Author Archives: zmulliga

SUNCAT features at Interlend 2014

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I thoroughly enjoyed the recent Interlend 2014 conference at the Carlton Highland Hotel in Edinburgh. Interlend is the annual conference for the Forum for Interlending and Information Delivery (FIL), which is an organisation for those involved in interlending and document supply, enabling them to exchange ideas and views and also to raise the profile of this area of work nationally and internationally.

This year’s conference took place on EDINA’s home turf in Edinburgh and featured an excellent range of talks focusing on marketing interlending services, developments to systems supporting interlending and case studies of evolving interlending services in practice. My highlights would have to include:

Anthony Brewerton, Head of Academic Services at the University of Warwick, who kicked off the conference with a lively and engaging tour of the key concepts to be considered when marketing and branding a library service. This included the ladder of loyalty – developing relationships with your customers, until they become advocates of, then champions of and finally partners in developing your service.

Ann Lees and Stephen Winch from NHS Education for Scotland Knowledge Services Group (NES KSG) recounted the trials of dealing with a “no copying� policy across NHS Scotland (NHSS), following the Scottish Government’s decision several years ago not to renew the then existing CLA licence. To compensate, a service was set up to provide copyright fee paid copies of material via the British Library. In order to streamline this process NES KSG utilised the British Library’s API to enable NHSS users to make requests via the Knowledge Network search platform. Users can run a search on the Knowledge Network and if no full text is available to them a link to login to the new Document Delivery service is displayed. The user is asked to fill in details about the reason for the request, preferred delivery option and then the order is placed via the British Library DDS API. NHSS librarians also receive email copies of the requests and go into the system to approve them. The system went live earlier this year and usage is gradually taking off. However, since June this year a revised CLA licence has been signed so restricted copying is now also available within NHSS.

I feared that a presentation on copyright could be rather dry but Emily Stannard, the Copyright & Compliance Officer from the University of Reading gave an engaging and informative update on the current status of key copyright developments in the UK, particularly the copyright exceptions which came into force at the start of June 2014. These include:

Supplying single copies of published works to (non-profit) libraries and to library users. No contract or individual licence can override this exception, which could have implications for those libraries looking to fulfil ILL requests via copies of articles from e-journals. Potentially libraries would not need to check individual licences before supplying copies. Emily advised us to keep our eyes peeled for more information on this topic.

Other exceptions include:

  • Preservation copying covers all works
  • No requirement for paper copyright declarations, an online declaration with checkbox or digital signature is now sufficient
  • Libraries can copy all types of work for persons doing non-commercial research/private study
  • Text and data mining for non-commercial purposes
  • Accessible copies for disabled people
  • Making works available on dedicated terminals (providing there is no contract saying you can’t)

Marjory Lobban’s (Document Delivery Supervisor at the University of Edinburgh) review of interlending at the University of Edinburgh was set against the backdrop of the changing environment the library is operating within the University, with more online courses, more distance learners, more students overall and reduced library sites.

Following a downward trend in ILL requests from the late 1990s to early 2000s with the emergence of e-journals, figures started to level out again when the University started using WorldShare in 2007 and started to increase in 2010 when the University started using Iliad leading to more exposure to overseas libraries accompanied by a move to online requesting, which streamlines the process for users and ILL staff. An increasing number of supplies to the University are coming from overseas libraries so ILL requests are now often sent straight overseas rather than to the British Library or other UK libraries. Lending to overseas is also increasing.

Future plans include looking at pay per view options where full text isn’t immediately available to the user. Purchasing items if cheaper than the interlending option and rebranding the ILL service.

I also gave a presentation focusing on the new SUNCAT service, including:

  • Background and context to the recent redevelopment
  • Highlighting the key features which can be found on the new service
  • Describing how SUNCAT can assist end users, library staff and in particular ILL staff
  • A live demo of the new service
  • An update on future plans for the service

Attending Interlend 2014 not only let me introduce the new SUNCAT interface to one of our valued user groups, but also helped to give me more information on what is happening and some key priorities in the world of interlending, all very helpful as we consider how to continue to develop the SUNCAT service.

The presentations for all the sessions will soon be available on the FIL website.

