ILS Vendor LandscapeILS Vendor Landscape

Companies and ProductsCompanies and Products

Library and Archives Canada

December 7, 2007

Marshall BreedingMarshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technologies and ResearchDirector for Innovative Technologies and ResearchVanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt Universityhttp://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breedinghttp://www.librarytechnology.org/

Business TrendsBusiness Trends

A look at the companies involved in library A look at the companies involved in library automation and related technologiesautomation and related technologies

Business LandscapeBusiness Landscape

Library Journal Automated System Marketplace:Library Journal Automated System Marketplace: An Industry redefined (April 1, 2007)An Industry redefined (April 1, 2007)

An increasingly consolidated industryAn increasingly consolidated industry VC and Private Equity playing a stronger role then ever VC and Private Equity playing a stronger role then ever

beforebefore Moving out of a previous phase of fragmentation where Moving out of a previous phase of fragmentation where

many companies expend energies producing many companies expend energies producing decreasingly differentiated systems in a limited decreasingly differentiated systems in a limited marketplacemarketplace

Narrowing of product options Narrowing of product options Open Source opportunities rise to challenge stranglehold Open Source opportunities rise to challenge stranglehold

of traditional commercial modelof traditional commercial model

Other Business FactorsOther Business Factors

Level of innovation falls below Level of innovation falls below expectationsexpectations

Companies struggle to keep up with ILS Companies struggle to keep up with ILS enhancements and R&D for new enhancements and R&D for new innovations.innovations.

Pressure within companies to reduce Pressure within companies to reduce costs, increase revenue costs, increase revenue

Pressure from libraries for more Pressure from libraries for more innovative productsinnovative products

Library Automation M&A Library Automation M&A HistoryHistory

Why worry about who owns the Why worry about who owns the Industry?Industry?

Some of the most important decisions that Some of the most important decisions that affect the options available to libraries are affect the options available to libraries are made in the corporate board room.made in the corporate board room.

Increased control by financial interests of Increased control by financial interests of private equity and venture capital firmsprivate equity and venture capital firms

Recent industry events driven by external Recent industry events driven by external corporate decisions; corporate decisions;

Market success and technological advantages Market success and technological advantages don’t necessarily drive business decisionsdon’t necessarily drive business decisions

Investor owned Investor owned companiescompanies

SirsiDynix -> Vista Equity Partners (Recently SirsiDynix -> Vista Equity Partners (Recently bought out Seaport Capital + Hicks Muse/HM bought out Seaport Capital + Hicks Muse/HM Capital)Capital)

Ex Libris -> Francisco Partners (recently Ex Libris -> Francisco Partners (recently bought out VC’s)bought out VC’s)

Endeavor -> Francisco Partners (recently Endeavor -> Francisco Partners (recently bought out Elsevier)bought out Elsevier)

Infor (was Extensity, was Geac) -> Golden Infor (was Extensity, was Geac) -> Golden GateGate

Polaris -> Croydon CompanyPolaris -> Croydon Company formerly part of Gaylord Bros (acquired by Demco)formerly part of Gaylord Bros (acquired by Demco)

Public companies: Public companies:

Auto-GraphicsAuto-Graphics De-listed from SEC reporting requirementsDe-listed from SEC reporting requirements Was OTC:AUGR now Pink Sheets:AUGR Was OTC:AUGR now Pink Sheets:AUGR

Founder / Family owned Founder / Family owned companiescompanies

Innovative InterfacesInnovative Interfaces 100% ownership by Jerry Kline following 2001 100% ownership by Jerry Kline following 2001

buy-out of partner Steve Silberstienbuy-out of partner Steve Silberstien

The Library Corporation The Library Corporation Owned by Annette Murphy familyOwned by Annette Murphy family

VTLS – tech spin-off from Virginia Tech, VTLS – tech spin-off from Virginia Tech, wholly owned by Vinod Chachrawholly owned by Vinod Chachra

These companies not under the control of These companies not under the control of external financial interestsexternal financial interests

