From Online Catalogs to Library Portals: Empowering Users

Zahiruddin Khurshid Senior Manager, Cataloging Operations Department & Acting Manager, Systems Department King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals Library Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 31261 khurshid@kfupm.edu.sa

AND

Syed Sajjad Ahmed Senior Cataloger, Cataloging Operations Department King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals Library Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 31261 sjahmed@kfupm.edu.sa

From Online Catalogs to Library Portals: Empowering Users

Abstract
This article discusses the transition from the library OPAC to the library portal based on the findings of catalog use studies demanding librarians and designers of online catalogs to enrich contents and add more search features. By combining the features of OPAC and portal technology, designers of the catalog have introduced several library portal products. The paper aims to highlight both major and minor features of the library portal, which empower users to get access to a wide variety of information both within and outside the library.

From Online Catalogs to Library Portals: Empowering Users

Introduction Since the advent of online catalogs, catalog use studies have been conducted regularly to ascertain among others, two major things: first, the user attitude about the catalog, and second, additional features desired by users. The most famous among these studies is the Council on Library Resources (CLR) study of 19821 in which 31 US libraries participated. The user response to this survey and subsequent use studies was not gratitude but a demand for adding more features. It helped both the librarians and system designers in the development of the next generation of online catalogs. The continuous development of these catalogs has transformed them into comprehensive, customerdriven library portals with access to a much broader resource than the library holdings. It is reported that the newest versions of library catalogs provide links to online text and resources. Library gateways take this one step further by establishing an integrated path to Web-based resources, including the library catalog and library reference services.2

The paper aims to present the user empowerment features of online catalogs which have transformed them into library portals designed to take user access to a new level. Although a number of papers have been published on library portals during the last five years, what makes this paper different from the previous works is that it lists both major and minor features of a portal based on its most current design.

Literature Review A search of both LISA and Google retrieved more than a dozen articles discussing the changing concepts, definition, and history of the transition from OPAC to library portals. For example, Boss provides the simple definition of a portal as "a single user interface for access to a wide variety of electronic resources both within and outside the library".3 On the other hand, Savarese traces the various stages of development from the card catalog to the library portal and how the mission of the library and the purpose of the catalog changed along with it.4 Catalog users of the new millennium wish "to have [in the catalog record] a convenience of finding not only reference to an item or article but almost instant access to the item itself".5 To provide access to information efficiently and in a form desired by users, the designers of the online catalog began to use web portal technology in the early 1990s and continue to apply various improvements in it until today. Cox lists three core functions of the portal: (1) browsable (by subject) and searchable database of available resources, (2) cross-searching of multiple resources, regardless of search protocol and the format of the metadata with de-duplication and sorting of results, saved searches, and simplification of authentication, and (3) use of OpenURL to carry the user through from hits in bibliographic databases to the full text or document delivery options.6

Since 2001, when Endeavor and ExLibris first introduced a portal, almost all integrated library system (ILS) vendors now offer portal products being used by hundreds of libraries all over the world. Ramsden provides a good review of several of the known products.7 The list of these products is getting bigger and bigger with the time. Nearly all

the products can be used as standalone from any particular ILS, and are capable of interacting with any ILS, such as MetaLib (Ex Libris) with Innovative and PICA systems, ENCompass (Endeavor) with Sirsi and |Innovative, and ZPORTAL (Fretwell-Downing Informatics) with a large number of other systems.

Library portals Carden considers a library portal as an extension of the Web OPAC allowing users to search both remote metadata (primarily through Z39.50) and, more recently, local & remote digital information. He calls the end product resulted from combining the features of the Web OPAC and a portal an "integrated library portal" (see figure 1) with "a common interface that allows users to access library-owned resources and libraryaccessible resources".8

Figure 1. Integrated Library Portal (http://www.elag2004.no/papers/carden.pdf)

What make library portals different from online catalogs are their features embracing a range of concepts and capabilities. Not all library automation suppliers may provide full features of a portal, but they generally offer the features embracing the traditional OPAC, the federated searching tools and the user services such as renewals and interlibrary loan requests."9 In addition, the portal may include other facilities for users who "also want to carry out transactions, such as changing their address details, paying fines or cancelling reservations through the librarys Web interface."10 The features of a library portal are discussed below in detail. 1. Federated search Libraries provide access to their e-databases through the catalog. Thus, with a single query a user can search the catalog and up to several thousand e-databases the libraries subscribe to, regardless of their search protocol (Z39.50, http, ODBC, SQL). The search results are then displayed in one result set eliminating duplicates, providing users with a convenient choice of resources. Searches are often slow, but will improve with the developments in technology. The federated search, also known as consolidated search, is based on a server product called MuseGlobal or WebFeat as its major competitor. ExLibris has developed its own product called MetaLib. Figure 2 is the consolidated search screen of the Horizon Information Portal (HIP) at KFUPM.

