Technology Conference Draws Statewide
Attention—1
Executive Director’s Message—2
LINCC System Developments:
LINCCWeb—3
LINCC System Developments: Library
Management System (LMS)—3
CCLA Domain Transition—4
LINCC Reports Development—4
Annual LINCC User Forum—4
Ask a Librarian Tops 1,000 Sessions Per
Month; Adds Major Florida School
District and Metro Library System—5
LINCCLearn—6
Desire2Learn Platform Activated—6
Copyright Workshops—6
News from LINCC Libraries—6
CCLA Staff News—7
LINCCWeb Statistics—7
Calendar of Events
Technology Conference
Draws Statewide Attention
More than 150 librarians, educators, administrators and staff from Florida’s K-20 education system gathered in Orlando on January 26 for the first ever “Portrait of the New Learner: Aligning Systems, Services, and Expectations” conference. A
preconference to the Florida Education Technology Corporation (FETC) annual conference, and co-hosted by CCLA and the Florida Distance Learning Consortium (FDLC), the conference delivered four featured sessions, each focused on today’s digitally-influenced learner and many of the emerging trends that will impact the future of education in our
state. The conference featured experts from Apple Computer, Inc., Gartner, Inc., the Online Computer Library Center
(OCLC), and Florida’s Department of Educa-tion, who walked participants through the often daunting maze of new
technol-ogy available to today’s students and educators, and the unique opportunities that such technology can offer our state’s education system in delivering information when and where students want it.
“Today’s new generation of learners expects our education systems to keep pace with the high-tech, digital environment that they live in each day,” said Barry Adams, Education Technology Consultant for Apple Computer, Inc., and one of the
conference’s featured speakers. “As educators we must do everything we can to meet those expectations. We can’t do that if we don’t open ourselves up to that environment – really embrace it – and find new and innovative ways to incorporate that technology into our classrooms, our libraries, and at appropriate points along the path where students are served.”
Marti Harris, Research Director for Gartner, Inc., pointed to a number of positive trends – particularly among higher education communities – that indicate many institutions
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DDAAAAATTTTTA_LINCCA_LINCCA_LINCCA_LINCC is published bi-monthly as aA_LINCC service of the College Center for Library Automation. Editor: Mark Adams, e-mail:
madams@cclaflorida.org
VOLUME 15, NO. 1 • JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2005
LIBRARY INFORMATION NETWORK FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Pictured, left to right, CCLA Executive Director Richard Madaus, Marti Harris, Gartner, Inc., John Opper, Executive Director of the Florida Distance Learning
Executive Director’s Message
It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then we reach a point when a number of very large-scale projects enter a brief anticipatory pattern all at once, each waiting for a key external event to occur before activities all return to their normal hectic pace.
I mention this because I’m observing such a phenomenon occurring at this moment with several LINCC- and CCLA-related development activities. For example, a key milestone that we have been diligently preparing for is the upgrade of LINCC’s library management system (LMS) to Aleph v.17 software. We are currently near the head of the line with several other large-scale library systems all awaiting v.17 installation. Other activities in this temporary holding pattern include a final decision on whether community colleges will receive database funding in next year’s legislative budget ($3.9 million has been requested by the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education on behalf of community college libraries), and the activation of a new version of Ex Libris’ Metalib software—a core application used for database searching within LINCCWeb.
And although this interim period is short-lived, it provides us an opportunity to temporarily refocus some of our efforts on the myriad of other “must do’s” that sometimes take a back seat to larger, priority projects, but which serve to support LINCC libraries and their students. Several of the more notable items on that list include:
LINCC Statistics
This is an ongoing activity and one on which CCLA places a high priority. In December 2004 we released version 2 of our LINCC reports, adding new reports and enhancing others to help meet the needs of LINCC libraries. We anticipate releasing additional new or enhanced LINCC reports in early summer. We are also testing Ex Libris’ Aleph Reporting Center (ARC), which provides for enhanced statistical reporting that could potentially complement reports currently provided through the LINCC Reports Service (LRS).
