CDLINFO Newsletter, May 25, 2006, Vol. 9, No. 9
CONTENTS
- CopyrightMD
- Updated CDL Technical Requirements for Vendors
- UC Libraries Presentation at Board of Regents Meeting
- Metasearch Infrastructure Project Reaches Key Milestone
- For More Information
- News and Publications
- Contacts for Questions or Problems
- About CDLINFO
1. CopyrightMD
The California Digital Library is making available the first draft of its XML schema for copyright metadata, CopyrightMD. This schema grew out of work at the CDL to address the integration of rights information into the digital library workflow. During the course of this work the CDL identified a minimum set of data elements needed to support current and future assessments of the copyright status of a work. These data elements have been expressed in a simple prototype XML schema (copyrightMD.xsd), which can be found with documentation and examples at: http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/rights/schema/
Although this schema was developed for the University of California's digital library, we recognize that it may be of use to other members of the digital library community. The CDL invites members of that community, and any other cultural heritage organizations that are working with digital resources, to comment on the schema design, the data elements, and any other aspects of this work. The web page contains an email address for those comments. We consider this to be the "proof of concept" stage and are interested in collaborating on further enhancements with other interested projects and organizations.
CopyrightMD is one outcome of the efforts of CDL’s Rights Management Group and its advisory group, the Data Elements Working Group. More information on the CDL Rights Framework project is available at: http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/rights/
2. Updated CDL Technical Requirements for Vendors
The CDL's technical requirements for database and ejournal vendors were updated in April 2006. These documents reflect new or revised sections on information security, preservation, metasearch, and authentication via Shibboleth. They are intended to be shared with database and ejournal vendors, with campus staff who work with these vendors, and with those interested in documents that address "the major technical issues of [UC's] decision-making process, and offer vendors insight into our preferred solutions, why they're important to UC, and what their implications are for prospective vendors." These documents can be shared with vendors at professional conferences this spring and summer, and beyond.
The CDL's Resource Liaisons have contributed greatly to UC's continued success in setting high standards for services from our database and ejournal vendors. The Resource Liaisons will continue to use these requirements when working with our vendors.
The technical requirements documents are available on CDL's Vendor and Content provider page under Technical Guidelines: http://www.cdlib.org/vendors/
3. UC Libraries Presentation at Board of Regents Meeting
On Thursday, May 18, Dan Greenstein, Associate Vice Provost and University Librarian for the CDL, gave a presentation at the UC Board of Regents meeting about the accomplishments the UC libraries and their staffs have achieved through innovation and collaboration.
Examples of the innovative programs that have helped UC avoid costs while providing better access to growing amounts of information include: the shared digital collection, one of the largest in the world; the digital preservation repository, one of the nation’s first; and the eScholarship Repository, which has had more than 3 million downloads of reports, working papers, and articles authored by UC faculty.
See the press release: http://www.universityofCalifornia.edu/news/2006/may18.html
UC libraries fact sheet: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/factsheets/libraries.pdf
4. Metasearch Infrastructure Project Reaches Key Milestone
A milestone in creating a UC campus configurable metasearch tool has been reached: an alpha, or very first testing stage, version of UC’s “Find It” metasearch tool was unveiled and reviewed by two groups of UC librarians on May 4 at the CDL. Since it is an alpha prototype, this version of metasearch does not yet include all the features that will eventually be in place for the campuses, and glitches are still being fixed. It is important for the metasearch team to receive input from actual users while the tool is still in its formative stages. An advisory group of campus librarians has also advised the metasearch team on the creation of this first prototype.
The first version of this tool is aimed at those seeking information in the Earth Sciences because the CDL received funding from the National Science Digital Library (NSDL). The goal was to create a tool that searches licensed databases, including journals and reference works such as online encyclopedias, as well as metadata harvested from NSDL describing useful scientific resources on the web. Other features include automatic main page updates via an RSS feed and the opportunity to browse earth sciences journals. NSDL’s funding has supported the development of this infrastructure. The alpha portal is branded with UCLA’s look and feel as an example, and to support usability testing at UCLA on May 23 and 24.
Based on the usability findings, as well as feedback from the advisory group and others, the prototype and the infrastructure upon which it is based will be further refined. The next prototype, created in partnership with UCLA, is on the subject of European Studies. The infrastructure will likely be further refined and made easier to deploy based on that experience. Plans are also underway for a version of the tool aimed at novice users beginning their research, dubbed “Smart Start.”
Based on our experience working with early adopters at selected campuses, we will plan a UC-wide deployment of these tools, including documentation and training. Campuses will be in charge of when and how to use these tools to create tailored search portals for their clientele. For more information, see the Metasearch Infrastructure web site at: http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/metasearch/
5. For More Information
a. News and Publications
News and events, press releases, reports and guidelines, and articles published by CDL staff are posted on the CDL web site. Please share news of this resource with your colleagues!
In addition, status information about CDL resources, reports, and working documents of particular interest to library staff are available on the Inside CDL web site.
b. Contacts for Questions or Problems
If you have problems accessing CDL resources or have questions, including questions about the status of electronic journal collections and Internet resources, contact the CDL:- For immediate assistance, call the CDL Helpline at 510-987-0555. Callers with TDD equipment, please call 1-800-735-2929 in California for the telephone relay operator.
- Or, send an email to cdl@www.cdlib.org.
For information about whether your UC campus has access to a particular electronic journal or Internet resource, contact your local collection development officer.
c. About CDLINFO
CDLINFO informs UC librarians and the UC community about the progress of the CDL, policy issues under discussion, and newly available electronic resources. Please share selected information from this newsletter with faculty, staff, and students on the campuses.
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