OpenURL Resolver Implementation: Trialing, Tuning, Training (SLA 2006)

OpenURL Resolver Implementation:OpenURL Resolver Implementation:
Trialing, Tuning, TrainingTrialing, Tuning, Training
Rafal KasprowskiRafal Kasprowski
2006 SLA Conference2006 SLA Conference
Baltimore, MDBaltimore, MD
June 12, 2006June 12, 2006

Major Implementation StagesMajor Implementation Stages
TrialingTrialing: evaluation of OpenURL resolvers,: evaluation of OpenURL resolvers,
resulting in selectionresulting in selection
TuningTuning: OpenURL resolver implementation: OpenURL resolver implementation
and troubleshootingand troubleshooting
TrainingTraining: training of reference and instruction: training of reference and instruction
staff for the benefit of patronsstaff for the benefit of patrons

Advantages of Link Resolver SystemAdvantages of Link Resolver System
I.I. Allows users to find all available instances of a fullAllows users to find all available instances of a full
text (e.g. article) in fewer searches;text (e.g. article) in fewer searches;
II.II. Provides users with other related links specified byProvides users with other related links specified by
customer: catalog, ILL, etc.customer: catalog, ILL, etc.
III.III. Displays all results in a single uniform interface;Displays all results in a single uniform interface;
IV.IV. All data is stored in one knowledge base and needsAll data is stored in one knowledge base and needs
to be updated only in a single location.to be updated only in a single location.

OpenURL Resolver ComponentsOpenURL Resolver Components
Underlying knowledge baseUnderlying knowledge base
Database containing library’s subscriptions incl.Database containing library’s subscriptions incl.
holdings (e.g. electronic journal manager, EJM)holdings (e.g. electronic journal manager, EJM)
Tells the link resolver what full texts are availableTells the link resolver what full texts are available
from publishers the library is subscribed tofrom publishers the library is subscribed to
Linking technologyLinking technology
Link resolver checks library’s holdings in EJM forLink resolver checks library’s holdings in EJM for
the selected citation and displays relevantthe selected citation and displays relevant
providers on a menu pageproviders on a menu page

Interaction with Link Resolver SystemInteraction with Link Resolver System
I.I. User searches in a resource (source) in which the resolverUser searches in a resource (source) in which the resolver
system has been set up;system has been set up;
II.II. A link or icon to the resolver is displayed next to eachA link or icon to the resolver is displayed next to each
citation result;citation result;
III.III. If the full text for a citation is not available in resource, userIf the full text for a citation is not available in resource, user
clicks on the resolver link to search for full text;clicks on the resolver link to search for full text;
IV.IV. Resolver checks the EJM for relevant holdings;Resolver checks the EJM for relevant holdings;
V.V. Resolver presents full-text results as hyperlinks in aResolver presents full-text results as hyperlinks in a
separate menu (targets); other links are also provided:separate menu (targets); other links are also provided:
catalog, ILL form, related linkscatalog, ILL form, related links

Link Resolver ServicesLink Resolver Services
Some link resolver packages on the market:Some link resolver packages on the market:
VendorVendor EJMEJM ResolverResolver
EBSCOEBSCO A-to-ZA-to-Z LinkSourceLinkSource
Ex LibrisEx Libris SFXSFX SFXSFX
SerialsSolutionsSerialsSolutions Access &Access &
Management SuiteManagement Suite
ArticleLinkerArticleLinker
TDNetTDNet Journal ManagerJournal Manager TOURTOUR
Institution may choose EJM and resolver from the same or different vendorsInstitution may choose EJM and resolver from the same or different vendors

Implementation at Univ. HoustonImplementation at Univ. Houston
Univ. Houston, phase 1:Univ. Houston, phase 1:
Provide patrons with easier access to full-textProvide patrons with easier access to full-text
resources subscribed by libraryresources subscribed by library
Result: Addition of TDNet OpenURL ResolverResult: Addition of TDNet OpenURL Resolver
(TOUR) to EJM at no cost(TOUR) to EJM at no cost
Univ. Houston, phase 2:Univ. Houston, phase 2:
Replace underlying EJM because of data integrityReplace underlying EJM because of data integrity
problems: unacceptable content update delaysproblems: unacceptable content update delays
Result: Switch to EBSCO’s EJM–link resolverResult: Switch to EBSCO’s EJM–link resolver
package; both EJM and resolver were changedpackage; both EJM and resolver were changed