Problems using the new service on the IE8 browser

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Following on from my last post about the SUNCAT survey, I would like to highlight how useful your feedback is to us, as it has helped as identify some major issues with using the service on the IE8 browser. Once we realised that there was a problem our developers immediately started to investigate the cause and fairly quickly identified a solution. We have implemented a new release of the service adding in the appropriate fix so any IE8 users should now notice a significant improvement. However, if you are still experiencing problems please get in touch with us via the EDINA Helpdesk at edina@ed.ac.uk

Huge apologies to anyone who has experienced these problems so far!

Finding help and information on SUNCAT

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We hope you are finding the new look SUNCAT easy and intuitive to use, but just in case you do experience any problems or are puzzled by anything, we wanted to highlight the following resources:

Context sensitive help is available throughout the service from the “Help” link in the footer of all the pages.

Clicking on the Help & Support link in the main navigation bar along the top of all the pages takes you to a page which includes:

If you can’t find the answer to your query in one of the above please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via the “Contact” link in the footer of all the SUNCAT pages or by emailing the EDINA Helpdesk at edina@ed.ac.uk.

 

Your Feedback is Requested on the New Look SUNCAT

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Following on from the launch of the new look SUNCAT as the primary service in March, and before finally switching off the old service , we would like to gather your feedback via a short survey

Your input is very valuable to us as it is integral to the planning of our future developments and priorities. You can find summary reports of previous user satisfaction surveys and the resulting planned actions, many of which have already been implemented, on the EDINA website.

We would be really grateful for your time and comments and would also encourage you to circulate the survey details as widely as possible.

The survey will be available until Friday 27th June 2014.

You can also continue to email any comments to edina@ed.ac.uk or to use the “Contact” link at the bottom of all the SUNCAT pages.

Thank you in advance!

Report on EDINA Serials Forums: March 2014

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We are now back in the office after our EDINA Serials Forums last week in London and Edinburgh and would like to send a large thank you to all the attendees. We were very happy to see the level of interest and engagement in our services, particularly the new look SUNCAT! We were particularly delighted to receive the positive feedback about the new interface and the latest planned development of a journals holding comparison service.

After an initial chat over coffee and biscuits both EDINA’s User Support Deputy Manager, Andrew, kicked off the afternoon sessions started with an overview of EDINA’s involvement in the world of journal discovery, access and preservation and how it is positioned within JISC’s portfolio of services.

IMG_0204

http://www.slideshare.net/edinadocumentationofficer/introducing-the-serials-forum

Fred Guy, SUNCAT Service Manager, and Zena Mulligan, SUNCAT Project Officer, then focussed in attention on SUNCAT, starting with a brief background to SUNCAT, moving onto the context for the current development, the key enhancements of the new look service, a live demonstration and rounding off with how SUNCAT can support end-users and library professionals, illustrated with a number of use cases.

IMG_0211

http://www.slideshare.net/edinadocumentationofficer/managing-your-journals-suncat

The final use case focussed on the UK Research Reserve and led into an informative overview from the UKRR Manager, Daryl Yang, describing its core objectives, members, figures on material disposed of and retained, savings made and future plans as well as how SUNCAT supports them with the vital scarcity checking element of their decision making process.

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http://www.slideshare.net/edinadocumentationofficer/uk-research-reserve

It was then time for afternoon tea and cake – which for our Edinburgh session, was provided by EDINA’s resident baker (and SUNCAT’s Metadata Expert), Tasha, who made everyone very happy with a selection of truly delicious cupcakes. The break also provided an opportunity for networking and to catch up with our current contributors and to speak to those attendees interested in contributing to SUNCAT or in finding out more about the holdings comparison development.

SerialsForum_cupcakes

After the break, Fred provided an introduction to the need for archiving programmes for ejournals mentioning the work of the Keepers Registry and our analysis that has found that over two thirds of ejournals accessed in 2012 are not currently being archived by any organisation.

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http://www.slideshare.net/edinadocumentationofficer/securing-continuing-access-to-ejournal-content

Adam Rusbridge, UK LOCKSS Alliance Coordinator, then gave a walk-through of the forthcoming Title List Comparison feature of the Keepers Registry, which will assist with print rationalisation and subscription management workflows.  This led onto a broader discussion of EDINA services that can assist with continuing access assurances.  The UK LOCKSS Alliance helps libraries to build local collections of content and provide readers with continuing access by integrating the collection with link resolver systems.  Adam then gave an overview of SafeNet, a project to establish a shared service that offers strong continuing access assurances in conjunction with an authoritative entitlement registry to manage access permissions.

