Susan Baker Project Manager

What is FiiL? n Web based look up tool n Collection level descriptions n Cross sector and cross domain n Pilot project –Final evaluation in progress

FiiL Partners n n Cross Sector Birkbeck College, University of London (Library) University of Westminster (Library) LSE Library (for project direction and technical assistance) Harrow College of Further Education (Library) Havering College of Further Education (Library) London Borough of Merton (Library) Westminster Public Library

FiiL Partners n n Cross Domain London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (Museum) London Borough of Enfield (Museum) London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (Archive) London Borough of Lambeth (Archive)

Aims n Provide a resource to answer the question –Where in London will I find strong collections in my subject? n Encourage users to access collections and types of collections, which they might not otherwise find n Meet some of the objectives of the ICT Strategy for London Libraries (led by London Libraries Development Agency)

How n RSLP UKOLN Collection Level Description Schema –Collection level information –Directory information eg. n Geographical location n Opening hours n Access policy n High level Thesaurus based on Inform25 subject list

How n Front end web interface –novice search –expert search n Project evaluation –based in Partner and Steering Group Institutions

Limitations n First step only n Links to –partner home sites –collection catalogues and indexes –other finding aids such as A2A, MASC25, Cornucopia

Impact n Increased usage of collections n Higher profile for partner institutions n Increased funding n Collaborative Collection Management

Barriers n Level –FiiL aiming to work at very high level not always supported by information professionals –FiiL aimed at the man in the street but could also be a starting point for academics

Barriers n Time Pressure –Main barrier to success that project relied on voluntary time –Future bids will include project staff to create CLDs n Culture Clash –Archives have different approach ISAD(G) –Museums and Libraries seem closer

Barriers n Sustainability and currency –Automatic harvesting limited by partner web sites –Use of direct data entry to be investigated

Full Project? n Aim for full project to cover all London – –Higher Education Libraries – –Further Education Libraries – –Public library authorities – –Local authority museums – –Local authority archives – –National Institutions?

Future Bids n LASER Foundation bid submitted –Money would be available from Jan 2003 n University of London Vice Chancellors Fund –Money would be available from August 2003 n London Grid for Learning –Possible bid under consideration

Future Developments n Use of project staff to compile CLDs n Implement XML database for data storage n Develop user interface to provide user profile searching n Investigate cooperation and CLD sharing with other projects

Web Site n

Susan Baker Project Manager