Blogging for FIS 1311

Article Review: The Alexandria Digital Library Project

2005-11-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

Libraries everywhere are increasingly putting material on-line, in order to reach wider user groups. This is especially true for special collections libraries, which are using new technology to preserve and share their material digitally. Michael Goodchild’s article “The Alexandria Digital Library Project” (ADL) examines one such initiative.

This project, as described by Goodchild, illustrates how technological advances are affecting the organization and accessibility of information in libraries. The article is useful because it outlines the progress and development of the project, which corresponds with some of the main concepts we have discussed in class .The article, further, explains the profound effects that this project has had on the way other special collection digital libraries are organized and created. Goodchild’s article does have some shortcomings, however, as he fails to examine the implications that this project might have in the future, or the ease of use for the average user.

The project began in 1994 when the University of California, Santa Barbara received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to digitize their extensive map collection (Goodchild, 2004). There are many problems concerning access and availability that surround map collections; they are highly specialized, expensive, difficult to store, and difficult to catalogue. The ADL hopes to address all these problems by making both the catalogue and the content of the library automated (Goodchild, 2004). As technology is dynamic and ever changing, the project began using existing geographic information system (GIS) software, but switched plans to an HTTP-based approach because of the increasing popularity of the internet (Goodchild, 2004).

What started out as an initiative to digitize the libraries holdings has become an extensive internet database where users can search not only geographic places, but also any “information objects that [possess] geographic references or footprints” (Goodchild, 2004, ¶ 9). The project is now referred to as a “geolibrary” because it is capable of not only a primary search key based on geographic locations, but also because of the searchable “georeferenced” objects available (Goodchild, 2004). Changes to the initial project plan have caused creators to use different developmental methods as well as incorporate new technologies.

One of the techniques outlined in Goodchild’s article is an iterative approach to designing software. This process was used in creating the prototype for the ADL (Hill, 2000). The iterative approach to developing software, as discussed in class, is new, and an alternative to some other methods, such as the waterfall method. It is different because it does not follow a strict order and number of phases, but instead “a sequence of incremental steps or iterations” (Kroll, 2004, ¶ 3). This method worked for the project, because with each step they were able to test the prototype with various user groups, in the hope that the final product would run efficiently and effectively.

This approach has also allowed the study to incorporate considerable user response into the final product. The project was designed to service three primary user communities, and it was through user evaluations that the current Java-based interface was designed (Hill, 2000). The interface allows users to set their own “query area” (Hill, 2000) or “user-defined window,” allowing them to limit their collection search to a certain geographical area (Goodchild, 2004). The user input collected had a direct impact on the format of today’s Alexandria Digital Library, ensuring that the users are able to access the information they need.

The library is also unique in that it uses both collection level metadata and a gazetteer service to enhance the databases search capability (Goodchild, 2004). The collection level metadata allows users to search a number of collections at once. This metadata is gathered from the collections themselves, and used by ADL for collection registration and user documentation (Hill, 1998). Another metadata development used by ADL is the gazetteer search. The gazetteer is like a dictionary of named geographic places, turning simple user inputs into exact longitude and latitude coordinates that can be used to search the collection (Hill, 1998). In using these two metadata developments, ADL feels that it provides a comprehensive and easy to use search.

The article pays special attention to the implications the project has had on other digital libraries, as well as libraries in general. This is important, as information professionals struggle to find a balance between the digital world and the real world. Many of the characteristics pioneered by this ‘geolibrary,’ such as the ability to search with exact coordinates, were previously unheard of in libraries, but have since been appropriated by others (Goodchild, 2004). These advances not only effect the way we think about searching the catalogues of special material libraries, but also open up access; allowing researchers from all over to experience special and rare collections. Goodchild (2004) raises the important point that technology has elevated the status of libraries in the ‘information society,’ as it exposes the different kinds of information libraries could and should provide. He also maintains that while these new libraries are useful we should not forget the “multitude of useful functions that [traditional] libraries perform,” (Goodchild, 2004, ¶20) highlighting the balance that needs to be maintained in this information society.