Impact of OwnershipImpact of Ownership

Long term vs short tem interestsLong term vs short tem interests Decision makers in tune with the needs of the Decision makers in tune with the needs of the

customer base?customer base? Ability to understand libraries as business Ability to understand libraries as business

customerscustomers Serving non-profit organizations quite differentServing non-profit organizations quite different

It’s possible to operate a profitable company It’s possible to operate a profitable company and stay true to the interest of library as and stay true to the interest of library as customercustomer

Revenue sourcesRevenue sources

New ILS salesNew ILS sales Maintenance supportMaintenance support

15% purchase cost annually with inflation 15% purchase cost annually with inflation adjustmentsadjustments

Non-ILS softwareNon-ILS software Library ServicesLibrary Services

Diverse Business Diverse Business ActivitiesActivities

Many ways to expand business in ways that Many ways to expand business in ways that leverage library automation expertise:leverage library automation expertise: Non-ILS software: link resolvers, federated search, Non-ILS software: link resolvers, federated search,

ERM, portal/alternative Web interfacesERM, portal/alternative Web interfaces Retrospective conversion servicesRetrospective conversion services RFID or AMHRFID or AMH Network Consulting ServicesNetwork Consulting Services Content productsContent products Imaging servicesImaging services

Business Development Business Development StrategyStrategy

Essential to understand the strategic business Essential to understand the strategic business plans of the companyplans of the company Long term growth?Long term growth? Short term profits?Short term profits? Growth through M&AGrowth through M&A Organic growth by attracting new customer librariesOrganic growth by attracting new customer libraries Positioning for sale?Positioning for sale?

Get past press releases and spin and look Get past press releases and spin and look closely at the corporate behavior. closely at the corporate behavior.

Libraries Demand choiceLibraries Demand choice

Current market narrowing optionsCurrent market narrowing options Consolidation working toward monopoly?Consolidation working toward monopoly? Many companies currently prosper in the library Many companies currently prosper in the library

automation industryautomation industry Room for niche playersRoom for niche players Domination by a large monopoly unlikely to be Domination by a large monopoly unlikely to be

accepted by library communityaccepted by library community Monopoly would be subverted by Open Source Monopoly would be subverted by Open Source

or other cooperative movementor other cooperative movement

The Chopping BlockThe Chopping Block

Horizon 8.0 (Mar 2007)Horizon 8.0 (Mar 2007) Horizon 7.x (Mar 2007)Horizon 7.x (Mar 2007) ENCompass (Jan 2006)ENCompass (Jan 2006) LinkFinderPlus (Jan 2006)LinkFinderPlus (Jan 2006) Taos (Dec 2001)Taos (Dec 2001) NOTIS Horizon (Jun 1994)NOTIS Horizon (Jun 1994)

Legacy Phase outLegacy Phase out

DRA ClassicDRA Classic Dynix ClassicDynix Classic MultiLISMultiLIS INLEX/3000INLEX/3000 AdvanceAdvance PLUSPLUS VTLS ClassicVTLS Classic NOTISNOTIS PC Systems: Winnebago Spectrum, Follett Circ PC Systems: Winnebago Spectrum, Follett Circ

Plus, Athena, ConcoursePlus, Athena, Concourse

Status of current ILS Status of current ILS ProductsProducts

Most ILS products from commercial Most ILS products from commercial vendors maturevendors mature None less than a decade oldNone less than a decade old Approaching end of life cycle?Approaching end of life cycle?

Evolved systemsEvolved systems No success in launching new systemsNo success in launching new systems

Horizon 8.0Horizon 8.0 TaosTaos

Current VintageCurrent Vintage ALEPH 500ALEPH 500 19961996 UnicornUnicorn 19821982 MillenniumMillennium 19821982 VirtuaVirtua 19951995

Voyager Voyager 19951995 CarlCarl 19821982 PolarisPolaris 19971997 KohaKoha 19991999 Library.SolutionLibrary.Solution 19971997 EvergreenEvergreen 20042004

ILS Migration TrendsILS Migration Trends

Few voluntary lateral migrationsFew voluntary lateral migrations Forced MigrationsForced Migrations

