[Web4lib] Interesting article about the future of thelibrarycatalog

[Roy Tennant]

I basically suggested exactly this several years ago in these Library
Journal Columns:

Library Catalogs: the Wrong Solution
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA273959.html
"Most integrated library systems, as they are currently configured and used,
should be removed from public view."

The Right Solution: Federated Search Tools
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA302427.html

Roy


On 1/16/07 1:30 PM, "Pons, Lisa (ponslm)" <PONSLM at UCMAIL.UC.EDU> wrote:

> I think Larry is on not only the right track, but the more feasible
> track.
> 
> Waiting for catalog vendors to update a huge text file of a database of
> holdings so that it works like a relational database is a losing
> approach, IMHO. 
> 
> One model that could be applied is for catalogs to be used as Larry
> described for "...  a reasonably comprehensive
> database for the description, location, and circulation status of our
> *physical* resources?" I would add that the direct catalog interface
> should only be available to staff for maintenance of the physical
> resources, circulation, etc...
> 
> In addition, we would have databases (locally or hosted) for electronic
> journals, digital collections, and more...
> 
> Our patron interfaces would be designed to interact with our various
> source servers on the back end, but present a clear and consistent
> presentation to users.
> 
> I still think Amazon.com is a model for libraries. A model that perhaps
> should not be copied identically, but the basic interaction, that I can
> simply search (in one box, or using advanced) for an item, and get
> results returned based on ratings. Or, I can change the way those
> results are displayed. Additionally, I can limit my results if I am only
> looking for DVD's etc... Or, I could decide to ONLY search for DVD's....
> 
> I would be interested to hear from others why this approach wouldn't
> work for libraries.
> 
> Lisa Pons-Haitz
> Webmaster
> University Libraries
> University of Cincinnati
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
>> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Larry Campbell
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 4:07 PM
>> To: Lin Light
>> Cc: lita-l at ala.org; web4lib at webjunction.org
>> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Interesting article about the future
>> of thelibrarycatalog
>> 
>> 
>> And/or, what if we didn't try to use a single database for
>> all of our information resources (which the catalog hasn't
>> been, isn't, and can't be anyway), but instead aimed for a
>> more flexible interface to unify user access to a variety of
>> resources -- reserving the catalog proper for what it was
>> originally designed to be: a reasonably comprehensive
>> database for the description, location, and circulation status of our
>> *physical* resources?
>> 
>> Larry Campbell
>>> 
>>> -snip
>>> 
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