Minutes of User Interface Task Group Meeting

Friday, November 11, 2005

Present: Wilma Bass (ERIC2), Lenore England, Diane Fuller (minutes), Heidi Hanson, Sean Henry, Cindy Todd (co-chair), Susan Wheeler, Laura Wrubel (co-chair)

Topic 1: Report from ERIC 2 (Electronic Resources in the Catalog) task group

Wilma Bass reported on ERIC 2, including their history - started in spring 2005 to improve e-resources catalog records. In the test environment the task group is looking at sfx links and user surveys; loading netLibrary titles into the catalog and duplicate journal records and holdings. Changes to bibliographic records will come in phases, with "Find it" first. There needs to be buy in from all campuses.

Wilma and Laura demonstrated in the test catalog on the "Find it" button. Find it will be included on all records. The default is after the title in the brief record and at the top of the page in the full record.

Clips from the usability study were also shown. People in the usability studies are not finding the link in the full record. The availability link in the SFX window was discussed. The availability and holdings for all libraries should be included. More options include reviews in Amazon if the ISBN is after 1980. ERIC 2 is trying to set up a trial for Syndetex, a subscription service that includes book covers and Choice reviews.

Get help section is set up by campus. Full text government documents are not yet showing up in the SFX menu.

SFX in the catalog will be a soft release - information put in but nothing taken away until determine what screens will say. Janet, Cindy, Linda, Heidi and Laura will serve on the subgroup that drafts text.

The "record format" in the full view is confusing. Can it be deleted or the field moved to the bottom of the screen?

Topic 2: Demo of HS/HSL web site (Diane)

Demonstration of the HS/HSL web site included e-resources section, including general resources, discipline pages and subject pages. The database page and proxy instructions were shown. The HS/HSL provides a link to Research Port, but does not use it as its primary connection to resources. Login is by UMnet email account. About the library, library services, the Library Advisory Committee and Weise gallery pages were also discussed.

Metalib search summary pages (Laura)

Laura showed some of the changes that have been made to the search results pages. Changes include hiding the "search and link message in the cross search. Now users can click on "view" and then "view outside" for databases that won't run a search in cross search. Lara will clean up the search results pages and send to the COI for comments.

Laura began a discussion on the defaulting to advanced option for the quick and/or cross search. This needs to be a consortial agreement. Members should talk to their groups for discussion at the next meeting.

Action Item: Gather feedback from our campuses about defaulting to the advanced search screen.

Topic 4: Wikis (Heidi)

Heidi demonstrated the UITG pmwiki page. The wiki will show history (changes) of the page, and will be password protected to make changes. The pages will be viewable to others. The wiki will be used as a workspace - drafting/editing documents. Wiki address is http://www.itd.umd.edu/pmwiki/pmwiki.php. Heidi will email the password so members can add and edit documents. The wiki can also be used to link to pages on the COI and vice versa.

Action Item: Heidi will email members the password.

Pending Topics

New books catalog - Cindy sent out a draft email to the UITG. Please respond by Monday with comments, so the email can be sent to the COI as soon as possible.

Metalib default search (basic vs. advanced) - discuss at next meeting.

Next Meeting

Location: UMCP; room TBA.

Agenda:

• MetaLib default search