IMG_0221

http://www.slideshare.net/edinadocumentationofficer/edina-serials-uklasafenetfinal

Finally, after a final round of Q&A we wound up the afternoon by asking if anyone would be interested in attending a similar event in the future and having received a very definite yes, please look out for something similar (but different) in 2015!

Thanks again from the Forum presenters, Andrew Bevan (EDINA User Support), Fred Guy (Keepers Registry & SUNCAT), Zena Mulligan (SUNCAT), Adam Rusbridge (Keepers Registry, UK LOCKSS Alliance) and Daryl Yang (UKRR). Any questions about the Forum or the services highlighted please contact us via the EDINA helpdesk at edina@ed.ac.uk.

Reminder and update on Serials Forum: Helping you manage your journal collections

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A reminder about this this free half-day event focusing on some of the key issues in journal management – with presentations and discussion of the overarching themes and successful approaches in addressing them.

This is an opportunity to learn more about developments of EDINA activities in this area -covering the redeveloped National Union Catalogue of Serials, SUNCAT, as well as community initiatives such as the UK LOCKSS Alliance and Keepers Registry, focussing on long-term access to journal content.

We are also delighted to announce the addition of a special guest speaker, Daryl Yang, UK Research Reserve (UKRR) Manager, who will provide an update on the UKRR and talk about how EDINA supports this valuable service.

Join us for a lively debate and afternoon tea.

Presenters: Zena Mulligan (SUNCAT), Fred Guy (Keepers Registry, SUNCAT), Adam Rusbridge (Keepers Registry, UK LOCKSS) and Daryl Yang (UKRR)

Draft Agenda

1.00 – 1.30 pm              Registration and tea/coffee

1.30 – 1.45 pm              Putting the Serials Forum and EDINA services in context

1.45 – 2.45 pm             Managing your journals – how SUNCAT can help you fulfil your ILL requests; keep your catalogue up to date and analyse your collection (including use cases; how SUNCAT supports the UKRR, details of the redevelopment; demo of the new service, and future plans)

2.45 – 3.00 pm              Forum discussion on SUNCAT issues

3.00 – 3.30 pm              Tea/coffee and cake

3.30 – 4.15 pm              Securing continuing access to e-journal content: how EDINA’s services can help (with reference to the Keepers Registry, UK LOCKSS Alliance, and PECAN initiatives)

4.15 – 4.45 pm              Forum discussion on Keepers Registry, LOCKSS, PECAN etc. issues

4.45 – 5.00 pm              Summary and next steps

 

London:  Monday 17th March 2014, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, near Russell Square, London
Registration and event details: http://edina-serials-forum-london.eventbrite.co.uk
Please book by Thursday 6th March 2014

Edinburgh:  Friday 21st March 2014, Main Library, University of Edinburgh
Registration and event details: http://edina-serials-forum-edinburgh.eventbrite.co.uk
Please book by Friday 14th March 2014

For further information about the Forum please contact the EDINA helpdesk at edina@ed.ac.uk

We look forward to seeing you next month!

Serials Forum: Helping you manage your journal collections

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Booking is now open for this free half-day event focusing on some of the key issues in journal management – with presentations and discussion of the overarching themes and successful approaches in addressing them.

This is an opportunity to learn more about developments of EDINA activities in this area -covering the redeveloped SUNCAT (http://www.suncat.ac.uk), as well as community initiatives such as the UK LOCKSS Alliance (http://www.lockssalliance.ac.uk/) and Keepers Registry (http://thekeepers.org/), focussing on long-term access to journal content.

Join us for a lively debate and afternoon tea.