Figure 2. Consolidated Search Screen From HIP (http://libraryhip.kfupm.edu.sa/ipac20/ipac.jsp#focus) There are compelling advantages to federated searching for both users and library staff. It saves time for searching multiple databases one-at-a-time. Also, users do not need to master multiple user interfaces, as is required when searching each database separately. In fact, users can enjoy a simple interface that is custom configured according to library specifications. 2. Patron authentication Having to remember multiple passwords is a common complaint cited as a reason for not using library approved resources, as opposed to simple Google searches11. Ramsden acknowledges the same problem by saying that "users can be overwhelmed by the number of resources and the problem of multiple log-ins and search interfaces in an online library environment".12 One of the major features of portal technology is the single log-in system that allows users to access local and external resources simultaneously. This type of basic authorization may also be based on the institutions LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) system in which each user is authorized based on the correct user ID and password pair. Compared to domain name authorization, IP

range authorization, and client digital signature authorization, basic authorization is what the name suggests. However, basic authorization remains one of the most secured methods to preventing unauthorized access13. SirsiDynix offers an add on product called Remote Patron Authentication (RPA) with Horizon to provide secure authentication and give users seamless access to restricted resources (see figure 3). WAM (Web Access Management) is another authentication software provided as part of the MAP portal by Innovative Interfaces.

Figure 3. RPA Screen from Delaware State University (http://rpa.desu.edu/rpa/webauth.exe?rs=AGRIS)

Access to most electronic resources is restricted by license to current Delaware State University students, faculty and staff. Most databases are accessible both on and off campus. Databases available only on campus are marked (Campus Only). To use remote access, students and staff members must have a validated DSU ID ("patron barcode"). 3. OpenURL Library portals support the OpenURL framework, a standardized format that provides extended service-links from a record in an abstracting and indexing database (A&I) to the

full-text described by the record; from a record describing a book in a library catalog to a description of the same book in Internet bookshop; or from a citation in a journal article to a record in a library catalog that shows the library holdings of the cited journal.14 A large number of databases are now OpenURL compliant and provide links from bibliographic citations to authorized full-text sources. But, there are still many databases lacking compliance of Z39.50 and OpenURL and therefore, cannot be accessed through links from the citations. WebBridge is the name given by Innovative Interfaces to its OpenURL-based contextual linking component of the MAP portal.

WebBridge offers a smart linking capability, which seamlessly enables libraries to link together information resources when appropriate. This can include content enrichment such as book-jacket images and book reviews, but can also include linking to the most appropriate copy of full-text journal articles or e-books. Each resource is offered only if specific criteria are met based on elements from the record of the user's search. These related resources can be categorized under library-defined services such as book reviews, similar titles, holdings at nearby libraries, full-text availability, and book-jacket images. WebBridge can create these lists of related resources from any electronic resource in the library's collection that can send a WebBridge link to the resolution server.15 Figure 4 is a sample of WebBridge search screen from the Tempe Public Library.

Figure 4. WebBridge Search Screen from the Tempe Public Library (http://www.tempe.gov/library/sources/webbridgesearch.asp)

4. User personalization

Library portals empower users to customize the portal by choosing interfaces for desired languages and needed tools, such as Internet browsers, etc. They can also personalize the portal by highlighting items belonging to a specified location whenever they search. If search terms are spelled incorrectly, HIP leads the user towards the correct spelling. A thesaurus helps users broaden their search by the use of alternate terms. Default notification type and pickup locations can be determined for request placement. Profiling of users enables them to select subjects they are interested in for new titles alerts. These alerts can be emailed to users on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. In addition, users can maintain a list of items checked-out. HIP users have the facility to keep track of items and requests and the ability to place holds and renew items by using the My List, "My Account", and MyLibrary functionality. The MyLibrary interface is a user-centered,

customizable interface to Library collections of information resources. The interface allows the user to see a customized view of resources from where ever they log in. Some of the services provided include remote authentication, access to circulation information services, document delivery, subject specific groupings of content and updates and much more (see figure 5).16 Libraries can also display a list of new titles along with a list of highly circulated titles categorized by library defined headings (see figure 5).

Figure 5. MyLibrary Screen (http://my.lib.ncsu.edu/)

4. Multiple channels A single portal screen has multiple channels for search and display. For example, it can display the search result of the library catalog in one channel and show library fines in another. Similarly, library hours, library events, and new arrivals can be displayed in separate channels.