Reports development is an ongoing activity that draws upon the expertise of key CCLA staff who are also engaged in large-scale LMS and LINCCWeb development projects. For the moment, however, some of those individuals are available to devote more of their time to the enhancement of LINCC statistical reporting, assisting other staff in helping ensure this vital library need continues to be met.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
An exciting piece of flexibility and customization that the new LINCC system offers but the legacy system did not, is electronic data interchange (EDI)—the ability for libraries to use the LMS’s acquisitions module to send and receive orders and invoices for materials directly with commercial book vendors. Without EDI, library staff must enter their orders into both the vendor’s online system and into the LMS. We have received strong support from LINCC libraries for the implementation of EDI, and I am happy to report that we will prototype this new feature at one or more community colleges within the coming months.
Circulation Self-Check
We are currently working to implement Circulation Self Check capability into LINCC. Self check is a stand-alone workstation that enables library patrons to check out materials without staff intervention. Based on feedback we’ve received from LINCC libraries we anticipate that circulation self check will quickly become a part of many libraries’ longer-range planning, but for the moment is also a feature that has immediate application for a number of community colleges across the state.
In order to continue to grow LINCC and CCLA services to meet the varying needs of all its users, development activities such as those described above – and a multitude of others that often go unmentioned but that are crucial components of a statewide library and information system – are constantly underway and in various stages of completion. At this time, CCLA is currently developing its business plan for 2005-2006, which charts our course for the development and activation of these and other programs and services for the coming year.
And it is momentary times like these when I stop to laud the hard work and growing accomplishments of the LINCC community and CCLA, and commend each of you for maintaining your support of the LINCC system and recognizing its value to the thousands of community college librarians and students that use it each day.
by J. Richard Madaus, Executive Director
LINCC System Developments
Refinement and development of Ex Libris’ Aleph software remains an ongoing activity. That activity continues to benefit from close collaboration between CCLA, its advisory commit-tees, LINCC libraries, and Ex Libris. Key CCLA staff continue to meet with members of Ex Libris’ senior and project management staff, working to refine and improve the operation of all Ex Libris products at CCLA.
• Development of LMS functionality that will allow for statewide request of books and other collection materials between LINCC libraries continues. The functionality remains a key development area for CCLA and Ex Libris, as it will restore similar functionality previously available with the legacy LMS. Following final installation of software by Ex Libris, CCLA will begin development, configuration and testing of request functionality within LINCC.
• CCLA continues its preparation for the upcoming devel-opment and testing of Aleph version 17. That preparation includes establishing module development and testing schedules that will precede release of the software to LINCC libraries. CCLA and Ex Libris are working closely together to identify a time period for installation of Aleph version 17 on CCLA’s servers. Although a firm date has yet to be established, the installation is tentatively sched-uled for early summer.
• A new “Label-Print” program for the LMS was introduced in January. Label-Print allows library staff to control a number of settings associated with printing spine labels, including the number of duplicate labels, margin size, and the insertion of collection and/or description infor-mation.
• CCLA is currently configuring LINCC’s Acquisitions module to enable libraries to send orders electronically to materials vendor Yankee Book Peddler via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). It is anticipated that Seminole Community College will begin prototyping the new functionality in May. Incorporation of EDI capability for other vendors used by LINCC libraries will follow. • Based on interest from LINCC libraries, CCLA is moving
forward with plans to implement Circulation Self Check capability into LINCC. Self Check is a stand-alone workstation that enables library patrons to check out
Library Management System (LMS)
(“LMS” continued on page 4)
CCLA continues its close collaboration with the Information Portal Committee to refine LINCCWeb based on the committee’s recommendation and suggestions from the LINCC library community.
• CCLA is making good progress on the first of two software development phases that will enable students to use LINCCWeb’s catalog to access all ebooks to which they are entitled.
The first phase, now in testing, will cover the collection of ebooks purchased by the State of Florida for use by all community colleges.
A second ebook development phase will provide access from LINCCWeb’s catalog to locally-purchased ebooks. Nearly 50 percent of the state’s community colleges currently purchase ebooks for use by their students. No date for general release of this enhanced LINCCWeb functionality has been set.
• In January, CCLA re-indexed the LINCC bibliographic database to provide students with enhanced search options when using the “Browse Lists” feature within LINCCWeb’s catalog.
• CCLA has established NetLibrary administrative accounts for each institution. The accounts allow for local editing of ebook settings. Public Services contacts have been designated as local account administrators for their respective colleges.
