OLJ - Module 2 - Social Book marking

OJL Activity:
Set up an account on the social bookmarking service Delicious - http://delicious.com/

Write a short evaluation (no more than 350 words) of your use of Delicious as a social bookmarking tool - include a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of different features and/or functions, as well as a brief statement on the different ways an information organisation may be able to utilise Delicious to support information services, learning and/or collaboration of users and/or employees.

Through the Inf506 course, I created a Delicious account from which I immensed in the sicial book marking experience. As a student I have used Delicious to keep track of references to literature I have reviewed. I have also used Delicious as a tool in bookmarking and sharing resources with fellow students. Info506 Lecturer provided Delicious links to very relevant resources.

Delicious social tagging when integrated with the library catalogue allows users to share tags on library titles. While the library catalogue functionality provides ability to bookmark searches, the social element of tagable bookmarks is very important as it is easier for others to find and use what other library users have saved as useful resources. (Evans, 2010, p. 43).  Educause explain that  social bookmarking "opens door to new ways of organizing information and categoring resources and it is a process [that] allows like-minded individuals to find one another and create new communities of users that continue to influence the ongoing evolution of folksonomies and common tags for resources". Tagging: (“Folksonamies”) is also a functionality of the social networking that enables users to collaboratively create and manage tags to annotate and categorize content.

I visited a number of library catalogues and observed the used on social bookmarking on some of the catalogues.

Darien Library - Users can add tags

User can also search on Tags they have added.

OLJ - A reflective statement on my development as a social networker.

Part B: A reflective statement on your development as a social networker as a result of studying INF506, an the implications for your development as an information professional.


At the start of this course I was asked to list which Social networking technologies and sites I had already used.

My answer was “None”!

Up until  taking this course, I had been very sceptical  about using social networking technologies out of a concern for my privacy and security. I had been blinded to the fact that social networking technologies have a dominant presence in the web arena (Jacobson (2011, p.79) and therefore their relevance to information professionals such as myself can not be overlooked. The Inf506 learning has provided me with a greater understanding of this by exploring  the concept, theory and practice of social networking technologies within the context of libraries and information management.

It is through the Inf506 learning that I was able to take close look at the Web 2.0 concept and how its adaptability into Library 2.0 has provided libraries with tools that adds value and usability to the library resources; a tool that has taken the OPAC (Open Access Catalogue) to the next generation of library catalogue. During this learning I have spent significant time studying various library catalogues to see how they have evolved to incorporate the Web 2.0 underlying principles or 4Cs - collaboration, conversation, community and content creation in the past few years - as we studied in Module 3.



This Library 2.0 meme map developed by Bonaria Biancu (2006, http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonaria/113222147/sizes/o/) shows the main elements of the Library 2.0 concept:

Facebook and Twitter:

I have so far used Facebook and Twitter as a learning tool. These networks offered me an interactive, resource sharing, supportive and cohesive learning community. Information posted and shared on Facebook and Twitter was very relevant to the learning objectives.

In developing my skills as a social networker, within the context of library information management and within the library 2.0 ethos, I was especially interested in Facebook’s integration to the library catalogue. “Facebook is currently the largest social network site on the web, ranking fourth most visited of all Internet sites” (Landis 2010, p. 12) yet, according to Jacobson (2011, p.79) its use in libraries is just taking hold. Literature reviewed  show that integration with Facebook enables users to share links to library materials with friends thereby it helps to promote the use of library resources.

Colorado State University Library catalogue - Integration of social networking sites to their catalogue.


On a professional note, as a systems implementation consultant and trainer, I could use the social networking  learning to enhance my training of librarians by encouraging different groups to collaborate in a social networking environment where trainers and consultants could engage with customers in addressing questions from training. Such an environment will encourage all groups to participate and share knowledge and experience of their learning. Currently followup on training is with individual customers through emails and quite often we are having to respond to the same questions in a number of email correspondences.

There are some other possibilities to explore with my employer - an Integrated Library Management Systems (ILS) vendor. An example is the use social networking site like Facebook as a forum for customers and the Clientcare staff to share information on the software tips and fixes. I think this will help to reduce the number calls that are logged.

On a personal level, Social networking sites provides me a free space to connect with nearby and far away friends and acquaintances, a space where I can promote myself professionally and academically.

A place where I can share in a learning community environment.

I now have an open mind to using social networking sites and online publishing. I am aware of Internet privacy and security issues, and the need to be careful with its use.

My most continuing fear with use of social networking sites are that:

• It can put ones personal safety at risk and as Who's watching puts it "Once you publish something online, it is available to other people and to search engines. You can’t retract it".

As a library and information professional, I need to emerge into the social networking usage. It is only then that I can experience the nature of the needs and expectations of customers. To keep abreast of the changing social networking tools and be prepared to jump to the next new tools and to contribute to making new tools in the social web arena relevant to the information seeking community.

OLJ - An evaluation statement with a focus on FaceBook, Tagging and RSS feeds

Part A - An evaluation statement using 3 experiences documented in your OLJ as evidence of meeting the learning objectives of the subject.

Web2.0/Library2.0: I explored social networking technologies within the context of libraries especially with regards to OLJ learning in areas relevant to Library 2.0. Library 2.0 as coined by Michael Casey (Sodt & Summey 2009, p.98) is built on Web2.0 concept. Tom O’Reilly (Evans 2010, p.4) suggests that the underlying principles or 4Cs of Web2.0 are collaboration, conversation, community and content creation.


My review of recent literature confirmed although a recent development Library 2.0 is taking hold in the library community. (Evans 2010, p 3). Library 2.0 development by proprietary Integrated Library Systems (ILS) vendors, open source community, and commercial vendors affect the library 2.0 tools available for next generation catalogue. Yang (2010, p 690) suggests that Open source tools seem to be bolder and more innovative than proprietary tools in embracing library 2.0. I observed this when I visited a number of library catalogues; and it was clear that libraries with limited technical resources are limited in implementing the Library 2.0 tools offered by the Open source technology and tend to rely on what their proprietary systems provides them.