Vendor abandonmentVendor abandonment Need to move from legacy systemsNeed to move from legacy systems Exit from bad marriages with vendorsExit from bad marriages with vendors Exit from bad marriages with consortiaExit from bad marriages with consortia

It’s never been harder to justify It’s never been harder to justify investments in ILSinvestments in ILS

Products surrounding the Products surrounding the ILSILS

Need for products focused on electronic Need for products focused on electronic content and user experiencecontent and user experience Next-gen interfacesNext-gen interfaces Federated searchFederated search LinkingLinking Electronic Resource ManagementElectronic Resource Management

An age of less integrated An age of less integrated systemssystems

Core ILS supplemented by:Core ILS supplemented by: OpenURL Link ResolversOpenURL Link Resolvers Metasearch / Federated SearchMetasearch / Federated Search Electronic Resource ManagementElectronic Resource Management Next Generation Library InterfacesNext Generation Library Interfaces

No longer an ILS-centric No longer an ILS-centric industryindustry

Portion of revenues derived from core ILS Portion of revenues derived from core ILS products diminishing relative to other library products diminishing relative to other library tech productstech products

Many companies and organizations that don’t Many companies and organizations that don’t offer an ILS are involved in library offer an ILS are involved in library automation:automation: OCLCOCLC Cambridge / BowkerCambridge / Bowker WebFeatWebFeat Muse GlobalMuse Global

Library Automation Library Automation CompaniesCompanies

SirsiDynixSirsiDynix

Highly consolidated company Highly consolidated company Sirsi Corp, Dynix, DRA, MultiLIS, INLEX/300, Docutec, OCLC Sirsi Corp, Dynix, DRA, MultiLIS, INLEX/300, Docutec, OCLC

Local Systems, DataPhase, Electric Memory, NOTIS SystemsLocal Systems, DataPhase, Electric Memory, NOTIS Systems Largest in the industryLargest in the industry

~$125 revenue ~$125 revenue Owned by Vista Equity PartnersOwned by Vista Equity Partners

Previously supported by VC: Seaport Capital, Hicks Muse)Previously supported by VC: Seaport Capital, Hicks Muse) Consolidated company working toward consolidating Consolidated company working toward consolidating

and integrating products and business units.and integrating products and business units.

Corporate StrategyCorporate Strategy

Single ILS strategy based on Unicorn (Feb Single ILS strategy based on Unicorn (Feb 2007)2007)

Move toward Saas (Software as a Service)Move toward Saas (Software as a Service) Abandoned development of Horizon 8.0 / 7xAbandoned development of Horizon 8.0 / 7x Reduction in ForceReduction in Force Phase out higher earning staffPhase out higher earning staff Single HQ? Provo?Single HQ? Provo?

Unicorn / SymphonyUnicorn / Symphony

Server component written in CServer component written in C C-ISAM pre-relational database structureC-ISAM pre-relational database structure Oracle version availableOracle version available BRS fulltext search engineBRS fulltext search engine Unicode implementation problematicUnicode implementation problematic Robust APIRobust API Perl used for reports and system Perl used for reports and system

administrationadministration

WorkflowsWorkflows

Latest version of staff clientLatest version of staff client Recently translated from C to JavaRecently translated from C to Java

Few gains in functionalityFew gains in functionality Slower performanceSlower performance

Necessary to get to Unicode given choice Necessary to get to Unicode given choice of C development environmentof C development environment

RoomsRooms

Launched as the company’s strategic Launched as the company’s strategic portal product in 2004portal product in 2004

Limited market interest in academic Limited market interest in academic librarieslibraries

Some use by public librariesSome use by public libraries Strongest interest in K-12 School arenaStrongest interest in K-12 School arena Does not fit within the current Does not fit within the current

expectations for next-gen interfacesexpectations for next-gen interfaces

ChallengesChallenges

Poor reputation among library communityPoor reputation among library community Lack of trust due to abrupt abandonment of Lack of trust due to abrupt abandonment of

HorizonHorizon 8.0 and 7.x versions8.0 and 7.x versions

Expect some decrease in overall customer Expect some decrease in overall customer basebase

