The NCSU Libraries is pleased to release its Virtual Shelf Browse application and web service as open source software. Source code is available for viewing, download, and checkout from Google Code under the MIT/X11 License. It includes a back end web service for retrieving items in shelf order and a front end web application for browsing.

The Virtual Shelf Browse project is intended to mimic in an online environment the discovery opportunities available while browsing library book stacks. We intend this as a first step toward providing patrons with Amazon and Netflix style recommendations to "find more like this" in the library.

The code:

http://code.google.com/p/virtual-shelf-browse/

Try it here (click on "browse shelf"):

http://www2.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/record/NCSU2240490

Additional information about the project:

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/dli/projects/virtualshelfindex/
http://code4lib.org/conference/2010/orphanides_lown_lynema

Do with it what you will -- and enjoy.

The NCSU Libraries

Andreas Orphanides
Emily Lynema
Cory Lown