|
By Jean Cleveland
A new Web-based catalog and circulation system, which will offer better management of materials, more convenient services, greater access by patrons and easier searching and links to Internet sites, will go online at the UGA Libraries this summer.
GIL (GALILEO Interconnected Libraries), an expansion of the shared electronic databases provided by GALILEO, will be phased in statewide over three years. When complete, it will allow faculty, staff and students of any University System library to more easily view catalogs and request materials from any other library in the system. It replaces GALIN, UGA’s online catalog.
The University System of Georgia contracted with Endeavor Corp. to provide the software for all 34 units. Some institutions have already switched. UGA, the largest of the group, is tentatively scheduled to go online July 6.
Library administrators are optimistic that the university community will find the new system meets their needs more efficiently. Instead of trying to recall commands, people searching the catalog will be given the opportunity to fill in search boxes and select from pull-down menus.
“In much the same way you search on the Internet you also will have the option of taking a much broader approach by typing in a word or phrase in the relevancy ranked search mode,” says Susan Curtis, head of reference. “When all the publicly funded academic libraries in the state have converted their catalogs, it will be possible to search all the libraries simultaneously.”
Perhaps the most exciting feature about the new Web-based catalog is that many records will link to Internet sites.
“If the University Libraries subscribes to the electronic version of a journal, the catalog record for the journal will include a hot link to the electronic form. The catalog will also describe many Internet databases,” Curtis says. “A single click will take you directly to the site.”
The UGA Libraries are currently using a demonstration system that differs somewhat from the more advanced system that will be implemented this summer. Patrons should be able to look at their own records and check on recalls they have placed. A notation system will allow library staff to communicate with patrons. Faculty may receive “courtesy” renewal notices by e-mail, and people may be able to request materials from the repository online.
During the transition, there will be a temporary interruption of ordering and receiving new materials.
“During this period, we will make every effort to minimize the inconvenience to faculty and students,” says Barbara Winters, associate university librarian for collection services. “Our support for instructional and research needs will continue through the use of existing collections, electronic sources and Interlibrary Loan services.”
Once the GIL system is fully operational, requests for new materials will be expedited, she says.
“This is the startup and development. We know it’s going to take a while to get all of our procedures adjusted,” says Steven Brown, head of circulation at the science library. “But we are buying a system from a major player in library automation, used by the Library of Congress and the National Library of Medicine, among others. But there are some things we simply can’t test, e-mail being one of them. Sometimes you have to have a live scenario come up.”
The libraries will offer demonstrations of the new catalog in the fall, both in the libraries and at the Tate Student Center. Any faculty who would like a private demonstration should call the reference department at 542-1114, Curtis says.
“Endeavor is constantly enhancing the system,” Brown says. “We are on the cutting edge.”
|
