Atlantic Scholarly Information Network Portal

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Atlantic Scholarly Information Network Portal

• Slavko Manojlovich
• Memorial University of Newfoundland(ASIN
  Portal Project Manager)and
• Stephen Sloan
• University of New Brunswick(ASIN Portal
  Content Manager)
• SIRSIDynix European Users Group Conference
• September 2006

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Atlantic Scholarly Information Network

• Initiative of the Council of Atlantic University
  Libraries (CAUL).
• 17 universities in the Atlantic provinces.
• 80,000 FTE students ( faculty staff).
• ASIN Borrowers Card.
• Centralized off-site storage.
• Consortial Licensing of Digital Resources.
• Relais ILL/Document Delivery.
• Bath Profile indexing of Z39.50 servers.
• ASIN Portal.

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ASIN Member Institutions
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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ASIN Member Institutions
COMPREHENSIVE 20,000 students
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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ASIN Member Institutions
SPECIALIZED 300 students
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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ASIN Member Institutions
UNILINGUAL FRENCH
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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ASIN Member Institutions
ALEPH ILS
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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ASIN Member Institutions
BIBLIOMUNDO ILS
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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ASIN Member Institutions
UNICORN ILS
Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University St. Francis Xavier University
Atlantic School of Theology St. Thomas University St. Thomas University
Dalhousie University Université de Moncton Université de Moncton
Memorial University of Newfoundland Université Sainte-Anne Université Sainte-Anne
Mount Allison University University College of Cape Breton University College of Cape Breton
Mount Saint Vincent University University of King's College University of King's College
Nova Scotia Agricultural College University of New Brunswick University of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia College of Art Design University of Prince Edward Island University of Prince Edward Island
Saint Mary's University
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The Vision To be the Atlantic resource for
scholarly information.
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Back To The Future(from a CAUL/CBUA Press
Release January 2001)

• You should expect to see
• A button on your local library catalogue allowing
  you to search all CAUL/CBUA catalogues
  simultaneously (2001 -- technicalities
  permitting)
• A "deliver it to me" option that will supply the
  work to you from the holding institution quickly
  (2001-- ditto on technicalities)
• Coordinated licensing of electronic resources in
  the name of the project, allowing all users at
  all sites remote access (2001-2002)

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Original Goals of the Project

• To give the inexperienced researcher a better way
  to find information.
• Results from LibQual and anecdotal evidence
  suggested that students were not benefiting from
  our instruction programs as much as we would have
  liked need to improve access independent of
  instruction.
• To build resources co-operatively provide things
  collectively that we could not achieve acting
  alone.
• Recent goal accommodate our differences.

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Reasons why our users hate us

• These are the barriers to information

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Reason 1 Siloed Web sites
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Reason 2 Database Interfaces
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Reason 3 Confusing Citations
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Reason 4 No links to full-text
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Reason 5 Difficult and obscure ILL
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Reason 5 (contd)
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Reason 5 (contd)
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Reason 5 (contd)
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Reason 5 (contd)
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Goals Re-stated No Dead Ends!

• For an inexperienced user, a dead end is any
  display where it is not immediately obvious -
  with little or no instruction - how the user is
  to obtain the information or the document. A
  dead end will cause the user to stop seeking the
  information.
• If we examine the previous reasons why users have
  a hard time with library research, we find these
  can be seen as dead ends.

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The first Dead End Information by format

• User often has a subject in mind, not a format.
• User wants information, not journal articles or
  books.
• Explanation needed from Reference staff - not
  always sought.
• User makes a bee-line to Google. There, they
  know they will get information without having to
  make a decision on the materials format.

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Another Dead End Database Interfaces

• Confusing presentation of information.
• Even a user familiar with one database may balk
  at using a new database with a different look.
• Users dealing with a multi-disciplinary topic or
  faculty (Kinesiology) face the daunting prospect
  of learning multiple user interfaces.
• The same can be said for the user searching
  cross-disciplinary databases such as Academic
  Search Elite, Web of Science, Cisti Source, etc.
• Especially lost may be those who wish to search
  outside the normal subject databases (Oscar Wilde
  as a topic in medical or science databases).

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Yet another Dead End Confusing citations

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

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Yet another Dead End No links to full-text

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

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The last Dead End Difficult and obscure ILL

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

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What to do?

• How can new technologies eliminate the dreaded

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If we can present the user with one search
interface that will present results clearly and
consistently, we will eliminate one
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Federated Search does this
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Results
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Federated Searching Features

• Searches database targets through Z39.50, API, or
  HTML screen scraping.
• Converts all results to a common XML record
  syntax.
• Search defaults may be configured to match an
  institutions requirements (e.g. only search
  metadata in full-text databases).
• Makes links for each record that are appropriate
  for the resource (full-text, full record from
  native display, to Resolver for further
  exploration).
• This last is a key point makes ALL resources
  (where possible) openURL aware works well with
  Resolver.

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A Brief DigressionFour Methods of Discovering
Everything

• Multiple searches of native interfaces.
• Federated search of native interfaces, APIs,
  Z39.50, etc.
• Harvest, index, and search metadata with links to
  full-text.
• Load, index, and search full-text.

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

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

• Requires an expert user in subject and in
  searching.
• Multiple UIs.
• Cataloguing and organizing resources can be
  somewhat taxing.

ASIN resources include 400 resources from 250
information providers.
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Federated Searching of Native Interfaces (what
the ASIN Portal will do)

• Fast and easy for the user.
• Less knowledge of subject and databases required.
• Results are consistent in presentation.

• User cannot take advantage of special features of
  UIs.
• Vocabulary for searching may differ across
  databases (books vs. journal databases, subject
  specific vs. generalized).
• Requires maintenance by the host of the federated
  search engine.