5. Z39.50 Gateway Library portals also serve as a gateway to catalogs of other libraries in the neighborhood and beyond through the Z39.50 protocol. A consolidated search of multiple catalogs can be performed through Z39.50 and search results can be presented in one set. A good example is the Library of Congress gateway (see figure 6) to LC's catalog and those at other institutions (http://www.loc.gov/z3950). This type of gateway facility is particularly very useful for interlibrary loan purposes.

Figure 6. Library of Congress Z39.50 Gateway (http://www.loc.gov/z3950/gateway.html) 6. Enriched content Unlike the first generation of online catalogs, which were more like a replica of the card catalog with limited data and access points, the new catalogs add new dimension to traditional bibliographic data by providing access to much broader data about the item, including table of contents, author biographies, summaries, reviews, sample chapters, related titles, and images of book covers and jackets (see figure 7). Recently, Amazon.com has unveiled a "Look Inside the Book" feature that allows potential buyers

to do keyword searches that turn up, not just authors, titles, or publishers, but also excerpts from digitized texts.17

Figure 7. Enriched Content Screen (http://catalog.library.colostate.edu/search/X?t:(Java)&Da=&Db=&SORT=D) 7. Statistics and management information Statistical data on database usage, such as who has used what databases, number of search requests, search types, number of hits, number of full-text requests, usage time, etc. are very critical for management purposes. Each database publisher may have different format of recording these data, which may cause problems for libraries in measuring the relative performance and value of service. Library portals integrate management information and present them in a single format to be used effectively for management purposes.

Conclusions: The limitation of online catalogs and the ease in searching of web resources have forced users to go "first to Google and other search services rather than to library catalogs".18 This situation is a matter of serious concern for libraries and they must act quickly to

bring their users back to the library for all their information needs. The introduction of library portals with all the features listed above is the only way libraries can instill in users the preference for library catalogs over Google and other search engines. Although libraries have started implementing portal products during the last five to six years, the focus should be more on enhancing them with features of user empowerment so that they can perform searching of a variety of resources and carry out personalized transactions through a single interface.

References

1. Joseph R. Matthews, Gary S. Lawrence, and Douglas K. Ferguson, eds. Using Online Catalogs: a Nationwide Survey. (New York: Neal-SchumaN, 1983). 2. Jennifer A. Younger, Metadata and Libraries: Whats It All About? In, Wayne Jones, Judith R. Ahronheim, and Josephine Crawford, eds. Cataloging the Web: Metadata, AACR, and MARC 21. (Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 2002), 6 3. Richard W. Boss, "Library Portals." Accessed Feb. http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/technotes/librarywebportals.htm 20, 2006,

4. John Savarese, Library Portals and Whats Next, Campus Technology Accessed Feb. 18, 2006 http://www.campus-technology.com/article.asp?id=11087 5. Liz Mckeen, Ingrid Parent, "The National Library of Canada: Organizing Information for the New Millennium," Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 30, no. 1 (2000), 33 6. Andrew Cox, Choosing a Library Portal System, Vine 33, no.1, 37-38. 7. Anne Ramsden, "The Library Portal Marketplace," Vine 33, no. 1, 17-24. 8. Mark Carden, Library Information within the Enterprise Portal, Accessed Feb 18, 2006, http://www.elag2004.no/papers/carden.pdf 9. Mark Carden, "Library Portals and Enterprise Portals: Why Libraries Need to be at the Centre of Enterprise Portal Projects," Information Services & Use 24 (2004), 171 10. Ibid, 172. 11. Andrew Cox and Robin Yeates, Library Portal Solutions, Aslib Proceedings 55, no.3 (2003), 158 12. Ramsden, "The Library Portal Marketplace," 17 13. Joe Zhou, A History of Web Portals and Their Development in Libraries, Information Technology and Libraries 22, no.3 (September 2003), 121. 14. Herbert Van de Somple, "Open Linking in the Scholarly Information Environment Using the OpenURL Framework," D-Lib Magazine 7, no. 3 (March 2001) Accessed Feb. 19, 2006, http://www.dlib.org/dlib/march01/vandesompel/03vandesompel.html 15. "WebBridge: Resource Linking," Accessed Feb. 19, 2006, http://www.iii.com/mill/digital.shtml

16. "MyLibrary Interface," Accessed Feb. 19, 2006 http://www.le.ac.uk/li/distance/eliteproject/elib/mylibrary.html 17. Deanna B. Marcum, "The Future of Cataloging," Library Resources & Technical Services 50, no. 1 (Jan. 2006), 7 18. Ibid, 6