• Tailoring of a new version of Metalib in CCLA’s develop-ment environdevelop-ment continues. Anticipated for release in late summer, the enhanced Metalib will include a new interface capacity for LINCCWeb electronic resources, ranking of search results, and the improved ability for users to locate and search e-journals.
• CCLA is in the final stages of testing OPAC Course Reserves that will provide access from the LINCCWeb catalog to institution-level Course Reserves materials. When available, students will be able to search
LINCCWeb by course name and number, instructor, title and author. Availability of this new functionality for LINCC libraries is anticipated by start of the summer term.
Annual LINCC User Forum
For those attending April’s Florida Library Association (FLA) conference in Jacksonville, please make plans join other community college librarians and staff from around the state at CCLA’s annual LINCC User Forum. This year’s forum will be on Wednesday, April 13, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The annual event is a great opportunity to meet with other librarians and key CCLA staff to find out about new and planned CCLA/LINCC programs and services, and to discuss the continuing refinement of LINCCWeb and LINCC’s library management system. It’s also an opportunity to exchange news and information about your library with others from around the state.
If you have questions about the LINCC User Forum, please contact CCLA’s Service Desk. More information about the FLA conference is available at: http://www.flalib.org/conf/2005.
LINCC Reports Development
• The continued development of enhanced LMS and LINCCWeb statistical reporting using the LINCC Reports Service (LRS), native LMS clients and the Task Manager tops the list of CCLA priorities. CCLA has recently added 12 new or enhanced statistical reports to the Task Man-ager and LRS.
• As previously announced, CCLA has agreed to test Ex Libris’ Aleph Reporting Center (ARC). The ARC provides for enhanced statistical reporting that could potentially complement reports currently provided through the LINCC Reports Service. Key CCLA staff have completed introduc-tory ARC training and are now engaged in an initial evaluation of the product.
CCLA continues the incremental transition of its domain-related services to @cclaflorida.org. CCLA staff and
organizational e-mail addresses were successfully transitioned in December and are now being followed by the transition of all CCLA/LINCC discussion lists. The domain transition will continue throughout the spring, culminating in a redesign and address change for CCLA’s organizational Web site, anticipated later this year.
CCLA Domain Transition
LMS
(continued from page 3)
materials without staff intervention. CCLA’s initial develop-ment supports the SIP2 protocol used by 3M products to interact with LINCC circulation software.
• An additional shelf-reading/collection maintenance capability, equivalent to what was commonly known as “Inventory” on the legacy system, was prototyped at South Florida Community College and at the Wolfson campus of Miami Dade Community College in January. A third prototype site, Okaloosa-Walton College, has also been selected to prototype the software.
are moving in the direction suggested by Adams. Implemen-tation of advanced resource management systems that provide fast, convenient service to students, while also providing institutions with enhanced efficiencies were examples. Harris noted the new Aleph software-based LINCC library management system among that group.
The conference attracted a strong turnout of community college and university librarians from across Florida. A featured speaker at the conference was Cathy De Rosa, OCLC’s Vice President of Corporate Marketing, who drew stark contrasts between many traditional library practices and those emerging among today’s libraries as a result of information availability. DeRosa painted a challenging, but encouraging, picture of today’s changing library environ-ments.
“The term ‘library’ can’t afford to be seen only as a place where people go to find books,” DeRosa pointed out when fielding questions from the audience. “Libraries must remain an integral part of the entire ‘information marketplace.’ One of the strengths librarians offer is expertise, and the more we can extend that message into our communities, into our schools, to let people know that everything they find on the Web isn’t necessarily reliable or correct, the more valuable a resource we’ll remain. It’s a challenge ... one we have to constantly focus on.”
About the conference, Manatee Community College librarian Judy Born remarked, “The speakers were great and gave us much ‘food for thought’. Plus, the conference proved to be a great opportunity to meet with and discuss these technology and learning issues with many of the university librarians in attendance. This was a great network-ing opportunity for us to share ideas for improvnetwork-ing our library services.”
Ask a Librarian Tops 1,000 Sessions Per Month;
Adds Major Florida School District, Metro Library System
The statewide Ask a Librarian virtual reference service surpassed 1,000 sessions in both January and February 2005—a first for the emerging service and a significant milestone that reflects the online resource’s growing popularity.
