that is for staff. So it accomodates the kind of searching they need to do to which can be complex and based on knowledge of the records and sometimes the history of the file. Then we allow access to that to library users but we don't try to make it "easy" we leave it hard and train them if they really want to use it. Add a simple mobile search interface and some simple, I know what this is exactly where is it and is it on the shelf or does somebody else have it out, kind of searches. Also, provide a fairly simple, I have a bibliography in my hand do we have it kind of searches.
Keep a linked data copy of holdings available and uptodate so it can be harvested by various systems, so if you had a group of libraries who wanted to build a tool that allowed for joint collection development based on an agreement among 12 libraries that x number of print copies will be retained and various libraries retain based on subject, etc. Also allow sophisticated subject specific databases to link back to the library holdings if they want to (but it's their problem, let them harvest the data if they want it). Let OCLC harvest the information they want instead of having the export and load bibs and holdings to them.
How's that for a thought? Heretical?
Frances McNamara
University of Chicago
________________________________________
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries [NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Tim Spalding [tim_at_LIBRARYTHING.COM]
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:48 AM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: [NGC4LIB] Next next generation catalogs
Like "modern" art, the idea of "Next Generation" catalogs is starting
to feel dated. Instead of a daring project, it's become something of a
term of art. The edges are fuzzy. But it embraces systems like
Blacklight, SOPAC, Aquabrowser, Bibliocommons, Endeca catalogs and
systems enhanced with LibraryThing for Libraries, and it involves
ideas like faceted searching, social data, experimental, open-source
development and simple Google-ish interfaces.
There is, of course, a lot more to do here. Most catalogs "in the
wild" are last-gen (or worse). And the ideas themselves are still
being tested and refined.
But, in my opinion, the Copernican moment has passed, and next-gen
catalogs are the new normal. Some of the biggest ideas—like social
features—have been completely misunderstood and misapplied by the big
companies. But all the big companies now has a supposedly "next gen"
catalog. Some are even good.
So, ladies and gentleman, get out your crystal balls and tell me what
is the "next" next gen?
* What good ideas have yet to become mainstream?
* What idea trends—mobile? ebooks?—should cause us to rethink things?
* Is it time to decide that the next catalog is no catalog at all?
* Is it Google? A kiosk? A cell phone? A WorldCat metastasis? Dying
because the library is dying?
What do you think?
Tim
--
Check out my library at http://www.librarything.com/profile/timspalding
Received on Sat Mar 27 2010 - 14:44:45 EDT