CSU | UIAS | MINUTES OF THE UIAS USER SERVICES TASK FORCE MEETING

MINUTES OF THE UIAS USER SERVICES TASK FORCE MEETING

30-31 July 1998 at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

PRESENT: Paul Adalian, Fred Batt (CSU Sacramento, for Bill Budge),
Barbara Case, Chuck Furnari (Ameritech Project Manager), Donna Elsdon
(UIAS Systems Task Force), Judith Faust, Rod Hersberger, LaVonne Jacobsen,
James Koga, Marvin Pollard, Pat Robles, and Konstantine Kovalenko, (Ameritech Web
Pac Developer)

REVIEW/UPDATES

Since the last meeting, "Authorization & Authentication" services and
broadcasting searching have been implemented. Marvin was asked for a
quick clarification of terms:

UIAS = the entire project
PHAROS = Marketing name for the gateway
WebPAC = Ameritech web catalog underlying the union catalog

Relation of local catalog & Pharos - can search own catalog in Ameritech
WebPAC interface, redirect to one or more other choices.

It is possible to have the holdings display default to show local holdings
first. It may also be possible to have hyperlinks to Pharos from within
each vendor's catalog - needs exploration. Check User Services Documents
page [http://uias.calstate.edu/UserDocs.shtml] for:

WebPAC Demo Page August 3, 1998

Authentication - System creates a cookie when user signs on and
authenticates; lasts a few hours (needn't re-authenticate unless accessing
something that checks faculty/student status, for example). The UIAS
system checks local patron authorization tables
specifying access rules (for ILL requests, database access, faculty
reserve requests forms, etc.). Working at 20 campuses already.

Broadcast Searching is not yet fully exploiting search capabilities.

There was much discussion throughout the 2 days about pros & cons of
broadcast searching. This function is supported by OCLC's FirstSearch
Z39.50 server. Check the User Services Documents page for:
FirstSearch Z39.50 Access Options August 3, 1998
FirstSearch Databases Available from OCLC's Z39.50 Server

August 3, 1998

ILL functions were demonstrated by Marvin. Currently requests need human
mediation; it will be unmediated and will block requests for items owned
locally. When searching in a database, can click to check local holdings
-- does an ISSN search (without user knowledge or action required).

Hyperlinks from 856 MARC field -- comes from the master record. It will
block access if the user is from the wrong campus.

Displays of Results Lists and Bibliographic Records - each campus can
customize the fields displayed, but we are to come up with a baseline
recommendation.

Context sensitive help possible? Yes.

Next target date? Need to present a progress report at the next COLD
meeting at SLO, September 24-25.

TOP LOGO DISCUSSION

Focused on standard content, not artistic design.
Two basic strategies discussed - one frame with standard content
throughout or two frames (approximately 2/3 standard and 1/3 which changes
with context). Note: average 11 MB per frame, affects loading time and
browsers which don't support frames.

Constantine explained that there are three "exits" -- to selection screen,
return to local campus, and new search. (represented on prototype as
DATABASES, EXIT, and SEARCH)

First draft standard content: Overview/About Pharos, and 3 exit choices.
Navigation choices which depend on context (to be further considered): ILL
Office (need clearer language), Help, Information Competence, Ask a
Librarian (connects to url specified by each campus), Close Window
(command to return from a hyperlink).

DATABASES SELECTION SCREEN(S)

This was a lively discussion which I will not attempt to capture. Paul is
working on drafts. In summary (NOT final language):

Discussion also included some thoughts about creating a database of
databases or making use of MARC catalog records to support ability to
search by topic.

========================

Friday began with the group reviewing a packet of information summarizing
the functions, label language, and sample screen designs from a variety of
databases and online catalogs. We used this foundation to discuss pros
and cons of various approaches and determine preferences. Paul Adalian
will coordinate the drafting of sample screens. Details of the
preferences follow after the list of subgroups below.

Subgroups were formed to prepare more detailed outlines: targeting

WEDNESDAY, 26 AUGUST, to send info to Marvin on the first 4 topics. He
will add to UIASUS documents page (just text, not html).

Search Screens Paul, LaVonne
ILL Barbara, Fred
Semantics (label language, etc.) Judith, James
Record Displays LaVonne, Pat
Overview/Site Map/Virtual Tour Barbara, Paul
Information Competence Paul
Flow/process/tree Pat, Judith, LaVonne
Specific Database features
Database Search Engines
Internet Sites
SIMPLE SEARCH Screen
Author Browse, Title Browse, Subject Keyword (searches all but
author fields)

Date Limits with pull down menu choices
Help info re: what each does, examples, default display sort order
Clear search button
ADVANCED SEARCH Screen - what actually appears depends upon the
database(s) being searched to a certain extent
For more info on z39.50 fields, see UIASUS Docs on the web.
Pull-down menus (see Fresno, Madden Library catalog examples)
Limits/Filters (can't sort as yet)
Date, Language, format, limit to fulltext
Help
Clear

Maybe: set # of citations to display per page (PubMed goes up
to 5,000)

Core concept: same simple search screen for all catalogs & databases;
Advanced search filters change with database but have common look.
(must be alert for errors - e.g., limit includes a date that is too
old for a database, may get zero)

Combine Searches (Boolean)

Madden Library (Fresno) & OCLC First Search models cited -
Need to be able to ADD BOXES - (default to two boxes, drop
down menu to choose type of search, choose operator (and,
or, not), field specific searching, language, date,
possibly call numbers and document numbers.

Results Screens

Previous, Next, New Search, # hits
Restatement of search
Marking, e-mail/print/download (not available yet)
Limit/modify/refine search
HELP in context - related to type of search done (as in,
author, title, subject)
Zero results leads to screen which currently says,
"Click on HELP for instructions for finding information
on a topic."

Jump to #

Return to search/new search
May be possible to add intervening page that analyzes search
size & relevancy - perhaps more than X hits brings this
screen. LATER.

"Related Subjects" referral (see Grateful Med) -

Not currently possible (relies on embedded subject
authority references)

After the search sorting is not available
Refine/Modify/??? - or New Search
Citation display on summary results screen
Catalog systems:
title, date, author, call #, url, location, availability

Local configurable except for the Union Catalog

Databases:
standard article citation format: title, source..

Full Record Display
ILL link - add instruction for checking status of request

Help such as: If you want this item,

1. - check local catalog

2. - go to ILL link..

Union Catalog - can set so local holdings show first
or: automatically retrieve local holdings, click to
see additional holdings
Mark: e-mail/print/download
Long View/detailed bibl record in catalogs
Full text in appropriate databases
or...match to core journal collection?

MARC? (some present make it available to patrons, some don't)
Call Number & url links - how prominent?
ILL form: needs more help info, especially advice on checking status of
requests will need subgroup to work on this - check ORBIS, Ohiolink for
examples

Search History screen tied to filtering screen?
not yet available need to add Search History button to appropriate screens

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