NERCOMP Shifting Models of Information Discovery and Access SIG College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA February 1, 2010 SESSION DESCRIPTION Libraries continue to migrate from out-of-the-box interfaces that search single collections to new products that promise, in various ways, to do a better job connecting people with the information they desire. OPACs are applying layers of lipstick, going open source, or fading away altogether, supplanted by new types of discovery tools. Federated search is mounting a comeback. Next-gen discovery tools promise to deliver the fabled single search box. Massive digitization projects are opening up the contents of books for discovery and--sometimes--retrieval. At the same time, proprietary, centralized projects like Google Books and OCLC's WorldCat Local are developing alongside less centralized, more open initiatives like the Open Content Alliance, eXtensible Catalog project, VuFind, and LibraryFind. In the morning of this day-long workshop, invited speakers will provide an overview of the changing discovery landscape and the major issues and players involved. The afternoon will consist of a lightning round featuring 5-10 minute demonstrations and/or discussions of individual products. Time will be built into the afternoon session for attendees who are not designated speakers to present briefly on products being considered or implemented at their own institutions. The day will end with an open discussion and a consideration of next steps. CALL FOR PROPOSALS (Deadline: October 20, 2009) We seek two types of proposals: (1) Morning track (2-3 slots): presentations of 45-75 minutes by speakers who can address the changing discovery landscape and the major issues and players involved. (2) Afternoon lightning round session (10-20 slots): short (5-10 minute) overviews and demos of specific tools and products. If your institution is using or considering any of the following products (or another next gen discovery or access tool that is not listed here), please consider blitzing us with a concise demo and review of your experience. While the focus is on higher education, we welcome speakers from all types of libraries who can offer perspectives that would be relevant for academic librarians. Please visit http://akbar.marlboro.edu/~ealling/NERCOMP/20100201.html for complete details on submitting a proposal and description of the program. Please feel free to share this announcement with potential speakers. Cheers, Beatrice Pulliam, Library Commons Librarian for Technology and Access, Phillips Memorial Library, Providence College Emily Alling, Library Director, Rice-Aron Library, Marlboro College -- Beatrice R. Pulliam Library Commons Librarian for Technology and Access Phillips Memorial Library Providence College 1 Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02918 (t) 401.865.1622 (f) 401.865.2823 IM: rhodylibrarian (AIM/iChat/Yahoo/GoogleTalk) Twitter: beatricepulliam