Stimulated Open Source movementStimulated Open Source movement Unicorn/Symphony perceived as old Unicorn/Symphony perceived as old

technologytechnology

Product strategiesProduct strategies

Continually slow in creating new productsContinually slow in creating new products No electronic resource management productNo electronic resource management product

Remarkets Serials SolutionsRemarkets Serials Solutions Abandoned local development of ERM for both Abandoned local development of ERM for both

Unicorn and HorizonUnicorn and Horizon

No Linking product – OEM Serials SolutionNo Linking product – OEM Serials Solution No Next Generation InterfaceNo Next Generation Interface

Recent agreement with Brainware (another Vista Recent agreement with Brainware (another Vista portfolio company)portfolio company)

StrengthsStrengths

Large companyLarge company Customer support infrastructureCustomer support infrastructure

Ex Libris ProfileEx Libris Profile

Global provider of software to Academic Global provider of software to Academic LibrariesLibraries

Largest in the academic market, Third largest Largest in the academic market, Third largest overalloverall

Owned by Francisco PartnersOwned by Francisco Partners Acquired Endeavor in Nov 2006Acquired Endeavor in Nov 2006 Strong focus on non-ILS products:Strong focus on non-ILS products:

SFX – MetaLib – Verde – DigiTool – PrimoSFX – MetaLib – Verde – DigiTool – Primo Continues to support and develop ALEPH and Continues to support and develop ALEPH and

VoyagerVoyager

Ex Libris Corporate Ex Libris Corporate HistoryHistory

Founded in 1980 to create automation software for the library of Founded in 1980 to create automation software for the library of Hebrew University in JerusalemHebrew University in Jerusalem

Automated Library Expandable Program – Aleph 100Automated Library Expandable Program – Aleph 100 Aleph Yissum was a technology transfer spin-off of HUJAleph Yissum was a technology transfer spin-off of HUJ Acquired Dabis July 1997 (German ILS vendor)Acquired Dabis July 1997 (German ILS vendor) Ex Libris formed in 1986 to market ALEPH Ex Libris formed in 1986 to market ALEPH Aleph Yissum and Ex Libris merged in 1995Aleph Yissum and Ex Libris merged in 1995 1999 VC investments by Tamar Technologies and Walden Israel1999 VC investments by Tamar Technologies and Walden Israel

Azriel Morag exits Aug 2005Azriel Morag exits Aug 2005 Failed IPO in Sept 2005Failed IPO in Sept 2005 Acquisition by Francisco Partners in Jul 2006 for $62 millionAcquisition by Francisco Partners in Jul 2006 for $62 million Acquisition of Endeavor in Nov 2006Acquisition of Endeavor in Nov 2006

Francisco PartnersFrancisco Partners

Private Equity FirmPrivate Equity Firm $5 Billion$5 Billion Technology focused companiesTechnology focused companies Looks for synergies in portfolio Looks for synergies in portfolio

companiescompanies

Corporate StrategyCorporate Strategy

Assemble company capable of Assemble company capable of dominating academic marketdominating academic market

Internal software development – avoid Internal software development – avoid OEM approach for strategic productsOEM approach for strategic products

Investments in developmentInvestments in development Aggressive pricing (?)Aggressive pricing (?) Lower development costs in IsraelLower development costs in Israel

ALEPH 500ALEPH 500

Current flagship ILSCurrent flagship ILS Designed for large complex librariesDesigned for large complex libraries

Rich functionalityRich functionality Reputation for being difficult to implementReputation for being difficult to implement Evolved system – parts of the system still Evolved system – parts of the system still

in COBOLin COBOL Large AcademicLarge Academic British LibraryBritish Library

Product StrategyProduct Strategy

Products for libraries in higher educationProducts for libraries in higher education Strength in products for managing Strength in products for managing

electronic contentelectronic content SFX, MetaLib, VerdeSFX, MetaLib, Verde

Recent effort to develop Primo as a next-Recent effort to develop Primo as a next-generation discovery and delivery generation discovery and delivery platform. Will serve as a front-end for all platform. Will serve as a front-end for all productsproducts

Innovative InterfacesInnovative Interfaces

Founded by Jerry Kline and Steve SilbersteinFounded by Jerry Kline and Steve Silberstein Kline bought out Silberstein in 2000Kline bought out Silberstein in 2000

Some bank debt to finance the transition which has Some bank debt to finance the transition which has is paid off.is paid off.

