Library Technology Advisory Group (LTAG)

LTAG meeting, December 16, 2003

Minutes (FINAL)

 

Present: D. Bisom (UCI), L. Carver (UCSB), L. Declerck (UCSD), G. Gray (LAUC), L. Jaffe (UCSC), R. Moon (UCB), P. Brantley (CDL), T. Ryan (UCLA), H. Schmidt (UCSF), D. Snapp (UCD), T. Toy (UCR, Chair)

Absent: D. Barclay (UCM)

 

1.                  General Discussion

Gabriella Gray was introduced as the new LAUC representative.

The DRAFT version of the LTAG Goals and Objectives, 2003/04 was discussed, corrections were made, and the Committee unanimously approved the document.

The report on CMS systems was discussed based on the feedback received at the joint ACG/SOPAG meeting held on December 12, 2003.  SOPAG would like a report on CMS systems for digital objects.

The original SOPAG charge to LTAG was in reference to questions raised by the Digital Visual Resources Task Force and LTAG was unaware of the original intent for the study.  SOPAG had asked that LTAG prepare a follow up report to query the UC campus libraries on the use of CMS systems specifically used to manage digital visual resources.

 

2.                  PID server/migration to SFX (Mary Heath)

Mary distributed her draft paper “Streamlining Link Resolver Services for UC”

Discussion ensued, and LTAG members were asked to send any comments on the draft report to Mary Heath by December 23, 2003.

 

3.                  LTAG web conferencing report

At the joint ACG/SOPAG meeting of December 12, 2003, SOPAG expressed a desire for LTAG to recommend a product that could be used by SOPAG in lieu of monthly face to face meetings.  LTAG members expressed lack of understanding of the exact needs of SOPAG, as well as lack of familiarity with all the products currently available for web conferencing.  It was decided that LTAG should continue to explore the use of Sharepoint Teams software.  In addition, Terry Ryan, SOPAG representative to LTAG, would introduce SOPAG members to the use of Sharepoint Teams, and would volunteer UCLA to act as the host for the shared worksite.  LTAG discussed exploring use of a WIKI (web based collaboration platform) as an alternative to Sharepoint Teams software.  Peter Brantley will email information on WIKI sites to LTAG members.

 

 

4.                  Electronic Resource Management Systems

The topic of ERDB systems was also discussed at the joint ACG/SOPAG meeting.  Terry Ryan reported that UCLA was still dedicated to developing and enhancing their ERDB system.  Peter Brantley reported that CDL is interested in ERDB systems and has been looking at Goldrush, an open source product, Innovative Interfaces, and the product being developed at UCLA.  Luc mentioned that UCSD was beta testing the Innovative Interfaces product.

 

5.                  UC Library developed software

Another topic discussed at the joint ACG/SOPAG meeting was the possibility to compile a list of UC Library developed software that could be shared within the UC Library environment.  An example of software/database sharing is currently underway between UCR and UCD.  UCR has developed a student timeclock/GA database that UCD is interested in using to replace their current software.  Discussion of this topic will be continued at a later date.

 

6.                  CDL Update

Peter Brantley gave an extensive report on issues currently being explored by CDL.  Some of those issues include:

Work on the merge algorithm in Melvyl.  Upgrade to ExLibris release 16 has been postponed until summer?, pending inclusion of some additional functionality desired by CDL.  

Additional work to stabilize SFX.

Ongoing work on PIR/VDX

Investigation of ERM systems

Investigation of web crawling tools

 

7.                  Round Robin

Because discussion of previous topics took longer than expected, every library did not have the opportunity to report on happenings at each campus.  Therefore, the following highlights do not include all campuses.

UCB:  There will be an OS upgrade on the Tandem system over the holiday, and Gladys will be down Dec. 26-30, 2003.  The campus is handling a number of IT related policies, for example, the creation of a minimum security standards policy.  UCB is currently beta testing VPN.

There will be an expansion of the wireless network in the libraries.  The library may dissolve their email server.

UCSF:  The campus will turn off their proxy server on January 5, 2004, and will rely on the use of VPN only.

UCI:  All public workstations were moved to Windows XP by September 2003; staff machines will be migrated to XP between October 2003 and February 2004.  Wireless APs are being added in the libraries.  UCI is currently investigating CMS products for their website.

UCSB:  Upgrading the software on 40 servers (redhat/linux); configuring a streaming music server for the arts; re-doing the library web site (will use CMS software); using web-alyzer for web statistics (counting hits to their web pages).

UCLA:  The Endeavor implementation is underway and access for internal staff will hopefully be available by summer 2004, followed by a fall 2004 date for public access.  Currently working with CDL on an e-scholarship repository; continued work on the ERDB project; implementing a digital library server.

UCSD:  Wireless is now installed in all Libraries; progress is being made on implementing Shibboleth; currently beta testing the III ERM product; testing use of streaming video for film studies using mpeg2 format; two positions will be advertised: a Programmer Analyst 5 and a Programmer Analyst 3; planning for website redesign is underway; working with instructional technology to integrate library with instruction (e-learning/WebCT)

UCSC:  The Library has been hit very hard with the budget cuts; the public printing contract is working well; the library is expanding it’s laptop loan program; working on the intranet site; currently using Request Tracker (open source product) for creating trouble tickets; there will be a building expansion/remodel project; new position has been created for the CIO vice provost, and all IT departments move under this position.  Basically all campus IT staff and servers would then be consolidated and report to the new vice provost.

UCD:  Currently rebuilding the browse indexes for Aleph; upgrading the library proxy server; completion of wireless in the libraries; installing a firewall on their VLANS; looking at ways to force users to update their machines in conjunction with the recent virus problems; investigating CMS products.

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