Introduction to Linking Technologies & OpenURL Lori Jean Ostapowicz Critz Georgia Institute of Technology 5/20/04

Linking Technology Permits context-sensitive linking between various web-based resources Permits context-sensitive linking between various web-based resources Allows libraries to combine electronic resources (full-text journals, abstracting & indexing databases, citation databases, online library catalogs, interlibrary loan/document delivery systems, search engines) to function as a cohesive, one-stop reference system Allows libraries to combine electronic resources (full-text journals, abstracting & indexing databases, citation databases, online library catalogs, interlibrary loan/document delivery systems, search engines) to function as a cohesive, one-stop reference system

OpenURL Framework Provides a means of DESCRIBING a reference resource along with a description of the CONTEXT of the reference Provides a means of DESCRIBING a reference resource along with a description of the CONTEXT of the reference Also defines methods of TRANSPORTING these descriptions between networked systems Also defines methods of TRANSPORTING these descriptions between networked systems Used to REQUEST SERVICES pertaining to the referenced resources that are appropriate for the requestor (i.e. enables context-sensitive linking from a reference in a scholarly system to resources relevant to the reference) Used to REQUEST SERVICES pertaining to the referenced resources that are appropriate for the requestor (i.e. enables context-sensitive linking from a reference in a scholarly system to resources relevant to the reference)

OpenURL Framework A user clicks a link or a button in an HTML page (usually in an abstracting & indexing database or in a reference list of an electronic journal article) A user clicks a link or a button in an HTML page (usually in an abstracting & indexing database or in a reference list of an electronic journal article) As a result of activating the link or button, a description of the scholarly resource (such as a journal article) is transported (e.g. via HTTP(S) GET or POST) to a LINKING SERVER along with information about the dynamic context of the reference As a result of activating the link or button, a description of the scholarly resource (such as a journal article) is transported (e.g. via HTTP(S) GET or POST) to a LINKING SERVER along with information about the dynamic context of the reference This dynamic context enables a list of relevant services, appropriate to the user, to be provided This dynamic context enables a list of relevant services, appropriate to the user, to be provided The LINKING SERVER and its RESOLVER SOFTWARE processes the description/information to provide this list of options/services (full-text; print holdings ; interlibrary loan, …) The LINKING SERVER and its RESOLVER SOFTWARE processes the description/information to provide this list of options/services (full-text; print holdings ; interlibrary loan, …)

How Does the System Work? OpenURL-enabled Library Linking System A & I Databases OPAC Publisher sites OPAC PUBLISHER SITES INTERLIBRARY LOAN Aggregated Databases Begins with SOURCES that can send an OpenURL to the Linking System/server (Where the user begins the search!) The System evaluates the ‘request’ and looks for options that can be provided for the desired item. Aggregated Databases Subscription Agents Ends at TARGETS that lead to the desired item or presents alternatives for finding it. (Where the user lands!)

Full text DBs Full text DBs More Publisher sites More Publisher sites Google ISI Library A&I service A&I service Publisher sites Publisher sites Ingenta Link resolvers manage the linking process … Link Resolver The Resolver can link to the resources. Information sources need only to know how to link to a link resolver. Resolver is usually controlled by the library. The Resolver is the one place that manages holdings and links. Adapted from Oliver Pesch Chief Architect, EBSCO Publishing

Full text DBs Full text DBs Other Publisher site Other Publisher site Google ISI Library A&I service A&I service Publisher sites Publisher sites Ingenta User A A Library subscribes Pay per view $$$ Without a link resolver the user may not access the appropriate (i.e. ‘free’ full-text) copy With a predefined link, the user may be presented with a link and not have a choice where that link goes Adapted from Oliver Pesch Chief Architect, EBSCO Publishing

Full text DBs Full text DBs Other Publisher sites Other Publisher sites Google ISI Library A&I service A&I service Publisher sites Publisher sites Ingenta User A A Library subscribes Pay per view $$$ Link Resolver With a link resolver, the library can determine which copy is appropriate With the resolver, the library can control where the link goes and get the user to the appropriate copy. As long as the A&I service knows the user/library has a resolver and where it is, it can create the link. Adapted from Oliver Pesch Chief Architect, EBSCO Publishing

