Metasearch Unbound: Corporate Library Perspectives Utilizing Unbundled Software Probing Pros & Cons Canvassing Capabilities Reserving Resources Customizing Code Understanding Users & Usability

Utilizing Unbundled Software Who? Library staff; peers; partners; clientele ( admin, marketing, production, R&D, etc. ) What? Databases, ILMS, e-bks, e-jrnls Where? Extranet or intranet hosting When? Development and budget cycles How? Personnel, hardware & software Why? Establishing need

Probing Pros & Cons Customization: Flexibility; look & feel; gadgets; statistics Equipment & Maintenance: Hosting – internal/external; networks; vendors; IT Coordination: Hardware & software; resource vendors, partners & IT; quality controls & application upgrades Security: Internet; intranet; dial-up

Canvassing Capabilities Vendor: –Project management experience –Technological prowess ( applications hosting; programming staff ) –Application features, depth and flexibility Library: –Needs assessment –Budgetary reserves –Technological support

Reserving Resources Equipment: Communications; servers; networks Software: Translators; operating systems; communications; networking; statistical analyzers Budget: Hardware & software; vendors & IT support; quality control & maintenance Staff: Project mgmt.; IT expertise; user training

Customizing Code Look & feel: Library branding Queries: Meeting partners needs; increasing usability Help texts: Utilizing existing resource info Translators: Determining field maps and default search operators; quality control Post-processing: Value-added tweaks to retrieved resource links Security: Proprietary and commercial resource access control

Understanding Users & Usability Feedback: Ease of access Focus Groups: Composition & guidance Partners: Resource sharing; design input; reciprocal site linking Peers: Cooperation vs. competition User Surveys: Optional or required responses; frequency & timing Reality check: Budgeting for upgrades