From Topic to Text:

The Evolution of reSearcher,An Integrated Open Source Software Project

Kevin Stranack, Consortial Support Librariankstranac@sfu.caCouncil of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries

Outline What is reSearcher? Where Did It Come From? Federated Searching Serials Management Link Resolving Bibliographic Management Why Open Source? Future Directions Further Information

What is reSearcher?

Integrated, open source software suite Designed to ease resource discovery,

access, and management Used throughout Western Canada Funded by COPPUL and SFU Development team located at SFU Participation from many COPPUL

libraries

Where Did It Come From?

Originally developed at SFU (OJAC) Adopted by COPPUL Became “reSearcher”

GODOT Citation Manager dbWiz CUFTS

Federated Searching: dbWiz

Lead Developer: Calvin Mah, SFU One source searches multiple targets Developed for COPPUL as a prototype Currently funded by nine COPPUL

members and ELN Expected release: Summer 2005

dbWiz: What can it search?

Library catalogues Subscription databases Free web-based databases Selected web sites Internet search engines Institutional repositories

dbWiz: Why use it?

Convenient Easy to use Customizable Ability to create subject specific

categories

dbWiz: Screenshots

http://www.theresearcher.ca/dbWiz2/dbWizPrototypePage1.html

Serials Management: CUFTS

Lead Developer: Todd Holbrook, SFU Serials knowledge base 245+ collections Aggregators Electronic publishers Association publishers Open access content

CUFTS: Why use it?

Single source of serials information Centrally updated Static A-Z lists Dynamic serials database MARC records Collection comparison reports Full-text link resolving

CUFTS: Demonstration Knowledge base

http://lib-cufts.lib.sfu.ca/CUFTS/maint.cgi Public CUFTS site

http://cufts.lib.sfu.ca/ A-Z list (Winter 2005)

Prototype In development

Serials database (Spring 2005) Prototype

Link Resolving: GODOT

Lead Developer: Kristina Long, SFU Places a link in your online databases Searches local and remote catalogues Works with CUFTS for full-text linking Interoperates with many ILS and ILL

systems 1999 CACUL Innovation Achievement

Award winner

GODOT: Why use it? OpenURL version 0.1 compliant Works with all major sources Facilitates resource sharing and

cooperation Maximizes use of often hidden resources Recently redesigned Highly customizable user interface Convenient and easy to use

GODOT: Demonstration

CSA user interface

GODOT: More Sources - EBSCO

GODOT: More Sources - ISI

GODOT: More Sources - WebSPIRS

GODOT: More Sites

University of Winnipeg Concordia University College Brandon University

GODOT: Demonstration

Administrative interface

Bibliographic Management: Citation Manager

Lead Developer: Todd Holbrook, SFU Web-based database of citations Personal or group use Imported from GODOT Imported from external list or directly 2003 CACUL Innovation Achievement

Award winner

Citation Manager: Why Use it?

Easy to use Securely store, organize, share Accessible from anywhere Exports to commercial products Available to alumni

Citation Manager: Demo

Simon Fraser University Centre for Dialogue

Why Open Source?

Stable Lower costs Facilitates collaborative development Allows for community input and

decision-making Contributes to the wider library

community

Future Directions

Creating a long-term open source business model

Increased promotion/marketing Encourage participation from wider

open source community Adding functionality Expanding resources searched

Further Information

Kevin Stranack: Consortial Support Librarian

604.291.3037 kstranac@sfu.ca http://www.theresearcher.ca