1. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Implementing cross-search tools Challenges and opportunities Margaret Flett IT Services Development Officer UCL Library Services m.flett@ucl.ac.uk

2. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Overview UCL context MetaLib implementation Challenges Opportunities

3. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 UCL context or - Why MetaLib? Research and teaching support Multi-site Information skills training SFX for e-resource linking Why MetaLib?

4. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Implementing MetaLib at UCL January – September 2005 Project manager supported by project board Two small working groups – web focus and user focus Bulk of work = localisation of content and interface Working demo by summer – for staff training and pilot Promoted to users via web, print, free pens, subject librarians, departmental briefings, etc.

5. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Features of MetaLib at UCL Login encouraged – simultaneous with Athens/EZProxy CrossSearch as starting point Originally offered as parallel access point with LS website - deep links to database lists added later Not using ejournals list feature in MetaLib Contains subscription databases, ejournal packages, ebooks, plus key free resources in each subject area. As many as possible made searchable.

6. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Challenges (Technology vs. Training) Learning curve for users – NOT like Google Technical limitations, Performance, Search syntax Training methods Marketing – novice or expert? Lack of customisability Evaluation

7. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Opportunities Resource discovery - serendipity Single starting point Inter-disciplinary searching Link generator Export to Reference Manager

8. UCL LIBRARY SERVICES ALISS Conference, 23 August 2006 Conclusions Both technology and training still needed Scope for improvement – MetaLib 4.0 on the way Harvesting rather than cross-search? “Primo”? Not just “search” but “find” – get your data out there