Abstract

This insightful introduction to understanding mashups describes them as a kind of content aggregation that permits mixing several information sources or applications, in an effort to develop different content or application based on these sources, saving time and development effort. Some real examples and advantages are pointed out, as well as possible implications for future Opacs, within the world of the so-called “Library 2.0”.

Abstract

To some degree the Open Access Initiative has failed, because too few people, even in the library profession, know of its existence. More marketing should be done, thus making more people aware of it. MARC became obsolete and has to be superseded by xml-based standards. With the advent of Google, people don’t have any problems finding information. Instead they have problems knowing what to do with once they acquire it. A next generation library catalog should allow people to first find items in a library collection, and then to use the information in some way. Public libraries are devoted to their community. If they focus too much on books, then their future is less positive. If they think in terms of data, information, and knowledge, their future is only as limited as their imagination.

Abstract

Improvement of the interfaces and search capacities of the opacs continues to be one of the main challenges for libraries, especially with regard to searching by subject. The visual interfaces can help with retrieval. This paper explores the combination of co-term analysis techniques with social networks for the generation of subject maps of collections. The main conclusion is that the methodology applied is valid, and that the maps could be used for browsing and subject retrieval. It would also be useful for improving the quality of indexing.

Abstract

Spanish public libraries are faced with the scarce implementation of digital loans among their readers. The offer of this service, fragmented in several platforms, and its lack of integration with other resources such as the online catalog implies a greater effort of adaptation for users and places the libraries themselves at a disadvantage. Through a system of indicators, the 3 main Spanish e-book loan platforms [OdiloTK (from Odilo), Xebook (from Xercode), and iBiblio (from Libranda)] are evaluated through their implementation in eBiblio Galicia, Galician Catalog of GaliciaLe (CGG) and eBookVigo / eBook DiCoruña, respectively. There is evidence of the differences between them and a need to provide a unique and integrated access to the functions provided by discovery tools and APIs.