LofT Notes 6 - 7/17/2002

In this Issue:

• Training for Selectors on Digitization Issues
• The Virginia Gazetteer
• Library UVa Portal "Channel" Update
  
• New Committees : Digital Preservation and Portals and Data Access
  

Selectors received training on how to make decisions as to how to select textual materials for digitizing. The session covered why and how materials are digitized, criteria for selection and how to prioritize requests, and introduced a "digital page allocation" with which selectors will make their requests. Anyone interested in finding out more about the training should contact Melinda Baumann at mjb7q@virginia.edu.

The Virginia Gazetteer

Find digital maps, aerial photography and other geographic information for over 51,000 Virginia features. The Virginia Gazetteer contains the official name, type, and location of geographic features in Virginia. It is based in large part on data from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), maintained by the US Geological Survey as the federal repository of official geographic names in the United States. The Virginia Gazetteer is linked to an inventory of collections archived at the Geostat Center in the University of Virginia Library, allowing the gazetteer to function like a geographic catalog for the Geostat collections. At present, only specific spatial data holdings for Virginia are inventoried in this database, including:

· digital topographic maps (DRGs),
· digital elevation models (DEMs),
· aerial photography (DOQQs),
· satellite imagery (SPOT) [Access restricted to UVA only],
· land use data (NLCD).

Visit this resource at: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/gis/vagaz/

Library UVa Portal "Channel" Update

The prototype Library Channel is available via the UPortal. The channel includes links to Real Time Reference, Reference Contact information, Reference Email, and allows Virgo searching and a search of the Library's web site.

Go to:

http://myuva.virginia.edu/

and log on using your UVa Unix ID and password. Click on "customize" to change the layout of any of your pages, click on "New Channel," select "Applications" from the list of categories, and you will find "Library Links" among the options. Highlight it and click on "Add" to put this link on your page.

This is the first release of the channel, and any and all feedback on functionality are welcome. The UPortal does place limitations on the layout, but suggestions in that area are also welcome. Send comments to johnston@virginia.edu. Exploratory work is also underway on potentially providing secure access to user services and circulation information via the portal.

New Committees : Digital Preservation and Portals and Data Access

Two new committees have been formed recently to continue review of recommendations made in the LofT reports:

Digital Preservation Task Force
Bradley Daigle, Chair; Chris Ruotolo, Guy Mengel, Judith Thomas, and Thornton Staples

The charge for the Digital Preservation Task Force is to develop a strategy for preserving the Library's digital resources. For the moment, the group need not focus on digitization of other formats as a preservation strategy, but instead on ensuring that the digital resources the Library has and will acquire or create are preserved. The group should:

· Develop a common understanding of the vocabulary (e.g., sort out what such terms as "preservation" and "archive" mean in a digital context)
· Examine existing models of preservation practices for traditional materials and determine how they can apply to decision-making for digital materials
· Recommend a set of guiding principals for the preservation of Library digital resources
· Develop recommendations for Library digital preservation policies and procedures, including suggested timelines, workflows, and resources required.

An initial report and recommendations will be presented to the Digital Library Working Group by August 30.

Committee on Portals and Data Access
Leslie Johnston, Chair; Jim Campbell, Joan Ruelle, Todd Burkes, Charlotte Scott

The charge for the Committee on Portals and Data Access is to strengthen the library's Web presence by exploring new models for providing a seamless on-line experience for as many library services as possible, e.g., electronic journals, digital library content, and the on-line catalog. The group should

· identify existing and new functionality to be included in an on-line library
· identify alternative access interfaces to traditional and digital library collections and services
· set priorities for the development of on-line services
· participate in the design of interfaces with the service developers

Considerations will include

· a review of the LofT Portal Team recommendations
· an assessment of how we can implement the features of SIRSI’s new iLink and CMS product(s) within our current infrastructure
· a review of the University's new portal infrastructure and how it might be useful
· methods for obtaining buy-in from both digital and traditional library specialists

The group will present an initial set of recommendations by August 30th, 2002.