Introduction

Citation

Lee Eden, B. (2009), "Introduction", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 27 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/lht.2009.23827aaa.001

Introduction

Article Type: Introduction From: Library Hi Tech, Volume 27, Issue 1

This special issue of Library Hi Tech focuses on next-generation OPACs in libraries. There have been concerted efforts by many libraries to try to reinvent or retool their clunky vendor OPACs with Web 2.0 technologies, either through new-look front-end applications, back-end softwares that integrate functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR)-like functionality, or through integration of social networking tools that users are already familiar with on the Internet. These next-generation OPAC solutions incorporate both proprietary and open-source softwares, and usually build on the structured metadata already contained in the OPAC to generate more browsing options, more social networking options, and more Web 2.0 tools such as 2D and 3D information visualization. Some libraries have incorporated new open-source and freely-available OPACs for their users such as LibraryThing, or implemented programming scripts and query redesigns to make access and searching their OPACs much simpler and easier for their users. These 12 articles are but a sample of these experiments and endeavors.

One of the most interesting open source discovery tools currently available is VuFind, developed at Villanova University. John Houser’s article describes the implementation of VuFind at Villanova, and how important the support of upper library administration was to its success and development. Birong Ho, Keith Kelley and Scott Garrison at Western Michigan University examine how VuFind was implemented in the WMU Libraries, along with their experience of providing an alternative catalog interface using open source software. Elizabeth Sadler’s article on Project Blacklight at the University of Virginia is another example of an open source OPAC technology using Web 2.0 features, which in some ways helped in the development of the VuFind software. Moving to Web 2.0 features, Tom Steele’s article discusses the social phenomenon known as tagging or folksonomy, with some examination of LibraryThing and the University of Pennsylvania’s PennTags. Luiz H. Mendes, Jennie Quiñonez-Skinner and Danilelle Skaggs also examine social tagging in relation to the implementation of LibraryThing for Libraries (LTFL) in an academic library, and how analysis of data usage has assisted the California State University, Northridge’s Oviatt Library in the use and consideration of this phenomenon in their OPAC. The implementation of LTFL at the Libraries of Claremont Colleges is then described by Jezmynne Westcott, Alexandra Chappell and Candace Lebel.

Some articles on international experiments with next-generation OPACs are provided as well. The implementation of a next-generation OPAC called TALISPlus by the State Library of Tasmania is provided by Carmel Denholm, Leto Kauler, Jan Lavelle and Lloyd Sokvitne. Roxanne Missingham, Rina Brettell, Shirley White and Sarah Miskin discuss their data and user analysis in developing a new search system called ParlInfo that launched in September 2008 for the Australian Parliament, and Alejandro Garza describes the implementation of Drupal and other user tools with their OPAC at the Tecnologico de Monterrey Library in Mexico. A little closer to home, a team of librarians and technologists discuss their creation and implementation of next-generation tools and services for the users of the Houston Academy of Medicine, Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library. Finally, this special issue ends with two articles that are more systems-oriented in their description and application. Larry E. Dixson from the Library of Congress (LC) describes functionality improvements to the LC Z39.50 server by the installation of the YAZ Proxy, which filters and solves problematic Z39.50 requests and supports retrieval of XML records, and has resulted in dramatic system performance improvements. Michalis Sfakakis and Sarantos Kapidakis provide a detailed explanation of how semantic-based query rewritings and FRBR work entities composition could solve existing problems and improve the overall behavior of a mediated-based meta-search environment. They also discuss a number of open-source tools such as meta-Composer, the Semantic Access Point Network (SAPN) technology, and pazpar.

Another special issue on this topic is currently being planned. If you are implementing or experimenting in any way with next-generation OPACs, please contact the Library Hi Tech editorial staff regarding your participation on a similar publication of this type in the future.

(Received 5 December 2008)

Bradford Lee EdenTheme Editor

Editor’s note

For space reasons the last four articles in this theme issue (Garza, James, Dixson and Sfakakis) will appear in the next issue of Library Hi Tech.