The article on The Alexandria Digital Library is very detailed and raises a number of positive points about the project. The author, however, is a member of the University of California’s geography department, so his opinions and observations are more advanced than the average user’s. While Goodchild does recognize some of the problems surrounding the project, such as the cost, search glitches, and depth of search problems (Goodchild, 2004), he also avoids investigating some of the negative aspects of the project. His article is somewhat Utopian in assuming that the average user will be able to navigate and understand the ADL’s interface. He also avoids mentioning that not everything is available on-line (Hill, 2000), so the library is not as far reaching as his article describes.

Digital libraries are important to information professionals because they demonstrate the changing role of libraries in this technologically based society. The Alexandria Digital Library, an innovative project aiming to digitize a map library, is described in Goodchild’s article. While the article recognizes some of the problems surrounding the digitization of libraries, it also recognizes the bright future for the relationship between libraries and technology.

References

Goodchild, M.F. (2004, May). The Alexandrian Digital Library Project: Review, assessment and prospects. D-Lib, 10(5). Retrieved October 17, 2005, from http://www.dlib.org/dlib/may04/goodchild/05goodchild.html

Hill, L. L. (1998). Gazetteer and Collection-level Metadata. Presented at the Metadata Symposium sponsored by NFAIS, November 9-12, 1998. Retrieved November 1, 2005, from http://www.alexandria.ucsb.edu/~lhill/alex-imp/Metadiversity_narrative.html

Hill, L.L., Carver, L., Larsgaard, M., Dolin, R., Smith, T.R., Frew, J., et-al. (2000). Alexandria Digital Library: User evaluation studies and system design. Journal of American Society fort Information Science, 51(3), 246-259. Retrieved November 1, 2005 from LISA database.

Kroll, P. (2004). Transitioning from waterfall to iterative development. Retrieved October 17, 2005, from IBM Web site:
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/4243.html

Project Profile Assignment: The Coalition for Networked Information

2005-10-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

The rapid development of Information Technology has drastically altered the way we access information. The emergence of the Internet has put a plethora of resources at our fingertips. This explosion of information has obviously been difficult to monitor, control, and explore; often making it hard for researchers to find the information they are seeking. This is a problem, especially for academic institutions and libraries, which make the organization of information their business.

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) was formed in 1990 in the hope of regulating the chaos of networked scholarly information, while, at the same time promoting its advancement. Together with its sponsors, dues-paying members, and affiliates, CNI has brought together a number of interested parties who have created a strategic plan in the hope of achieving their goals.

In its own words, CNI describes the organization as being dedicated to the “transformative promise of networked information technology for the advancement of scholarly communication and the enrichment of intellectual productivity” (CNI, 2005, ¶1). Obviously, considering the wealth of scholarly information that is already digitized or in the process of being so, this is not an easy task. The coalition is supported by two main organizations. The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) whose own mission is to “influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the communities they serve,”(ARL, 2005, ¶1) and EDUCAUSE a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing higher education through the promotion of intelligent use of information technology (EDUCAUSE, 2005). From these two organizations six individuals are selected to chair CNI’s Steering Committee that is responsible for making all the organizational decisions for the Coalition (CNI, 2005). In addition to these supporters, CNI has over 200 paying members, made up of academic institutions, publishers, libraries and information technology organizations, including The University of Toronto. The Coalition holds two task meetings a year, where supporters and members come together to discuss on-going projects and to plan for the year ahead. The coalition also organizes workshops, conferences, and both print and on-line publications to encourage the sharing and advancement of relevant information (CNI, 2005). It seems that this sharing of information and collaboration with its goals.

CNI has developed three themes, within which it works to achieve its goals. Although the coalition develops new projects every year, it is always trying to advance these themes alongside one another. The first theme CNI identifies is “Developing and Managing Networked Information Content” (CNI, 2004, Program Themes, ¶2). Within this theme the Coalition aims to bring those communities together that create and manage networked content, to “track the developments and promote strategies for the creation of digital collections, digital libraries, and federated services in support of digital content” (CNI, 2004, Developing and Managing, ¶1). The projects that the Coalition is currently working on in this area include Institutional Content Resources and Repositories, Digital Preservation, and Institutional and Disciplinary Implications of E-Research (CNI, 2004, Developing and Managing).

