AARLIN: Seamless Information Delivery to Researchers Doreen Parker – University Librarian Victoria University of Technology Earle Gow –University Librarian La Trobe University
AARLIN Australian Academic Research Library Information Network
AIM To develop a major network infrastructure to support research in Australian Universities
VISION A national virtual research library and information system that will provide from the work stations of research staff and students access to: The collections of Australian libraries Research databases Document delivery services
End user access will be: Immediate Personalised Seamless
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS National Library of Australia 21 of the 38 Australian University Libraries
FUNDING Participant contributions $150,000 Australian Research Council Grant A$250,000 Department of Education, Science and Training $2.8 million
STAGED DEVELOPMENT 1.AARLIN portal prototype development and testing 2.Establishment of an administrative structure 3.A legal framework with agreed performance standards 4.Business plan
PORTAL PILOT PROJECT 2000 – 2001 Based at La Trobe University Steering Committee 6 Participating universities IBM equipment running on Linux Ex Libris Metalib and SFX software
MetaLib as a Gateway to Resources
Resources Library OPAC Special Collection A&I Database e-journal Archive Subject Gateway Newspaper Search Engine
RESEARCH INFORMATION SYSTEMS Australian Digital Thesis Program
VOCED
RESEARCH FINDER
RESEARCH MASTER
PRE–PILOT SURVEY Potential for improving information searching Especially library subscription databases and catalogues Full text desirable Transparency between service providers desirable Interest in use to support teaching as well as research Little interest in e-commerce
POST PILOT SURVEY CONCLUSIONS Information seeking Document Access Processes The Portal enhances researchers
2002 – 2004 Expand hardware, software and authentication system Extend service to all universities Establish operational business model
FURTHER INFORMATION AARLIN Web site