Company wholly owned by Jerry KlineCompany wholly owned by Jerry Kline No involvement with VC or Private equityNo involvement with VC or Private equity No recent involvement in M&ANo recent involvement in M&A

Acquired SLS in 1997Acquired SLS in 1997

Product StrategyProduct Strategy

Evolutionary Product strategyEvolutionary Product strategy Innopac -> Millennium beginning in 1995Innopac -> Millennium beginning in 1995

Millennium was one of the first library automation Millennium was one of the first library automation systems to use Java. Employed only on the client side. systems to use Java. Employed only on the client side. Server remains in C. Server remains in C.

Millennium as core technologyMillennium as core technology Encore, RightResults, ResearchProEncore, RightResults, ResearchPro

Early to market in new product areas:Early to market in new product areas: Electronic Resource ManagementElectronic Resource Management Institutional Repository platformInstitutional Repository platform Next-generation interfaceNext-generation interface

Corporate StrategyCorporate Strategy

Strong revenues to support R&DStrong revenues to support R&D Relies on internal software developmentRelies on internal software development Avoids OEM approach for strategic Avoids OEM approach for strategic

productsproducts Defiant resistance to VC and Private Defiant resistance to VC and Private

Equity investment/controlEquity investment/control

Company StrengthsCompany Strengths

Large and growing customer baseLarge and growing customer base Continues to make new sales in a difficult Continues to make new sales in a difficult

ILS marketILS market Ability to perform rapid software Ability to perform rapid software

developmentdevelopment First to market in Electronic Resource First to market in Electronic Resource

ManagementManagement Remarkable response to EncoreRemarkable response to Encore

Company ChallengesCompany Challenges

Reputation for closed systemsReputation for closed systems Aggressive pricingAggressive pricing Perceived by many of its library Perceived by many of its library

customers as rigidcustomers as rigid Ability to resist buyout offersAbility to resist buyout offers

VTLSVTLS

Wholly owned by Vinod Chachra. Virgina Wholly owned by Vinod Chachra. Virgina Tech initially had equity that has been Tech initially had equity that has been sold to Chachra.sold to Chachra.

VTLS developed Circulation System in VTLS developed Circulation System in min 1970’s when Chachra was VP for ITmin 1970’s when Chachra was VP for IT

Technology transfer spin-off from Virginia Technology transfer spin-off from Virginia Tech University in 1985Tech University in 1985

Pioneer in library automation systemsPioneer in library automation systems

VirtuaVirtua

Initially introduced in 1995Initially introduced in 1995 Current technologies:Current technologies:

RDBMS, Unicode, 3-tier client/server RDBMS, Unicode, 3-tier client/server architecturearchitecture

Early ILS implementation of FRBREarly ILS implementation of FRBR

Virtua Success / failuresVirtua Success / failures

Univ of Kansas – signed in 1996 > Voyager Univ of Kansas – signed in 1996 > Voyager 19981998

State Library of Queensland – signed in 1998 > State Library of Queensland – signed in 1998 > Voyager 2002Voyager 2002

New York University signed June 2004 > New York University signed June 2004 > ALEPH Nov 2007ALEPH Nov 2007

University of Oxford signed June 2005. University of Oxford signed June 2005. Implementation problematic; go/no-go decision Implementation problematic; go/no-go decision planned for Dec 2007planned for Dec 2007

Oxford UniversityOxford University

Selected Virtua in June 2005Selected Virtua in June 2005 ILS for 100 libraries ILS for 100 libraries Contract included creation of custom Contract included creation of custom

software for Oxford’s closed stack software for Oxford’s closed stack retrieval process.retrieval process.

