TECHNOLOGY GOALS & INITIATIVES - Spring 2004
Enhanced Public & Staff Printing We continue to have problems with printing in the reference area. A print queue would help us to balance the load on the two printers and would also allow one printer to take over if the other is out of commission. In addition, we could manage the print jobs sent to the queue from one central location instead of visiting and logging on to each individual PC. Action/equipment required: Install and configure robust print queue software. Target Date: ASAP
ERes?: Continue to develop service While the ERes? server is fully functional and the program is very popular, we are continuing to look into ways of making the service more attractive and easier to use. For example, we would like to develop a web form that will take a course page request and automatically establish an account and course page on the system. To create such a form, we need access to the database and underlying program on the ERes? server. Action/equipment required: Full access to ERes? server. Target date: Fall 2004
Database-driven Web Pages The library maintains well over 500 web pages, on which we link to more than 5,000 unique URLs?. To this date, we have been maintaining all of these links by hand � individually editing HTML pages. We need to move to a more dynamic and efficient process; by harvesting our current links and creating a database, we could maintain all the links in one central location and serve the links out to individual web pages. In addition, we would like to develop an interactive resource that will dynamically create customized subject guides for individuals, based on user input. For an example of such a resource, please visit: http://systems.lib.ecu.edu/piratesource/. Action/equipment required: Server. Target date: Summer/Fall 2004
Instructional Web Tutorials Statistics for most library web sites show there is significant database and web site usage from remote locations. Since the librarians are not available for live help 24/7, we intend to create web tutorials that will provide basic and advanced assistance for remote users. These tutorials may eventually interact with the database-driven web pages described above. For an example of a similar project, visit http://www.sunywcc.edu/library/tutorial/psychology/index.htm. Action/equipment required: Server. Target date: Spring 2005
Institutional Repository The Library is exploring the possibility of creating and maintaining an institutional repository to initially contain the documents and materials related to the Global Access Project. We intend to expland the repository to include special collections of digital materials appropriate to the scope and mission of the University. Action/equipment required: Server & software. Target date: Spring 2005
Wireless Network for CyberCaf?� (and beyond) We are continuing to circulate three PIII laptops to students and faculty in Spring 2002. These laptops are equipped with network cards and cables to plug into our current hard-wired network. However, for greater flexibility and mobility, we would like to experiment with wireless networking both in the CyberCaf?� and on the upper levels of the Haas Library. Action/equipment required: Wireless hub for cybercafe and possibly other areas in the Haas. Target date: Summer 2004
My Library � Customizable library portal See current projects at http://www.library.vcu.edu/mylibrary/cil99.html. In addition, CCSU Library is in the process of bringing up a portal. Based on these experiences, we are interested in exploring the possibilities for this campus. Action/equipment required: Server & software. Target date: Fall 2005
Federated Search Engine Much like Google, federated searching allows the user to enter keywords in a simple interface and retrieve articles from multiple full-text and bibliographic databases simultaneously, such as the library catalog and any number of article databases. The CONSULS strategic plan (prepared by the library directors of CCSU, ECSU, SCSU, WCSU and the CT State Library) calls for investigating and installing such a product within 2 years. Federated search engines require significant server space and power � we would want this server to be located in the library. Action/equipment required: Server & software. Target date: Spring 2005