1. Library Automation and Digital Libraries Class #5 LBSC 690 Information Technology

2. Agenda Questions System Analysis Library automation –What do libraries do? –How can computers be used? –What issues arise?

3. Applying Technology to Large Problems System analysis –How do we know what we need? User-centered design –How do we discern and satisfy user needs? Implementation –How do we build it? Management –How do organizations use technology?

4. Systems Analysis First steps: –Understand the task Limitations of existing approaches –Understand the environment Structure of the industry Then identify the information flows –e.g., Serials use impacts cancellation policy Only then can you design a solution

5. Library Activities What do libraries do? –Which of those things benefit from automation?

6. Library Activities Collection statistics Acquisition –Including serials Cataloging Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) Circulation Reserve, recall, fines, interlibrary loan, reference, weeding, budget, etc. Preservation

7. Analyze the Information Flows Where does information originate? –Might come from multiple sources –Feedback loops may have no identifiable source Which parts should be automated? –Some things are easier to do without computers Which automated parts should be integrated? What other systems are involved? –And what information do they contain?

8. User-Centered Design Start with user needs –Who are the present and future users? –How can you understand their needs? Evaluate available technology –Off-the-shelf solutions –Custom-developed applications Implement something Evaluate it with real users

9. Implementation Requirements Availability –Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) –Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) Capacity –Number of users for each application –Response time Flexibility –Upgrade path

10. System Architecture Batch processing –Save it up and do it all at once Useful for recall notices, management reports,... Timesharing –Everyone uses the same machine Simple but expensive design, limited upgrade path Client-Server Peer to peer

11. Client-Server Systems Divide the workload –Between client and server –Across several servers Several advantages –Easier upgrade path More machines, different division of work –Higher availability Put the same data on several servers Examples: Z39.50, the Web

12. Peer-To-Peer Networks Every machine can be a client or a server Goal: Use available CPU cycles anywhere –Requires a network and a coordination strategy Challenging in a heterogeneous environment –A common “reference architecture” is needed –Java is a step in that direction Centralized data management still common –Simplifies coordination

13. Management Issues Retrospective conversion –Even converting electronic information is expensive Management information –Peak capacity evaluation, audit trails, etc. –Sometimes costs more to collect than it is worth! Staff training End user training Privacy

14. Library Automation Summary Systems analysis –Required for complex multi-person tasks User-centered design –Based on user needs assessment Implementation –Client-server systems are the present trend Management –An essential link in the chain

15. Digital Libraries A library with digital devices? –OPACs, CDROMs, online search services,... A library with digital content? –Programs, data files, digitized media,... Digital content organized like a library? –Collection policy, cataloging, access, preservation Something we can’t quite express? –What happens when content meets network... –Traditional library as a metaphor

16. Characteristics of Digital Objects Perfect reproduction –Copies are as good as the original Inexpensive and rapid distribution –Anywhere on the planet Compact storage –Measured in rooms, not buildings Easily searched –With retrieval and browsing strategies

17. Problems with Digital Media Display technology is generally inadequate –Many tasks are easier on paper than on a screen Acquisition and cataloging costs are inverted –Cataloging can dominate the life cycle cost! Some traditional cues are missing –Shiny new book vs dog-eared pages,...

18. Access to Digital Materials End user searching –Retrieval and browsing Expert human intermediation –Reference service, information brokering Emergent behavior –Recommender systems

19. The Research Agenda Create the technology –NSF Digital Library Initiative I Digitize the content –NDL, NAIL, BLS, performing arts library,... Develop the process –NSF Digital Library Initiative II Build the systems –Industry