Lost opportunitiesLost opportunities

Lost most of its North American customer Lost most of its North American customer basebase In the 1980s VTLS was a major supplier of In the 1980s VTLS was a major supplier of

automations software for public and automations software for public and academic libraries in North Americaacademic libraries in North America

Failed to transition customers from VTLS Failed to transition customers from VTLS classicclassic

Slow adoption of VirtuaSlow adoption of Virtua

VERIFY Electronic VERIFY Electronic Resource ManagementResource Management

Signed Tri-College Library Consortium of Signed Tri-College Library Consortium of Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges as development partner in 2005Colleges as development partner in 2005

Following unsuccessful implementation Following unsuccessful implementation Tri-College has begun to implement Ex Tri-College has begun to implement Ex Libris VerdeLibris Verde

VITAL Institutional VITAL Institutional RepositoryRepository

Built on open source Fedora platformBuilt on open source Fedora platform Major contracts in Australia (Arrow Major contracts in Australia (Arrow

consortium)consortium)

VTLS ChallengesVTLS Challenges

Damaged reputation in the marketplace due to Damaged reputation in the marketplace due to failed system implementationsfailed system implementations

Virtua is aging rapidly – resources to revitalize Virtua is aging rapidly – resources to revitalize development?development?

Ripe for acquisition? Ripe for acquisition? Continues to announce new sales: most are Continues to announce new sales: most are

low-value international contractslow-value international contracts Overextended resources on NYU & OxfordOverextended resources on NYU & Oxford

VTLS StrengthsVTLS Strengths

Strong international presenceStrong international presence Solid implementation of UnicodeSolid implementation of Unicode Strong re-sellers. Eg: iGroupStrong re-sellers. Eg: iGroup

OCLC in the ILS arena?OCLC in the ILS arena?

Increasingly overlapped with library automation activitiesIncreasingly overlapped with library automation activities WorldCat Local recently announcedWorldCat Local recently announced

Penetrating deeper into local librariesPenetrating deeper into local libraries Library-owned cooperative on a buying binge of automation Library-owned cooperative on a buying binge of automation

companies:companies: Openly InformaticsOpenly Informatics Fretwell-Downing InformaticsFretwell-Downing Informatics Sisis InformationssystemeSisis Informationssysteme PICA (now 100%)PICA (now 100%) DiMeMa (CONTENTdm)DiMeMa (CONTENTdm)

ILS companies concerned about competing with a non-profit ILS companies concerned about competing with a non-profit with enormous resources and the ability to shift costs.with enormous resources and the ability to shift costs.

Cambridge Information Cambridge Information Group / BowkerGroup / Bowker

Serials SolutionsSerials Solutions Syndetic SolutionsSyndetic Solutions

Electronic Resource ManagementElectronic Resource Management Federated SearchFederated Search E-Journals dataE-Journals data

AquaBrowserAquaBrowser Next-gen InterfaceNext-gen Interface

Product and Technology Product and Technology TrendsTrends

Current state of library Current state of library automation functionalityautomation functionality

The core ILS focused mostly on print resources The core ILS focused mostly on print resources and traditional library workflow processes.and traditional library workflow processes.

Add-ons available for dealing with electronic Add-ons available for dealing with electronic content:content: Link resolversLink resolvers Metasearch environmentsMetasearch environments Electronic Resource ManagementElectronic Resource Management

A loosely integrated environmentA loosely integrated environment Labor-intensive implementation and maintenanceLabor-intensive implementation and maintenance Most are “must have” products for academic Most are “must have” products for academic

libraries with significant collections of e-contentlibraries with significant collections of e-content

Problems with current Problems with current slate of automation slate of automation componentscomponents

Development cycle behind current needsDevelopment cycle behind current needs Very loosely coupledVery loosely coupled Diverse interfacesDiverse interfaces Not seamless to library usersNot seamless to library users Multiple points of management for library Multiple points of management for library

staffstaff Long and complex cycles of Long and complex cycles of

implementation and integrationimplementation and integration

Why such fragmented Why such fragmented automation?automation?

