K-State Libraries: Conference Reports

The future of the OPAC

The future of the OPAC and the ILS running it behind the scenes were hot topics. Aside from my usual committee meetings, I was able to gather some information on OPAC overlays and ILS options. An OPAC overlay is an interface that sits on top of one's existing ILS providing Library 2.0 interaction and an improved interface.

The most interesting presentation I attended was from LITA and sponsored by the Next Generation Catalog Interest Group. The topic was of great interest as the room was full with more chairs being added as the speakers began. The presentations were from three different institutions who have taken an open source route with a catalog overlay. Slides are to be posted in the future to the LITA Web site. Rather than migrating to a completely different ILS, these institutions have opted to create a new face for the OPAC. All libraries were seeking to add Library 2.0 features to their catalogs. Each overlay includes the ability to search facets. None needed support from one's ILS vendor to implement. Vufind is synchronous, whereas Solrpac is asynchronous with a 2 hour delay.

OPAC overlays

• Vufind  developed by Villanova University with a Voyager catalog as the source of data
• Solrpac by Miami University of Ohio with an Innovative catalog as the source of data and using Drupal
• Project Blacklight portal by University of Virginia with a Sirsi/Dynix catalog as the source of data

All of the above systems are XML-based and open source. The thing I found most intriguing was the fact that these overlays work with your existing ILS. While open source ILS options are gaining traction, an OPAC overlay based on an open source model provides a host of display options. Considering a migration of a large ILS is a matter not to be entered quickly or lightly. An OPAC overlay could be a solid intermediate step.

Other products beyond the above panel presentation (by no means exhaustive, but rather a reflection of the information I gathered at the exhibits)

New ILS
Koha by LibLime (open source)
AGent VERSO

OPAC overlays
WorldCat Local
Encore by Innovative Interfaces

Federated searching
AGent Search
MasterKey (open source)

OCLC Symposium

I rarely arrive early enough at Midwinter to attend the OCLC Friday afternoon symposium. This year was different. The afternoon was titled, New Leadership for New Challenges. The two guest speakers provided a nice complement to one another. The first speaker was Leslie Crutchfield, co-author of Forces for good: The six practices of high-impact nonprofits. Crutchfield and co-author Grant examined successful nonprofits known as innovators in their given field. Their case studies yielded 6 practices shared by all of the successful nonprofits. The practices are: Advocate and serve, make markets work, inspire evangelists, nurture nonprofit networks, master the art of adaptation, and share leadership (a.k.a. lead and let go). Sitting there it struck me that libraries do at least one portion of this well, that is actively seeking collaborators.

The second speaker was Dr. Rush Miller, director of the University of Pittsburgh Libraries. Dr. Miller detailed the numerous organizational changes the University of Pittsburgh Libraries have gone through during his tenure and suggested that "claiming value is not enough." He explained libraries need to demonstrate how they connect to the university's mission in order to avoid marginalization. He also shared that organizational structure should not be the chief concern; our concern should be the people in the organization.

ALCTS Metadata and Digital Library Development preconference

I attended the ALCTS Metadata and Digital Library Development preconference before the start of ALA Midwinter. The preconference lasted two days and included discussions and exercises on functional requirements for digital libraries, metadata assessment and analysis, metadata conversion (i.e. mapping), and metadata workflows. Those in attendance included electronic resource librarians, catalogers, metadata specialists, and a few folks in library systems. The creation and maintenance of digital libraries is a complex topic. Much depends on the local environment and the goals of the digital library. What purpose does it serve now and in the future? I found the discussions with colleagues in a variety of roles and position within libraries to be more valuable than the formal content. Many libraries are still tentatively stepping out into various digital projects. While K-State has completed numerous grant-funded digital projects with groups outside the libraries, library-wide projects have been more limited. As the libraries take a more active role in the creation and curation of digital content, the opportunities for improved tools and content exposure are vast.

Moving to One Service Point

Moving to One Service Point: 70+ participants

Hot Topics in Frontline Reference Discussion Group, RSS

Lisa Horrowitz: MIT Central Reference Services Coordinator, Humanities

Lisa opened the Moving to One Service Point discussion with an explanation of how MIT did this about 10 years ago and the outcome.