Integrating a Statewide Web Gateway With Digital Collections ______________________ Eric Weig and Beth Kraemer University of Kentucky and KCVL

What Is KCVL n Library resources to support KCVU n Reference Services n Single access point to KY library catalogs n FREE databases for all KY citizens n Collection of state government information n Digital library collections

KCVL History n 1996 – SAALCK initiates planning Digital Library Project n 1997 – Virtual University proposed n Feb – Endeavor contract (U of L) expanded to include 8 others to begin the implementation of a common library management system n Aug – Database contract negotiations begin n Nov – KCVL “launched” with ½ databases

History in User Stats n SiteSearch/WebZ Server hits –Nov. 1999: 401,058 –Dec. 1999: 179,970 –Jan. 2000: 365,962 –Feb. 2000: 487,888 –Mar. 2000: 422,505

The Early Years n Installation: UK had SiteSearch experience n Interface design by committee n Advertising, recruiting, training n Collecting server information for Z39.50 catalogs n Collecting IPs for authorization

User Authorization n IP authorization (on-site use) n Five ID/Password combinations for the five user groups: –Public Universities –Private Universities –Public Libraries –Dept. of Ed. (K-12 schools) –Special Libraries

Configuration Challenges n Personnel n 16 databases – one month (32 databases – two months) n Vendors: Ebsco and OCLC FirstSearch n Three non-Z39.50 databases n Other responsibilities

Next Steps n Digitization Project n Interface Modifications n Additional catalogs n Upgrade to SS4.11

Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual Library

What is a Digital Library? An organized collection of selected digital resources created to support scholarship, research and teaching. Through the use of appropriate technological standards, a Digital Library is created to facilitate permanent access to and resource discovery of selected digital resources.

Project Overview n Establish Digital Library Production Guidelines –Archival Imaging –XML/SGML Structured Documents (EAD, TEI, etc.) –Metadata Repository (Dublin Core) n Establish Technological Infrastructure –OCLC’s SiteSearch Database Builder/Record Builder –Enigma’s Dynaweb XML/SGML Publisher n Outsource Retrospective Finding Aids & Selected Microfilm Collections n Implement Statewide Training Plan for Digital Library Production

Dublin Core Metadata Repository n Metadata Dictionary –Required Elements –Recommended Elements –Optional Elements –Record Entry Guidelines n Item Level Records –Digital Archival Objects n Collection Level Records –EAD Access Aids

Inputting the Metadata n Database Builder with Record Builder Data Entry Interface n EAD Creation using Berkeley EAD Template Generator Software

Project Planning n Copyright –Is the work free of copyright restrictions or can copyright permission be obtained? n Collection Development –Selection Criteria n Condition of Source Material –Digitize Safely? n Resource Types –Defined for the Digital Library n Who will digitize? –Local Site, Central Site, Outsourcing Vendor

Metadata n Central Access Point for Resource Discovery n Dublin Core (15 Elements) n Record Structure –Required Elements: Title, Creator, Publisher, Source, Identifier, Date Digital, Rights, Resource Type, Language –Recommended Elements: Description, Subject, Relation, Format –Optional Elements: Contributor, Coverage n Describe Item and Collection Level

Scanning & Imaging n Archival Imaging: Does not refer to the creation of an exact digital replica, but the practice of digital imaging for long-term viability of digital image. n Master Image: For off-line storage, scanned at hi resolution (300dpi minimum), and saved with lossless compression (TIFF). n Deliverable Image: Lower quality, derived from "master" image via batch image processing. Saved with lossy compression for online access within the digital library infrastructure. Thumbnails, Access Image, Hi-Res Image. n 1-bit B&W, 8-bit Grey Scale, 24-bit Color

Text Encoding n SGML/XML –Standards for Creating Markup Languages –Structured Data, System Independent n EAD (Encoded Archival Description) –Required core set of elements –Enhanced markup through local practice n TEI (Text Encoding Initiative) –National guidelines for library use. n Web Books –Provide structure for a group of related digital image files. Allows for interface construction to present images in a “page turning” fashion. –Berkeley SGML/XML markup

Change and Calculated Risk Taking: Will it Ever End? n Having established guidelines for digital library production helps deal with the following realities. –Digital library technology in its infancy –High level of complexity –Technology in constant state of flux –Limited number of proven tools –Very expensive

Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual Library