 |
 |
Karen, We recently launched an application that provides a single user interface for requesting returnable items from our 4 shared resource systems. We use the WorldCat search box as our starting point. Instead of passing the OpenURL from WorldCat directly to our link resolver, we intercept it and use the ISBN to 1) do a look-up in our catalog (we redirect if a circulating copy is available), 2) query our III INNReach catalog, 3) query two Sirsi-Dynix URSA consortium catalogs, and 4) default to our ILLiad system if the request can't be placed in one of the direct borrow systems. Instead of having to navigate different proprietary systems, each with its own search interface and login method, the user now searches once in WorldCat, authenticates once, and our application goes to work behind the scenes. The public description of the system is at: http://dl.lib.brown.edu/libweb/services/easyBorrow.php We're in the process of creating a site with technical details and code. The architecture is quite modular and webservice based and could be adapted/expanded by others. (We're currently using java, python, and php.) Two of our project team members will be signing up for "lightning/5-minute madness" talks at the upcoming Access (Birkin Diana) and LITA (Bonnie Buzzell) conferences. Jean Rainwater Co-leader, Integrated Technology Services Brown University Library [log in to unmask] 401.863.9031 On 9/26/07, K.G. Schneider <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Originally posted elsewhere. Despite the direction of my original > request, I'm getting such good developer-level responses to this > question that I'm reposting to code4lib to say if you are doing > something interesting, I'm interested. > > Karen G. Schneider > > On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:13:32 -0400, "K.G. Schneider" > <[log in to unmask]> said: > > For a report I'm writing, I'm hunting around for interesting and > > successful uses of end-user-oriented WorldCat affiliate tools and search > > extensions (or interesting and UNsuccessful deployments...), such as: > > > > * WorldCat Search Box. Creates a WorldCat search box on home pages, > > blogs, and other websites; available preconfigured in two sizes, but (I > > think) can be tweaked for other configurations. Requires (free) WorldCat > > registration. > > > > * WorldCat links with embedded search terms. OCLC provides syntaxes for > > deeplinking to WorldCat results, suitable for embedding in courseware, > > etc. > > > > * Other things: a Firefox browser search extension and a Yahoo! toolbar > > for Internet Explorer that allow WorldCat searches from browser > > toolbars, and a Google toolbar for either Internet Explorer or Firefox > > that links directly to WorldCat results when it detects ISBNs on web > > pages. > > > > (Interesting uses of xISBN, WorldCat registry search/detail, or the > > OpenURL Gateway also welcome, but not as central.) > > > > I see some of these tools on various library websites, and use a couple > > of them myself, but I'm looking more carefully for the benefits/payback > > of these tools beyond "yup, it's on our website" or "I use it myself." > > > > Writing under the umbrella of biblio-officialdom I am -- > > > > Karen G. Schneider > > Research & Development > > College Center for Library Automation > > http://www.cclaflorida.org > > Voice: 850-922-3159 > > AIM/Email: [log in to unmask] > > _______________________________________________ > > Web4lib mailing list > > [log in to unmask] > > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/ >