Page History

1/20/2011

Fake project

A sample project description for the purposes of this form.

Nicole Hennig

Enter notes here (optional).

2/22/2011

1. SIMILE Exhibit Timeline

(wufoo #10)

The MIT150 Timeline needs to live on after 2011. The timeline currently uses a vendor service, Dipity. Our contract with the service is scheduled to run out at the end of CY2011. The Dipity software is based on programming created through the SIMILE project. The current timeline content is exportable in XML.

We want to learn to use SIMILE and see this as a good experimentation project. Also, as part of MIT150 activities the Archives have been given historical “timeline” information from the School of Engineering and the Council on Diversity, chronicling their histories. We want to create timelines for that information, as well. It had been an original intent to create the MIT150 Timeline by using the SIMILE Exhibit/Timeline software. But lack of understanding of the software and uncertainty of the deliverables made it more prudent for us to use an established vendor option (which we had reviewed with Nicole Hennig).

Tom Rosko

Nicole to call Tom with questions.

2/23/2011

2. Cataloging and processing of the Industrial Relations pamphlet collection

(wufoo #11)

The project represents completion and extension of a project begun in 2007. It has been on hold for several years.
This collection was developed 1938-1963. It consists of historic and unique materials on labor unions, labor-management relations, human resource management, and other topics related to the world of work. In 2007 the MIT Libraries contracted with AEL Data Co. in Chennai, India, for retrospective conversion of the collection records, using the shelflist. The card catalog is gone and the pamphlet collection is inaccessible until records are processed. There are approximately 27,000 records in this database; they have been added to Barton as suppressed. Approximately 3600 items have so far been barcoded, linked to records, and stored in OCC. This project will have three major facets: to finish linking items to records already in Barton; to apply the same level of cataloging to the remaining titles in the pamphlet collection, process and store them; and to process the intellectual content of the shelflist (original annotations and abstracts have been captured by AEL Data ) as an annotated online bibliography.

Anita Perkins

1.     Who in cataloging is a good person to discuss this proposal with?   Beth.   She was involved from the start.  Or she could recommend someone else.  There have been a few starts and stops on this project due to people leaving and units being reorganized.
2.     Is there someone in house able to scope this proposal out in terms of cost?   One person?  Not sure.   I would think the best bet would be someone familiar with cataloging costs plus someone who knows about staff costs.
3.     Are there other internal or external sources of funding available to fund this project?   Internal:   I don’t know.   External:  to answer that question I would need to try to find an external source.   This would take a lot of time.  The problem is I have this other job…..
4.     Why not digitize this collection?   That’s a possibility.  I don’t feel I have enough knowledge to answer that.  Certainly some of the documents appear to me to valuable historical objects, as tangible items.  Anita is going to talk with someone about digitizing the collection.

Also, Anita thinks it would take her about a month to put a full proposal together.

3/1/2011

3. Add E-books to new book RSS feeds

(wufoo #12)

E-books do not get classified in LC, so they don't show up on our new book RSS feeds. There must be some way of getting them into the feeds are perhaps establishing parallel feeds of new e-books.

Michael Noga

Rich to talk to Michael.

3/10/2011

4. Maps in Barton

(wufoo #13)

The goal of this project is to put more specific location information about items in Barton search results, similar to what O'Neill Library at Boston College (which also uses Aleph) does with Locate It! links in its OPAC: http://arc.bc.edu:8080/FloorMap/explain6b.jpg

Some have suggested that a map system like this for the MIT Libraries would require RFID or other technology to implement. However, part of the solution may already exist in the form of a FileMaker Pro (FMP) database that ID&LA already uses at Barker, Hayden, and Rotch to create consistent aisle tag/stack signs. Among other information, the database includes the library, floor, collection (stacks, reference, browsery, etc.), and start and end call numbers of each stack. The stacks information is quite accurate---minimally a library-wide check of stack signs is done each semester at Barker; during shifting projects or whenever staff or student workers notice a sign is inaccurate, the database is normally updated within a business day, if not immediately.

The Maps in Barton project would use a database similar to the existing FMP database to provide a link to the specific stack location (library, floor, and stack number), as well as a map of the appropriate floor pointing out the stack where the patron can locate an available item at Barker, Dewey, Hayden, Music, and Rotch. For other library locations (including LSA and Archives) and for non-available items (items that are checked out, missing, on order, etc.), instead of displaying shelf location, the link would display information about how the patron can access the material--e.g., placing a hold request, or using alternate services (PDF Article Delivery through WebDocs, BLC, Harvard Reciprocal Borrowing, BorrowDirect).

Roshni Gohil

See attachments
-Roshniresponse
-Ben's stacks maps attachment

3/14/2011

5. Local Document Delivery Service (from campus libraries)

(wufoo #14)

Provide PDF document delivery service from collections in Barker, Dewey, Hayden and Rotch libraries. This service would be based on the model in use at the Library Storage Annex, providing free PDF delivery of article-length documents from print-only collections for MIT faculty, students and staff.

This service could be implemented using technology already in place in the Libraries, routing users from Barton to our ILLiad request system via SFX. This service would require training of IDLA staff in library units in the use of scanning equipment and ILLiad request processing, and may require additional staff hours for request fulfillment. This service would also require purchase of scanning equipment and software for each IDLA service location.

