Resource Discovery Meeting Minutes

1. Welcome, Apologies and Membership Update

Present: William Marsterson (Chair - WM), Liz Chapman (EAC), John Gilby (Minutes - JG), Robert Hall (RH), Di Martin (DM), Brian Murphy (BM), Jean Sykes (JS).

Apologies for absence: Stewart Brownrigg, Catriona Cannon, Robert Kiley.

WM welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting held on 20 May 2005 were approved.

3. Action Update and Matters Arising

Actions from the previous meeting held on 20 May 2005 are summarised below:

• Action 3.1 Complete, JG tabled a short paper giving very rough estimates as to the likely costs for developing 'Search catalogues' to accept OpenURL links and Z39.50 search. JS reminded the group that the action arose as the earlier survey showed that M25 libraries were interested in linking to the service in these ways. There was a short discussion covering resource discovery issues with respect to various JISC committees and it was suggested that the group ought to explore any possibilities for funding with JISC.
  
  Action 3.1 JG to forward the estimate for 'Search catalogues' development to former CC-interop partners - CDLR and MIMAS
  
  Action 3.2 JS to explore funding possibilities with JISC for development of 'Search catalogues'.



• Actions 3.2 Complete, JS had contacted Rachel Bruce at JISC expressing interest in any future partnerships with Google.



• Action 4.1 Complete, JG had invited comments on the InforM25 services at the M25 AGM.



• Action 4.2 Complete, JG had spoken at length to the LSE Library IT Team regarding future M25 server options and had emailed details to WM and RH. JG also reminded the group that support for the current M25 server had run out.



• Action 4.3 Complete, RH reported that the cost of a new server was approved in the M25 budget for 2005/06. RH proposed that a new server be purchased and this was agreed. It was also agreed that the usage statistics work should take priority over purchase, installation and commissioning of the new server.



• Action 6.1 Complete, JG had been in touch with the new Project Manager for SUNCAT regarding when the ULS might be supplanted. SUNCAT were keen to have the ULS libraries on the service but timescales were a key issue. It was considered unlikely that all the ULS libraries would be on SUNCAT within the next 2-3 years. SUNCAT were investigating possibilities of a 'London view' (and other regional views) of the catalogue and would advise JG of possibilities.



• Action 8.2 Complete, JG had mentioned the need for future resource discovery promotion to the AWG.



• Action 9.1 Complete, JG had completed the annual Systems Team report and presented highlights from it at the M25 AGM.

4. M25 Systems Team Manager's Report

Group members had read the previously circulated report and there were no questions arising from it. JG demonstrated progress with the usage statistics work, specifically showing a Webalizer report for 'Search catalogues'. JG commented that the particular report had only been generated the previous day and that there were some anomalies in the actual usage figures as configuration of the reports was still ongoing.

What the report did show was an indication of usage of the service, with over 100 visits per day on average (a 'visit' being defined as an IP address going to the 'Search catalogue' pages and doing something). JG stated that this data could be exported from Webalizer into a spreadsheet to generate a cumulative chart showing visits over different time periods. Further tables in the report showed which 'search catalogues' pages were the most popular and pages where the visits entered and exited the site.

The table showing where a visitor was from generated a lot of interesting discussion and although the data contained is not an absolute measure, did indicate usage from most of the M25 institutions. The table showing the URL that visitors were referred from was felt particularly useful as it showed that 'Search catalogues' was being used in ways not previously known, e.g. as a link from Kingston's Serials Solutions installation. JG also gave an example of UCL's installation of SFX where comparisons could be made between the SFX server logs and the 'Search catalogues' Webalizer report.

All agreed that the data coming from the Webalizer reports looked encouraging and that it would be beneficial for JG to present some of the statistics at the January M25 Consortium meeting. Action 4.1 JG to look at exporting visits data from Webalizer to a spreadsheet that could be demonstrated to the Consortium.

5. Annual Review of System's Team Service Delivery Plan

JG reminded the group that the Service Delivery Plan had now been in use for a year and invited comments on whether any revisions were necessary. The group agreed that the plan's contents were still current and that the date on the plan should be changed to show it had been reviewed. Action 5.1 JG to edit plan and replace older version on website.

6. Consultancy Study on Future Resource Discovery Requirements

BM spoke on the previously circulated report from Information Management Associates (IMA) and felt that David Streatfield had followed the remit very well. More interviews than requested had been conducted, the report was to time and contained useful data. Although the report's conclusions were not particularly earth shattering, there was an identified need to move on with the M25 services even though the longer term future is unclear.

Catalogue enrichment is included in the report recommendations and this is likely to have access and Consortium membership/constitutional implications. The regional agenda comes across strongly and this was felt to be due to the high number of HE libraries situated within a relatively small geographical area. The question was raised as to whether this was due to 'physical collections', i.e. access to them and proximity. There is a need to bear in mind non-print issues too. It is also suggested that a national catalogue option is still some way off as is using Google as an alternative. DM commented that she felt that the Google Scholar option is not as far off as the report implies.

There was some discussion as to whether InforM25 was an end user service (for students) or a mutual support service (for library staff). This needs to be clear for the group to consider future options. JS commented that InforM25 should be regarded as an end user service though it obviously has a role for mutual support. DM further queried whether the catalogue enrichment option was to extend the quality (of 'Search catalogues') or to assist users in finding what they need.

The group agreed the following responses to the four recommendations in the report:

1. Collection of adequate performance data - it was felt that this was covered by the existing usage statistics work



2. Catalogue enrichment - this to be followed up with key players. Action 6.1 WM to discuss possibilities with ALM London and the LLDA.



3. Putting InforM25 forward as a pilot for any national catalogue was considered unlikely at the present time but should be noted for the future.



4. It was agreed that a watching brief would be kept on commercial developments.

The group agreed that the report should go to the next M25 Steering Group meeting (on 26th July 2005) and thence to the RDWG website if agreed by the Steering Group and IMA. Action 6.2 JG to add report to website when appropriate and also to advise interviewees and focus group attendees of the report.

7. Funding for M25 Systems Team for 2006 and Beyond

The short to medium term funding for the Systems Team was discussed and it was agreed that a proposal for funding from August 2006 for a further two years should go to the January 2006 Consortium meeting. Action 7.1 WM to do an initial draft proposal for further Systems Team funding and circulate to the group.

8. Advocacy Working Group Update

JG updated the group on progress with the M25 website review and its likely impact on the look and feel of the InforM25 services.

9. AOB

There was none.

10. Future Meetings

The next meeting will be at 2pm on Friday 30 September 2005, room R301, LSE Library.

Action 10.1 JG to arrange a further group meeting during November 2005.

J Gilby, 1 August 2005.