Research Port and SFX:

• E-Content team is in the early stages of SFX v.3 migration, worked on training and investigating issues related to implementation. Demo of v.3 presented at March USMERC meeting as well as outline of migration tasks.
• SFX v.3 will require interface work on the SFX menu since services can now be grouped into core and advanced. A meeting of the Screen Group has been called to coordinate this interface work and usability testing. USMERC members agreed that all 16 libraries would use a common group of services in the "core": links to full-text, link to the catalog, and ILL. Each campus can then decide on what services to include in "advanced."

Aleph Version 16:

• Fixed serials claims report so that it would run in Version 16. Worked with library staff to get the report down to a usable size.
• Set up automatic running of a cleanup program to expunge the "Staging" database, i.e. MAI02.
• Loaded Marcive Government Docs. e-serials backlog and set up an ongoing load of e–serial files.
• Investigated problems with serials patterns. This has been a big topic on the COI and the NAAUG list. Identified a few instances where Aleph does not create the correct check-in records according to MARC21 Holdings format.
• Deleted ILL temporary bibliographic records for UM.
• Sent fixes to ExLibris for 2 more problems: bad totals on cash summary letters and complex problem of the pc server (the main piece of software that the Aleph clients talk to) looping. We are negotiating with them to adopt our fixes.
• PPH: fixed a problem with the "balance" program
• Database cleanup for UMLaw to consolidate their non-circulating Item statuses into one, 19,000+ records were changed.

E–Resources in the Catalog (2): The Task Group's first meeting was postponed due to snow. ITD continues to research topics relevant to the group: XML export of records from the SFX database, FindIt button in the test database, and the "Union View" software from Ex Libris that MAY allow for some kind of virtual deduplication.

Electronic Resource Licensing:

• Major and intensive work compiling renewal information from campus worksheets for USMAI and MDL, negotiating with vendors for prices, reviewing and in some cases, resolving issues related to pricing with vendors. We have established a better record–keeping process for the information associated with the renewal process. Updating campus worksheets with price information (double–checking/proofing) in preparation for distribution to campuses. We had a great response from the libraries in meeting the deadline. We are not having as prompt a response from the vendors.
• The USMAI database statistics website was finalized including construction of an instruction Excel spreadsheet for campuses to download and use to organize information. New graduate assistant trained on collecting and analyzing statistics. New reflector established for campuses to use to request assistance with usage statistics.

Prange Education project: Continued work on creating PAC screen labels in vernacular Japanese.

Aleph Report Writing: Began investigation of the new Aleph Reporting Center software. Prepared disk space for testing. Found out the current version is not very flexible. We will not be able to adjust the data structures to meet our needs. Ex Libris is considering changing this in future versions.

Patron Loader: Please see the Patron Loader status page for up-to-date information. Revised the USMAI format to include a local campus i.d. number. Continued to work on UM's revised load. We are working on documentation for campuses who are preparing to work on their first load.

EDI Loader: Load of serials invoices: Performed live load of Swets invoices for TU, tested EBSCO loader for TU. Continued loading invoice renewals for CP, HSL, ML, and SM. Worked on cleanup process and setup requirements for SU and FSU. Load of order records: begin investigation of requirements for ordering with Collection Manager for UM. See the EDI Loader status page.

Authentication: Continued investigation of Shibboleth. Met with USM Middleware group to talk about Shibboleth. Began work to startup the new Authentication, Authorization and Security Task Group as appointed by CLD.

LOCKSS: Began setup work for UM's participation in the LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) project.

National Trust Library Database: Continued to investigate the development of a bibliographic record loader for these records. The current database has not been updated for a long time. It is loaded into Aleph and accessed through ResearchPort.

Personnel: Said goodbye to Young Kim, after 16 years of service to the consortium in ITD. Worked on interim assignment of her tasks. Began search for Systems Administrator position. Worked on individual work plans for the coming year, basing many goals on the tasks in the Development Plan.

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