SFXSFX- Link Resolver- Link Resolver

Niall McSweeneyNiall McSweeney

Monica CrumpMonica Crump

James Hardiman LibraryJames Hardiman LibraryNUI, GalwayNUI, Galway

Background to SFXBackground to SFX ALEPH LibraryALEPH Library Ex Libris productEx Libris product Appointment of E-Resources Co-ordinator Appointment of E-Resources Co-ordinator

- Rónán Kennedy- Rónán Kennedy Training February 2004Training February 2004 Installation, vendors, sources, targets, Installation, vendors, sources, targets,

knowledge base etc.knowledge base etc. SFX/Metalib Advisory CommitteeSFX/Metalib Advisory Committee ““Quietly” live September 2004Quietly” live September 2004 Upgrade early 2005Upgrade early 2005

What is SFX?What is SFX?

““SFX is a context sensitive link SFX is a context sensitive link server from ExLibris that allows server from ExLibris that allows context-sensitive linking between context-sensitive linking between Web resources in the scholarly Web resources in the scholarly linking environment”linking environment” (sfxit.com)(sfxit.com)

From a database citation, it can link directly to the full text From a database citation, it can link directly to the full text of an e-journal article or to the catalogue record of print of an e-journal article or to the catalogue record of print journalsjournals

Uses OpenURL linkingUses OpenURL linking - - the syntax for moving bibliographic data the syntax for moving bibliographic data

between information providers.between information providers.

- no longer need solid links- no longer need solid links

Old LinkingOld Linking

http://publish.stuff.org/abstract/PRA/v63/p062103

(courtesy of Ex Libris)

New LinkingNew Linking

http://sfx.nuigalway.ie/menu?genre=article&issn=1234-5678&volume=12&issue=3&spage=1&epage=8&date=1998&aulast=Murphy&aufirst=Paddy

(courtesy of ExLibris)

How does it work?How does it work?

Sources:Sources: A source is where a user would be A source is where a user would be

starting their search eg a reference or starting their search eg a reference or a citationa citation

Targets:Targets: Targets are items to which the user Targets are items to which the user

wishes to linkwishes to link

ImplicationsImplications

For The Library:For The Library:

StandardisationStandardisationGives us more say, in terms of linking optionsGives us more say, in terms of linking options

StatisticsStatisticsIncreases usage – more value for moneyIncreases usage – more value for money

ImplicationsImplications

For The Library User:For The Library User:

Linking is easier & quickerLinking is easier & quicker Opens doors to new resourcesOpens doors to new resources Intuitive – ‘push the button’Intuitive – ‘push the button’ Relevant options onlyRelevant options only Allows linking to IReL acquisitions without Allows linking to IReL acquisitions without

knowledge of themknowledge of them

A Quick Sample Look…A Quick Sample Look…

A Quick Sample Look…A Quick Sample Look…

A more thorough example

SFX Source SFX Menu

SFX Target

Changes SFX Will BringChanges SFX Will Bring

No more dead linksNo more dead links - ‘Error 404’ means resource was moved- ‘Error 404’ means resource was moved - Because SFX is a dynamic linking environment, - Because SFX is a dynamic linking environment, links are created in real time when requested by a links are created in real time when requested by a useruser

Extra ServicesExtra Services - if full-text is not available electronically the user - if full-text is not available electronically the user can seamlessly check the catalogue for a paper copy can seamlessly check the catalogue for a paper copy or ILLor ILL

E-JournalsE-Journals - SFX can create a customizable alphabetical journal - SFX can create a customizable alphabetical journal title list for the websitetitle list for the website

Other Possible ChangesOther Possible Changes

Makes searching much easier – helps ‘user Makes searching much easier – helps ‘user empowerment’empowerment’

Change our approach to the structure of E-Change our approach to the structure of E-Resources – standardisationResources – standardisation

Website changesWebsite changes

SFX: SFX: Impact on subscription Impact on subscription

managementmanagement

SFX BenefitsSFX Benefits

Increased discoverability of all full-text Increased discoverability of all full-text subscriptions (‘targets’)subscriptions (‘targets’)

Greater user satisfaction with A/I resources Greater user satisfaction with A/I resources (‘sources’)(‘sources’)

Increased usageIncreased usage Maximise value for moneyMaximise value for money

Impact on Subscription DecisionsImpact on Subscription Decisions

Mass cancellation of non-OpenURL Mass cancellation of non-OpenURL compliant resources?compliant resources?

Importance of OpenURL in new Importance of OpenURL in new subscription decisionssubscription decisions

Platform selection – proprietary search Platform selection – proprietary search interfaces no longer so significantinterfaces no longer so significant

SFX: A panacea for our e-sub SFX: A panacea for our e-sub management woes?management woes?

Knowledge base – dynamic, all-knowing, Knowledge base – dynamic, all-knowing, easy to use?easy to use?

No longer a role for cataloguing?No longer a role for cataloguing? Duplication of:Duplication of:

• Record creationRecord creation• Maintenance/alterationMaintenance/alteration

Laborious and error-prone proceduresLaborious and error-prone procedures

MARCit!MARCit!

SFX has a new baby brother called MARCit! SFX has a new baby brother called MARCit! SFX SFX exports full list of journal titles exports full list of journal titles MARCit!MARCit! produces full MARC record produces full MARC record AlephAleph imports the file produced by MARCit! imports the file produced by MARCit! The result: MARC records in the OPAC for The result: MARC records in the OPAC for

all our e-resourcesall our e-resources Source of records = CONSER, excellent Source of records = CONSER, excellent

quality.quality.

IReLIReL

How to provide access quickly to How to provide access quickly to thousands of full text titles?thousands of full text titles?

Individual catalogue records manually Individual catalogue records manually created?created?

SFX has allowed us to immediately SFX has allowed us to immediately make IReL titles discoverablemake IReL titles discoverable

MARCit! may enable us to provide MARCit! may enable us to provide direct title access via the catalogue direct title access via the catalogue quicklyquickly