Why VuFind at Illinois?

1
Why VuFind at Illinois?

• LITA National Forum
• October 3, 2009

2

• like most other libraries, we have a growing
  number of local collections
• traditional print
• electronic journals databases
• digital repositories
• web pages
• and a growing number of delivery systems, each
  its own user interface

3

• OPAC
• local e-resources catalog
• local e-resources discovery
• multiple digital repositories
• extensive web site
• difficult for users to find or fully utilize
  much of what is available to them

4

• many libraries have invested in discovery
  interfaces -- either commercial or open source --
  to help with this situation

5

• investigated several commercial
• options
• Primo
• Aquabrowser
• Endeca
• but opted not to take this path

6

• joined statewide WorldCat Local pilot project
  still ongoing
• meanwhile, CARLI began to explore VuFind

7

• opportunity to experiment with a next gen
  interface for our ILS
• without a significant upfront financial or time
  commitment
• and learn how users react to key features in
  VuFind that are common to many discovery systems

8

• soft roll out fall semester 2008
• optional alternative to Voyager OPAC
• available from a link on website
• labeled beta
• minimal PR spring semester 2009
• usability testing
• online user survey

9

• no user training offered
• 4 hands-on training sessions for staff

10

• waiting to see where CARLI decides to go with
  VuFind
• meanwhile . . . weve had a very valuable
  opportunity for staff and users to try out a new
  interface and give feedback on its pros and cons