In line with Web2.0 4Cs of social media studied social networking sites like Facebook, and other Web 2.0 tools like Tagging (Folksonamies), and RSS feeds “creates opportunities for users of online services to add value to the service through feedback and interaction". I examined the use of these tools to see their integration to the library catalogue (next generation catalogue) in support of the Web2.0 4Cs.

Facebook: Despite being a dominant social networking site on the web arena; (Landis, 2010, p. 12) its use in libraries is just taking hold (Jacobson 2011, p.79).

I visited a number of library catalogues to review the collaboration of Facebook and Twitter to the next generation library catalogue. A significant number of library catalogue I visited had some presence of social networking integration with a link to Facebook.com. Although the percentage of library catalogues without social networking integrations were higher, those with integration with Facebook enable users to share links to library materials with friends, and this helps to promote the use of library resources. Although I also observed that Library catalogues are yet to align Facebook integration to the full contentment of the Web2.0 4Cs. With the current integration, users are not fully engaged in collaboration, conversation and content creation. As illustrated below, a link to Facebook from an item search allows users to share a library material with their Facebook fans. One could say that this provides some collaboration.

The future the Library catalogue/Facebook integration aims to enable Facebook to “embrace” the library catalogue. Such a love affair means that the library catalogue becomes fully accessible/searchable from a person’s Facebook account. This concept keeps users into their Facebook environment and pushes the library catalogue to the Facebook environment where most users would spend most of their time. This concept allows users to immerse in collaboration, conversation, community and content creation.


Such an environment will allow the Facebook users to easily add content by adding resources of interest to their virtual book shelf, and then sharing those with fans. Additionally “My Account” function of the library catalogue could be accessible from the Facebook account authentication. A Paypal feature that allows users to conveniently pay their library fines and fees could be incorporated.

A Facebook plugin widget “Like this book” could be integrated to library catalogue enabling users to rate popular materials.

RSS feed: (Really Simple Syndication) allows users to connect themselves to content that is often updated. Next generation library catalogue interface includes RSS feeds. With this feature users can have new books lists, top-circulating book lists, canned searches and “watch the topic” connections to the catalogue on their own blogs or feed reader page. Users could also use RSS feed to keep a history of what they are reading, and are able to share these with friends.

Web 2.0 ‘technologies’ is about creating a magnet to which people can be pulled to information content on library website. It is also about pushing out content to people.

The collaboration of RSS feeds to the "Next generation library catalogue" has potential to greatly enhance the way that libraries deliver their resources. (Aery 2008, p. 1)

Tagging: (“Folksonamies”) is also a functionality of the social networking that enables users to collaboratively create and manage tags to annotate and categorize content. Thomas et al (2009, p.412) argue that though library provides controlled vocabulary, users quite often are not familiar with the terms in the vocabulary and therefore not able to make the right searching decisions. Tags are therefore used to provide the ability for users to highlight different aspect of resources. Thomas et al (2009, p.431) conclude that, “social tagging does indeed augment the LCSH [Library of Congress Subject Heading] providing additional access to resources”. The collaborative aspect of the tagging system is also an important function. Golder and Huberman (2006) in Thomas et al (2009, p.413) say that “Users tag primarily for themselves but software makes it possible to see all the tags so a users can borrow tags from other users.

In addition, Delicious social tagging when integrated with NGC allows users to share tags from the library catalogues. While the library catalogue functionality provides ability to bookmark searches, the social element of tagable bookmarks is very important as it is easier for others to find and use what other library users have saved as useful resources. (Evans, 2010, p. 43).

OLJ - Module 3 - Library 2.0 ethos - A-Z social networking for libraries

OLJ Activity:
READ the post A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries (22 January, 2010) on the Social Networking for Libraries blog.


Consider this advice in terms of a library and information agency that you know (as an employee or user). Select advice from five (5) letters of this A-Z list and consider how these may be applied to this library to help it embrace a Library 2.0 ethos. Write up your findings as a post (of no more than 350 words in your OLJ).

A classic or digital migrant library user, and or a conservative library management might be contented with an ‘out of the box’ Library catalogues typically known as the OPAC (online access catalogue) as delivered by an ILS. After all the OPAC could be seen as an effective tool that point users to information sources located in the library. They may also be limited by resources available for developing library catalogue to the standard of the next generation catalogue. "If it ain't broke, why fix it". However is this enough in the Web2.0/Library 2.0 current environment? Could Library 2.0 “revitalize” the way libraries serves and interact with customers as claimed in Casey & Savastinuk? Library 2.0 invites users’ participation, enhanced librarian’s skills and service improvement, and offers “customer driven service opportunities” where customers can tailor library services to suit their own needs.

The A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries provides a list of social networking technologies that add value to library services in the current Web2.0 environment. Understandably there is pressure for libraries to respond positively to the fast changing world of information technology; to provide Internet related resources and services that users need and want. Libraries therefore look realistically at what is achievable within the library available resources.

Of the A-to Z, I am considering specifically how L-Librarything and M-Mobile technologies maybe applied to the Charles Stuart University (CSU) Library catalogue to embrace Library 2.0 ethos.

LibraryThing’s Tag browsing for example will enhance CSU catalogue with "powerful and flexibility searching and browsing books by tags. CSU could also "FRBR"ize their catalogue by linking related editions and translation of the same work. Book reviews is another useful feature of the Library2.0 ethos.

As an example of the technology being offered, SirsiDynix an Integrated Library System (ILS) offers the BookMyne product which is built on the Web services technology. BookMyne brings conveniently, social-savvy library functionality to the Library customers. The ability for the CSU library to make their information sources, and social networking services accessible via mobile devices will enable CDU to reach their clients where ever they are.

