Infomotions' Musings on Information and Librarianship

Random Musing: Open Source Software in libraries

Thu, 25 Apr 2002 00:00:00 -0500

This is an introduction to open source software in libraries, with descriptions of a variety of software packages and successful library projects. But before we get to the software itself, I want to describe the principles and techniques of open source software (OSS) and explain why I advocate the adoption of OSS in the implementation of library services and collections.

Keywords: articles; open source software;
Source: This essay appeared in Open Source Software for Libraries, a LITA Guide, in 2002.

A few possibilities for librarianship by 2015

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The library profession is at a cross roads. Computer technology coupled with the Internet have changed the way content is created, maintained, evaluated, and distributed. While the core principles of librarianship (collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination) are still very much apropos to the current milieu, the exact tasks of the profession are not as necessary as they once were. What is a librarian to do? In my opinion, there are three choices: 1) creating services against content as opposed to simply providing access to it, 2) curating collections that are unique to our local institutions, or 3) providing sets of services that are a combination of #1 and #2. This presentation elaborates on these ideas and demonstrates some of the possibilities.

Keywords: librarianship; presentations;
Source: This is a keynote presentation for the 4th International LIS-EPI Meeting, Valencia (Spain), November 26, 2009.

Web-scale discovery indexes and "next generation" library catalogs

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

This essay outlines a definition of "Web-scale" discovery indexes and describes how they are interrelated with the ideas of "next generation" library catalogs. It was originally created for webcast called "Returning the Researcher to the Library: Defining Web-Scale Discovery" sponsored by Serials Solutions and Library Journal. A subset of these remarks are also available as a set of Powerpoint slides.

Keywords: presentations; indexing; librarianship;
Source: These remarks originally appeared on the University of Notre Dame's website at http://www.library.nd.edu/daiad/morgan/musings/web-scale/, and they were a part of a webcast called Returning the Researcher to the Library: Defining Web-Scale Discovery sponso

Mass digitization and opportunities for librarianship in 15 minutes

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Assume 51% of your library collections were locally available as full-text. How would such a thing change the processes of librarianship? We have only just begun to explore the possibilities for our profession if our content were freely available over a network. Imagine the existence of freely available, full-text versions of most of our books and journal articles. The things we could do and the services we could provide expand to fill the sky.

Keywords: mass digitization; presentations;
Source: This was originally "published" as a part of the Hesburgh Libraries website and presented at a symposium on the topic of mass digitization. "Lot's of copies keep stuff safe."

Implementing user-centered experiences in a networked environment

Sun, 03 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In this environment where disintermediation seems to be increasingly common, it is ironic people also expect personalized service. Libraries are experiencing dilemma when it comes to providing many of their services. On one hand fewer people are coming into libraries to access traditional reference services, and at the same time they are expecting interfaces to library content to be "smarter" and more user-centered. How can libraries meet these seemingly contradictory expectations? The answer is not too difficult as long as we: 1) learn how to take better advantage of computer technology to implement our ideas, and 2) re-examine the definition and purpose of patron privacy. This presentation will elaborate on these ideas and demonstrate a few ways they might be implemented.

Keywords: user-centered design; SOCHE; presentations; librarianship;
Source: This essay was never formally published, but it was created for Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) and a conference called 'The Human Face of Information (technology)' Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Wright State University

Open source software: Controlling your computing environment

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Open source software (OSS) -- free to use, reuse, study, modify, and distribute -- is quickly being adopted by libraries today. From office productivity suites such as OpenOffice to library-specific applications such as an integrated library system, "next generation" library catalogs and Firefox extensions. Open source software has a lot to offer libraries. This session looks at the many types of OSS available, how libraries are making use of it, and how it can be exploited in order to control your local computing environment.

Keywords: open source software; presentations; Computers in Libraries;
Source: This essay was written for a presentation at the Computers in Libraries Conference, March 31-April 2, 2009.

"Next-Generation" Library Catalogs

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

This presentation outlines some of the possibilities for "next-generation" library catalogs. Specifically it describes the technology behind these applications, enumerates ways they can exploit sets of globally networked computers, and posits opportunities for new and improved services within and around them. Librarianship has traditionally been about collection, preservation, organization, and re-distribution. These over-arching goals are still relevant in today's environment, but the methods the profession can use to achieve them is changing. The venerable library catalog and the thing it seems to be morphing into is just one example. This presentation brings together the how's and why's of this issue.

