Next Generation Next Generation Library Interfaces:Library Interfaces:

The intersection of new library The intersection of new library interfaces, Web 2.0, and Web interfaces, Web 2.0, and Web

ServicesServices

Marshall BreedingMarshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technologies and Director for Innovative Technologies and

ResearchResearchVanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University

http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breedinhttp://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breedinggSno-Isle Regional Library System

Lynnwood Convention CenterOctober 8, 2007

AbstractAbstract• Marshall Breeding will give a look at some of Marshall Breeding will give a look at some of

the major trends at play in library automation the major trends at play in library automation that stand to spark major changes. He will that stand to spark major changes. He will talk about some of the features, technologies talk about some of the features, technologies and architectures that underlie the next-and architectures that underlie the next-generation library interfaces that have generation library interfaces that have sprung onto the scene in the last couple of sprung onto the scene in the last couple of years. These new systems are flavored with years. These new systems are flavored with Web 2.0 technologies and aim to provide a Web 2.0 technologies and aim to provide a more satisfying experience for today's more more satisfying experience for today's more Web-savvy library user.Web-savvy library user.

The best Library OPAC?The best Library OPAC?

Troubling statisticTroubling statisticWhere do you typically begin Where do you typically begin

your search for information on your search for information on a particular topic?a 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 -> Library Web Site (total respondents ->

1%)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.

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 Powerful search capabilities in tune

with how the Web works todaywith how the Web works today• User expectations set by other Web User expectations set by other Web

destinationdestination

Common tools for access to Common tools for access to local collectionslocal 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 Journal finding aids (Often managed

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

MetasearchMetasearch• Distributed query model inherently Distributed query model inherently

problematic problematic • Not ImmediateNot Immediate• Relevancy ranking extremely difficultRelevancy ranking extremely difficult• Lack of deep resultsLack of deep results• Interim solutionInterim solution

Change underwayChange underway• Widespread dissatisfaction with most of Widespread dissatisfaction with most of

the current OPACs. Many efforts toward the current OPACs. Many efforts toward next-generation catalogs and interfaces.next-generation catalogs and interfaces.

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

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

Working toward next Working toward next generation library interfacesgeneration library interfaces• Redefinition of the library catalogRedefinition of the library catalog• More comprehensive information More comprehensive information

discovery environmentsdiscovery environments• Better information delivery toolsBetter information delivery tools• More powerful search capabilitiesMore powerful search capabilities• More elegant presentationMore elegant presentation

Comprehensive Search Comprehensive Search ServiceService• More like OAIMore like OAI

– Open Archives InitiativeOpen Archives Initiative– Consolidated search services based on Consolidated search services based on

metadata and data gathered in advancemetadata and data gathered in advance• Problems of scale diminishedProblems of scale diminished• Problems of cooperation persistProblems of cooperation persist

Web 2.0 a good startWeb 2.0 a good start• A more social and collaborative A more social and collaborative

approachapproach• 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 bookmarking, user rating, user reviewsreviews

Web 2.0 supporting Web 2.0 supporting technologiestechnologies• Web servicesWeb services• XML APIsXML APIs• AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and

XML)XML)• MicroformatsMicroformats• OpenSearch vs SRU/SRWOpenSearch vs SRU/SRW

Redefinition of library Redefinition of library catalogscatalogs• Traditional notions of the library catalog are being Traditional notions of the library catalog are being

questionedquestioned• It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited

to print resourcesto 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 holy grailThe holy grail• A single point of entry into all the A single point of entry into all the

content and services offered by the content and services offered by the librarylibrary

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

Interface expectationsInterface expectations

• Millennial gen library users are well Millennial gen library users are well acclimated to the Web and like it.acclimated 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 Good relevancy requires a sophisticated

approach, including objective matching criteria approach, including objective matching criteria supplemented by popularity and relatedness supplemented by popularity and relatedness factors.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 Let users drill down through the result set

incrementally narrowing the fieldincrementally narrowing 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 gives the users clues about the number of hits in each sub

topic.topic.• Navigational Bread crumbs Navigational Bread crumbs • Ratings and rankingsRatings and rankings

Appropriate organizational Appropriate organizational structuresstructures• LCSH vs FASTLCSH vs FAST• Full MARC vs Dublin Core or MODSFull MARC vs Dublin Core or MODS• Discipline-specific thesauri or Discipline-specific thesauri or

ontologiesontologies• ““tags”tags”

Current Next-Gen catalog Current Next-Gen catalog productsproducts

Common characteristicsCommon characteristics• Decoupled interfaceDecoupled interface

Mass export of catalog dataMass export of catalog dataAlternative search engineAlternative search engineAlternative interfaceAlternative interface

Endeca Guided NavigationEndeca Guided Navigation• North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/• McMaster UniversityMcMaster University

http://libcat.mcmaster.ca/http://libcat.mcmaster.ca/• Phoenix Public LibraryPhoenix Public Library

http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/• Florida Center for Library AutomationFlorida Center for Library Automation

http://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 University

http://alphasearch.library.vanderbilt.eduhttp://alphasearch.library.vanderbilt.edu• University of Minnesota University of Minnesota

http://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_librhttp://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIary/libweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIESES

