Home 2004 Annual Conference Minutes

Human/Machine Interface Interest Group
2004 Annual Conference Minutes
Orlando, Florida

1. Pre-conference
Review of pre-conference; discussion of how to disseminate information
about best pactices; consider use of blog with weekly digest of blog
additions to LITA-L

2. LITA businessGrow with LITA; discussion of posting minutes to HMI IG web page.

3. Round robin discussion

  Release of MetaLib v. 3, new library web interface, related
search boxes on search results page.  Planning next-generation multimedia
lab and looking for innovative ideas. Noted increase in patron use of
portables such as laptops and keychain drives. How to handle the
disconnect between parties researching and implementing web redesign and
upper administration. Using follow-up from LibQUAL to focus on improving
presentation of e-resources and OPAC. Looking at OPAC transaction logs.
Successful soft launch of SFX and subsequent data gathering reveals that
top method of e-journal access was via the OPAC. Looking at 3rd party tool
for integrating course management and library resources (Sentient Learning).
Interested in how much development is spent collectively on applying the
same best practices.  Developing tools that sit between vendor application
and institution for streamlining the development of user interfaces. Use of
the OPAC as a learning experience. Implementation of in-house developed,
college-wide content management system; lack of library consultation makes
it somewhat difficult for the library to fit into. Migrating to new ILS
while trying to maintain similar front end. Thinking about how learning
occurs and the representation of information to promote learning; using
the collection as a learning object. Interoperability. Home-grown
publication management system; updating search results to display other
related resources. Participating in national effort for coordinated
e-extension. Different interfaces for internal vs. external users.

4.  Possible future activities.

       Presentation or pre-conference on integrating the library into
instruction; CMS integration. Managed discussion on clearinghouse / shared
knowledgebase of usability results.      

Managed discussion on interoperability.

Managed discussion on the possibilities for deriving standards
for user interface design; how to present an interface that allows the
user to grasp it quickly while indicating advanced functionality