Maintenance alone not adequate to fund Maintenance alone not adequate to fund development of new productsdevelopment of new products

Libraries not willing to accept higher Libraries not willing to accept higher maintenance and support paymentsmaintenance and support payments

Business requirement to spin off new Business requirement to spin off new productsproducts

Can be counter to the need for more Can be counter to the need for more seamless, integrated, and seamless, integrated, and comprehensive automationcomprehensive automation

Common tools for access Common tools for access to local collectionsto local collections

Library OPAC (ILS module)Library OPAC (ILS module) Links to aggregators, publishersLinks to aggregators, publishers Cross linking via OpenURLCross linking via OpenURL Journal finding aids (Often managed by Journal finding aids (Often managed by

link resolver)link resolver) Metasearch enginesMetasearch engines All loosely coupledAll loosely coupled

Library OPACLibrary OPAC

Evolved from card catalogs and continues to Evolved from card catalogs and continues to be bound by the constraints of that legacy.be bound by the constraints of that legacy.

Complex and rich in featuresComplex and rich in features Interfaces often do not compare favorably with Interfaces often do not compare favorably with

alternatives available on the Webalternatives available on the Web Print materials becoming a smaller component Print materials becoming a smaller component

of the library’s overall collections.of the library’s overall collections.

Redefinition of library Redefinition of library catalogs and interfacescatalogs and interfaces

Traditional notions of the library catalog are Traditional notions of the library catalog are being questionedbeing questioned

It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited to print resourceslimited to print resources

Digital resources cannot be an afterthoughtDigital resources cannot be an afterthought Forcing users to use different interfaces Forcing users to use different interfaces

depending on type of content becoming less depending on type of content becoming less tenabletenable

Libraries working toward consolidated search Libraries working toward consolidated search environments that give equal footing to digital environments that give equal footing to digital and print resourcesand print resources

The best Library OPAC?The best Library OPAC?

Troubling statisticTroubling statistic

Where do you typically begin your Where do you typically begin your search for information on a search for information on a particular topic?particular topic?

College Students Response:College Students Response: 89%89% Search engines (Google 62%)Search engines (Google 62%) 2%2% Library Web Site (total respondents -> 1%)Library Web Site (total respondents -> 1%) 2%2% Online DatabaseOnline Database 1% 1% E-mailE-mail 1% 1% Online NewsOnline News 1% 1% Online bookstoresOnline bookstores 0% 0% Instant Messaging / Online ChatInstant Messaging / Online Chat

OCLC. Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources (2005) p. 1-17.

Change underwayChange underway

Widespread dissatisfaction with most of the Widespread dissatisfaction with most of the current OPACs. Many efforts toward next-current OPACs. Many efforts toward next-generation catalogs and interfaces.generation catalogs and interfaces.

Movement among libraries to break out of the Movement among libraries to break out of the current mold of library catalogs and offer new current mold of library catalogs and offer new interfaces better suited to the expectations of interfaces better suited to the expectations of library users. library users.

Decoupling of the front-end interface from the Decoupling of the front-end interface from the back-end library automation system.back-end library automation system.

Toward compelling library Toward compelling library interfacesinterfaces

Urgent need for libraries to offer Urgent need for libraries to offer interfaces their users will like to useinterfaces their users will like to use

Move out of the 1990’sMove out of the 1990’s Powerful search capabilities in tune with Powerful search capabilities in tune with

how the Web works todayhow the Web works today User expectations set by other Web User expectations set by other Web

destinationdestination

The holy grailThe holy grail

A single point of entry into all the content A single point of entry into all the content and services offered by the libraryand services offered by the library

Print + ElectronicPrint + Electronic Local + RemoteLocal + Remote Locally metadata created ContentLocally metadata created Content

Comprehensive Search Comprehensive Search ServiceService

More like OAIMore like OAI Open Archives InitiativeOpen Archives Initiative Consolidated search services based on and Consolidated search services based on and

data gathered in advancedata gathered in advance

Problems of scale diminishedProblems of scale diminished Problems of cooperation persistProblems of cooperation persist

Web 2.0 influenceWeb 2.0 influence

A more social and collaborative approachA more social and collaborative approach Web Tools and technology that foster Web Tools and technology that foster

collaborationcollaboration Blogs, wiki, blogs, tagging, social Blogs, wiki, blogs, tagging, social

bookmarking, user rating, user reviewsbookmarking, user rating, user reviews Web services – important infrastructureWeb services – important infrastructure XML APIsXML APIs AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML)AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML)

Interface expectationsInterface expectations

Millennial gen library users are well acclimated Millennial gen library users are well acclimated to the Web and like it.to the Web and like it.

