increasing access to electronic resources at the national library of scotland initiatives and...

Increasing access to electronic resources at the National Library

of ScotlandInitiatives and Challenges

Lee HibberdDigitisation Officer and ENCompass Implementation Project ManagerNational Library of Scotland www.nls.ukl.hibberd@nls.uk

An overview

• Our aim: a resource finding service

• Initiatives and Challenges– Integrating many resources into one system– XML, XSL and Dublin Core– Dealing with information overload– Who can use the service?

Our Aim

Integrating many resources into one system

• The generalist approach

• A range of electronic connections needed

• What goes in?

Initiatives and Challenges 1

Image and quote from Jurassic Park (1993) © 1993 Universal Pictures

Dr. Malcolm: Yeah, yeah --but your scientists were so Dr. Malcolm: Yeah, yeah --but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should.stop to think if they should.

Integrating many resources into one system

• The generalist approach

• A range of electronic connections

• What goes in?

Initiatives and Challenges 1

• Granularity?• Will taxonomy help? Which should you

choose? Subject vs. Format

• How will the user cope?

XML, XSL and Dublin Core

• First large-scale use of XML

• XML holds and structures data

Initiatives and Challenges 2

XML, XSL and Dublin Core

• First large-scale use of XML

• XML holds and structures data

Initiatives and Challenges 2

• Training and experience with XML and XSL has many other benefits

• Dublin Core data can be OAI harvestable• Search engines can access content of

databases not just static html

• XSL as a way of re-presenting and displaying structure of data

Dealing with information overload

• Need a clear conceptual benefit

• Reducing the stress of an attention seeking interface

Initiatives and Challenges 3

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!Me

!Me!

Me!

Me! Me

!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Initiatives and Challenges 3

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!Me

!Me!

Me!

Me!

Initiatives and Challenges 3

Dealing with information overload

• Are people concerned about source, context or format?

Initiatives and Challenges 3

• Need a clear conceptual benefit

• Reducing the stress of an attention seeking interface

• A hierarchical taxonomy

Who can use the service?

• Improving remote access…• …has problems

– Abiding by the terms of our licence– Concurrent use– Often access for registered readers

• Who is a registered reader?• On-line registration• Should Scotland’s taxpayer provide the world

with free access?

Initiatives and Challenges 4

Can you help?

• Become involved as an external reviewer

• Pass on your comments today

• Contact: l.hibberd@nls.uk