MetaLib @ BC
Integration of Systems and Resources
MetaLib at Boston College
Theresa LymanDigital Resources Reference Librarian
Boston College Libraries
NELA Annual Conference - October 2003
Boston College User Population
• 9,000 undergrad• 4,700 graduate • 820 faculty
BC Library Facts• 8 libraries/centers• Staff: 200 FTEs• Electronic resources acquisitions budget –
$1.3 million (23%)
MetaLib @ BC
Where to Find Library Resources Library Catalog (ALEPH)
• Includes aggregator e-journals (Serial Solutions MARC records)
Web pages• Online Databases (A-Z & by Subject)• Electronic Journals List (Serials Solutions)• Research Guides • Course Pages• more...
MetaLib @ BC
Why we need a portal? Growth of e-resources
• Huge cost and large # of resources to manage – 300 databases and more than 18,000 e-journals
Access/Management challenges• Too many places to look for information• User wants relevant resources• Provide instruction to the user
MetaLib @ BC
Why We Chose MetaLib 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
MetaLib @ BC
What is MetaLib Gateway / Search Engine
• Allows cross-searching of multiple databases
• Based on protocols (Z39.50, XML, HTTP)• Customizable by user, to a certain degree• Includes SFX – reference linking b/t
databases • Includes e-journal lists from SFX
MetaLib @ BC
What is SFX Reference linking system based on
OpenURL• Uses metadata from search results to
offer user connections to appropriate services
• Most frequently links to Full Text• BC’s SFX is called • Works with many subscription
databases and within MetaLib
MetaLib @ BC
Implementation Timeline
July 2001 – MetaLib/SFX installedNov 2001 – SFX liveJan 2002 – MetaLib v1 liveAug 2003 – renamed SFX “Find It”Aug 2003 – MetaLib v2 live
MetaLib @ BC
What we put into MetaLib 300+ databases, web sites, library catalogs 100 cross-searchable in MetaLib, including: BC ALEPH catalogs Bowker CSA EBSCO Gale InfoTrac Grove Library Catalogs Ingenta
ISI OCLC Ovid ProQuest RLG SilverPlatter Wilson more……
MetaLib @ BC
Integrate systems & resources
Cross searching (vendor and local databases)
Databases & e-journals in 1 place Reference linking with SFX Customization - alerts, e-Shelf, history Incorporate services (citation
management, ILL, Ref 24/7, etc) Use MetaLib to generate web pages Deep linking from outside MetaLib
MetaLib @ BC
How students do research Want to jump right into searching Don’t want to have to locate resources Love Google – simple, allows advanced
searching for those who want it Don’t distinguish between e-journals &
databases• Look for articles in the Library Catalog
MetaLib @ BC
Benefits of MetaLib Great for quick searches, saves time Discovery tool (exposes students to
resources they might never use) Customization, save searches,
alerts .. SFX easy way to point students to
full-text and holdings Use management interfaces to
manage e-resources
MetaLib @ BC
Challenges of MetaLib Instruction
• When to use and when not to• How to use – locate resources before searching• Not all resources are searchable• Don’t want or realize customization features
Searching• Search and display options limited • Lack of relevancy ranking• Lack of standards used by vendors
Advanced users want more customization SFX - expectation full-text is always
available
MetaLib @ BC
MetaLib Statistics Statistics available with v. 2 (Aug 2003) Quick Search – most popular by far
• Known item & keywords (titles, authors)• “New York Times and Skywest”• “course reserves”
Locating resources is confusing• “matrix AND Type=Newspaper”• “television impact on people AND
Type=Article Database”
MetaLib @ BC
Future Developments• Continue integration of resources
• Add Citation Linker & SFX to BC Catalog • Add resources to MetaLib (including free)• More use of MetaLib deep-linking (research
guides and WebCT)
Outside of BC• NISO MetaSearch Initiative – development of
standards• Work with Ex Libris on interface
enhancements: quick searching by subject, single-sign on, etc.
MetaLib @ BC
Comments More resources OpenURL aware and
allow some kind of metasearching Librarians should be aware of these
technologies when talking with vendors Users want the convenience of linked
collections and Google-like searching Users want services within context
(make ILL requests from the catalog or database)
MetaLib @ BC is a work in progress
MetaLib @ BC
Thank You
Try MetaLib @ Boston Collegehttp://metaquest.bc.edu
sign-in as Guest
MetaLib @ BC
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