MetaLib BC

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MetaLib _at_ BC

• Implementing MetaLib at
• Boston College
• June 2002
• Theresa Lyman
• Digital Resources Reference Librarian
• Boston College Libraries

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Boston College Environment
MetaLib _at_ BC

• User Population
• 9,000 undergrad
• 4,600 graduate
• 820 faculty
• BC Library Facts
• 8 libraries/centers
• Staff 200 FTEs
• 6.5 million acquisitions budget
• 1 million (electronic resources)

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Starting Points for Library Resources
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Quest
• ALEPH Web OPAC
• Includes 12,000 cataloged electronic resources
• Web pages
• Online Databases (A-Z Subject Lists)
• Electronic Journals List (A-Z)
• Research Guides by Subject
• Electronic Books List
• more...

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Why do we need a portal?
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Rapid growth in e-collections
• 1,000,000 per year
• More than 200 database subscriptions
• More than 18,000 e-journal subscriptions
• Access, management challenges
• Tie resources together
• Enables librarians to direct users to specific
  electronic resources/services

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Why We Chose MetaLib
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Existing positive relationship with Ex Libris
• Saw opportunity to influence development
  willing to experiment
• Mission - Libraries as technology leader on
  campus
• Creation of Digital Resources position in
  Reference

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MetaLib
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Gateway / Search Engine
• Allows simultaneous searching of multiple
  databases
• Based on Z39.50 and other protocols
• Customizable by user, to a certain degree
• Includes SFX

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SFX
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Dynamic, context-sensitive reference linking
  system
• Uses metadata from search results to offer user
  connections to appropriate services
• Based on OpenURL
• SFX Sources Targets

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Implementation
MetaLib _at_ BC

• How the work was done
• Working groups (public services, systems, branch
  libraries)
• Cataloging resources
• Configuring resources
• Customization
• Testing, user feedback

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Implementation Timeline
MetaLib _at_ BC
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BC Resources in MetaLib Web-based subscription
databases, some free sites and selected library
catalogs.Configured resources include
MetaLib _at_ BC

• BC ALEPH catalogs
• CSA
• EBSCO
• Gale InfoTrac
• Library Catalogs
• OCLC

• Ovid
• ProQuest
• PubMed
• RLG
• SilverPlatter

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MetaLib Demo
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Interface changes
• Customization options
• Searching
• SFX linking
• Capturing records

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MetaLib Before
MetaLib _at_ BC
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User Reaction
MetaLib _at_ BC

• MetaLib
• Limited feedback/mixed reactions
• Great for quick searches, saves time
• Dont realize can create My Resources List
• Want multiple My Resources lists
• Search and display options - limited
• SFX
• Very positive
• User interest in ILL as menu option
• Expectation that full-text always available

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Staff Reaction
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Metalib
• Hesitancy because of limited search options
• Great tool for discovery (exposes students to
  resources they might otherwise never use)
• Management interface needs development
• SFX
• Easy way to point students to full-text and
  holdings
• Requires instruction (users dont immediately
  know what SFX means)
• Management interface easy to use

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Future Developments
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Metalib
• Connect to additional local databases
• Add non-database resources (research guides)
• Incorporate other services (virtual reference)
• SFX
• Increase services (ILL, Web search engines)
• Add to BC OPAC
• Work with vendors to add metadata to increase
  linking capabilities
• Better integration - MetaLib SFX (Ex Libris)

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What I Think
MetaLib _at_ BC

• Most libraries will use OpenURL technology - SFX
  makes this easy
• Cross-database searching will include more
  resources
• Portal products will evolve and offer more
  customization and options
• Users want the convenience of linked collections

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MetaLib _at_ BC

• Thank You
• MetaLib _at_ Boston College
• http//metaquest.bc.edu