Subject Web Page Management without HTML Coding: Two Approaches (p. 4)
LINDA BILLS, RACHEL J. CHENG, and ALAN J. NATHANSON
This article describes two examples using relational databases to streamline the creation and management of active, Web-based subject bibliographies. Before the database approach, library staff expended considerable time and effort compiling subject Web-resource pages to guide users to high-quality resources. The process of producing subject guides was tedious, repetitive, and labor intensive, requiring librarians to become proficient at the intricate task of Web-page creation. Since identical resources, descriptions, and links frequently appear on several different pages, there was considerable duplication of information. Wesleyan University and the Tri-College Consortium each, independently, sought to solve this problem by creating a database of resource information and a process for mapping guide pages. This report compares their different approaches, contrasting in-house versus outsourcing approaches, an independent database versus one built from OPAC, and open source versus proprietary software.
Editor's Note: The full text of this editorial is available at http://www.lita.org/ala/lita/litapublications/ital/2201bills.htm
Linda Bills(lbills@brynmawr.edu) is Special Projects Coordinator for the Tri-College Consortium (Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Swarthmore), Haverford, Pennsylvania. Rachel J. Cheng (rcheng@emich.edu) is University Librarian, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti. Alan J. Nathanson (anathanson@wesleyan.edu) is Bibliographer/Reference Librarian at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.
HERMES: The Hopkins Electronic Resource Management System (p.12)
MARK CYZYK AND NATHAN D.M. ROBERTSON
This article describes a project undertaken by the Johns Hopkins University libraries to develop a systemwide, Web-based application to facilitate the selection, procurement, implementation, and management of electronic resources and their licenses. The authors detail the history of the project, the function of each of its main application modules, and the various security roles required for administration of the application as well as note similar initiatives and other activities within the library profession to streamline and automate the management of electronic resources.
Editor's Note: The full text of this editorial is available at http://www.lita.org/ala/lita/litapublications/ital/2201cyzyk.htm
Mark Cyzyk (mcyzyk@jhu.edu) is the Web Architect at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Nathan D. M. Robertson (nate@jhu.edu) is a Database Analyst/Programmer for the Milton S. Eisenhower Library of the Johns Hopkins University.
The Impact of Information Technology on Job Requirements and Qualifications for Catalogers (p.18)
ZAHIRUDDIN KHURSHID
Information technology (IT) encompassing an integrated library system, computer hardware and software, CD-ROM, Internet, and other domains, including MARC 21 formats, CORC, and metadata standards (Dublin Core, TEI, XML, RDF) has produced far-reaching changes in the job functions of catalogers. Libraries are now coming up with a new set of recruiting requirements for these positions. This paper aims to review job advertisements published in American Libraries (AL) and College and Research Libraries News (C&RL NEWS) to assess the impact of the use of IT in libraries on job requirements and qualifications for catalogers.
Zahiruddin Khurshid(khurshid@kfupm.edu.sa) is Senior Manager, Cataloging Operations Division, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Remote Observation Strategies for Usability Testing (p.22)
SUSAN M. THOMPSON
Observation is the cornerstone of usability testing and an important strategy in evaluating library Web sites. Traditionally, test administrators have directly observed test users as they interact with the Web site interface. Remote observation offers an alternative that may facilitate the testing process and offer additional capabilities. Usability testing during the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Library Web site redesign used a simple remote observation strategy to view the test user's screen on another computer removed from the test location. The library investigated Timbuktu, NetMeeting, and Camtasia as potential software tools to assist in remote observation.
Editor's Note: The full text of this editorial is available at http://www.lita.org/ala/lita/litapublications/ital/2201thompson.htm
Susan M. Thompson(sthompsn@csusm.edu) is Systems Coordinator, California State University San Marcos.
ITAL Vol 22 No 1 March 2003