Link Resolver Selection ProcessLink Resolver Selection Process
1.1. Determine budget for the service - select vendors andDetermine budget for the service - select vendors and
package that fit budget best;package that fit budget best;
2.2. Create implementation task force as liaison betweenCreate implementation task force as liaison between
library administration and library community;library administration and library community;
3.3. Establish link resolver (and if necessary EJM) selectionEstablish link resolver (and if necessary EJM) selection
criteria from literature on the topic;criteria from literature on the topic;
4.4. Test products against criteria grid;Test products against criteria grid;
5.5. Ensure transparency: document process and makeEnsure transparency: document process and make
deliverables available to library community via intranet;deliverables available to library community via intranet;

Link Resolver Selection ProcessLink Resolver Selection Process
(cont’d)(cont’d)
6.6. Librarian instruction: Explain EJM–link resolver systemLibrarian instruction: Explain EJM–link resolver system
and produce background documents;and produce background documents;
7.7. Get library community involved in testing: make their voteGet library community involved in testing: make their vote
count in terms of product’s user-friendliness;count in terms of product’s user-friendliness;
8.8. After product is selected, provide additional training toAfter product is selected, provide additional training to
library community on specific product selected;library community on specific product selected;
9.9. Announce service changes to patrons on library Web site;Announce service changes to patrons on library Web site;
10.10. After implementation, make resolver menu part ofAfter implementation, make resolver menu part of
database training for patrons.database training for patrons.

Examples of Selection CriteriaExamples of Selection Criteria
Cost;Cost;
Vendor history and stability;Vendor history and stability;
Known customer service;Known customer service;
Linking response time (server problems);Linking response time (server problems);
Display of coverage information (holdings range, embargo);Display of coverage information (holdings range, embargo);
Customization options (branding, link layout, third-party links,Customization options (branding, link layout, third-party links,
public links);public links);
Control over admin functions (link order, link display criteria);Control over admin functions (link order, link display criteria);
Number of source and target providers covered;Number of source and target providers covered;
Full-text linking success rate.Full-text linking success rate.

Problems at Trialing StageProblems at Trialing Stage
Not all product features available at trial phaseNot all product features available at trial phase
for testingfor testing
Not all holdings data migrated to new EJMNot all holdings data migrated to new EJM
Not all sources and targets turned on for link resolver testingNot all sources and targets turned on for link resolver testing
Product evolves during trial phaseProduct evolves during trial phase
Platform change, e.g. LinkSource: EBSCOhostPlatform change, e.g. LinkSource: EBSCOhost  A-to-ZA-to-Z
Data migration and bug fixes cause implementation delayData migration and bug fixes cause implementation delay
Level of real customer supportLevel of real customer support
EJM data update delays compromise linking effectivenessEJM data update delays compromise linking effectiveness

Problems after ImplementationProblems after Implementation
Indexing problems affecting linkingIndexing problems affecting linking
Source-to-target mismatches: ISSN, journal title, page formatSource-to-target mismatches: ISSN, journal title, page format
Indexing gaps: no ISSN, ISBN, journal title, starting pageIndexing gaps: no ISSN, ISBN, journal title, starting page
New or existing journals/collections not in EJMNew or existing journals/collections not in EJM
Linking impossible – profiles must be added by providerLinking impossible – profiles must be added by provider
Resolver menu links may need to be modifiedResolver menu links may need to be modified
OpenURL links for certain providersOpenURL links for certain providers
Non-OpenURL catalog link should work for ISSN, ISBN, Title searchesNon-OpenURL catalog link should work for ISSN, ISBN, Title searches
ILL link should handle all content typesILL link should handle all content types (journals, books, book chapters,(journals, books, book chapters,
proceedings, etc.)proceedings, etc.)
for a single database: PsycInfo in EBSCOhost, Compendex in EV2for a single database: PsycInfo in EBSCOhost, Compendex in EV2
across a database platform, e.g. EV2 (Compendex, Inspec, NTIS)across a database platform, e.g. EV2 (Compendex, Inspec, NTIS)
across platforms, e.g. accession number is AN (EBSCO) and ABBR (EV2)across platforms, e.g. accession number is AN (EBSCO) and ABBR (EV2)

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
Proper selection processProper selection process
Quality assessmentQuality assessment
Cost benefitCost benefit
Product fits your needsProduct fits your needs
Library community involvementLibrary community involvement
Resolver affects library reference and instructionResolver affects library reference and instruction
services; involve in testing and trainingservices; involve in testing and training
Customer supportCustomer support
Complexity and continuing change require rapidComplexity and continuing change require rapid
response and customizations by service providerresponse and customizations by service provider

Thank youThank you
Rafal KasprowskiRafal Kasprowski
Electronic Resources CoordinatorElectronic Resources Coordinator
University of Houston LibrariesUniversity of Houston Libraries
rkasprowski@uh.edurkasprowski@uh.edu

OpenURL Resolver Implementation: Trialing, Tuning, Training (SLA 2006)

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