Library Systems Updates

by Rey P. Racelis
Associate University Librarian for Systems Integration
Pace University Libraries

1)       Digital Repository (aka Digital Commons):

 

The Library's Pilot Project on preserving the scholarly and intellectual output of the University Community is now fully in place. The repository of digital scholarship is officially referred to as the Digital Commons. In addition to faculty and staff, doctoral dissertations of Pace PhD graduates as well as the Honors Theses of the Pzorheimer Honors College are also showcased. There are at present about 430 titles showcased in the Digital Commons. Authors of documents who wish to find how many times their documents have been accessed (accessed with full text, downloaded or presumably read) can request such areport from the DC administrator . Likewise, the service also monitors the number of simple visits (viewing the bibliographic record but no access to full text). Data on the location of the initiated searches---where and what parts of the world the searches are coming from-- are also available.

 

URL for the Digital Commons is:

http://digitalcommons.pace.edu

 

Contact information for contributors:

support@digitalcommons.pace.edu or rracelis@pace.edu

 

2)       Spanish Webpac:

 

The Spanish Language interface of the Library Online Catalog is now available. This is an ongoing development and other languages are also being considered. The search is launched from a Spanish search menu.

 

URL for the Spanish web interface is:

http://innopac.pace.edu:2082/search*spi

 

 

3)       Portals and Library Databases: Integrated Authentication

 

Authentication to the library databases can now be tied with the Portals Authentication. Users who wish to integrate Portal and Library databases authentication should be willing to configure their portals setting for a one-time only setup. THIS IMPLEMENTATION IS STILL ON A TRIAL BASIS AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Request to participate in the testing may be sent to: Library Systems Support

 

4)       Online Catalog AIRPAC -- Mobile Computing Interface:

 

The Library now offers the mobile users the capability to connect their smart phones, internet-capable PDAs and Blackberries to the Library's Online catalog.

 

The interface uses XML technology and allows for the online catalog screen to modify and optimize itself based on the kind of mobile device being used by the patron. Testing showed that it works with a cell phone from AT&T, Sprint, Cingular or TMobile. The download time and screen modification process vary according to the device being used, bandwidth, state of connectivity, etc.

 

PDAs and Blackberries are more suited to use the AIRPAC product.

 

URL for the Online Catalog Airpac is:

http://innopac.pace.edu/airpac

 

5)       Syndetics Solution:

 

The bibliographic enhancement application that allows online catalog users to check summaries, reviews, author information, table of contents, and book jackets of books and titles that are in the collection has now added 3 additional features: cross-reference information for related titles that have received Awards, titles that are parts of a Books in a Series, and Titles reviewed by The Horn Book Reviews.

 

6)       ConnectNY

 

Implementation of Pace University¦s participation with ConnectNY has begun. ConnectNY is a consortium of about 12 libraries using the same ILS (Integrated Library System), called the Innopac System. When in place, Pace University patrons will have access to approximately 5 million titles belonging to the consortium.

 

7)       Document Deliveries

 

A new document delivery service, CISTI (Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information) is in the works. This will allow for a patron initiated, library subsidized documents delivery. Ingenta and Infotrieve, presently the 2 other documents delivery services being used by the University Library will cease as self-initiated services. They can still be searched but request for articles will now be channeled through the Interlibrary Loan staff.

 

ILL (Interlibrary Loan Service)

Birnbaum Library 212-618-6901

Mortola Library 914-773-3853

Graduate Center 914-422-4384