Program: electronic library and information systems

An evaluation of alert services: quantity versus quality : Table of Contents

Fatemeh Zandian, Nosrat Riahinia, Ali Azimi, Nastaran Poursalehi — Sat Feb 06 08:00:23 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – Online information vendors currently offer a variety of additional services; among these are alert services which present requested information on recent publications to registered users. This paper aims to investigate a variety of alert services provided by four online information vendors. Design/methodology/approach – A comparison of the alert services of major online information providers (Ebsco, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) used by the Central Library of Tarbiat Modares University in Iran was undertaken. These alert services were evaluated using a check-list and their structure and service were compared with regard to the quantity and quality of received alerts. The subject area of library and information science was used for the study. Findings – No relative significance was found between the total alerts' relevance and the size of the databases of journal articles. ProQuest was found to have a more reliable alert system and it provided more relevant alert results than the other services. Users should recognise that additional services, such as alert services, are a useful help to their information-seeking behaviour. Library managers should regard alert services as an effective tool for current awareness purposes. However, careful attention should be given to the differences and structures of the services offered. Alert quantity does not necessarily mean good performance. Originality/value – University libraries and information centres pay a lot of money annually to online information providers. Alert systems could reduce the time users spend seeking for information by providing quick access to new information. Therefore, performing a study to investigate the functionality of the alert systems seems appropriate.

Developing a web tool for searching and viewing collections of high-quality cultural images : Table of Contents

Fotis Lazarinis — Sat Feb 06 08:00:23 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – Searching for information and viewing visual representations of products in e-organisations is a common activity of the e-visitors to these organisations. For example, in e-museums, users are shown images or other visual information of the existing objects. The aim of this paper is to present a tool which supports the effective searching for images in e-organisations. The tool also supports the effective presentation of high-quality images with zooming facilities. The tool is used in searching for and viewing high-resolution cultural images in order to test its usefulness. Design/methodology/approach – Initially, the problems of finding and effectively viewing high-quality images in e-organisations are discussed. Then, a review of the literature on zoomable browsers, which discuss effective ways of depicting large quantities of visual data on small screens or in a fast mode, through the web, is presented. Concept-based image retrieval and the image-browsing modules of the proposed tool are described. Finally, the system is evaluated with the aid of real users in viewing high-quality cultural images downloaded from the web. The opinions of the users are presented, along with other statistics, and future research plans are discussed. Findings – The emphasis of the evaluation was on the zoomable image viewer of the presented web tool. The evaluation showed that the zooming viewer is easy to use and reduces significantly the data that need to be downloaded for viewing high-quality images. Originality/value – The integrated searching and viewing application could be used in e-organisations for searching for and viewing detailed images of their products and exhibits. Further, the zoomable image browser could be used for viewing libraries of high-quality image collections in a time- and network-efficient mode.

Digitising the past: The beginning of a new future at the Royal Tropical Institute of The Netherlands : Table of Contents

Peter Levi — Sat Feb 06 08:00:23 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a project to digitise maps at the Royal Tropical Institute, or Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen (KIT), of The Netherlands. KIT has an extensive collection of maps and nautical charts of (sub-) tropical regions, including general maps and topographical map series, city maps, thematic maps and national atlases. The collection comprises some 27,000 maps and over 1,000 atlases. Almost 12,000 maps are from the former Dutch colonies, Netherlands Indies (Indonesia), Surinam and The Netherlands Antilles. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains how users have access to the maps via the Library's online catalogue. One of the future goals is combining the KIT collections in order to make it possible to search a map and to find accompanying documents, museum objects and photographs and to add more metadata. Findings – The paper finds that the digitised collection of maps has been used by various researchers as well as by relief workers in the aftermath of the tsunami in Indonesia. Originality/value – The innovative part of the project is the ability to search by location and to navigate through serial maps. A link with Google Earth makes it possible to compare an old map with a new satellite image.

ScotlandsPlaces XML: bespoke XML or XML mapping? : Table of Contents

Ashley Beamer, Mark Gillick — Sat Feb 06 08:00:23 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate web services (in the form of parameterised URLs), specifically in the context of the ScotlandsPlaces project. This involves cross-domain querying, data retrieval and display via the development of a bespoke XML standard rather than existing XML formats and mapping between them. Design/methodology/approach – In looking at the different heritage domain datasets as well as the metadata formats used for storage and data exchange, the ScotlandsPlaces XML format is revealed as the most appropriate for this type of project. The nature of the project itself and the need for dynamic web services are in turn explored. Findings – It was found that, due to the nature of the project, the combination of a bespoke ScotlandsPlaces XML format and a set of matching web services was the best choice in terms of the retrieval of different domain datasets, as well as the desired extensible nature of the project. Research limitations/implications – It may have proven useful to investigate the datasets of more ScotlandsPlaces partners, but as yet only a limited number of first phase partners' datasets could be studied, as the second phase of the project has yet to begin. Originality/value – Rather than an information portal, the ScotlandsPlaces web site aggregates disparate types of record, whether site records, archival or otherwise, into a single web site and makes these records discoverable via geographical searching. Aggregated data are accessed through web service queries (using a bespoke XML format developed specifically for the project for data return) and allow partner organisations to add their datasets regardless of the organisational domain. The service also allows spatially referenced records to be plotted on to a geo-browser via a KML file, which in turn lets users evaluate the results based on geographical location.

The Bookshelf: digitisation and access to copyright items in Norway : Table of Contents

Vigdis Moe Skarstein — Sat Feb 06 08:00:23 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the challenges faced in digitising copyright-protected books and other materials within the National Library of Norway. Design/methodology/approach – Following a description of Bokhylla, or The Bookshelf, the paper outlines the strategies adopted within the National Library of Norway for digitising a range of materials, including books. Findings – The National Library of Norway has negotiated a contract with Kopinor, an organisation that represents rights-holders from about 30 different organisations, and this will enable users to access some 50,000 copyright-protected books within the next three years. Originality/value – Copyright presents challenges in any digitisation project. Norway has adopted a unique solution for enabling its citizens to gain digital access to materials deposited within the National Library.

Print and electronic resources: Usage statistics at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Library : Table of Contents

Kanta Kapoor — Sat Feb 06 08:00:23 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to quantify the use of electronic journals in comparison with the print collections in the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Library. Design/methodology/approach – A detailed analysis was made of the use of lending services, the Xerox facility and usage of electronic journals such as Science Direct, Emerald Management Xtra, ACM, IEL Library, subscribed to by the Library. Findings – The paper finds that, although many more users at the University are accessing electronic journals, it is not affecting the use of the print collection. The numbers of transactions and photocopy requests of print articles are continuously on the rise. Research limitations/implications – More research can be done by carrying out a deep log analysis of usage statistics of e-journals. Usage statistics of some of the resources could not be accessed. Purpose – The paper provides useful information on the use of electronic journals in comparison with the print collections in a university library.