OLJ - Module 3 -the 4Cs of social media

OLJ TASK - Visit ASU’s collection of The Library Minute videos and view five (5) of these one minute videos, then visit two (2) of the other Web 2.0 tools used as part of the ASU Library Channel suite at http://lib.asu.edu/librarychannel/.


Write a critical evaluation on ASU Libraries’ use of these platforms to achieve the 4Cs of social media (in no more than 350 words).

Arizonal State University (ASU) libraries 'the library minute' video title "the social connection"  encourages their customers to "connect with us and join our conversation". ASU claims that communication goes both ways. ASU has promoted their services and resources on Twitter and  Facebook websites.  As an academic environment, I can see that it is important for ASU to engage their student in the social space where students hangout. These social networking technologies fits in well with the Web2.0 4C - thus collaboration, conversation, community and content creation. ASU provides a collaboration between their website and the Facebook and Twitter site and uses this media to provide information for their customers. Customer are able to rank information provided as "liked". Customers are also able to tweet the "ask a librarian" service. This could be seen as some form of a conversation and content creation. However, I can see that ASU does not fully engage their customers in a conversation where customers could post comments to the ASU Facebook posts.  Where 4Cs of Web2.0 is adhered to, customers should be able to add content, share in a conversation with the library community, and with  the face book community.  
  

I expected to see  the ASU library integrate the social networking sites to their Library catalogue as I have seen on Hennepin County Library. The  integration/collaboration of  Twitter and Face book to library catalogue allow library users to exchange information about the library materials they are reading; and according to Breeding (2010, p. 29) social networking sites "provide important opportunities to promote the library relevant content [library catalogue], services, and activities". This is illustrated on Hennepin County Library (HCP) as illustrated in figures1 - 3. However, this collaboration with library catalogue does not truly fit in with the Web2.0 principles. The Library catalogue should be accessed directly from the Facebook account, where customers could comment on books they are reading within their Facebook account. Customer should create and add to their virtual bookshelves and then share bookmarks with fans.

Figure 1 demonstrates the integration of Facebook and Twitter to the HCP library catalogue.

Figure 1


















Figure 2 shows an illustration of a search  result that links with Facebook to allow the item information shared and discussed among the Facebook community.

Figure2

Similarly, figure 3 shows an example of library catalogue item link through Twitter; this could be shared and discussed as a tweet.

Figure 3

OLJ - Module 4 : Making Web2.0 work in Libraries

OLJ Activity:
Select three (3) libraries of your choice that use social networking to meet their goals.

Develop a comparative table which documents how each of the libraries use social networking tools to support information service provision, educational programs, conduct business etc.

Based on this comparison (and in no more than 350 words) develop your own list of “Reasons why libraries should be on social media”, and draw upon aspects of these three libraries to illustrate each point.

A comparison of Web2.0 tools as used in a select university libraries. Ohio University Library(Ohio) has a focus on interaction, and on engaging customers in instant communication. Facebook and Twitter is used intensively on Ohio to promote library services and  to track feedback from customers.  Ohio has not used Blogs where as Charles Sturt Library uses Twitter and Blogs and has a focus on instant live chats with their customers. It appears the University of Auckland Library has not invested much in Web2.0 with just Tags, RSS feed and Email available. Auckland University has the Mobile applications provided for their customers to access and use their Library on the go.

I am surprised that Charles Sturt Library and the University of Auckland Library have used less social networking sites and social media. It is becoming essential for libraries to to take the idea of  Web2.0  and apply its tools to engage, interact and empower library patrons. According to Breeding (2010, p 28), "social media provides opportunities for exposure to the library and funnel users into the service it offers".

Facebook use in libraries is summarised as follows:

• Live reference chats
• Engage with customers by allowing customers to add comments to posting or to "like posting"
• Collaborated to library catalogue to able customers to share information on books they are reading.
• Promote the library services and encourage participation
• Book clubs and study groups

http://old.diglib.org/forums/spring2009/presentations/Boyer.pdf

Twitter can be used to pull customers to the library and track what the library patrons think of the services offered.

• Reference services: tweet information on current events
• It helps in the identification of user needs
• Promote library services.
•  Attract  followers to the library
• Collaborate Twitter to the Library catalogue to enable users to share information on library material
• Bulletin board: Some libraries use Twitter as an online bulletin board for which they post programme announcement (Krabill, 2009, p. 15)

 RSS feed is great for pushing out information to people. RSS enhances the traditional library's  current awareness service "Selected Dissemination of Information (SDI) function. 

YouTube videos can be used as a social tool to promote the use of library resources. For example, Ohio University Library has promoted their library services with a series of Video help.   I find video tutorials facilitates learning a subject quickly and it could be used also as a learning tool in a University learning environment..

OLJ - Module 2 - RSS feeds.

OLJ - Activity

Now that you have explored some examples of how libraries and the media make use of RSS to deliver updated information and the applications that can tailor and aggregate feeds for specific users, find two (2) additional examples of 'RSS in action', and develop a 350 word post to your OLJ on how RSS can enhance a library or information service’s ability to meet the information needs of its users.

RSS in Web2.0 environment means that the web browser is no longer the only means of viewing a web page" O'Reilly (2007, P 25). Users have the power to pull information updates to any devices and share those with their friends.   "It provides users a way to syndicate and republish content on the Web" (Arora, 2009, p.53).   RSS empowers information sharing as since its delivery in 1997 by Dave Winer, it has turned "webblogs from an ease-of publishing phenomenon into a conversational mess of overlapping communities" (O'Reilly 2007, P 25). RSS enables organisation to create a magnet from which people can be pulled to information content on their website.   