Components of Linking System OpenURL- enabled Content Providers OpenURL- enabled Content Providers Called SOURCES or REFERRANTS or REFERRING SOURCES Called SOURCES or REFERRANTS or REFERRING SOURCES Generate the OpenURL to start the process Generate the OpenURL to start the process Can also serve as targets (e.g. Proquest) if linked TO by link resolver/server Can also serve as targets (e.g. Proquest) if linked TO by link resolver/server Data about the Collection Data about the Collection Inaccurate data leads to linking errors, incomplete holdings information, and inaccurate availability statements Inaccurate data leads to linking errors, incomplete holdings information, and inaccurate availability statements Resolver Resolver Performs the comparison between the collection /holdings and the desired cited item Performs the comparison between the collection /holdings and the desired cited item Displays options/results (e.g. links to full-text or OPAC) and additional features (e.g. links to ILL/document delivery, Google search, Endnote connection) Displays options/results (e.g. links to full-text or OPAC) and additional features (e.g. links to ILL/document delivery, Google search, Endnote connection)

Linking Technology in Action …

A search in CSA Sociological Abstracts (the SOURCE) leads a user to a citation for a desired item …

The citation is described, in part, by the following metadata: Article Title: Cultural Values and Happiness: An East-West Dialogue Journal: Journal of Social Psychology ISSN: Author: Lu, Luo; Gilmour, Robin; Kao, Shu-Fang Start Page: 477 Volume: 141 Issue:4 Date: Aug. 2001

When the user clicks on the link resolver logo or link (SFX in this case), the OpenURL carries the metadata about the article to the link resolver.

The OpenURL that describes the citation would look something like this: +Values+and+Happiness%3A++An+East- West+Dialogue&volume=141&issue=4&date=2001&spa ge=477&aulast=Lu&aufirst=Luo&issn= &title=The+Journal+of+social+psychology The OpenURL ‘organizes’ the metadata …… The domain section (BASEURL) of the URL points to the Link Resolver/server (e.g. SFX) that will process the OpenURL. Typically, each library has one link resolver to which all their OpenURLs point. The QUERY section contains the metadata and values for the citation.

Description/Context Object Description/Context Object ServiceType Referent Resolver ReferringEntity Referrer Requester Administrative Version control, character encodings, timestamp, etc. Item being referenced. (e.g. bibliographic reference in full text article) “User” making the request Service creating the link. (e.g. where the user found the reference) The item which contains the reference. (e.g. the article in which the bibliographic reference was found) The target of the link - the link server of the user’s institution The desired services from the Resolver. ( Full text, ILL, Abstract, etc.) Description of the referenced item and the ‘context’ of the referencing action …

The Link Resolver compares the data about the item described in the OpenURL with data (knowledge base) about what is held/owned/accessible in the library’s collection The Link Resolver determines if the user has access to this article ---- and, if so, what links it should create for the user. INFORMATION SOURCE Resolver

The Link Resolver then displays the options/services available to the user (based on the metadata encoded in the OpenURL).

The user then selects the best option (full-text, link to print holdings record, ILL …) and is presented that option.

The ‘options’ that can be provided vary with the resolver systems used – and are quite diverse!

Link Resolvers - Considerations Must be OpenURL compliant Must be OpenURL compliant Should be available as a stand-alone product Should be available as a stand-alone product Can be a system that is run/managed locally Can be a system that is run/managed locally Local hardware/software with annual maintenance fee Local hardware/software with annual maintenance fee More flexible; more control More flexible; more control Needs to be able to run on several operating systems Needs to be able to run on several operating systems OR a subscription service hosted by vendor/provider (ASP Option) OR a subscription service hosted by vendor/provider (ASP Option) More feasible for those with limited technical staff and hardware More feasible for those with limited technical staff and hardware Vendor supplies support in establishing/maintaining system Vendor supplies support in establishing/maintaining system Hosting site should have 24/7 support and redundant connectivity to Internet Hosting site should have 24/7 support and redundant connectivity to Internet Evaluate ‘match’ of the product’s sources/targets to own collections Evaluate ‘match’ of the product’s sources/targets to own collections Evaluate ‘customization’ options – of both interface (e.g. ranking of results/options obtained) and product itself (e.g. preselected links only or unlimited customization) Evaluate ‘customization’ options – of both interface (e.g. ranking of results/options obtained) and product itself (e.g. preselected links only or unlimited customization) Evaluate overall price – varies widely across products Evaluate overall price – varies widely across products In part, from Harry Samuels – Product manager: Endeavor/LinkFinderPlus

