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Building a “Virtual Library Collection” through freely-accessible web sites:

‘Select Web Sites database’ at University of Vermont

Wichada SuKantarat

A presentation at a Poster Session

The 11th OLAC Biennial ConferenceMontreal, Canada

2004

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The recent increase of freely-accessible web sites on the World Wide Web can change the nature of library collections and services. Within this rapidly changing environment, libraries should take advantage of valuable information that is freely available on the Internet. Creating a virtual collection requires a well-planned collaboration of librarians in Cataloging, Collection Development, Reference and Systems. In addition, current collection development policies will need expansion to reflect the nature of a “virtual collection.” A systematic review and maintenance, which includes de-selection of freely-available resources, is also an essential component of this type of collection.It is also useful to consider the cost versus the benefit to a library. What is the relative cost to the libraries to create this virtual collection? And how much would users benefit from bibliographic descriptions of selected web resources? At the University of Vermont, a decision was made to build bibliographic descriptions by adding subject index terms—uncontrolled (Field 653), because it provides more access to these resources. UVM’s experience found that access to these web resources through the existing online catalog was the most efficient delivery method. This poster presentation will share with the audience how the Select Web Sites database at University of Vermont was created. It outlines workflow procedures, the approaches taken to resolve issues and problems, and the benefits to teaching and learning supports in the campus community. Most importantly, it sets as a challenge to other librarians, the creation of “Virtual Library Collections” databases for library users.

Abstract

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Set up Goals• A well-planned collaboration of librarians in Cataloging,

Collection Development, Reference and Systems is necessary. • Current collection development policies will need expansion to

reflect the nature of a “virtual collection.” • Keep Electronic Collection Development Policy: selection and

criteria up-to-date.• Devise a well-organized plan for electronic resources

workflow.• Put in place systematic review and maintenance processes,

which should include de-selection of freely-available resources.

• Arrange support from Library Administration & Systems Dept. • The most viable project will be in support of university

curricula and programs.• Build structures that will ensure a long term on-going

commitment.

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Considerations!• Cost versus the benefit to a library?

• What is the relative cost to the libraries to create this virtual collection?

• How much would users benefit from bibliographic descriptions of selected web resources?

• How to organize /merge freely-accessible web sites into library collection and display in the public?

• Have enough staff to select, de-select, catalog, and maintain the database?

• How well patrons access the virtual collection?

• Get feedback from the public (Faculty, staff and students).

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•Voyager is the database of materials acquired or licensed by the Libraries. We considered creating

either an external Voyager database or a separate database (non-Voyager databasedatabase) to catalog web resources and to manage specialized finding aids.

•We also considered using Z39.50 to present a meta search interface to the public which would include one or more separate databases of web

resources. The databases of web resources could have been maintained locally or they could have been a consortium effort such as OCLC’s CORC

database.

The Decision made at UVM

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OPAC

ArcCat SelectWebSites

VermontNewspapers

Special Collections

catalog

Geology MuseumDigital Archive

VoyagerVoyager

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http://libwebdb.uvm.edu/Select Web Sites database

University of Vermont

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Cataloging Strategy

SEARCHK e yw o rd

(S u b je c t, t it le , e tc .)

MaintenanceU R L s

Access

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High Quality High Quality DatabaseDatabase

Low Low MaintenMainten

anceance

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Cataloging Policy for Freely-accessible web sites

• Create local provisional records when no record found in OCLC

• Provide more access points as needed• Input Field 653 for additional subjects (more

access: subject or keyword search)• Keep URLs up-to-date• Keep subject areas balanced in Virtual database

by assigning a classification scheme in the call number (i.e., Internet (HQ), Internet (HV)).

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Cataloging workflowCataloging workflow

Select(Criteria based on Collection Development Policy)

Check/Verify links

Catalog (download records from OCLC, create local provisional records)

Modify(add more access points, keep subject areas balanced in the Select Web sites database by assigning a classification scheme in the call number (i.e., Internet (HQ))

*Add Field 653(Subject Index Term)

Maintenance(using Linkbot software to generate reports on URL dead links twice a month)

Corrections(changes--title, URL, etc.)

De-select(keep up-to-date)

Add more web sites…

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UVM Libraries Link Reports

Using Linkbot software to generate reports twice a month

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Issues• Time consuming!

• A long-term on-going task!

• Need a strong cooperation and commitment within the library organization to build up a virtual collection.

• A separate database could be hidden on the Library Home Page away from the public.

• Interdisciplinary subject areas!

• Cataloging Home Page and Title Web Page?

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Future• Be able to use Dublin Core metadata instead of MARC

format.

• Be able to display URLs in the OPAC Search Results*

• To share valuable Vermont information/collection (s) in the Select Web Sites database with other libraries.

• Be able to find and gather freely-accessible web sites more effectively.

• To assess use of virtual collection versus main library collection (Online catalog owned materials)

*Exclude multiple holdings, e-journals!

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Canadian web sites

Vermont web sites

ALA/RUSA/MARS—Best of Free Reference Web Sites

Librarian’s Index to the Internet

SOURCES

Requests (from Library faculty & staff)

Currently2,000+web sites

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Wichada SuKantaratwichada.sukantarat@uvm.edu

Authorities, Media & Electronic Resource CoordinatorLibrary Assistant Professor

Bailey/Howe LibraryUniversity of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont 05405