Keywords: Purdue University; next generation library catalogs; Indiana On-Line User's Group (IOLUG); presentations; librarianship;
Source: This presentation was written to be given at the libraries of the Purdue University on March 27 as well as an IOLUG meeting on May 15, 2009

Technology Trends and Libraries: So many opportunities

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In the current environment where computers are almost ubiquitously connected to each other and people's expectations regarding access to data and information are increasing, the opportunities for the library profession abound. The challenge lies in learning how to apply them in a networked environment.

Keywords: Macalaster College; Top Tech Trends; presentations; librarianship;
Source: This presentation was delivered at the Library Technology Conference (March 18, 2009) at Macalaster College, Minneapolis (Minnesota).

Open Source Software in Libraries: Opportunities and Expenses

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Open source software (OSS) is not a panacea; it will not cure all problems computer. On the other hand, it does provide the library profession with enumerable opportunities as long as we are willing to pay a few expenses. This essay elaborates on these ideas by: 1) outlining what open source software is, 2) describing how its principles are similar to the principles of librarianship, and 3) enumerating a number of open source software applications. By the end it is hoped you will be have a better understanding of what open source can and cannot do for libraries. You will be better able to discuss topics related to open source software with "techies". Finally, and probably most importantly, you will have learned the definition of "free" in the context of open source.

Keywords: MLNC Speakers Series; presentations; open source software; librarianship;
Source: This presentation was never formally published, but is was written for the MLNC Speaker Series in St. Louis Missouri

Next-Generation Library Catalogues: A Presentation at Libraries Australia

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The environment of globally networked and commodity priced computers has significantly altered the information landscape. Libraries, once a central player in this environment, have seen their "market share" dwindle. This presentation outlines one way this situation can be turned around, specifically, by re-inventing the definition of the venerable library catalogue.

Keywords: next generation library catalogs; presentations; laf2008;
Source: This was never formally published, but it was presented at the National Library of Australia (October 21, 2008) and at Libraries Australia (October 23, 2008)

MyLibrary: A digital library framework & toolkit

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

This article describes a digital library framework and toolkit called MyLibrary. At its heart, MyLibrary is designed to create relationships between information resources and people. To this end, MyLibrary is made up of essentially four parts: 1) information resources, 2) patrons, 3) librarians, and 4) a set of locally-defined, institution-specific facet/term combinations interconnecting the first three. On another level, MyLibrary is a set of object-oriented Perl modules intended to read and write to a specifically shaped relational database. Used in conjunction with other computer applications and tools, MyLibrary provides a way to create and support digital library collections and services. Librarians and developers can use MyLibrary to create any number of digital library applications: full-text indexes to journal literature, a traditional library catalog complete with circulation, a database-driven website, an institutional repository, an image database, etc. The article describes each of these points in greater detail.

Keywords: articles; MyLibrary;
Source: This is pre-edited version of an article by the same name appearing the Information Technology and Libraries 27[3]:12-24, September 2008.

Introduction to the Catholic Research Resources Alliance

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

This short essay describes the Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA), its purpose, its goals, its functionality, its vision for the future, and some of its existing challenges.

Keywords: Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA); presentations;
Source: This document was never formally published.

Next Generation Data Format

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In the United States library catalogs traditionally use the MARC standard for bibliographic records. Many questions revolve around the future of MARC and how it interacts with other metadata standards such as Dublin Core, MODS, and VRA Core. This presentation explores these and other issues related to the next generation catalog.

Keywords: Massachusetts Library Association; next generation library catalogs; presentations;
Source: This presentation was originally given at the Massachusetts Library Association annual meeting in North Falmouth (May 7, 2008)

Open Library Developer's Meeting: One Web Page for Every Book Ever Published

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

I attended an Open Library Developers Meeting on Friday, February 29, 2008 in San Franciscos Presidio, and this travel log outlines my experiences there. In a sentence, it was one of the more inspiring meetings I ever attended.