The second theme that the Coalition cites is “Transforming Organizations, Professionals, and Individuals,” (CNI, 2004, Program Themes, ¶2) which encourages collaboration of different institutions and professions, particularly between information technology professionals and librarians (CNI, 2004, Transforming Organizations). Projects that fall under this theme include Risk Management Implications of Networked Information Services, Organizational Policy Implications of Learning Management Systems, and the Executive Roundtable (CNI, 2004, Transforming Organizations). All of these encourage the collaboration of ideas to promote better systems and policy.

The final theme identified is “Building Technology, Standards, and Infrastructure”(CNI, 2004, Program Themes, ¶3). The Coalition sees that it is important for resources to be used in a unified and consistent fashion, while at the same time promoting development and change (CNI, 2004, Building Technology). Projects that fall under this category include Interoperability and Interfaces between Learning and Information Environments, Authentication, Authorization and Access Management, and The System of Standards Development (CNI, 2004, Building Technology). These projects are interested in the architecture behind networked information systems, and the growing number of databases available to users.

Within each of these themes, the Coalition brings together its members, and other related organizations, to explore what they see as the important issues surrounding the networking of information. Although the specific projects shift and change from year to year, the focus of the Coalition remains the same: attempting to facilitate the growth and quality of scholarly information available on a network, through extensive collaboration and communication (CNI, 2004, Program Themes).

The Coalition of Networked Information has been around since 1990, and its list of accomplishments seems long and impressive. However, to gauge the success of any organization, it is important to look into what other people are saying, and writing, about it. There is no shortage of secondary information on the Coalition, as it has grown extensively since it was first founded. Much of the available information deals with its past task meetings, initiatives and successes. Colby Riggs authored a brief article on a recent task meeting that took place in December of 2004. Here he outlines some of the key projects brought to the meeting by various universities. The National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education has also compiled a number of reviews of CNI’s semi-annual task meetings, summarizing various sessions attended. When reading these descriptions it is clear that there is a lot of excitement surrounding new developments, and that these developments are not likely to stop anytime soon.

There are also many articles authored by Coalition members, discussing the importance and impact of their collaboration with academic institutions. It is clear that the Coalition depends heavily on projects being developed and tested at various academic institutions (Lippincott, 1998, 63). When examining the list of CNI’s partners, it seems clear that many of North America’s leading academic institutions are involved. This interest alone suggests that CNI’s goals and initiatives are important and necessary to those involved in the networking of scholarly information.

The very nature of this project, this ‘coalition,’ is of primary interest to anyone in the field of information studies. Information, in its form and content has drastically changed with the development of various information technologies. Network innovations, like the Internet, have made all sorts of information accessible to all sorts of people. These changes and developments have to be taken into account, and somehow put into perspective for anyone interested in the fields of Library Science, Information Systems, and Archival Studies. Organizations like the Coalition for Networked Information are attempting to work with and facilitate more growth and development. By funding and supporting the networking of scholarly information organizations like CNI will continue to encourage development in the constantly changing world of information and technology.

Reference List

Association of Research Libraries. (2005).
Retrieved September 25, 2005, from http://www.arl.org

The Coalition of Networked Information. (2005).
Retrieved September 25, 2005, from http://www.cni.org

EDUCAUSE. (2005).
Retrieved September 25, 2005, from http://www.educause.edu

Lippincott, Joan. (1998)
Assessing the Academic Networked Environment. Journal of Library Administration, 35, 4.
Retrieved September 26, 2005, from http://www.haworthpress.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/store/E-Text/View_EText.asp?sid=10CLN80WM0NR9H3G07DKS8RXSSKK1R88&a=3&s=J111&v=35&i=4&fn=J111v35n04%5F12

The National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education. (2005). The Coalition for Networked Information.
Retrieved September 26, 2005, from http://www.nitle.org/partnerships/cni.htm

Riggs, Colby. (2004)
CNI Task Force Meeting: A Summary Report. Library Hi Tech News, 2, 2005.
Retrieved September 26, 2005, from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/2390210601.html

My first "posting"

2005-09-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Well I think that I have created my blog, but I am not totally sure. This blog is my first assignment for a course I am taking at University of Toronto's Faculty of Information Studies. I have just started in the Masters program, and one of my required courses is FIS 1311, "Information Technology Applications". Obviously I am a little unsure of exactly what I am doing.

Well I am going to attempt to post this, and keep my fingers crossed that it will work!