Perspectives from The Alberta Library Learn, think, CHANGE 2004 Online Learning Symposium November 3, 2004 Zahina Iqbal Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Mary Westell University of Calgary

The Alberta Library (TAL) Consortium of 250 public, university, college, technical, government & special libraries. Promotes universal barrier-free access to resources in libraries for Albertans. Products - TAL card; TAL Online; Ask a Question Services - Database licensing; training Research - The Alberta Linking Project feasibility study.

Libraries & Object Repositories: Common issues Evolution as a repository along with writing / publishing movement. Computer pioneers – MARC in mid 60s. Ingestion of content – identification & evaluation to support knowledge & learning. Access – Copyright, Intellectual Property Retrieval – meta-searching, controlled vocabularies

Common issues (cont’d) Interoperability – linking & migration User services – validity, security, fees & rights management, photocopying Maintenance – version & copy control, duplication Preservation – both are dealing with “born digital” materials

Libraries & LORs - Differences Published information –vs- proprietory objects Aggregate asset level objects –vs- granular Purchased –vs- created Capture & transfer is not a commercial transaction for users Aggregation at asset level is volatile

Differences (cont’d) Easier preservation of “editions” –vs- “versions” Metadata difficult to develop e.g. Minute LORs need details of context & content description Production environments morphing into an incubation type environment for LORs Vendor alliances necessary for lifecycle of products

Best Practices Libraries have tended to work in collaboration with other memory institutions to build on work already done Despite the growth in modular and open development of systems, libraries have tended to work with vendors to develop sustainable systems, based on current standards Integration of components is a key strategy Expertise in licensing of existing content for broad usage

Best Practices (cont’d) Standardized approaches to metadata (including descriptive, administrative and structural) Dublin Core, VRA, EAD, MARC, etc. Open standards –Object repositories (ContentDM, Luna, MDID, Embark) –Content linking (e.g. SFX, Link checker) –Metasearching (vendor developed systems) –Interoperability OAI harvesting, Z39.50, SiteSearch Blackboard, Web CT linkages –Interface Design (including W3C accessibility)

Best Practices (cont’d) Digitization processes –IMLS, OCLC, University of Virginia, University of Michigan, University of New Brunswick Copyright –rights management (with national agencies) –intellectual property (with Universities) Micropayments (Museums, Archives) –image collections

Best Practices (cont’d) Security/user authentication –Granular and connected with interfaces to other systems –Portals Specialized access, based on user needs –“gallery feature” Preservation –Institutional repositories and the shared development of platforms (DSpace)

Convergence Projects like Pachyderm, Apollo are beginning to bring us together Collaboration on graphical design and interface evaluation Our Roots, a national project that links content with learning modules SAIT’s Collaborative computing research project for seamless education.

Conclusion Historically libraries are repositories which offer services. They include Learning Objects as unique library collections. eg. maps, slides, photo collections. Today there are more existing special libraries which include knowledge objects in their collections, than there are traditional libraries. Libraries have skills, experience, & knowledge of information standards, products, and services to offer the LOR community as best practices. TAL is an example of collaboration & convergence.