So...
Create         Publish          Distribute

Source: Feedburner.google.com

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" but also referred to as "Rich Site Summary". RSS is technology used to distribute information from websites. With RSS, readers can subscribe to timely updates from their favourite websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader", or "aggregator", which can be web based, desktop based or mobile based.

Organisations such as Libraries need their customers to stay informed of new information resources and services acquired or offerred by the library.

The collaboration of RSS feeds to the "Next generation library catalogue" has greatly enhanced the way that libraries now delivered their services  (Arora, 2009, p.53). With RSS, users have ability to subscribe to an alert that gives them a list of new titles acquired by the library. Right  from their own space, they can then  request the new book delivered to them.

The screen shot below illustrates the ability to subscribe to titles of interest from the library catalogue.

Source: Auckland City Libraries

See the amazing things Dekalb county public library is doing with RSS feed. With RSS feeds, their users can  keep up to date on the latest additions to the library catalog. This library also offers Calendar of Events RSS feeds for every event type, age group, and library branch.

In fact, RSS feed has become a standard feature of the new generation library catalogue.  RSS “feeds” free library customers  from having to constantly search the library catalogue to see if anything new and interesting has been acquired. The required  information is delivered to customers as soon as it is available.

Here is the highlight of how libraries are using RSS feed:

• New additions that match a users particular interest
• Newly published articles
• Newly added items by Media type.
• Newly added items by Subject
• Newly added items by Author
• Newly added items by Time period
• Library notices
• Library calendar/events
• News and current affairs
• Community events
• Use of RSS for checked-out history. User can always keep track of all items they have checked out. 

INF506 Assessment 2 - (Social networking project proposal)

Title

The impact of social networking technologies on the Next generation catalogue.

Brief description

I will model the case study on library literature that discusses the use of and the impact of the web2.0 on the next Generation catalogues.

The study will first define the Next generation catalogue concept and will define the web2.0 and then identify the technologies that are inclusive of the Next generation catalogue.

The case study will involve a critical evaluation of selected web 2.0 technologies as used on a selected two libraries; thus an academic and a public library.

Social networking technologies to be used

My focus is to discuss social networking technologies that interface with the Next generation catalogue to promote social interaction and information sharing and exchange.

•  RSS feed

•  Tag cloud

•  Reviews

•  Social bookmarking

•  Online book clubs like Book space/Library Thing

•  Twitter and Face book

These technologies will be discussed but just three will be critically evaluated.

Expected outcomes of the case study.

The study will reveal the understanding and awareness of the next generation social networking impact on

•  Effectiveness of the social networking technologies on Library catalogues.

•  Digital divide issues

•  The technologies’ role in the promotion of library services

•  Priorities of library resources in terms of collection development and quality of customer services vs.   focus on library catalogue design.

•  If it ‘ain’t broke’ still fix it? (OPAC) - Is library just seeking an identity with the internet?

•  Simplicity of use and target audience.

•  Any new social networking technologies yet to appear on the next generation catalogue.

Project plan

Start with a literature review.

Investigate a range of social networking technologies used on Next generation catalogue.

Investigate any new social networking technologies that could be used on the next generation catalogue.

Research and select libraries to use in case study. An academic library and a public library

Explore the two library catalogues to identify Social networking technologies being used.

Obtain knowledge for this case study from the literature review and through investigation and evaluation of the selected library catalogues.

The case study will be presented in a report format. The report will analyse and evaluate the readings on this topic; and it will present screen shots to illustrate the case study.

INF506 - Social Networking for Information Professionals - A Learning Journal

Social networking defined in my own words.

Social networking provides the means by which humans seek to convey their relevance to the society; to exercise control, relief and reliance through exchange of knowledge and sharing of other resources. Social networking has been with us since the beginning of time. In my African village, the culture of the people thrives on social networking. Communities at large are connected with each other through social networking in marriage, economic, agriculture, religion and political activities. Individuals are in contact with each constantly to share not just knowledge but their time, space, emotions, experience and other resources. Social networking technologies allows individuals to interact with each other more frequent and where face to face meeting may not be adequate due to many factors including time limitation as it is typical with the western style living.

Social networking technologies and sites I have already used?


None!
I am very sceptical of the social networking technologies. I have up to now refused to be part of the social networking technology. I respect my privacy and I am being cautious of my information going to people I may not want to share with.

In signing up on Face book and twitter for this subject, I contemplated if I should use my real name.


What I expect from completing INF506.


I am taking this course especially as a way of delving into a more understanding of the social networking technologies. As an Information professional, I am hoping to come out very confident with a range of social networking environments and be able to contribute my knowledge to the information needs of users of these technologies. I hope to overcome the phobia of being part of the 21st century social networking.

INFO545 Assignment 2 - (A reflective journal)

1/11/11 -

Starting point: The start point is in creating this blog post where I can reflective on this project. Great that I have now establish the blog page and can start writing my reflective journal.

Where to start.... My limited knowledge of APIs and skills to write perl scripts; nor programming  is blocking my mind of possible topics for this project. Anyhow, let me just throw these ideas down and then see how it goes....

Ideas:

Google APIs is really nagging me. I have heard  much of what libraries are doing with Google APIs but have never looked any closer. This maybe an opportunity.

Open source: I became aware of VuFind and open source discovery layer to OPAC during researching one of my university papers. I made note then to look more into this product. It maybe a good opportunity to do a project on this.

So let me stop here and review what is happening in the library world with APIs. I think I should first check 'Discussion board' to see if there are any posting that will give me a starting point.

Discussion board.

Great! I have now read the posting by Jennifer Wilbanks on "More on APIs and Mash ups" with contribution from Linda Rosvall.  Jennifer has provided  about the "National Library/Digital NZ's "Mix and Mash: the Great New Zealand Mash Up" competition" . This is a great link. And Linda has provided these: the mix-mash-mini and blunff. Honestly, I have not heard of these before. Mixing and mashing is new concept to me! I am putting these links here as tomorrow I need to go back and review this information. Looks very useful!

