May 28, 2007Breakout session I1 LAU CASE STUDY LAU CASE STUDY By Cendrella Habre Systems Librarian Lebanese American University Fourth AMICAL Conference Al Akhawayn University Ifrane – Morocco May 27-30, 2007

May 28, 2007Breakout session I2 Outline  Terminology  Definitions  Major developers and available systems  Overview of LAU’s ZPortal  Advantages & disadvantages

May 28, 2007Breakout session I3 Terminology Note: This technology started in 1999/2000  Library Portals  Federated Search Engines  Library Portlets  Protocols/Standards/Set of rules: Z39.50 OpenURLs (Z2Web)  Link Resolvers (OL2)

May 28, 2007Breakout session I4 Definition (1)  Portal is a web-based search tool  Portal concept is often ambiguous and confusing  Portal is a “buzzword” – inappropriately used  Other terms used in the information community : Metasearch Metadata search Parallel search Broadcast search Cross-database search Search portal

May 28, 2007Breakout session I5 Definition (2) “A library portal or a federated search engine is a discovery tool (a software actually) that enables a user to search using a single- search interface across certain websites, library catalogs, and databases of information resources to retrieve and integrate the results in a single presentation”

May 28, 2007Breakout session I6 Library Portals vs. Federated Search Engines  Library Portals It is certain that all Library Portals can search Z39.50 databases Yet not all Library Portals can search currently available licensed databases. (Authentication problem for remote users)  Federated Search Engines can search all Z39.50 and currently available licensed databases for both walk-in and remote users.

May 28, 2007Breakout session I7 Library Portlet  The Library Portlet is a small search window found on any web page of a university, organization, institution, company, etc., which allows direct access to the online catalog and other resources available.  This is a powerful and convenient library resource tool.

May 28, 2007Breakout session I8 Z39.50  A protocol that allows a computer to search collections of information on a remote system, create sets of results for further manipulation, and retrieve information; mainly used for bibliographic information.  A set of rules governing the formats and procedures used by two computers to interact with one another.  A standard that defines how computers search in library catalogues. The Library of Congress is the Maintenance Agency and Registration Authority for this standard, see

May 28, 2007Breakout session I9 OpenURL  A standard developed by NISO (National Information Standards Organization)  It provides a uniform way for users to link directly from bibliographic citations (in non Z39.50 compliant databases) to fulltext articles available in online resources, websites, and other services for which a URL can be constructed  It facilitates links

May 28, 2007Breakout session I10 Link Resolver  A link resolver uses the OpenURL standard to create links to content, such as E-journals, library catalogs, Internet search engines, some ILL systems, bookshops, etc.  In other words, when a patron finds a citation or reference to a specific article, this link resolver supplies the best available path to the content, anywhere in the library collection.

May 28, 2007Breakout session I11 Developers?  Small Vendors  Library Systems Vendors  Database Aggregators

May 28, 2007Breakout session I12  AGent (Auto-Graphics)  Meta Search Solution (Blue Angel Technologies)  Muse Solut ions (MuseGlobal, Inc.)  WebFeat3 (WebFeat)  ZPortal (OCLCPICA) For more information Federated Search Engines:

May 28, 2007Breakout session I13 Automated Library Systems:  EnCompass (Endeavor)  iPAC (Epixtech – Dynix/Horizon)  ILINK (Sirsi)  MetaLib (Ex-Libris)  Polaris (Gaylord)  MAP or Millennium Access Plus (Innovative Interfaces, Inc.)  iPortal (VTLS)  YouSeeMore (TLC) For more information

May 28, 2007Breakout session I14 Database Aggregators:  MultiSearch (CSA)  OVID Technologies and MuseGlobal (Dec. 1, 2004 announced delivery of a metasearch engine)  More to come _______________________________________________ Few aggregators have integrating metasearching into their resources, e.g.: ScienceDirect JSTOR GALE EBSCOhost WilsonWeb Etc.

May 28, 2007Breakout session I15 Hosting Note All the above mentioned companies provide hosting services at their own sites to potential clients.

May 28, 2007Breakout session LAU  LAU is the first academic institution in Lebanon to implement the ZPortal system.  Why ZPortal was selected? 1.Professional/Academic 2.Rigid 3.Flexible 4.Familiar with interface (OLIB) 5.Widely used 6.Pricing/Services MultiSearch(CSA)OVIDTechnologiesandMuseGlobal(Dec. 1,2004announceddelivery of ametasearchengine)NISO(NationalInformationStandardsOrganisationMore tocome

May 28, 2007Breakout session I17 Why do we need it? Search database Retrieve useful records Print or save to disc Check the OPAC Locate the journal on the shelves Or go to the e-journal Find the volume and issue Go to the article Do you have access to the full-text? Other Resources (such as DDS)

May 28, 2007Breakout session I18 Collections and Search Profiles Search Engines End User OPAC Fulltext services Overview A&I services Other resources Z39.50 Link to non- searchable resources httplocal or web

May 28, 2007Breakout session I19 The search result contains metadata - Journal title: Journal of management studies ISSN: Date/volume and issue data: Jul2002/Vol39/Issue 5 Pagination: p.619 The user must be authenticated to use OpenLinking. The user runs a search. The OpenLinking Resolver asks the following questions: 1. Can I match on ISSN? 2. What services are available to this user? 3. How will I build the URL to go to each available service? When these questions are answered successfully, the links are built and displayed to the user The user clicks on the link and it is opened in another browser window Z2Web (Link Resolver) How does it work?

May 28, 2007Breakout session LAU  LAU site:  Other sites: MultiSearch(CSA)OVIDTechnologiesandMuseGlobal(Dec. 1,2004announceddelivery of ametasearchengine)NISO(NationalInformationStandardsOrganisationMore tocome

May 28, 2007Breakout session I21 Advantages:  Less time in searching: Several resources are searched at once  Single one-stop web page  Single interface (results)  Tremendous increase in the usage of online resources, thus cost-effective  Excellent tool for ILL/DDS  Portal vs. Google  Searching techniques can be applied, e.g., Boolean operators

May 28, 2007Breakout session I22 Disadvantages:  No Arabic support  Security: It involves the opening of some ports outside the university firewalls  End-user overwhelmed with # of hits  Continuous maintenance and update  Unable to cover all licensed databases

May 28, 2007Breakout session I23 Library Portals or Federated Search Engines enable you to search a world of information Conclusion