Presenters: Zena Mulligan (SUNCAT), Fred Guy (Keepers Registry, SUNCAT) and Adam Rusbridge (Keepers Registry, UK LOCKSS)

Draft Agenda

1.00 – 1.30 pm   Registration and tea/coffee

1.30 – 1.45 pm   Putting the Serials Forum and EDINA services in context

1.45 – 2.30 pm   Managing your journals – how SUNCAT can help you fulfil your ILL requests; keep your catalogue up to date and analyse your collection (including use cases; details of the redevelopment; demo of the new service, and future plans)

2.30 – 3.00 pm   Forum discussion on SUNCAT issues

3.00 – 3.30 pm   Tea/coffee and cake

3.30 – 4.15 pm   Securing continuing access to e-journal content: how EDINA’s services can help (with reference to the Keepers Registry, UK LOCKSS Alliance, and PECAN initiatives)

4.15 – 4.45 pm   Forum discussion on Keepers Registry, LOCKSS, PECAN etc. issues

4.45 – 5.00 pm   Summary and next steps

 

London: Monday 17th March 2014, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, near Russell Square, London
Registration and event details:
http://edina-serials-forum-london.eventbrite.co.uk

Edinburgh: Friday 21st March 2014, Main Library, University of Edinburgh
Registration and event details:
http://edina-serials-forum-edinburgh.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information about the Forum please contact the EDINA helpdesk at edina@ed.ac.uk

We look forward to seeing you in March!

SUNCAT Newsletter (December 2013) is now available

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Issue 11 of the SUNCAT Newsletter (December 2013) is now available on our website. It provides a round up of the SUNCAT news and developments for this year, including information about:
  • New libraries
  • The new SUNCAT platform
  • Upgrade to Aleph v.20
  • RDA and SUNCAT
  • SUNCAT’s service for the UK Research Reserve (UKRR)
  • Details of the latest surveys
  • Development of the blog
Please get in touch if you have any questions or comments about the contents.
For further information about SUNCAT please see our website, follow our news on Twitter @suncatteam,  or contact the EDINA Helpdesk at edina@ed.ac.uk

SUNCAT Redevelopment: Focus on Journal Holding and Contributing Library Information

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This is the fourth in a series of blog posts highlighting some of the new features now available in the redeveloped SUNCAT. In this post I will detail how you can quickly and easily find out more information about a journal you are interested in and the library which holds it. This information should enable you to either apply for an Inter-Library loan via your local library service or to plan a visit to a library to access the journal in person.

Once you have conducted a successful search on SUNCAT and have found a title or titles you are interested in, you can display further information about the title and discover detailed holdings information by clicking on the journal title in the results display. This will take you into the full record for the title.

The full record display includes bibliographic information, such as the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number), publisher details, first date of publication, subject headings and any changes of title etc. If you scroll further down the screen you will be presented with a list of the libraries holding the title. This holdings display represents the very heart of the SUNCAT service, providing an aggregated summary of where you can find a journal title in the UK.

The holding libraries are listed in alphabetical order and for most libraries the following information is displayed:

  • An icon indicating if the holdings are print or electronic
  • Summary holdings statement of the volumes and issues a library actually holds for that title
  • Location and shelfmark of the journal
  • A link to the online version if the holding is for an electronic journal
  • A link to the local library catalogue

 

Holdings Display for a Title

 

The combination of both the bibliographic information and the holdings summary allows you to ascertain that you are definitely looking at the correct journal and which libraries actually hold the volume/issue you require. The location and shelfmark information are important should you choose to visit the library. We would also recommend clicking on the link to the local library catalogue so that you can check the most up to date status of the item you are interested in before travelling to the library.

As well as providing information about journal holdings we also provide information about each of the holding libraries. Clicking on the library name will take you to the following:

  • A link to the library homepage
  • Contact details
  • Google directions to the library
  • British Library Code
  • The date the library’s data was last updated in SUNCAT

Information about the Barnes Library at Birmingham University

 

This information allows you to quickly and easily go into the library’s website or to contact the library to check their access and lending policies for external users. The Google directions are obviously helpful if you do indeed plan to physically visit the library. The British Library Code is provided for Inter-Library Loan staff and the date of the library’s last update to SUNCAT provides an indication of how current the holdings information is.

If you are affiliated with a UK University the link to the SCONUL Access website, which sits just above the list of holdings, will allow you to check whether you are allowed to access and borrow material from other UK University Libraries.

 

 

If you any ideas of additional useful information we could provide about holding libraries please get let us know via the EDINA Helpdesk.

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