Keywords: Presidio; Open Library; travel log;
Source: This travel log first appeared on the Hesburgh Libraries website at http://www.library.nd.edu/daiad/morgan/travel/open-library/.

Today's digital information landscape

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The main point of this lecture is to bring home a single idea, namely, the what of library and information science has not changed so much as the how. Libraries are still about the processes of collection, preservation, organization, dissemination, and sometimes evaluation of data and information. While the mediums, environments, and tools have dramatically changed, the problems and services the profession addresses remain the same. If we focus on our broader goals -- see the forest from the trees -- then the profession's future is bright offering us many opportunities. If we focus too much on the particulars, then libraries and librarians will be seen as increasingly irrelevant. The following examples will hopefully make this clear.

Keywords: presentations; Denton, TX; librarianship;
Source: This essay was originally written for a lecture at the University of North Texas (December 4, 2007)

Dr. Strangelove, or How we learned to live with Google

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

On October 26, 2007 the University Libraries of Notre Dame sponsored a "mini-symposium" entitled Dr. Strangelove, or How We Learned to Live with Google. The purpose of the symposium was to discuss issues of librarianship considering an environment of globally networked computers and radically changing user expectations. It was an education process designed to enable the library faculty and staff to ask questions, reflect on the experience of others, and ultimately be better educated when technological systems present themselves as solutions to some of the profession's challenges. This text reports on the content of the symposium and offers a number of personal observations.

Keywords: travel log; next generation library catalogs; University Libraries of Notre Dame;
Source: This travel log was originally "published" at http://www.library.nd.edu/daiad/morgan/travel/strangelove/.

Next Generation Library Catalogs in Fifteen Minutes

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

A "next generation" library catalog starts with the idea of traditional library catalog and expands it meet the changing expectations of library patrons.

Keywords: next-generation library catalogs; presentations;
Source: This presentation was originally given at an Ex Libris "birthday party" at the University Libraries of Notre Dame, and it was originally posted at http://www.library.nd.edu/daiad/morgan/musings/ngc-in-15-minutes/.

Success of Open Source by Steven Weber: A book review

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Using Linux as its primary example, The Success of Open Source by Steven Weber details the history, process, motivations, and possible long-term effects of open source software (OSS). This scholarly yet easy-to-read, well-written, and provocative book is worth the time of anybody who wants to understand how open source software is effecting information technology. It describes how the process of open source software may effect business & economics, methods of governance, and concepts of intellectual property. It is also a great read for those of us librarians who desire to play a role in the building of next generation library catalogs and other library-related information systems.

Keywords: book review; articles; open source software; librarianship;
Source: The is a pre-edited version of an article with the same title appearing in the first issue of Code4Lib Journal at http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/30.

Catalog Collectivism: XC and the Future of Library Search

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Collections without services are useless, and services without collections are empty. The future of library search lies between these two statements. It is about making search smarter and putting search within the context of the user.

Keywords: information systems design; presentations; next generation library catalogs; Charleston Conference;
Source: This presentation was given at the Charleston Conference, Charleston (South Carolina) November 2007.

Open source software at the Montana State University Libraries Symposium

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

This one-page essay outlines what open source software (OSS) is and how it can be applied to some of the computer-related problems facing libraries. In short, it characterizes open source software as a community-driven process, describes it as free as a free kitten, compares it to the principles of librarianship, and finally, outlines how it can be exploited to develop next generation library catalogs.

Keywords: next-generation library catalogs; presentations; open source software;
Source: This is a presentation for the Montana State University Libraries Symposium, October 4, 2007.

Original MyLibrary

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

In the news recently has been talk about Google's "my library", well, don't hesitate to visit the "original" MyLibrary, now hosted at http://mylibrary.library.nd.edu.

Keywords: MyLibrary;
Source: This was originally a blog posting at the LITA blog at http://litablog.org/2007/09/24/the-original-mylibrary/.

Sum Top Tech Trends for the Summer of 2007

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Listed here are "sum" trends I see Library Land. They are presented in no particular order.

Keywords: Top Tech Trends; librarianship;
Source: This was a blog posting for the Top Tech Trends panel originally posted at http://litablog.org/2007/06/15/sum-top-tech-trends-for-the-summer-of-2007/.