 12/1/11.

Literature review: Today I will focus more on understanding this concept of mix and mash. Maybe from there I could become more aware of possibilities with this project. APIs is still nagging me. Okay, I am making the start now. To review some literature starting with these links from discussion board....

Jennifer's link took me to a National radio presentation which is presented clearly and tried to explain the concepts re-mixing and mashing quite simply - Marsh-up: takes pieces of data and content that are available online and then mixes them up into a web application service. APIs as an example of marsh-up pulls information out of website or a data base and does interesting things with the data.  Remix is more on the creative side. More involved in content items like poems, images, graphics rather than dealing with data. Okay so I basically understand these concepts now. I am now also aware of Creative commons -/. Creative common is where people can display ownership of their intellectual property and what they would other to do with it. It does not replace copyright but rather creates a "fair middle way between the extremes of copyright control".

Mix.mash.org: I have reviewed the great things that New Zealanders have done in the mix&mash competition. The Meshblock presentation has especially inspired me on what I could do for this project.

Looking at this, what I am thinking of right now is that: 
A mashup on Online Catalogue; after a user does a search and gets to the full result screen, they click on a link beside the title "View use statistics". This link then opens up a window like this screen shot below that then provides the user with some use analysis. On the right hand side where the map is could be a list of related titles allowing the user to compare the usage between similar titles. I am keeping this on my mind as a possible topic for this project.

 

 How To Make Your Own Web Mashup. Let me spend a bit of time on this one. It might teach me a thing or two... After scrolling through the hundred of API programs from the Programmable web site; my head starts to whistle...  Gosh!  there is so much to learn in a short time!

This is over my head!  Zero coding knowledge...
So after spending time on this the Programmable web site, All I have learned so far are step I must take in making a mash-up using APIs - Thus:

• Pick a subject
• Decide where your data is coming from - as this will drive the API which I could use
• Weigh your coding skills - as mashups are mostly a programmers affair - Hmmm!
• How much time do you have - as development skill is proportional to complexity - [Keep it simple I think...]
• Signup to use existing API e.g Google APIs
• Start Coding - This is the serious bit. Need some tutorial .

My mind is too wild on this API possibility. I need a focused plan.

1) Topic: Mashup google charts on Opac.

2) Data will come from the ILS system

3) Zero coding skills but I could learn. I will start by investigating possibilities...

4) What is google APIs and how does it work

5) What has the library community done with mashing using google APIs?

 http://code.google.com/apis/chart/ . I should look more into this later.

15 /1/11

Today I got stucked for hours learning more about whats going on with mashups/APIs. 

I have reviewed various presentation (ppt) on library mashups scripting.

Basically, the idea is to combine data and information from two or more sources to build a new application or services. From these presentation I got directed to the Programmable Web. Here I spent quite some time in trying to understand the APIs available and how they are used on web mashups. Honestly, it is getting overwhelming. I am amazed at the thousand of mashup that have been created using various APIs. It is so interesting that I got lost into this web page for quite sometime just seeing the various mashups presented. I did a search on Libraries and got a list of library mashup including: (I am listing these here as I may need refer to these later in my project)

Libraries in Denmark - uses Google Maps API

Boulder Library with Amazon - Uses Amazon API

GuruLib - uses Amazon API

Go-Go Google Gadget - uses GooglrHomepage API

CodexMap- LibraryThing ,GoogleMaps, GeoNames,AmazonEC2 APIs

Readit.Me - Facebook,Amazon APIs

WorldCat + Newyork Times - WorldCatSearch and NewYorkTimesBestsellers APIs

Libsquare - Foursquare,Brightkite, GoogleMaps APIs.

Descriptions of these mashups are on Programmable Web.

It is looking more like mashup is a new way to deliver library data.

16/1/11

I am spending so much time getting stucked on trying to see what is possible with mashing using Google Charts tools for this project . What I have in mind is to undertake a project of mashing Google charts with library data to provide a usage graph per each title searched then I need to check if it is easy to learn visualization through Google API. I have therefore spent some time going through the "how do I start steps showing below:

How do I start?

1. Learn to use visualizations by reading the Developer's Guide.
2. Visit the Visualization Gallery and the Gadget Gallery to see visualizations are available.
3. Learn how to build your own public data source.
4. Read the Creating Visualizations guide to learn how to write new visualizations.
5. Share your visualization or your productivity tool with the community.
6. Learn how to implement a data source using tools and data source implementations provided by Google or third parties.
7. Learn how to integrate your visualization with Google Spreadsheets.

After spending so much time in trying to learn to how I could integrate the Google charts with the Opac, it is becoming clear that this scope is beyond my capability.  I am however developing understanding possibilities with APIs and mashing. Though I can not present this in technical details, my desire for this project is to:

• Write a script to pull data from ILS to feed to Google API visualisation. The script will:
• Query the (SirsiDynix Symphony) ILS database. To join the Bibliographic table with Item table; then with Checkout (Issues) history table; then with user Table.
• During a search a get bib key string like "search=single&id=12345", passes the search through the relevant tables and retrieves all users who have previously checked out items attached to the bib key retrieved. It then accesses the user table to retrieve the usage statistics by categories like Age and Gender. It prepares the data in csv format and creates a spread sheet stored in a temp file and  a URL to this file is generated.
• A perl script to achieve this will be placed in the Apache directly and will be called by the Opac java scripts. The java script prepares this data and feeds the data to Google API visualisation through a URL to the csv data.
• Google API visualization.
• The link on the OPAC "View usage statistics" is the URL of the Google API Chart.
• Google Visualisation API will initialise the URL of the spreadsheet data and will use this data to then draw the chart in the form to which it is defined.

The result will look something like this:

Where the 246 is the total number of borrowers; followed by the usage break- down by age and gender.

