Context Sensitive Linking

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Context Sensitive Linking

• The Story Continues
• Mary Ann Chappell
• James Madison University
• May 22, 2003

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(No Transcript)
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Benefits of context-sensitive linking

• Users have easy access to librarys entire online
  collection.
• Library can offer users access to local print
  holdings.
• Library can offer users others services, e.g.
  Interlibrary Loan, other search options.

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Linking Options

• Database provider linking services
• Subscription-based, hosted linking services
• Local link resolver products

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Database provider linking services

• Examples WilsonLink, Links_at_Ovid
• Available at no extra charge
• Provides linking to fulltext internally in their
  databases and externally to other publishers and
  content aggregators
• Disadvantage Must create and maintain file of
  librarys journal holdings for each database
  provider.

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Subscription-based, hosted linking services

• Examples Ovid LinkSolver, EBSCO LinkSource,
  Serials Solutions ArticleLinker, Openly
  Informatics 1cate
• Price usually based on FTE
• Works with any OpenURL-enabled database
• Create and maintain one file of the librarys
  journal holdings
• Reliance on vendor to add titles and link-to
  syntax.

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Local link resolution servers

• Examples Ex Libris SFX, Fretwell-Downing OL2,
  Sirsi Resolver, Innovative Interfaces WebBridge,
  Endeavor LinkFinderPlus
• Linking products are usually stand-alone systems
  running on separate hardware.
• Works with any OpenURL-enabled database.
• Create and maintain one file of the librarys
  journal holdings.
• Library controls when updates and changes are
  made to journal holdings and links.

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Factors to consider in selecting linking service

• Benefits to users
• Technology that is the best match for your
  institution remotely hosted service or support
  for a link server
• Staffing
• Costs
• Current licensed databases (Are they
  OpenURL-enabled?)
• Fulltext content resources

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Evaluating linking services

• Quality of database controlling linking
• Does the database include your libraries fulltext
  resources?
• How frequently are updates made to the database?
• What is the process for the library to request
  additions and changes?

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Evaluating linking services (continued)

• Is the vendor partnering with other vendors for
  linking?
• Does the vendor offer an import utility for
  loading journal holdings from the OPAC or a
  serial vendor?
• What options does the vendor provide for
  customization?

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Evaluating linking services (continued)

• What options does the vendor provide for allowing
  the library to link users to the appropriate
  copy when there are multiple resources with the
  fulltext?
• Can the vendor under consideration can sustain
  this service?

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Conclusion

• Linking is a rapidly evolving technology.
• New linking products and services continue to be
  announced.
• Emerging OpenURL standard is an important
  development for libraries and information
  industry.
• Biggest problem and continuing challenge for
  linking is the need for quality metadata to
  dynamically compute links, which makes unique
  identifiers (e.g. DOI) for information objects
  critical.