With the usual apologies for multiple cross-postings.

 

The new issue of the Code4Lib Journal, Issue 39, is now available.  Many
thanks to the authors and editors that worked hard to make this issue
happen.

 

 

Editorial: Musing on learning to be a selfish librarian

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13351

Terry Reese

One of the perks of being the coordinating editor is you get to write the
opening editorial for the issue.  It's an opportunity to think broadly about
the community, the journal.current events.  And if you look back over the
past year or so, those that have taken on this role have been more than up
[.]

 

 

Approaching the largest 'API': extracting information from the Internet with
Python

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13197

Jonathan E. Germann

This article explores the need for libraries to algorithmically access and
manipulate the world's largest API: the Internet. The billions of pages on
the 'Internet API' (HTTP, HTML, CSS, XPath, DOM, etc.) are easily accessible
and manipulable. Libraries can assist in creating meaning through the
datafication of information on the world wide web. Because most information
is created for human consumption, some programming is required for automated
extraction. Python is an easy-to-learn programming language with extensive
packages and community support for web page automation. Four packages
(Urllib, Selenium, BeautifulSoup, Scrapy) in Python can automate almost any
web page for all sized projects. An example warrant data project is
explained to illustrate how well Python packages can manipulate web pages to
create meaning through assembling custom datasets.

 

 

Using R and the Tidyverse to Generate Library Usage Reports

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13282

Andy Meyer

Gathering, analyzing, and communicating library usage data provides a
foundation for thoughtful assessment. However, the amount of time and
expertise required creates a barrier to actually using this data. By using
the statistical programming language R and the tools and approach of the
Tidyverse, the process of gathering, analyzing, and communicating data can
be automated in ways that reduce the amount of time and energy required. At
the same time, this approach increases staff capacity for other data science
projects and creates a shareable model and framework for other libraries.
This article focuses on electronic resource usage reports - especially
Counter DB1 Reports - but this approach could be extended to other data
sources and needs.

 

 

Archidora: Integrating Archivematica and Islandora

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13150

Tim Hutchinson

"Archidora" is shorthand for the publicly available integration between the
open source software packages Archivematica and Islandora. Sponsored by the
University of Saskatchewan Library, this integration enables the automated
ingest into Archivematica of objects created in Islandora. This will allow
institutions that use Islandora as a digital asset management system,
particularly for digitized material, to take advantage of Archivematica's
standards-based digital preservation functionality, without requiring staff
doing digitization to interact with Archivematica. This paper outlines the
basic functionality and workflow of archidora; provides an overview of the
development process including challenges and lessons learned; and discusses
related initiatives and possible future directions for development.

 

Microdata in the IR: A Low-Barrier Approach to Enhancing Discovery of
Institutional Repository Materials in Google

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13191

Shayna Pekala

Georgetown University Library curates a multitude of open access resources
in its institutional repository and digital collections portal,
DigitalGeorgetown. Over the last several years, the Library has experimented
with methods for making these items increasingly visible in search engine
search results. This article describes the Library's low-barrier approach to
applying Schema.org vocabulary to its DSpace institutional repository using
microdata, as well as the challenges with and strategies used for assessing
this work. The effects of the application of Schema.org microdata to
DigitalGeorgetown on Google search results were tracked over time using
three different metrics, providing new insights about its impact.

 

Getting Real in the Library: A Case Study at the University of Florida

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13201

Samuel R. Putnam and Sara Russell Gonzalez

In the fall of 2014, the University of Florida (UF) Marston Science Library,
in partnership with UF IT, opened a new computer lab for students to learn
and develop mobile applications. The Mobile Application Development
Environment (MADE@UF) features both software and circulating technology for
students to use in an unstructured and minimally-staffed environment. As the
technological landscape has shifted in the past few years, virtual and
augmented reality have become more prominent and prevalent, signaled by
companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft making significant financial
investments in these technologies. During this evolution, MADE@UF has
migrated to focus more on virtual and augmented reality, and we will discuss
the opportunities and challenges that hosting and managing such a space has
provided to the science library and its staff.

 

 

Accio e-Libri: Magically Delivering Digital Resources to Patrons Using NFC
Technology

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13308

Christopher M. Jimenez and Barbara M. Sorondo

To coincide with the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and
the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, our library created a Happee Birthdae
Harry display incorporating Near Field Communication (NFC) technology
alongside print materials in order to magically place electronic resources
in our users' hands. The display was a spellbinding success, increasing
usage of both print and electronic items, and helping our students become
familiar with this innovative technology in an engaging manner. This article
will provide step-by-step instructions on the materials and procedures
librarians need to implement NFC technology in their own libraries, and will
discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with this rapidly
spreading technology.

 

 

Ship It: Logistical tracking of ILL physical loans

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13262

Ryan Litsey & Scott Luker

The OBILLSK Shipment Tracking system is the first consolidated and
comprehensive shipment information system for interlibrary loan. The system
is unique because not only does it offer an interface for consolidating the
items being shipped out of an ILL office, it also provides real time
statistical data of global geographic shipping patterns, tracking of
packages across all major couriers, and customized date range reporting for
ILL shipment activity. This system takes advantage of several web-based
technologies that makes it easy to use for students, staff and library
administrators. The web-based software utilizes a .NET platform and SQL
Server database. Client-side frameworks include Bootstrap and jQuery for
responsive design, Shield UI for data visualizations, and jVectorMap for
geographical representation of shipments. The system is now available for
all libraries. It is actively in use at 15 academic libraries nationwide and
has over 190,000 items scanned since October of 2016. It is through the
development of innovative technologies that libraries can continue to serve
as incubators for practical solutions that can help the discipline and
practice of librarianship. 

 

The Automagic of the LII's eCFR

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/13241

Charlotte Schneider and Sylvia Kwakye

The Legal Information Institute (LII) began providing access to federal
legal materials in 1992. This article discusses their work expanding and
improving free public access to federal legal resources in the U.S.,
particularly developing their eCFR product for the Code of Federal
Regulations, and plans to integrate DocketWrench. 

 

 

Terry Reese

Coordinating Editor, Issue 39

 

 


Terry Reese
Head of Digital Initiatives
University Libraries 
320F 18th Avenue Library, 175 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-8263 Office / 614-407-4998 Mobile
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