“Ask a Librarian continues to enjoy steady and very notable increases both in the number of monthly sessions provided to patrons, and the number of new libraries joining the service” commented Vince Mariner, Ask a Librarian’s Statewide Coordinator.
“January’s total sessions were in excess of 1,000 – the first time we’ve exceeded that number in a single month – and then followed up that achievement with an even larger total for February!” he added.
New participants
According to Mariner, the continued upward trend in Ask a Librarian’s monthly reference sessions is largely attributable to the quality of service provided by libraries staffing the service, and the increased exposure that it receives from the 85 participating academic, public and special libraries throughout the state—participation that now includes the Palm Beach County School District, the Broward County Library, Everglades University and the University of Tampa, all of which joined in January.
Said Mariner, “In particular, January’s additions of the Broward County Library and the Palm Beach County School District serve to increase the visibility of Ask a Librarian in south Florida. With Miami Dade Public Library and Miami Dade Community College Library, participation and service was already quite strong in south Florida. January’s additions will help solidify Ask a Librarian’s presence among libraries in that region. “Ask a Librarian is a virtual service – available online, staffed by librarians from across the state, and not tied to any single library or geographic location – and because of that it doesn’t matter where in Florida someone
lives; he or she can access the online service and receive top quality reference help,” he added. “We’ve noticed, however, that use of Ask a Librarian is higher in those geographic areas with more, or larger, libraries participating in the service. For that reason, the addition of major library systems from Broward and Palm Beach counties should help to push use of Ask a Librarian higher.”
To ask a question using Ask a Librarian, go to ww.askalibrarian.org. More information about the Ask a Librarian service, includ-ing a comprehensive list of participatinclud-ing libraries, is available at http://info.askalibrarian.org.
What is Ask a Librarian?
‘Ask a Librarian’ (www.askalibrarian.org) is a free online library reference service that provides Florida’s residents with convenient, real-time access to a librarian who can answer their reference questions and assist them in locating information on the Web. Library professionals from 85 participating academic, public and special libraries throughout the state staff the service.
Jointly administered by the College Center for Library Automation (CCLA) and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC), Ask a Librarian is a key component of the Florida Electronic Library (www.flelibrary.org).
Look for Ask a Librarian at FLA!
Ask a Librarian will exhibit as part of the Florida Electronic Library at April’s Florida Library Association annual conference. Ask a Librarian will also host a panel session on April 12 as part of the conference. The panel session will run from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., and will include discussion of the statewide service, implications of staffing a local reference desk, best practices, maxi-mizing the service’s benefit to patrons, and more. For more information contact Vince Mariner at vmariner@cclaflorida.org.
New Web-Based Serials Course Available
A new Web-based “Serials Check-in” course was introduced in January. Available to all LINCC library staff from CCLA’s LINCCLearn Web page, the new course is particularly valuable for training student assistants and other new staff who handle serials check-in functions. The course provides instruction on checking-in predicted and unexpected serial issues using the LINCC LMS’s serials module, and checking-in predicted serial issues using Fast check-in.
CCLA completed the migration of its suite of LINCCLearn Web-based training (WBT) courses and library staff accounts from the Blackboard platform to Desire2Learn in January.
“This move is significant because it offers CCLA a host of new system-related benefits, such as an ability to more easily integrate WBT into other LINCC-related applications, and a more flexible environment for the development and enhance-ment of new Web-based courses,” comenhance-mented Wayne Hodges, CCLA Instructional Design Specialist.
CCLA will continue to refine its LINCCLearn Web-based courses and the Desire2Learn functionality. We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding that refinement.
Desire2Learn Platform Activated
LINCC library staff are reminded that a Web-based callTrack Your Service Desk Calls!
tracking tool is available from CCLA’s Web site. The user-friendly resource allows for tracking of calls and e-mails placed with CCLA’s Service Desk. Library staff can view the status of each call they’ve placed, the call’s history, check for updates, and view its resolution. The call tracking tool is available at http://calls.lincc.net, or from CCLA’s User Support Web page at http://www.ccla.lib.fl.us/crm/
usersupport.asp.
The Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN), Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN) and CCLA collaborated to offer two copyright workshops in February. More than 70 library staff attended the workshops, presented by the Copyright Clearance Center.