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

Encore from Innovative Encore from Innovative InterfacesInterfaces• Nashville Public LibraryNashville Public Library

http://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/aphttp://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/appp

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

• Yale University Lillian Goldman Law Yale University Lillian Goldman Law LibraryLibraryhttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/app

VUFind – Villanova VUFind – Villanova UniversityUniversityBased on Apache Solr search Based on Apache Solr search

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

OCLC Worldcat LocalOCLC Worldcat Local• OCLC Worldcat customized for OCLC Worldcat customized for

local library cataloglocal library 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 University of California Melvyl

CatalogCatalog

Library-developed solutionsLibrary-developed solutions• eXtensible CatalogeXtensible Catalog• University of Rochester – River University of Rochester – River

Campus LibrariesCampus Libraries• Financial support from the Andrew Financial support from the Andrew

W. Mellon FoundationW. Mellon Foundation• http://www.extensiblecatalog.info/http://www.extensiblecatalog.info/

Library Automation TrendsLibrary Automation Trends

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 VC and Private Equity playing a stronger role then

ever beforeever before• Moving out of a previous phase of fragmentation Moving out of a previous phase of fragmentation

where many companies expend energies producing where 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 Open Source opportunities rise to challenge

stranglehold of traditional commercial modelstranglehold of 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

Technology LandscapeTechnology Landscape• 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• Voyager Voyager 19951995• CarlCarl 19821982• UnicornUnicorn 19821982• PolarisPolaris 19971997• VirtuaVirtua 19951995• KohaKoha 19991999• Library.SolutionLibrary.Solution 19971997• EvergreenEvergreen 20042004

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

Business CycleBusiness Cycle• Founder start-upFounder start-up• Venture capital support -> board Venture capital support -> board

level representationlevel representation• Private equity ownership -> strategic Private equity ownership -> strategic

controlcontrol• IPO == mature companyIPO == mature company

Investor owned companiesInvestor owned companies• 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)

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 Virgina Tech, VTLS – tech spin-off from Virgina 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 Decision makers in tune with the needs of

the customer base?the 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 It’s possible to operate a profitable company and stay true to the interest of company and stay true to the interest of library as customerlibrary as customer

Revenue sourcesRevenue sources• New ILS salesNew ILS sales• Maintenance supportMaintenance support

– 15% purchase cost annually with 15% purchase cost annually with inflation adjustmentsinflation adjustments

• Non-ILS softwareNon-ILS software• Library ServicesLibrary Services

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 Many companies currently prosper in the

library automation industrylibrary automation industry• Room for niche playersRoom for niche players• Domination by a large monopoly unlikely to Domination by a large monopoly unlikely to

be accepted by library communitybe accepted by library community• Monopoly would be subverted by Open Monopoly would be subverted by Open

Source or other cooperative movementSource or 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

Key Business PerspectiveKey Business Perspective

• Given the relative parity of library automation systems, Given the relative parity of library automation systems, choosing the right automation partner is more important choosing the right automation partner is more important than splitting hairs over functionality.than splitting hairs over functionality.– Understanding of library issuesUnderstanding of library issues– Vision and forward-looking developmentVision and forward-looking development– Find a company you trustFind a company you trust

• It’s important to choose a company that will It’s important to choose a company that will survivesurvive

• Vendor decisions can have major Vendor decisions can have major consequences:consequences:– SirsiDynix announces demise of Horizon 7.x, 8.xSirsiDynix announces demise of Horizon 7.x, 8.x

Product and Technology TrendsProduct and Technology Trends

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

The ILS is not deadThe ILS is not dead

•Rumors of its demise are greatly Rumors of its demise are greatly exaggeratedexaggerated

•A well-functioning automation A well-functioning automation system is essential to the system is essential to the operation of the libraryoperation of the library

•Libraries have never needed Libraries have never needed automationautomation more than todaymore than today

Comprehensive AutomationComprehensive Automation

• The goal of the Integrated Library Systems The goal of the Integrated Library Systems involves the automation of all aspects of the involves the automation of all aspects of the library’s internal operations and to provide library’s internal operations and to provide key services to library users.key services to library users.

• We need to catch up to regain We need to catch up to regain comprehensive automation for increasingly comprehensive automation for increasingly complex hybrid libraries with collections complex hybrid libraries with collections equally comprised of digital and print content equally comprised of digital and print content and more complex and varied servicesand more complex and varied services

Why such fragmented Why such fragmented automation?automation?• Maintenance alone not adequate to Maintenance alone not adequate to

fund development of new productsfund development 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

Problems with current slate Problems with current slate of automation componentsof automation components• 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

The path forward?The path forward?• Development and redevelopment of library Development and redevelopment of library

automation products neededautomation products needed• Libraries will need to work with commercial Libraries will need to work with commercial

partners indefinitely partners indefinitely • More sustainable development models neededMore sustainable development models needed• Realistic level of spending for automation Realistic level of spending for automation

relative to assets managedrelative to assets managed• Find ways for libraries to be less vulnerable to Find ways for libraries to be less vulnerable to

business decisions made by companiesbusiness decisions made by companies• Libraries must assert their interests relative to Libraries must assert their interests relative to

the commercial companiesthe commercial companies

Questions and DiscussionQuestions and Discussion