RE: Alpha list of indexes and Databases

I won't be here for our next meeting so I wanted to share some follow up thoughts on whether or not to have an alpha list of our indexes & databases.

I agree with Walter that the alpha list has a purpose, it provides a picture of what electronic resources we provide access to. That being said, I question the usefulness of the alpha list for our users, I think that it is more a librarians and staff tool (I spoke to Sandy this morning and she mentionned that it would be very confusing/difficult for her not to have that list and that also she feels a responsibility to provide this list for colleagues at other institutions).

So, I would like to suggest the following:

- build the database that gives us the ability to create an alpha list

- create a section on our web site that would be called something like "our electronic resources" and that would link to the alpha list of indexes and databases, the list of newspapers, the list of ejournals, etc.

- Walter adds the new electronic resources to the resources database (instead of adding them to the alpha list right now) then notifies all liaisons of availability. The liaison "owner" of the database then creates the description and subject headings.

It looks like we need to develop two sets of guidelines:

1) Collection development guidelines

* to decide on the contents of the alpha list (this will help Walter identify what goes on the list- include Sandy in this dicussion because she suggested making the difference between subscription and one time purchases)

* to agree on what goes into the database (this will help liaison as they develop their guides)

2) Editorial guidelines
To ensure that there is a common approach (format, language, etc.) to to the info screens designed by liaisons.

Until the fall, I suggest that we continue adding new resources that we might get (Artstor in particular) to the existing alpha only.

Christine

Agenda for Web Team 6/23/04

1. Announcements

2. Left navigation and results pages for Indexes and Databases

3. Open discussion items from group?

Notes: Jason

I just linked to a new reference page under "Research Advice" on the library index page. Let me back up a bit... Lori had created an "Evaluating Sources Checklist" page for the Mellon program and asked me to link to it for her class today.

http://www.williams.edu/library/research/evaluate.html

The page is general enough in scope that it should be a good resource even after the program. At any rate, I just wanted to keep you all up to date. Questions and Comments are welcome.

Jason

I just sat down and compiled this list about tasks to be completed for the Indexes and Databases project. I think it covers most of what we have been talking about in our meetings. Let me know if something else comes to you.

Tasks for Indexes and Database Redesign (as of 6/09/04)

1. Create Data Model and Database

2. Get Subject categories from liaisons
2a. Revisit subject categories with liaisons as project continues

3. Enter display data and metadata for each database entry

4. Create list of news-related database and indexes

5. Create “News Resources” list via database query

6. Create Subject access via database query

7. Create Alphabetical List via database query

8. Create “More info” screen page via database query

9. Work on interface for all pages
9a. Results pages need “More…” as a graphic linking to more about each database
9b. Results pages need Top 3 DB as top result
9c. Icons for connect from home, ejournals, etc.
9d. Decide on left navigation

10. Continue to work on “Finding More” categories as general categories disappear from indexes and databases project

11.Revise info screen pages as project progresses
11a. Remove “Related Databases” links from all info screen pages

We have a brief agenda for tomorrow. We'll see where it takes us...

Agenda for Web Team 6/09/04

1. Announcements

2. Status of Projects - http://www.williams.edu/library/admin/projects/

3. Open discussion items from group?

Notes: Christine

I just updated some pages on the web site. Changes have been made to the following:

1. BLC library list has been added to Finding Books – Local Research page - http://www.williams.edu/library/otherlibraries.html. It links to the list of member catalogs in keeping with the idea of the page and Joanne's sugggestion. For the time being, the link to the Boston Library Consortium main page (http://www.blc.org/) is linked in the About Us section under "Boston Library Consortium".

2. A new troubleshooting page for ScienceDirect has been added to the ejournals. This addition warranted a new index page that links to both the Expanded Academic/Infotrac Troubleshooting and the ScienceDirect Troubleshooting page. The new index page is linked from the Technical Help section under "ejournal and database troubleshooting" - http://www.williams.edu/library/computing/index.html. The new ScienceDirect troubleshooting page is http://www.williams.edu/library/computing/sciencedirect_error.html.

I have also posted the minutes from the last meeting at http://libweb.williams.edu/committees/web/minutes/may2604.pdf.