LAU CASE STUDY By Cendrella Habre Systems Librarian Lebanese American University

1. LAU CASE STUDY By Cendrella Habre Systems Librarian Lebanese American University Fourth AMICAL Conference Al Akhawayn University Ifrane – Morocco May 27-30, 2007 Breakout session I

2. Outline • Terminology • Definitions • Major developers and available systems • Overview of LAU’s ZPortal • Advantages & disadvantages Breakout session I

3. Terminology Note: This technology started in 1999/2000 • Library Portals • Federated Search Engines • Library Portlets • Protocols/Standards/Set of rules: • Z39.50 • OpenURLs (Z2Web) • Link Resolvers (OL2) Breakout session I

4. Definition (1) • Portal is a web-based search tool • Portal concept is often ambiguous and confusing • Portal is a “buzzword” – inappropriately used • Other terms used in the information community: • Metasearch • Metadata search • Parallel search • Broadcast search • Cross-database search • Search portal Breakout session I

5. Definition (2) “A library portal or a federated search engine is a discovery tool (a software actually) that enables a user to search using a single-search interface across certain websites, library catalogs, and databases of information resources to retrieve and integrate the results in a single presentation” Breakout session I

6. Library Portals vs. Federated Search Engines • Library Portals • It is certain that all Library Portals can search Z39.50 databases • Yet not all Library Portals can search currently available licensed databases. (Authentication problem for remote users) • Federated Search Engines can search all Z39.50 and currently available licensed databases for both walk-in and remote users. Breakout session I

7. Library Portlet • The Library Portlet is a small search window found on any web page of a university, organization, institution, company, etc., which allows direct access to the online catalog and other resources available. • This is a powerful and convenient library resource tool. Breakout session I

8. Z39.50 • A protocol that allows a computer to search collections of information on a remote system, create sets of results for further manipulation, and retrieve information; mainly used for bibliographic information.www.cs.cornell.edu/wya/DigLib/MS1999/glossary.html • A set of rules governing the formats and procedures used by two computers to interact with one another. www.esls.lib.wi.us/glossary.html • A standard that defines how computers search in library catalogues. The Library of Congress is the Maintenance Agency and Registration Authority for this standard, see http://www.loc.gov/z3950/agency/www.lib.monash.edu.au/vl/glossind.htm Breakout session I

9. OpenURL • A standard developed by NISO (National Information Standards Organization) • It provides a uniform way for users to link directly from bibliographic citations (in non Z39.50 compliant databases) to fulltext articles available in online resources, websites, and other services for which a URL can be constructed • It facilitates links Breakout session I

10. Link Resolver • A link resolver uses the OpenURL standard to create links to content, such as E-journals, library catalogs, Internet search engines, some ILL systems, bookshops, etc. • In other words, when a patron finds a citation or reference to a specific article, this link resolver supplies the best available path to the content, anywhere in the library collection. Breakout session I

11. Developers? • Small Vendors • Library Systems Vendors • Database Aggregators Breakout session I

12. Federated Search Engines: • AGent (Auto-Graphics) • Meta Search Solution (Blue Angel Technologies) • Muse Solutions (MuseGlobal, Inc.) • WebFeat3 (WebFeat) • ZPortal (OCLCPICA) For more information http://www.loc.gov/catdir/lcpaig/portalproducts.html Breakout session I

13. Automated Library Systems: • EnCompass (Endeavor) • iPAC (Epixtech – Dynix/Horizon) • ILINK (Sirsi) • MetaLib (Ex-Libris) • Polaris (Gaylord) • MAP or Millennium Access Plus (Innovative Interfaces, Inc.) • iPortal (VTLS) • YouSeeMore (TLC) For more information http://www.loc.gov/catdir/lcpaig/portalproducts.html Breakout session I

14. Database Aggregators: • MultiSearch (CSA) • OVID Technologies and MuseGlobal (Dec. 1, 2004 announced delivery of a metasearch engine) • More to come _______________________________________________ Few aggregators have integrating metasearching into their resources, e.g.: • ScienceDirect • JSTOR • GALE • EBSCOhost • WilsonWeb • Etc. Breakout session I

15. Hosting Note All the above mentioned companies provide hosting services at their own sites to potential clients. Breakout session I

16. @ LAU • LAU is the first academic institution in Lebanon to implement the ZPortal system. • Why ZPortal was selected? • Professional/Academic • Rigid • Flexible • Familiar with interface (OLIB) • Widely used • Pricing/Services MultiSearch (CSA) OVID Technologies and MuseGlobal (Dec. 1, 2004 announced delivery of a metasearch engine) NISO (National Information Standards Organisation More to come Breakout session I

17. Why do we need it? Retrieve useful records Search database Print or save to disc Locate the journal on the shelves Check the OPAC Or go to the e-journal Do you have access to the full-text? Find the volume and issue Go to the article Other Resources (such as DDS) Breakout session I

18. Overview End User Collections and Search Profiles Z39.50 OPAC Other resources Link to non-searchable resources http local or web Search Engines Fulltext services A&I services Breakout session I

19. Z2Web (Link Resolver)How does it work? The user must be authenticated to use OpenLinking. The user runs a search. The OpenLinking Resolver asks the following questions: 1. Can I match on ISSN? 2. What services are available to this user? 3. How will I build the URL to go to each available service? When these questions are answered successfully, the links are built and displayed to the user The user clicks on the link and it is opened in another browser window The search result contains metadata - Journal title: Journal of management studies ISSN: 0022-2380 Date/volume and issue data: Jul2002/Vol39/Issue 5 Pagination: p.619 Breakout session I

20. @ LAU • LAU site: http://libwserv.lau.edu.lb:43002/zportal/ • Other sites: http://www.k4h.northbristol.nhs.uk http://www.library.nhs.uk/ MultiSearch (CSA) OVID Technologies and MuseGlobal (Dec. 1, 2004 announced delivery of a metasearch engine) NISO (National Information Standards Organisation More to come Breakout session I

21. Advantages: • Less time in searching: Several resources are searched at once • Single one-stop web page • Single interface (results) • Tremendous increase in the usage of online resources, thus cost-effective • Excellent tool for ILL/DDS • Portal vs. Google • Searching techniques can be applied, e.g., Boolean operators Breakout session I

22. Disadvantages: • No Arabic support • Security: It involves the opening of some ports outside the university firewalls • End-user overwhelmed with # of hits • Continuous maintenance and update • Unable to cover all licensed databases Breakout session I

23. Library Portals or Federated Search Engines enable you to search a world of information Conclusion Breakout session I