I believe that this will be useful information for searchers. It will also show how location of material in the library influences the usage of the material by Age groups.

Okay, I am taking a break here. I am frustrated with my limitation of programing skills.

18/1/11

Next I need to take a look at some coding already done in a mashing...

I know this idea looks so good but I don't have the know-how skills to achieve this. However, I am not giving up yet. I need to review if the library community has already done this similarly API mashup. I will review what sort of mashups have been done that maybe similar to my project idea.

• I have worked out the means to report the ILS system to retrieve the usage statistics.
• The next steps which require writing the relevant perl and java script and then apply these to Google chart visualisation is looking like an impossible task for me right now.

• But this idea has stimulated my interest in mashups, in learning API scripting, and visualization.
• I've got to think of another topic!

19/1/11

There is lots of interest in Open source in the library community. As there is much discussion on VuFind as an open source, a project on this will be quite useful as it will enable me to understand how the VuFind product works.
First I will need to Visit the VuFind website to see what capabilities are for my project.

Here are some findings:
 

• VuFind is an opensource resource discovery layer for library catalogue developed and maintained by Villanova University.
• The goal of VuFind is to enable your users to search and browse through all of your library's resources by replacing the traditional OPAC to include:
• Catalog Records
• Digital Library Items
• Institutional Repository
• Institutional Bibliography
• Other Library Collections and Resources

VuFind: Social Features from Falvey Memorial Library on Vimeo.

Typical features include:

• Author Biographies
• Persistent URLs
• Zotero Compatible
• Internationalization
• Open search , OAI, Solr
• Live Record Status and Location with Ajax Querying
• "More Like this" - Resource Suggestions
• Save Resource to Organised Lists
• Browsing for resources

Architecture: (click image for a bigger image)

More on VuFind

The latest release of VuFind is 1.0.1.

Many libraries on various Integrated Library Management Systems (ILS) have implemented the VuFind product, however,  and many of these libraries are currently either in Beta or are testing.

VuFind installation and documentation is available of http://vufind.org/

Next step is to review the requirements for a VuFind install project and what I would like to achieve.

20/1/11.

Objectives for the VuFind Project:

• Install VuFind.
• Connectivity to ILS to retrieve holdings information and for patron empowerment.

This project will be possible:

• where I have an ILS system to connect Vufind to.
• where I have knowledge of the ILS system settings and Query tools.
• some skill in interpreting programing scripts.

My work computer has 2 ILS systems installed. Thus; Sirsidynix's Symphony and Sirsidynix Horizon system.

I have a good knowledge of MSSQL reporting.

I have a good knowledge of the Sysdynix Enterprise which is another Discovery layer for Library catalogue. It will be interesting to observe the differences between VuFind and the Sirsidynix Enterprise.

I think I can tackle this project.

VuFind Requirement:

VuFind was developed with the following software packages :

Apache HTTP Server 2.2 or later (2.2.12 or later recommended)

PHP 5.2.x  (My first time experience)
Smarty 2.6.26 (My first time experience)

MySQL 4.1 or later (some experience with MSSQL)

Java J2SE JDK 1.4 or later (Some experience as I use this at work)

GNU Aspell Library – Optional 1) (No experience)

Installation:
There is an  installation documentation that will help guide me through the installing process.

The documentation provides  information in these broad areas:

• Introduction
• Installation & Setup
• Developers & Systems Administrators
• VuFind Project Administration
• Presentation Slides
• Marketing Materials
• User Supplied Documentation

 Start
Okay I think I am ready to start on the VuFind project starting first with a review of the product. Starting with Presentation slides and Video clips.

21/1/11
Having reviewed information on VuFind, I want to go ahead with the install and be able to play with this product.

Steps to take:
Follow install instruction to install VuFind.
Install VuFind on my personal laptop. Check that this laptop meets requirement.
Install all required software package.
Download unicorn driver
Downloading of MARC records from ILS.
My work laptop named 'rchile' has ILS.
 VuFind which will be installed on my personal laptop "localhost" will connect to 'Rchile' for ILS connectivity.

I have read the install instruction and they seem straight forward. I hope there won't be any surprises.

I am  excited to start this install work today; but as I am very busy at work today, I will make the start tomorrow:

22/1/11.

I have come to work today to focus on this project. It's Saturday and I have the office to myself.

I am now ready to start the install...

Follow instruction on installing VuFind on Windows.

Checklist:

1. Download VuFind - I downloaded the tar.gz file successfully. I used WinZip to extract the zipped files to c:/vufind as instructed.

2. Install the Apache HTTP Server. I download and installed Apache successfully. But I could not restart Apache.  Spent time trouble shooting. Then I realised that I had forgotten to do the step: Configure Apache Server) and check that this line is uncommented (doesn't have a # in front of it):

LoadModule rewrite_module modules/mod_rewrite.so.

 3. Install MySQL. I followed the instructions on downloading and installing Msql successfully.

4. Install PHP. Okay. I did not read this line which was somewhere on the install page:

Which version do I choose?

If you are using PHP with Apache 1 or Apache2 from Apache.org you need to use the VC6 versions of PHP.

I had to re-install PHP as I initially downloaded a wrong version. Damn! PHP install is the most complicated and time consuming - so far. It includes configuring Pear and downloading SMARTY.

Below:Where wrong version of PHP - version 9 installed , here I am running the wrong version of pear bat file. I rectified problem with re-installing PHP version 6.

[Error below] Where I missed the install step of adding the Pear directory to system

environment.

5. Install the Java JDK. I downloaded Java and configured system environment as per instructions.

6. Run VuFind Installation Script. I ran into problems with this step and spent lots of time trouble shooting.  This is when I realised that I had installed the wrong version of PHP. I therefore had to go back and install the correct version of PHP and re-ran PEAR. I then had to re-run this step and this time the process completed successfully.