“As libraries continue to delve deeper into electronic re-serves, archival collections, and other relatively new service areas, there is a growing need to know more about the implications of copyright on those resources,” commented Linda McCarthy, CCLA Assistant Director for Library Ser-vices. “These workshops were designed to provide partici-pants the opportunity to learn more about the current copyright environment, gain valuable background knowl-edge, and ask questions about copyright issues.”
McCarthy noted that CCLA’s collaboration with the multi-type library cooperatives (MLCs) serves to reduce duplication of training and maximize opportunities for library staff participation at convenient regional locations.
CCLA, NEFLIN, SEFLIN Collaborate
on Copyright Workshops
News from LINCC Libraries
Tallahassee Community College
TCC Library celebrated ten years in its current building with an Open House celebration on January 18. Highlighting the event was the unveling of a wall bearing photographs of each of TCC’s past library directors, along with a photo of its current director, Cherry Alexander. Also featured on the wall is a photograph of the first book in TCC’s library collection (from 1965). The book remains on display in the library.
Four of six past and present TCC Library Directors pose in front of the library’s new wall of directors photos. Pictured (l to r): Mabel Shaw (1992-1998), Cherry Alexander (1999-present), Eloise Harbeson (1972-1992), and Charlie Robertson (1998-1999).
Conferences
Key CCLA staff represented LINCC and CCLA at the following meetings and conferences during January and February: Community College Funding Formula Committee meeting, Community College Chief Information Officers meeting, American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter meeting, Florida Educational Technology Conference, Florida Association of Education Data Systems (FAEDS) Board meeting.
CCLA Staff News
Presentations
CCLA’s Executive Director presented, “Technology: The
Hurrieder We Go the Behinder We Get,” to staff at the
Florida Community College at Jacksonville in January, and also as the keynote address to the OCLC Members Council in February.
* Library holdings search statistics reflect activation of the new LINCCWeb online catalog on January 12, 2004, and deactivation of the legacy LINCC system’s terminal-based access.
** As reported by supplying vendors. Increase partially due to vendor movement to the new international “Counting Online Usage of NeTworked Electronic Resources” (COUNTER) standardized reporting initiative.
LINCCWeb Statistics
LINCC Database Statistics
LINCCWeb Activity – Online Searches January 2004 January 2005 YTD 2003-04 YTD 2004-05
LINCC Library Holdings 382,911 430,462 2,392,614 2,474,251
FirstSearch 15,353 15,320 839,995 123,665
EBSCO 379,413 183,845 1,888,764 1,905,750
Gale Group 725,287 456,311 2,630,740 4,808,584
ProQuest 7,364 20,834 100,263 95,872
Wilson 223,019 440,621 N/A 2,981,368
TOTAL LINCCWeb Searches 1,733,347 1,547,393 7,852,376 12,389,490
TOTAL Terminal Library Holdings Searches * 6,238 N/A 173,730 N/A
TOTAL User Searches 1,739,585 1,547,393 8,032,344 12,389,490 **
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL Circulation 109,300 126,022 818,906 804,201
As of January 31, 2005
Item Records 3,931,147
MARC holdings records 3,111,009
MARC bibliographic records 1,179,681
MARC authority records 401,093
Calendar
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COLLEGE CENTER FOR LIBRARY AUTOMATION
VOICE: 850.922.6044 • SUNCOM 292.6044 • FAX: 850.922.4869 • SUNCOM 292.4869 • E-MAIL: madams@cclaflorida.org • www.ccla.lib.fl.us • JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2005
March
10-11 CCLA Executive Committee meeting, Tallahassee 28-29 CCLA Information Portal
Committee meeting, Tallahassee
April
13 Annual LINCC User Forum, Jacksonville
28-29 CCLA Library Management Systems Committee meeting, Tallahassee
May
24-25 CCLA Executive Committee meeting, Tallahassee 27 Ask a Librarian Advisory
Committee meeting, Orlando 30 Memorial Day holiday, CCLA
offices closed
June
16-17 CCLA Advisory Board meeting, Tallahassee
July
4 Independence Day holiday, CCLA offices closed 14-15 CCLA Library Programs and
Services Committee meeting, Tallahassee