Link Resolvers - Examples Standalone Resolvers Standalone Resolvers SFX (ExLibris) SFX (ExLibris) LinkFinderPlus (Endeavor) LinkFinderPlus (Endeavor) Journal Finder (University of North Carolina – Greensboro) Journal Finder (University of North Carolina – Greensboro) Gold Rush (CARL) Gold Rush (CARL) SirsiResolver (Sirsi) SirsiResolver (Sirsi) OL2 (Fretwell-Downing) OL2 (Fretwell-Downing) 1Cate (Openly Informatics) 1Cate (Openly Informatics) ArticleLinker (Serials Solutions) ArticleLinker (Serials Solutions) LinkSource (EBSCO) LinkSource (EBSCO) Integrated Resolvers Integrated Resolvers WebBridge (Innovative) WebBridge (Innovative) Horizon Link (Dynix) Horizon Link (Dynix) Resolvers in Proprietary Database Systems Resolvers in Proprietary Database Systems H. W. Wilson H. W. Wilson Cambridge Scientific Abstracts Cambridge Scientific Abstracts

OpenURL First developed by Oren Beit-Arie ( Ex Libris), and Herbert Van de Sompel (Los Alamos National Laboratory) First developed by Oren Beit-Arie ( Ex Libris), and Herbert Van de Sompel (Los Alamos National Laboratory) An accepted “standard” syntax for creating a link between an information source and a link resolver An accepted “standard” syntax for creating a link between an information source and a link resolver The means to pre-define/organize sets of metadata elements to use in describing an “item”/resource (e.g. a journal article) The means to pre-define/organize sets of metadata elements to use in describing an “item”/resource (e.g. a journal article) Also includes the ADDRESS of the link resolver Also includes the ADDRESS of the link resolver Comprises 2 parts : Comprises 2 parts : BASEURL - identifies the Resolver that will provide the context sensitive services for the OpenURL BASEURL - identifies the Resolver that will provide the context sensitive services for the OpenURL QUERY – the DESCRIPTION or metadata attributes and values that make up the citation for the resource/item QUERY – the DESCRIPTION or metadata attributes and values that make up the citation for the resource/item

ANSI Standard: OpenURL.1 to OpenURL 1.0 More genres supported (e.g. Report, Document, Dissertation, Patent added) More genres supported (e.g. Report, Document, Dissertation, Patent added) Richer data formats supported (e.g. Key Encoded Values, XML) Richer data formats supported (e.g. Key Encoded Values, XML) More complete ‘context’ descriptors More complete ‘context’ descriptors More types of transports available (e.g. HTTP Get or Post, ) More types of transports available (e.g. HTTP Get or Post, ) More controlled ‘evolution’ More controlled ‘evolution’

References ANSI/NISO Z : The OpenURL Framework for Context- Sensitive Services – The Key/Encoded-Value (KEV) Format Implementation Guidelines - available at delines pdf ANSI/NISO Z : The OpenURL Framework for Context- Sensitive Services – The Key/Encoded-Value (KEV) Format Implementation Guidelines - available at delines pdf delines pdf delines pdf “The Lure of Linking”. John McDonald & Eric F. Van De Velde. Library Journal (online); 4/1/2004. Available at: “The Lure of Linking”. John McDonald & Eric F. Van De Velde. Library Journal (online); 4/1/2004. Available at: “ OpenURL and OpenURL Framework: Demystifying Link Resolution - The promise of OpenURL 1.0”. Oliver Pesch. Available at %20NISO%20OpenURL%20Workshop-for%20print.ppt “ OpenURL and OpenURL Framework: Demystifying Link Resolution - The promise of OpenURL 1.0”. Oliver Pesch. Available at %20NISO%20OpenURL%20Workshop-for%20print.ppt %20NISO%20OpenURL%20Workshop-for%20print.ppt %20NISO%20OpenURL%20Workshop-for%20print.ppt “What is OpenURL?”. Available at “What is OpenURL?”. Available at “Distributed Systems OpenURL Demonstrator”. Available at “Distributed Systems OpenURL Demonstrator”. Available at