7. Configure VuFind. I followed the instructions on to configure Apache to link with VuFind. I ran into errors with re-starting Apache. Instruction on "Troubleshooting Apache" in the install document assisted me to resolve problems. It took me a while to troubleshoot Apache.

8. Start VuFind. Yes! VuFind starts, no problem.
Okay, using the URL http://localhost/vufind called the right page.

Good. Now I need to download marc records so I can test searching.

9. Import Records

Having  the Symphony install on my Work Laptop 'rchile'. I ran a Unicorn API query:

selcatalog catalogdump -om -ka035 > marc_for_vufind.

Once records were exported in the recommended .mrc formats to a file, I then ran the Import Record step to import records to VuFind. These records were immediately indexed and I could search then on VuFind. The import process took just a few minutes. I had imported just over a thousand bib records.

I tested searching these record successfully.

Image source: cdn.buzznet.com

• After several hours,   I have now complete the first objective of the VuFind Project; thus  Install VuFind.

• Challenges: Having missed a few steps in the instructions, I encountered errors with Apache which I spent hours to rectified. Then I went back to the instructions and realised "If only I followed the instructions more deligently"!

Second project objective.

• A PHP driver code to talk to various library systems is an important part of VuFind, but it can be impossible to test or modify without access to a real system.
• :) I have two ILS - Symphony and Horizon on my work laptop. I will attempt this integration on Symphony (unicorn) and if I am unsucessful I will try intergrating with Horizon.

24/1/11.

To integrate VuFind with ILS, you need to install the right driver for the ILS. There is a unicorn driver delivered with the VuFind install. However, I earlier read and noted advise from VuFind -Unicorn support webpage to download a unicorn driver.

Vufind is on a different server - My personal laptop
Symphony (unicorn) ILS is on my work laptop. Database is CISAM.
VuFind server will access the Symphony database via Apache running on the work laptop - 'rchile'.

I edited the C:vufind\web\conf \config.ini. I set value driver=unicorn.
The delivered unicorn driver is in C:\vufind\web\drivers \Unicorn.php.
This Unicorn driver uses :\vufind\web\conf \Unicorn.ini to connection information.

The advise from VuFind -Unicorn support webpage is to download a unicorn driver posted on their wiki page and to override this driver with the delivered.

I downloaded and installed the Unicorn driver per instruction.

As per this groups' advise, I also downloaded and installed the unicorn perl script in the right Apache directory on Unicorn server - 'rchile' as instructed.

Part of the instruction was to test run the Unicorn ILS perl script - driver.pl at the command line to ensure it reported the correct holdings information.

The test fails! I can not access Unicorn information from the ILS as expected. The test returns no data!

Hmmm!

I started trouble shooting this:

• First I went back online on the VuFind -Unicorn site. I spent time in trying find any help on this problem but I found none.
• I need to subscribed to the vuFind-Unicorn mailing list in order to see the archived discussions of this group - which may give me clues.
• So I signed in. I will have to wait for the list administrator to contact me.
• Meanwhile I went back and studied the perl script. I spent a  lot of time trying-erroring changes where I could identify codes that did not seem right.
• I changed: $ENV{'PATH'} = "$unicorn_base_path/Search/Bin:$unicorn_base_path/Bincustom:$unicorn_base_path/Bin:$ENV{'PATH'}";
• To: $ENV{'PATH'} = "$unicorn_base_path/Search/Bin:$unicorn_base_path/Bincustom:$unicorn_base_path/Bin";
• This eliminated the errors to do with Path.
• However the problem remain that I can not display  the unicorn data.

25/1/11

I have just check my email and got this reply from the vufind-Unicorn mailing list.

From: Tim McGeary

To: rebecca.chile@yahoo.co.nz

Sent: Tue, 25 January, 2011 2:41:21 AM

Subject: Confirmation of VuFind-Unicorn subscription

Greetings,

 I received your request to join the VuFind-Unicorn mailing list.

This list is open to only customers of SirsiDynix. Please verify your customer status by sending the URL of your catalog and your SirsiDynix customer number.

Thank you,

Tim McGeary

Team Leader, Library Technology

 Lehigh University

610-758-4998

tim.mcgeary@lehigh.edu

Reflection I am staff of Sirsidynix. Will Tim allowed me to join this mailing group? Should I write to Tim to see if he can help?

Response

• I replied to Tim to ask if as a staff of SirsiDynix, I could join the group.
• While I await Tim's reply.

Troubleshooting continues...

• I continued the try and error troubleshooting. But not making any progress.
• Went back to google for posible solutions to why the perl script (contibuted to the VuFind-unicorn group) is not working in my environment. Found no help.

At this point, I have modified unicorn.ini to connect to the Unicorn ILS  on my laptop.
Test Vufind interface connectivity to Symphony (Unicorn) ILS. Test is failed. No holdings data shows in Vufind.

The link to holdings information threw: "translate_index_not_found(: the error: selcallnum -IC-oCDS 2>dev/null"

This again demonstrate my limited knowledge of Perl script and PHP programming.

I am so frustrated! If only I can find and fix this error.

Tim has responded:
Hi Rebecca,


Yes, you may join at either address, but since I hadn't received a
response from you, I couldn't register you. Please re-sign up at


membership tomorrow (Friday).
Cheers,
Tim

I will register again but time is running out.
I think at this point I should consider giving up on the unicorn driver!

Troubleshooting continues...
Back to Google. I searched  the error "translate_index_not_found". Lots of hits but none specific. Error could be due to many factors.

Anyway, I think I can say for sure that the Perl script "driver.pl" is not being executed!

Either there is a problem with the script or the unicorn.ini is not connecting VuFind to the symphony (unicorn) ILS.

