[Web4lib] Creating Library Toolbars

[Fred Edwards]

About a year ago I was asked to create a customized toolbar for our library
patrons.

However, with the ability to add custom searches to Google Toolbar and
IE7/Firefox's embedded search boxes I managed to convince the staff that it
would be vastly preferable to utilize what was already there instead of
creating something else.

Well, actually I would have had to build two or more toolbars if we had
wanted to provide the same service to patrons using different browsers; IE7,
IE6, Netscape, Firefox/Mozilla, Opera, Safari, etc etc etc.

A tired programming cliche comes quickly to mind: "Why reinvent the wheel?"

I could easily create searches for our catalogue (Ex Libris' Aleph) and a
majority of our online database resources, as well as offer searches that
could be used off-campus utilizing Ezproxy. If you have a federated search
service then more complex searches can be done across several resources
depending on your tool.

I created multiple OpenSearch plugins for IE7/Firefox and the same for
Google Toolbar, then made these downloadable from our website. Users can
download which search plugins they wish and no more.

If simple searches are the goal I would highly recommend just utilizing what
is ubiquitously available to users instead of requiring them to install yet
another add-on that eats up more valuable viewing room.

anyway, just a suggestion.  :-)


-- 

Fred Edwards

Systems Technician
Patrick Power Library
Saint Mary's University
Halifax, Nova Scotia    B3H 3C3

Phone:     (902) 420-5096
Fax:       (902) 420-5561
E-mail:    Fred.Edwards at smu.ca
Website:   http://www.smu.ca/library/

--


On 5/23/07, Junus, Ranti <junus at mail.lib.msu.edu> wrote:
>
> We offer both LibX (still in test mode) and Conduit toolbars to our
> users.  The nice thing about Conduit is, each Bibliographer or library
> staff could create their own sets of resources.  It also allows you to
> create a set of destinations (path finders/research help, etc.) which
> essentially is similar like your browser's bookmarks.
>
> LibX strengths lie in its ability to incorporate your ezproxy, openURL
> resolver, and check resources against your catalog.  It also integrates
> nicely with Google Scholar, which is a plus for us because we have our
> holdings indexed for Google Scholar.
>
> I personally prefer LibX, however I actually ended up using both
> toolbars for my Firefox.  Combined with Web Developer
> (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/60) and Accessibility
> toolbar from the University of Illinois (http://firefox.cita.uiuc.edu/),
> about 1/3 of my screen is now filled with toolbars. :-D
>
>
> ranti.
>
> --
> Ranti Junus, Web Services - Electronic Resources
> Michigan State University Libraries
> East Lansing, MI 48824
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> > [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Leslie Johnston
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 11:07 AM
> > To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> > Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Creating Library Toolbars
> >
> > If you're interested in a toolbar to search your catalog, I
> > strongly suggest LibX.  LibX was developed at Virginia Tech
> > as a Firefox extension <http://www.libx.org/> -- a toolbar
> > that Firefox users can install that searches a library opac.
> >
> > We were able to get up and going with a test in practically
> > no time, once we compiled the required data for configuration.
> >
> > I've heard through the grapevine that there are plans for an
> > IE toolbar, but I don't have any confirmation or details.
> >
> > Leslie
> >
> > At 05:12 PM 5/22/2007, Julia Todd wrote:
> > >Hello.
> > >
> > >
> > >I've been unsuccessful in creating a customized toolbar on
> > firefox and
> > >IE. Two training sources I've experimented with include
> > >http://www.borngeek.com/firefox/toolbar-tutorial/ and
> > besttoolbars.net,
> > >both were suggested at an ACRL session.  Both seem to be
> > fine sources,
> > >however, I wondered if there were tutorials or products
> > geared toward
> > >the novice user.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Thank you for your time.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Julia
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Julia L. Todd
> > >Electronic Services Librarian
> > >Baker University
> > >P.O. Box 65
> > >Baldwin City, KS 66006
> > >julia.todd at bakeru.edu
> > >785-594-8389
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >Web4lib mailing list
> > >Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > >http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> > ------------
> > Leslie Johnston
> > Head, Digital Access Services
> > University of Virginia Library
> > http://lib.virginia.edu/digital/
> > http://lib.virginia.edu/digital/das/
> > johnston at virginia.edu
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web4lib mailing list
> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>



-- 

Fred Edwards

Systems Technician
Patrick Power Library
Saint Mary's University
Halifax, Nova Scotia    B3H 3C3

Phone:     (902) 420-5096
Fax:       (902) 420-5561
E-mail:    Fred.Edwards at smu.ca
Website:   http://www.smu.ca/library/

--