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Harvest, Index, and Search Metadata(the OAI and
Google Scholar approach)

• Scalable.
• Established procedures and standards (OAI).
• Quick and easy searching for the user.
• Vendors, libraries, digital repositories keen to
  make metadata available freely.

• Not all sources support metadata harvesting or
  support it in a standard way.
• Lots of contacts / maintenance to do by the host.
• Links to full-text may be difficult to maintain.
• Software development needed.

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Load, Index, and Search Full-Text (Ontarios
Scholars Portal built on licensed content and
CSAIllumina)

• Full-text always available for the user no
  linking problems.
• User can search metadata or full-text.
• Long-term preservation of scholarly content.

• Massive infrastructure and staff support
  required.
• Not all vendors would be eager to participate in
  such a project.
• Very expensive.

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If we can link search results to the full-text
(where we own it) we can eliminate another huge
An OpenURL link resolver does this.
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For some types of resources, Federated searching
can do this
But for resources where full-text is in doubt, a
Resolver is needed.
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Steps in Building a Resolver

• Install Resolver software and configure each
  institution.
• Multilingual English and French required.
• Load packages of journal subscriptions. These
  form the main part of the knowledgebase.
• Handles embargoes.
• DOI aware join CrossRef.
• Load local holdings of e-journals and print
  subscriptions. Knowledgebase complete.
• Build links to the catalogue and Relais ILL.
• Inform vendors of URLs for Resolvers.
• Obtain the blessing of the Godess of PubMed.

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Resolvers appear in vendor sites
From EBSCO
The links lead to a check of the knowledgebase
and a we have it / we dont have it response.
From CSA
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but not all
Remember this one we will return to it
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Resolver links appear in Federated Search
results.
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Regardless of the source of the citation (native
interface or federated search), clicking on the
Resolver link brings you to the same place
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Federated searching can add Resolver links where
they are not available in the native interface.
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Feminae Results
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Feminae linked to Resolver in federated search
results.
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If we could just link search results to ILL, so
that items we dont own could be quickly and
easily ordered, we would eliminate a big
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Linking Resolver to ILL

• Extreme co-operation from Relais.
• Relais ILL accepts openURL.
• Authorizes user for ILL through use of NCIP (note
  this is not authentication).
• Fast, simple, and cheap (even the experienced
  users love this one faculty will worship you).

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Relais linking
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Clicking link brings up local authentication.
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Authentication

• User enters id and PIN.
• A script authenticates user.
• The same script then adds user credentials to
  bibliographic data sent to it in the openURL from
  Resolver.
• Redirects user to Relais ILL with bibliographic
  data and credentials

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Authentication and Authorization

• Relais ILL accepts data from URL.
• Uses credentials to query (via NCIP) users
  circulation system to ensure user has
  authorization to perform ILL.
• Gets other data such as name, home library, etc.
• Shows user completed ILL form.

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Top of ILL screen
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User information via NCIP
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Pristine pre-populated search form
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User defaults via NCIP
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Another DigressionAdd RefWorks Into The Mix

• It was discovered that RefWorks also accepts
  OpenURLs and that our Resolver works with
  RefWorks.
• Citations may be imported with minimal typing.
• RefShare added to consortial purchase.

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One Dead End left
Shrinking dead ends

• What to do about siloed information.
• Solution EPS/Rooms.
• Directs user to subject-based resources.
• Incorporates federated searching, Resolver, and
  other aspects of the project.
• Development of subject-based Rooms shared across
  region.

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EPS/Rooms Features

• Each institution has its own subject hierarchy of
  Rooms.
• Each Room may be configured to search an
  appropriate set of resources.
• Rooms built using a web-based interface (little
  knowledge of HTML required).
• Information is added to Rooms through building
  small Content Modules.
• Content Modules may be shared across Rooms and
  institutional hierarchies.
• Communal editing of content.

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Summary The Projects Components

• OpenURL Resolver the heart of the system
• Federated searching
• Relais ILL
• NCIP and ILS
• Local authentication scripts EZproxy
• RefWorks Reference Manager
• Rooms / EPS

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What Have We Learned?

• The technology works.
• Collaboration works.
• Communication, trust, and a passion for success
  are critical.
• OpenURL is the driver.
• OpenURL allows you to provide your users with
  alternatives to pay-per-view for many new
  resources.
• Most problems are related to the lack of
  standards on the content side.
• Metasearch will not cure all of the problems
  associated with dysfunctional native user
  interfaces.
• The NISO Metasearch Initiative will only makes
  things better.
• This is a new experience for both users and
  librarians.

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What Have We Learned?

• Focus more on the user rather than on the portal.
• Expose the portal in the users research
  environment rather than expect the user to come
  to the portal.

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Getting federated search to the user
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Implementation to Date

• 2 servers hosted by UNB (Rooms and
  SingleSearch/Resolver)
• Implementation Team (Acadia, Memorial and UNB)
• Authentication scripts (Memorial, StFX)
• Resolver maintenance (UNB, UPEI)
• SingleSearch maintenance (Memorial)
• Rooms templates (Memorial, UNB)
• Usability studies (Memorial)
• Majority of sites have authentication,
  SingleSearch, Resolver, Relais ILL and RefWorks
  (remainder by end of 2006)
• Rooms development ongoing process

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Next Steps

• Integrate Serials Solutions Central Search and
  Resolver into EPS for Dalhousie.
• Develop a long-term management and support
  infrastructure for the project.
• Develop a set of best practices for the creation
  of shareable content modules and Rooms.
• Conduct more usability studies.

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Questions?
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• Thank-you
• Slavko Manojlovichslavko_at_mun.ca
• And
• Steve Sloansloan_at_unb.ca