LofT Notes 11 - 9/18/2003

In this Issue:

• New UVa Library Digital Initiatives Site
• Fedora™ Software version 1.1.1 Released
• IRIS
• THDL Tibet Gazetteer
• Report to the Digital Library Federation
• Central Digital Repository Interface Prototype Review
• GeoStat Site Revised; Browse and Search Added
• IATH Tenth Anniversary Symposium
  

New UVa Library Digital Initiatives Site

In July 2003, the UVa Library launched a publicly accessible site to document its digital initiatives. The site includes descriptions of projects and programs, as well as reports on research and development, standards, and best practices.

http://www.lib.virginia.edu/digital/

Fedora™ Software version 1.1.1 Released

Version 1.0 of the Fedora™ digital object repository management system was released as open source under a Mozilla public license on May 16, 2003. Fedora is a foundation upon which interoperable web-based digital libraries, institutional repositories, and other information management systems can be built. Continued development is on schedule for periodic new releases through early 2005. Version 1.1.1 became available on September 5, 2003, through the project web site.

http://www.lib.virginia.edu/digital/resndev/fedora.html
http://www.fedora.info/

IRIS

In April-May 2003, the Fine Arts Library evaluated the IRIS visual resources collection management tool developed at Brown University using FileMaker. The system was put in place in June to support cataloging and management of digital and physical visual materials. Development is under way to create the systems necessary to export data in the UVa Library's GDMS XML format for inclusion in the Central Digital Repository.

THDL Tibet Gazetteer

This gazetteer is a browsable and searchable XML-based database of places within the Tibet Autonomous Region. Each record provides various information including name translations, a link to view the location on an interactive web map, and in some cases even census data. Future plans for the Tibet Gazetteer include providing different views of the data, such as contemporary cultural regions, contemporary administrative units, and historical views; and expanding the coverage area.

http://iris.lib.virginia.edu/tibet/collections/cultgeo/gazetteer-frameset.html

UVa Library 2001-2003 Report to the Digital Library Federation

As a member of the Digital Library Federation, the UVa Library submits an annual report on our activities, including collections that we have made available, services, system development, and publications. With the administrative changes at DLF last year, no report was requested, so this report documents two years worth of activities. Our report has been submitted but is not yet available on the DLF site; a copy is available through the new Digital Initiatives site.

http://www.lib.virginia.edu/digital/reports/uva_dlf_2003.htm

Central Digital Repository Interface Prototype Review

Three prototype digital collection search and delivery interfaces for searching and browsing image and electronic text collections were presented to the Library staff for review of the functionality and design during July and August. The services were developed as a collaborative effort between a number of Library units, and with the input from several committees that addressed questions of functionality and user requirements. The collections included were processed by DLPS (Lewis and Clark Journals, Westward Exploration texts, image collections) and by the Etext Center (Early American Fiction). This was not a demonstration of a complete system or a final release, but a demonstration to solicit input on the design, functionality and usability, as well as collect suggestions for improvements and additional functionality. Almost 150 individual comments were received, which were distilled into a series of categories for prioritization by staff from many areas of the Library. The prioritization is nearing completion, and will be reported on. Improvements and additions with the highest priority changes will be implemented starting in October, 2003.

GeoStat Site Revised; Browse and Search Added

The web site for the Geospatial & Statistical Data Center has been revised and redesigned, and launched to the public during the first week of classes. Check out the new look and organization; if you can't find a favorite page from our old site, try out the new browse and search capabilities.

http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/

IATH Tenth Anniversary Symposium

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Institute, IATH will hold a two-day symposium September 25th-26th, 2003. Representatives from academia, industry, government and foundations who have helped support the Institute or are engaged in humanities computing for research, education, and publication will be invited to help plan the event and to participate as speakers and panelists. The symposium will also be open to UVA staff, alumni and individuals from other universities, cultural institutions, libraries, museums, and publishers.

http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/anniversary/