Used to relevancy rankingUsed to relevancy ranking The “good stuff” should be listed firstThe “good stuff” should be listed first Users tend not to delve deep into a result listUsers tend not to delve deep into a result list Good relevancy requires a sophisticated approach, Good relevancy requires a sophisticated approach,

including objective matching criteria supplemented including objective matching criteria supplemented by popularity and relatedness factors.by popularity and relatedness factors.

Interface expectations Interface expectations (cont…)(cont…)

Very rapid response. Users have a low tolerance for Very rapid response. Users have a low tolerance for slow systemsslow systems

Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating scores, etc.scores, etc.

Let users drill down through the result set incrementally Let users drill down through the result set incrementally narrowing the fieldnarrowing the field

Faceted BrowsingFaceted Browsing Drill-down vs up-front Boolean or “Advanced Search”Drill-down vs up-front Boolean or “Advanced Search” gives the users clues about the number of hits in each sub topic.gives the users clues about the number of hits in each sub topic.

Navigational Bread crumbs Navigational Bread crumbs Ratings and rankingsRatings and rankings

Appropriate Appropriate organizational structuresorganizational structures

LCSH vs FASTLCSH vs FAST Full MARC vs Dublin Core or MODSFull MARC vs Dublin Core or MODS Discipline-specific thesauri or ontologiesDiscipline-specific thesauri or ontologies ““tags”tags”

Current Next-Gen Current Next-Gen catalog productscatalog products

Common characteristicsCommon characteristics

Decoupled interfaceDecoupled interfaceMass export of catalog dataMass export of catalog dataAlternative search engineAlternative search engineAlternative interfaceAlternative interface

Endeca Guided Endeca Guided NavigationNavigation

North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State Universityhttp://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/

McMaster UniversityMcMaster Universityhttp://libcat.mcmaster.ca/http://libcat.mcmaster.ca/

Phoenix Public LibraryPhoenix Public Libraryhttp://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/

Florida Center for Library AutomationFlorida Center for Library Automationhttp://catalog.fcla.edu/ux.jsphttp://catalog.fcla.edu/ux.jsp

AquaBrowser LibraryAquaBrowser Library

Queens Borough Public LibraryQueens Borough Public Library http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/

Ex Libris PrimoEx Libris Primo

Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt Universityhttp://alphasearch.library.vanderbilt.eduhttp://alphasearch.library.vanderbilt.edu

University of Minnesota University of Minnesota http://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_library/lihttp://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIESbweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIES

University of IowaUniversity of Iowahttp://smartsearch.uiowa.edu/http://smartsearch.uiowa.edu/

Encore from Innovative Encore from Innovative InterfacesInterfaces

Nashville Public LibraryNashville Public Libraryhttp://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/apphttp://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/app

Scottsdale Public LibraryScottsdale Public Libraryhttp://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/app

Yale University Lillian Goldman Law LibraryYale University Lillian Goldman Law Libraryhttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/app

VUFind – Villanova UniversityVUFind – Villanova University

Based on Apache Solr search toolkitBased on Apache Solr search toolkit

http://www.vufind.org/http://www.vufind.org/

OCLC Worldcat LocalOCLC Worldcat Local

OCLC Worldcat customized for local OCLC Worldcat customized for local library cataloglibrary catalog Relies on hooks into ILS for local Relies on hooks into ILS for local

servicesservices University of Washington LibrariesUniversity of Washington Libraries

http://uwashington.worldcat.org/http://uwashington.worldcat.org/ University of California Melvyl CatalogUniversity of California Melvyl Catalog

Questions and Questions and DiscussionDiscussion