Minutes: SFX-Verde Group : MIT Libraries

6/6/2005

SFX/Verde Task Force meeting Monday June 6th, 2005 9:45-11:45


Attendees: Ellen Duranceau (co-chair), Nicole Hennig (co-chair), Jennifer Edwards, Tracy Gabridge, Kim Maxwell, Graham Howard (minutes)

Conference call with Ex Libris
From 9:45-10:30 Ellen and Nicole had a telephone conference call with the Israel and Boston offices of Ex Libris including Tami from Israel, and Ted Kopple Koppel in the Boston office to discuss URL management with regard to Verde and SFX, in an environment that would include Verde, Metalib, Barton, and SFX, but not Vera. One particular point covered was the need to have Verde license fields used in a rules based system that would determine what URL is used in which case. For example, a proxied URL would be presented for users coming from off-campus, if the license allows off-campus use.

Proposal to group: interim report for Sept 1
Ellen and Nicole suggested we submit an interim report about Verde testing on September 1st, rather than a final report, as was originally discussed in the group's charge. This would be an opportunity to communicate our progress so far, would give us a chance to review our direction with library leadership, and would enable us to explain and justify our need to continue work into the fall, primarily to carry out e-journal usability testing on three different platforms and to carry out more detailed and thorough Verde testing. Jennifer will be away for three months beginning in from September so there would be two months to write the report. Graham is leaving in July.

Feedback to Ex Libris about where icons for Verde data should show in Metalib, SFX, Barton etc.
The group discussed what information we would like to users about our resources (such as the broken icon, number of simultaneous users, and browser requirements) and which pieces of data we would want to show on which screens in Barton, Metalib, SFX A-Z list, and the SFX menu. Ellen will draft a summary of the discussion for Ex Libris to be reviewed at the next meeting.

Google Scholar report back
A service allowing direct access to fulltext when MIT has fulltext available holdings when they exist should be alive any day now. MIT will have a different link depending on whether MIT has full text. If there is full text, the link will say, Full text MIT Libraries. If there is no fulltext, the SFX menu of services will appear. MIT can withdraw from the pilot at any time but for the moment is staying with it. We will be testing over the next few weeks.

Agenda items for next meeting
Think about what would be needed in an Interim report; for example, what would stop us implementing Verde, both public and back room - what are the trade offs?