1. Implementation and Introduction to Users
Panel 1: Librarians’ Advice on Selecting, Implementing, and Introducing a MetaSearch Product.
Implementation and Introduction to Users
Or, how we did it good and why you should do it that way, too
Or, why we did it and why you should do it, too
Or, just do it
Bob Gerrity
Head of Systems
Boston College Libraries
Presentation URL: digilib.bc.edu/niso.ppt
2/23/2019
NISO MetaSearch Program

2. NISO MetaSearch Program
Topics Covered
Overview of BC environment
Implementation Issues
Technical requirements
Staff involvement
Project management
Customization
Rollout, introduction to users
User response, usability issues
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3. Boston College Environment
User Population
9,000 undergraduates
4,600 graduate students
820 faculty
BC Library Facts
1.9 million volumes
$6.5 million acquisitions budget
$1.3 million on electronic resources
Recent ARL member
Staff: 200 FTEs
Electronic Resources
300+ databases
5,300 e-journal
14,600 full-text titles via aggregators
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4. Access Points for Electronic Resources, pre-MetaQuest
ALEPH Web OPAC (version 14.2)
Includes 12,000 cataloged electronic resources (databases, journals, govdocs, websites)
Library Web pages
Online Databases (A-Z & Subject Lists)
Electronic Journals List (A-Z)
Research Guides by Subject
Electronic Books List
All static
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8. NISO MetaSearch Program
So what’s the problem?
Need for better management of e-resources
Need to make resources more accessible
Need to tie resources together
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9. Too many choices, not enough time!
BC subscribes to approx. 300 web-accessible databases.
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10. MetaSearch system selection and implementation at Boston College
Part of Libraries’ stated mission is to be technology leaders on campus
Saw potential in metasearch and reference-linking applications being developed
Willingness to experiment
Existing, positive relationship with Ex Libris
Creation of Digital Resources position in Reference Dept. provided focal point for project
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11. NISO MetaSearch Program
MetaLib: What is it?
Resource-Discovery Tool
Gateway Search Engine
Allows simultaneous searching of multiple databases
Based on Z39.50 and other protocols
Customizable by user, to a certain degree
Includes SFX
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12. NISO MetaSearch Program
MetaLib, Conceptually
“OpenURL Aware”
Query
A&I DBs
MetaLib
Server
Results
Library Catalogs
SFX Request
Full-text DBs
Menu of Related Services
Metadata
-full text
-library holdings
-ILL request
-document delivery
-Web search
SFX
Server
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13. Implementation Timeline
July 2001
SFX and MetaLib installed
Vendor training (4 days)
Aug – Oct 2001
SFX:
-Contacted Vendors, set-up test accounts
-Tested linking, customized SFX menu, developed FAQs
-Library-wide testing
Nov 2001
SFX live in 10 databases with 20 targets
Aug – Dec 2001
Metalib:
-Cataloged resources in the KnowledgeBase
-Configured searchable resources
-Tested search & display configurations, customized HTML, changed name to MetaQuest, developed Help documentation and FAQs, tested SFX links
-Campus-wide testing. Held focus groups with faculty, staff and students.
Jan 2002
MetaLib live (250 resources, 90 configured to be searched).
Since Jan 2002
Added additional SFX Sources and Targets.
Added additional MetaLib targets
New versions of both installed
Run updates from Ex Libris and troubleshoot problems
Incorporated into library instruction.
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14. NISO MetaSearch Program
Sample Search
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22. Technical Requirements: Library
Good data to create local KnowledgeBase
Local support for any necessary hardware/software
Understanding of expertise and resources required for a successful implementation
Identified resources (technical, human, financial) for ongoing maintenance, support, and development
Define your MetaSearch scenarios
Define integration possibilities, requirements
Non-technical requirements
Conviction that metasearch is a valuable tool, has a real future
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23. Technical Requirements: Vendor
Support for local test environment
Support for local authentication/authorization mechanisms
Adequate documentation and training
Support for relevant standards
System that can be demonstrated to be operational upon installation
Non-technical requirements
“The vision thing”
Willingness to be a partner
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24. Technical Requirements: Consortium
Flexible configuration options
Integration with local authentication/authorization systems
Support for local customization within consortial framework
Non-technical requirements
Shared vision
Shared goals
Clear articulation of institutional vs. consortial boundaries for project
Reason other than financial for implementing metasearch through consortium rather than locally
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25. Library Staff Involvement
At BC, systems and reference staff were responsible for bulk of implementation tasks
All staff were invited to product demonstrations and invited to test and provide feedback during implementation
Systems
Hardware installation and support
Resource configuration and technical testing
Web design
Software and KnowledgeBase updates
Liaison with MetaSearch system vendor
Reference & Instructional Services
Prioritization of resources
Resource-vendor liaison
Cataloging resources (cataloging, reference)
Testing, user feedback
Project management
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26. NISO MetaSearch Program
Timetables
It takes as much time as you give yourself to do it
It always takes longer than you think it should
Develop and follow a formal project plan
Project manager
Rollout when “worthwhile threshold” is reached
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27. NISO MetaSearch Program
Customization
Develop understanding of options for customization
Look at other sites using same MetaSearch system
Determine level of effort required locally to do customization
Develop prototypes and get feedback before implementing
Consider implications of software upgrades on local customizations
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28. NISO MetaSearch Program
Rollout to Users
Highlight benefits
single search interface
saves time
Be up front about shortcomings
not all resources are searchable
Don’t wait until everything works perfectly (because it never will)
Invite feedback: what works, what doesn’t
Users are willing to spend time if they think their feedback will result in improvements to system
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29. User Response/Usability Issues
Provide easy mechanisms for feedback, problem reporting
Expect mixed reactions
MetaSearch will be mission critical for some users, of no interest to others
Check the logs
Remove unnecessary/unused features
Make sure system works with all/most browsers
Be creative
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30. NISO MetaSearch Program
Thank you.
Presentation URL:
Bob Gerrity
2/23/2019
NISO MetaSearch Program