Emerald | OCLC Systems & Services

Terms of endearment: engaging students in the digital age

Norm Medeiros — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This article seeks to describe the challenge of providing impactful research assistance to college students. Design/methodology/approach – The article discusses student perceptions of librarians, and the lack of awareness students have about the reference and research support provided by librarians. Findings – The article suggests alternative approaches to engaging students may break down barriers, but are no replacement for individual consultation. Originality/value – The article provides thoughts around retention of librarian approachability in the digital age.

Digital viability

Robert Fox — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this column is to explore issues regarding library self-assessment and provisioning of digital content. Design/methodology/approach – This is not a research paper per se but rather exploratory. The method used was to review the literature on the subject and supply the opinions of the author in relation to the subject. Findings – There is substantial evidence in the literature that libraries are being called upon to substantiate their value within their parent institutions, and that digital content plays an important role in that regard. Practical implications – Libraries need to be engaged in constant and recursive self-assessment, most importantly in the area of the provisioning of digital content. Originality/value – This column synthesizes the issues of library self-assessment and the provision of digital content from several perspectives.

Digital learning object repositories

H. Frank Cervone — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of the issues related to developing a digital repository for learning objects. Given the unique nature of digital learning objects, compared to other types of digital materials, several factors must be considered when establishing a learning object repository. Design/methodology/approach – The conclusions of the paper are drawn from a review of the current state of the learning object repository market. Findings – The issues related to creating digital learning object repositories are, in some cases, significantly different from those in creating “traditional” digital repositories. Staffing, metadata, and use considerations must be carefully considered in this unique environment. Originality/value – This paper fills a gap in the current literature by providing a general overview of the current state of software and related practices in the learning object repository area.

Improving access to digital music through content-based analysis

Juan Pablo Bello, Kent Underwood — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report recent advances on a collaborative project that aims to develop content-based methods for music information retrieval (MIR) as an alternative to standard text-based modes of access to digital music libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes current practices and ongoing research, and it discusses potential applications for future use. Findings – Content-based MIR approaches can extend and enhance the capabilities of traditional text-based discovery and delivery systems and thus support the work of expert users such as musicians and musicologists. Examples of technologies developed in the context of the project include novel methods for automatic chord identification, motif finding, the visualization of musical structure, and retrieval of musical variations using harmonic and structural information. Practical implications – The paper looks at new, non-verbal modes of interaction with digital music archives based on musically substantive features such as chords, motifs, rhythms, etc. By building more sophisticated dimensions of interactivity into a discovery-and-delivery system, these tools could give the end-user a more meaningful and rewarding experience. The tools potentially would be less costly and more scalable than textual annotation and markup, and their applicability extends beyond digital libraries to other music services. Originality/value – This article discusses the advantages and challenges posed by audio-based MIR and shows, via project-specific examples, its relevance to supporting the needs of digital music library users.

Matching music: clustering versus distinguishing records in a large database

Gail Thornburg, W. Michael Oskins — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – Describing musical pieces, whether sound recordings, scores, librettos, videos, has always involved cataloger interpretation and judgment. There is considerable variation in records created for exactly the same item. And there is never “proof” that two records which seem to describe the same item actually do. This paper aims to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes some of the challenges encountered in developing software for matching music records, and some approaches to making the software reliable. Findings – The paper finds that matching can be used successfully to create GLIMIR clusters in the WorldCat database. Work is needed in several areas to complete the implementation, but intermediate results are promising. Originality/value – This implementation will allow end-user applications to collocate resources, to improve discovery and delivery in a complex bibliographic universe

Digital preservation and access strategies for musical heritage: the Swiss RISM experience

Laurent Pugin, Andrew Hankinson, Ichiro Fujinaga — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a new web-based cataloguing system for the global music bibliography project, Répertoire International des Sources Musicales (RISM), and discuss the implications for the manipulation and discovery of musical heritage materials. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is designed to illustrate the workflow and tools used in creating a global musical catalogue, and to present the experiences of the Swiss RISM working group in developing new tools and re-thinking traditional music bibliography tools. Findings – The new tools developed present a further decrease in latency between source cataloguing and availability to users by integrating both the cataloguing and exploration interfaces into a single web application. Research limitations/implications – For music researchers, the opportunity to search and manipulate a global musical source database opens up new possibilities for data-driven computational musicology and analysis. Originality/value – This paper reports preliminary work in musical incipit searching in the Swiss RISM database, as well as the latest developments in integrating digital facsimile images and sound resources.

A machine for browsing: beyond the “single search box”

Toby Burrows — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to discuss the possibility of reviving browsing as an access framework in the midst of the “single search box” phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview of recent trends in the implementation of “single search” products and contrasts this with the emergence of the Linked Open Data framework. Findings – The paper suggests that the Linked Open Data framework will provide an important platform for reviving browsing as an alternative to searching in information systems. Originality/value – The paper aims to stimulate further discussion about the relative importance of browsing and searching, as well as about the implementation of the Linked Open Data framework.

2011 Awards for Excellence

2012-02-10 00:00:00.0