Melissa Feiden

Could Hathi-trust be useful with this proposal? It could be useful for somethings but not everything, since not everything we own is in Hathi-trust.  
Has this issue been previously researched that you know of?  Melissa said she is aware of the previous research done around aspects of this topic as she was a part of some of the endeavors.  I also asked Melissa how long she thought it would take to put a proposal together and she said about a month.

3/14/2011

6. URMS (Universal Request Mgmt. System)

(wufoo #15)

Develop a unified interface for patrons to track all library requests, whether the requests originate from Barton, ILLiad or another request management system. This URMS interface would have links back to the native interface of each request system, so that patrons could return to that interface to place requests, etc.

Several years ago, the Document Delivery Task Force approached this topic, noting that an URMS doesn't have to accomplish all of the request and circulation tasks of the various systems it represents and will not be a single interface that controls request functions. Rather an URMS may be a system that aggregates and displays data related to requests and routes users to appropriate forms and services.

The task force created a mock-up of a potential URMS interface -- see:
<ac:structured-macro ac:name="unmigrated-wiki-markup" ac:schema-version="1" ac:macro-id="8c8a84a366688046-914328bd-4b25467b-aaa0b634-cf394bd0806b8364ede2acd0"><ac:plain-text-body><![CDATA[[http://web.mit.edu/feiden/www/index.html
]]></ac:plain-text-body></ac:structured-macro>
]
The "home" page of this mock-up shows an account that lists a variety of requests -- ILB articles, Barton book loans, even Ask Us! requests -- in a single user interface. We can now imagine new sections in this mock-up for WorldCat BLC borrowing, Borrow Direct and more.

This task force report also noted: As an example, North Carolina State University (NCSU) brands its ILL/DocDelivery/Storage services under a single banner: “TripSaver.” A user who is looking at their account in NCSU’s library system sees a combination of their requests (ILLiad requests for books, articles), satellite shelving (ILS requests) and distance learning requests (ILLiad requests), as well as local circulation transactions (ILS requests). This is accomplished through scripting behind the scenes that pulls ILLiad data into the NCSU integrated library system, and routes users back to their ILLiad account to make adjustments to these requests as needed.

Melissa Feiden

Nicole to talk with Melissa for more info.

3/30/2011

7. More Transparent Shelf-End Labels

(wufoo #16)

I propose that we add labels to the end of our shelves that, in addition to specifying the LC Call number range contained in the shelves, include information about which subjects those LC Call numbers cover. We could simply take the information from the LC Classification Taxonomies and match it to the call numbers on the shelf, thereby allowing our patrons a bit more browsing ability in the stacks.

Margaret H. Willison

3/30/2011

8. Vending Machines for USB drives and other patron needs, including candy

(wufoo #17)

Description: Selling our USB drives through vending machines, along with candy and other small, technological accessories our users might need for their studies. Such additional accessories are to be determined.

Jim Eggleston

3/31/2011

9. Remote book drop expansion

(wufoo #18)

The Stata book drop is a successful expansion of a remote book drop location outside of any MIT library area. In light of this popular program, we suggest expanding book drop locations to include W20, the Student Center and possibly other places where students are.
A suggested book drop location would be to the left of the two computers on the first floor of the Student Center, located behind the stairs and near the telephone booth and entrance to the MIT COOP. I believe there's enough space for it. Book drop construction should be similar to Stata. This should be clearly marked as an MIT Libraries book return. Offering countertop space adjacent to the computers would be an extra benefit. Perhaps a sign advertising this book drop could be posted somewhere prominent, as well as a directory listing.

Just as delivery services picks up books from Stata M - F, and Hayden Access Services does this on weekends, we envision delivery services driving their van to the Student Center M - F, so they'd need approval to drive the van up the walk across from 77 Mass. Ave. like campus police, construction, and Facilities folks do. We suggest the library closest to the new book drop location would be the best staff to manage this on weekends when delivery services is not working. Staff at that library would need one of those gray covers to be kept behind their desk so that during inclement weather, they could cover a mail bin when picking up any returns. At Stata, library staff have the option to walk outside or take the tunnels if it's raining or snowing. Because the Student Center location requires walking outside, perhaps there could be a posted delay of pickup for items during inclement weather, but staff could backdate returns to the inclement weather day.

We'd need to get permission by Facilities or someone in the Student Center to construct the book drop. If the lock could be keyed alike to the lock for the Stata book drop, this would greatly facilitate managing remote book drops since delivery services would only need one key.

If another campus expansion location is identified for a remote book return, I still recommend the Student Center location since students frequent this location for relaxation, food and study options. When the Student Center is closed, our book return would not be available for pickup or drop off.

Joe Hankins

4/4/2011

10. Search/Request Webpage

(wufoo #19)

It would great to have one page on our website where users can go to see all of the different options we have for searching and requesting items. Right now they seem to be scattered about and as we add on more services like BLC Worldcat and BorrowDirect, it would be great to lay them all out in one place. Each method would need to have a brief description for it's appropriate use to guide the user. This project would cross the lines of UX, IDLA and perhaps CSM.

Another suggestion as part of this project would be to add links to this new page to Barton or other resources when a user's search returns no results. I found recently when I initiated a search and found no results in Barton that it would have been convenient to have a link to a search/request page with a message like "If you received no results in Barton, try searching via these other options......"

Jenn Morris