The aim of this report is to provide an overview of the present state of development of integrated library systems (ILS) at the time of writing and to identify, describe and evaluate significant trends in the industry in relation to their context within the overall development of library services.

Many small and rural hospital libraries lack the resources required to create services which allow the delivery of documents to their customers in electronic format. Such hospitals share common barriers from small staffs to network firewalls to computer support personnel which prevent the implementation of Internet Document Delivery (IDD) systems required for such services. The docMD project explores creating electronic document delivery services for 12 small and rural hospitals using a centralized service center model. Documents requested through DOCLINE, and which are filled through IDD software, are sent to the central site. Documents are converted into PDF format and placed on a web server. An email alert is sent to the customer indicating a documentâ s availability for download. Project libraries are not required to purchase, install, or maintain any computer hardware. No additional hospital library staff is needed. Documents are sent using the web and are passed through network firewalls. This paper provides a project overview, describes the model, and discusses outcomes. The docMD project is funded through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region

This is a preprint to be published in the Extensions & Corrections to the UDC. The paper explains the basic functions of browsing and searching that need to be supported in relation to analytico-synthetic classifications such as Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), irrespective of any specific, real-life implementation. UDC is an example of a semi-faceted system that can be used, for instance, for both post-coordinate searching and hierarchical/facet browsing. The advantages of using a classification for IR, however, depend on the strength of the GUI, which should provide a user-friendly interface to classification browsing and searching. The power of this interface is in supporting visualisation that will 'convert' what is potentially a user-unfriendly indexing language based on symbols, to a subject presentation that is easy to understand, search and navigate. A summary of the basic functions of searching and browsing a classification that may be provided on a user-friendly interface is given and examples of classification browsing interfaces are provided.

This article identifies a common problem in many academic libraries: users having difficulties finding library items. It suggests that a mapping system may help solve the problem if the difficulties stem from users who do not understand floor structures of the library or classification of the collections. The technology of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is proposed to build the system because of its ability to analyze spatial data of collection locations and dynamically present the analytical results in maps of varied detail. Such a GIS item-locating system could be integrated into current online catalog systems so that users would have search results in both textual display and visual demonstration. The article advocates that libraries take advantages of GIS for its inexpensive development and simple implementation.

Abstract:Radio Frequency Technology is one of the exhilarating Technologies that reform the working methodology in any organization. This Technology has been around for decades however this is an innovative approach as far as library field is concerned. This article provides details about, What is RFID? and how does it work? What are the applications of RFID in Libraries? This paper also aims to clarify each and every aspect of RFID Systems and how does it organize electronic library services.

Grant funding offers one way to foster innovation, and, for large-scale projects, it may be essential; however, there are limited opportunities to secure such funding and many small projects may not warrant it. When grant funding is sought, the library's proposal is strengthened if it can demonstrate prior effort and expertise in the proposal area. Every opportunity to secure grant funding should be seized; however, libraries should not limit themselves to this funding option. This paper provides some brief guidelines for encouraging technical innovation without depending on grant funding.

The Open Access Bibliography for liberating scholarly literature with E-Prints and Access Journals presents over 1,300 selected English-language books, conference papers (including some digital video presentations), debates, editorials, e-prints, journal and magazine articles, news articles, technical reports, and other printed and electronic sources. These are useful in understanding the open access movement's efforts to provide free access to and unfettered use of scholarly literature. Although most sources have been published between 1999 and August 31, 2004, a limited number of key sources published prior to 1999 are also included. This is a publication of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the printed book can be ordered from ARL: http://www.arl.org/pubscat/pubs/openaccess/

InterLibrary Cooperation is an important activity of libraries. However, the emerging digital library architecture has not explicitly supported this requirement. In this paper, we propose an InterLibrary Cooperation Framework for digital libraries using P2P technology. An application of this framework to Faculty Publication Sharing System is presented. Besides, a reputation model based on data mining is utilized to provide libraries with incentives to join this framework.

This is an abbreviated version of the original article. / This is an English translation of the article published in Vjesnik bibliotekara Hrvatske (Croatian Library Journal). The paper reports on a pilot study observing the level to which library classification, Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) specifically, is exploited in searching and browsing library OPACs. The study was conducted in 2004-2005. A selection of 30 Web OPACs using UDC from 22 countries were observed. The OPACs were representative of 5 in-house and 10 vendor library systems. Interface areas examined were: UDC access points, searching, browsing and display. In total, 23 designated interface functionalities were identified. From these observations, it transpires that there is a great discrepancy in the number of functions available, ranging from two to sixteen. The majority (87%) of OPACs have between seven and sixteen UDC related access points and functions enabled. Only four out of thirty catalogues offer top/down systematic browsing (i.e. knowledge area browsing), and only fourteen catalogues have a classification number in the bibliographic description hyperlinked to allow access to other titles in the same class. The study shows that Web OPACs offer different selections and a different number of functions in supporting searching or browsing UDC - even if libraries use the same vendor system. This study is only a pilot and does not analyse the differences between interface options in relation to the 'strength' of library systems and does not rank them according to their importance in IR. However, the study provides an insight into this, usually neglected, segment of library OPACs and establishes a framework for further research. At this stage the research does not include analysis of classification authority data on which the searching and browsing is based. Further research is planned to shed more light on IR specific functions and their relation to authority control and library systems.

The paper overviews theoretical background and real-world implementations for High Availability (HA) and Storage Area Network (SAN). A systems analysis process is described and a platform was built to integrate the HA and the SAN for an academic library's critical web server and its Content Management System. Recommendations for selection and implementation are suggested for people adapting this approach.