ENCompass A brief historical perspective and where we

ENCompass A brief historical perspective and where we are now Gill Hamilton Systems Librarian, National Library of Scotland Morag Watson Systems Development Librarian, Edinburgh University Library e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

Overview 1. A shared problem for NLS and EUL 2. Deciding on a (shared? ) solution 3. Implementation: NLS pilot project 4. Implementation: EUL pilot project 5. The future 6. Lessons learned and challenges faced e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

1. A shared problem for NLS and Uof. E e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

1. A shared problem for NLS and Uof. E No one-stop-shop for online resources e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

1. A shared problem for NLS and Uof. E We want more than a search screen • Collection and curation of digital objects • Digital Preservation • Manage the rights of the physical and digital material • The challenge is great • Wanting a solution is just one small step… e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

1. A shared problem for NLS and Uof. E Let’s work together!… • • …but remain independent Face a similar problem Joint procurement of Voyager was beneficial Collate functional requirements Evaluate independently Select independently, but if the same… Purchase together Implement in parallel e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

2. Deciding on a (shared? ) solution • 30+ members of staff drawing up functional specification divided into functional areas • Other staff attending to the top and tails of the tender (70+ pages excluding appendices) • Specifying an evaluation scheme • Initial evaluation of tenders by DOMS evaluation teams (40+ members) • Staff attending demonstrations from short-listed candidates (60+ members) • Final recommendations and summary of shortfalls by evaluation teams = ENCompass exclusive of cost • Contractual meetings with EISI • These stages took almost 12 months e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

3. NLS Pilot Project • AIM: To deliver an interface available through the National Library of Scotland’s website that will allow users to centrally search a variety of print, electronic and digitised resources with a single log in, and to advise the Library on how it should continue to develop this service beyond the project. • Provisionally called Search ENCompass • Expanding to a comprehensive service? • 7 member team with broad expertise (2. 5 FTE) e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

3. NLS Pilot Project e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

3. NLS Pilot Project Integrating many resources into one system • The generalist approach • A range of electronic connections needed • What goes in?

Dr. Malcolm: Yeah, yeah --but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should. Image and quote from Jurassic Park (1993) © 1993 Universal Pictures

3. NLS Pilot Project Integrating many resources into one system • • • The generalist approach A range of electronic connections What goes in? How will the user cope? Granularity? Will taxonomy help? Which should you choose? Subject vs. Format

3. NLS Pilot Project XML, XSL and Dublin Core • First large-scale use of XML • XML holds and structures data

3. NLS Pilot Project XML, XSL and Dublin Core • First large-scale use of XML • XML holds and structures data • XSL as a way of re-presenting and displaying structure of data • Training and experience with XML and XSL has many other benefits • Dublin Core data can be OAI harvestable • Search engines can access content of databases not just static html

3. NLS Pilot Project Dealing with information overload • Need a clear conceptual benefit • Reducing the stress of an attention seeking interface

3. NLS Pilot Project Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!

3. NLS Pilot Project Me! Me! Me!

3. NLS Pilot Project Dealing with information overload • Need a clear conceptual benefit • Reducing the stress of an attention seeking interface • Are people concerned about source, context or format? • A hierarchical taxonomy

3. NLS Pilot Project Who can use the service? • Improving remote access… • …has problems – Abiding by the terms of our licence – Concurrent use – Often access for registered readers • Who is a registered reader? • On-line registration • Should Scotland’s taxpayer provide the world with free access?

NLS Contacts g. hamilton@nls. uk l. hibberd@nls. uk http: //test. encompass. nls. uk: 20068 e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project EUL Pilot project • AIM: To provide a single point of access to digital resources created locally within the University, and also obtained for use in support of learning and research from third-party providers. The pilot will test the full functionality of the system and will serve as proof of concept. • Set up an exemplar site, selected data resources • Short time-frame (8 months) • Team of 7 staff (2. 5 FTE) e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Workflow 1 • Short time frame, to coincide with the beginning of the new session in September • Setting up of an exemplar site, with a selection of resources e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Workflow 2 • Appointed a team of 7: • Project director & coordinator • Systems Librarian, e-publications Librarian, Cataloguing expert, XML expert, Archivist, Liaison Librarian, Equivalent of 2 FTE • A Super A-Team e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Workflow 3 • Tasks: Design interface, convert data to XML, load it, test the system, go into production mode, publicising the system • Set up 4 different Subgroups within the library to pull on a range of expertise e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Subgroup 1 Interface design • Accessibility • Usability • How to organise the Collections • User testing • Logo e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Subgroup 2 Selection of data resources • EUL is very large, with lots of resources! • Carried out a questionnaire to scope collections • Had to make a balanced choice e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Subgroup 3 Data loading • Mapping data to Dublin Core, transferring • data to XML • All data needs a lot of preparation • Careful liaison with data creator e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project Subgroup 4 Link. Finder. Plus and ERA • Selecting resources for first phase Allocating priority to resources • e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project University Liaison • ENCompass purchased on behalf of the University • Library promotion of the system • Acts as single point of access for all resources • Enable objects to be searched • Still to finalise workflow for receiving digital objects into the system e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

4. EUL pilot project EUL Contacts najla. semple@ed. ac. uk john. maccoll@ed. ac. uk morag. watson@ed. ac. uk http: //test. gateway. lib. ed. ac. uk e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

5. The future • Authentication – Combination of solutions, EZproxy • Rights management • Digital preservation • ENCompass 3. 5!! • ‘FAST’ searching feature • Adding more resources and improving access e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

5. The future Digital preservation • Digital archive to ensure future proofing of our resources • ENCompass can provide the workflow and metadata for this • Objects can be assigned metadata on entry to the system • Metadata Encoding & Transmission Standard • Adhere to OAIS e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

6. Lessons learned and challenges faced Challenges • • HSE/HTTP connectors Double installation of ENCompass on one server Getting grip on XML and the meta-loader Grasping the back-end concept Training Luna imaging software Keeping the project on track Distance to Chicago makes it difficult to resolve problems face to face e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

6. Lessons learned and challenges faced What do I/you need? • • • Money Hardware Software (not just ENCompass) Management buy-in from the top down A good image for the project to encourage support Good knowledge of XML, XSL, metadata, schema, database back-end, interface design, usability Plenty of ring-fenced time (2 FTE to 3 FTE within 8 months) A Super A-team Stamina – 2 years from start to pilot service A flexible project plan Good support from EISI e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

Other ENCompass sites • National Library New Zealand http: //discover. natlib. govt. nz/index. shtml • Getty Institute http: //archives. getty. edu: 20008 • University of Kansas http: //www. diglib. ku. edu • Queensland Digital Library http: //enc. slq. qld. gov. au/ e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003

Finland e-End. User: Helsinki, Sept 2003