 

26/1/11
Unicorn mailing list will help?
I just tried to login in to VuFind-Unicorn mailing list but my login failed. I was still hoping to get some clues from this groups' mailing list.

Time to move on
I have therefore decided to abolish the unicorn driver goal to connect Vufind to Symphony ILS.

Lessons learned:

• In trying to resolve the problem with the driver.pl perl script, I spent a significant time studying the script. This focus enabled me to see the logic with perl script. Given more time I could have learned more of perl scripts in other to troubleshoot the problem with the driver script.
• I also developed an interest in learning how to write perl script.
• Knowledge of perl script will no doubt be relevant to my current job for troubleshooting problems with delivered perl scripts. There are many perl scripts delivered with the Sirsidynix Symphony system and I have always had interest in having skills to read and interprete the scripts.
• Downside: I probably spent too much time in trying to troubleshoot the problem with the unicorn driver.pl.

VuFind connectivity with Horizon ILS:
It appears the delivered Horizon driver is fine. All that I would  need to do is to modify the Horizon.ini file to specify the connection information to my Horizon ILS.

Thinking cap is on

• VuFind on a different server - my personal laptop - 'localhost'
• Horizon ILS is on my work laptop - 'rchile'. Database is MSSQL
• I first need to test connection to ensure the VuFind server can access my SQL database.

Test Horizon server connection

• I am trying this from home using my home broadband.
• And no! VuFind can not access the Horizon server! Alert! I might have problems.

Troubleshoot connectivity
Spent much of the evening trying to trouble shoot the problem with connectivity.
Gave up and moved on to the next step.


Configure Horizon.ini and test.

• Configuration

[Catalog]
host = rchile
username = 1433
username = sa
password = [password]
database = horizon742

Test connection

• Change config.ini to read the horizon driver.
• Test. Error: Fatal error: Call to undefined function mssql_pconnect() in C:\vufind\web\Drivers\Horizon.php on line 33.

Troubleshoot
Okay, so what does this mean.
I spent quite some time just looking through the horizon.php file.

But hang on - I need to make sure that the connection between the two servers work. After playing with this until late in the night, I gave up and went to bed.

28/1/11.
 ODBC test
I brought my personal computer to work and connected it to our network. I tested the connectivity between the two servers - localhost to rchile. Through ODBC connection, I can connect the VuFind server to the Horizon ILS SQL database. Having tested the ODBC connection successfully; the question then was why did this connection not work from my home broadband?

Toubleshoot connectivity from home broadband
I asked the IT staff at my work what the problem could be. He sugested that I may need to open the SQL port 1433 on windows firewall.

Okay, will do this when I get back home.

Test VuFind search interface
Meanwhile, now that I am positive of the connectivity between the servers, I test ran VuFind interface connection for the Holdings and My account information. This failed with the same error: "Call to undefined function mssql_pconnect()".

I think I am in trouble as I have no much time left to complete this project.

Trouble Shooting:
Back home, as I am cooking dinner/after dinner I start trouble shooting. Set Firewall on port 1433 sucessfully.

• Google search on

Call to undefined function mssql_pconnect()

This returned lots of hits. I worked though many sugestions.
The one that appears relevant was:

Find the line in your php.ini file that looks like this:


;extension=php_mssql.dll
then remove the semi-colon. Look in the extensions directory in your PHP
install directory and make sure that php_mssql.dll is there. If not, then you will need to download it from the php site.

Check and apply the suggestion

• I looked in the PHP directory, no php_mssql.dll file! I searched the whole C drive but could not find this file.
• I downloaded the php_mssql.dll. The instruction suggested to add it to PHP/ext.
• I also added the extension line in PHP.ini.

Restarted Apache sucessfully. All smiles. But wait!

Tested VuFind. Failed on the same error.

Troubleshooting continues...
Back to Google: Again scanned through many hits and found this one:
"It's probably not possible to connect to MS SQL using your PHP installation. Please refer to PHP manual on how to install PHP with MS SQL support. www.php.net/mssql".



29/1/11

It is Saturday. I am again having to spend all day here in my office to work on this project. Now I'll visit www.php.net/mssql.

This website lots on information on "Drivers for PHP for SQL". It suggest the MSSL drivers for various versions of PHP.

I reviewed the drivers carefully making sure to download the version for my PHP version 5.3. Instruction for download and configuration are very clear. So I followed the instructions diligently and successfully. Restart Apache successfully. So far so good...

This proceedure took quite some time.

Test run
Then I tested vufind search...

Same error: "Call to undefined function mssql_pconnect()"

Hmmm!

Troubleshooting continues...
I started doing my own trouble shooting of the Horizon.php file using the SQLSRV Driver API Reference guide. The "help" guide was delivered with the PHP MSSQL driver install.

I took a safe copy of the Horizon.php file and started making try and error changes. Each time I made a change Apache would crash with different errors. No need to document these errors at this stage.  I am just playing...


The following days I just did a bit of playing with the driver configuration got more errors. Spent time undoing my changes so as to get rid of the errors. Then started making changes again. Good that I recorded all the changes I made so I could undo the changes if they failed.

2/2/11.
A break through today.
After dinner, I again started playing with making more 'try and error' changes
This time I noticed a problem in the horizon.php file.

The PHP driver API reference help suggests connecting into mssql with this syntax:
$serverName = "local"
$connectionInfo = array ("UID"=>"$uid",  "PWD"=>"pwd",  "Database"=>"xxxx".

Using this syntax in the Horizon.PHP, I commented out the lines that connects using Horizon.ini:

// Load Configuration for this Module I also replaced all instances in the horizon.php file from



$configArray = parse_ini_file('conf/Horizon.ini', true);


// Connect to database


$this->db = mssql_pconnect($configArray['Catalog']['host'] . ':' . $configArray['Catalog']['port'],


$configArray['Catalog']['username'],


$configArray['Catalog']['password']);


// Select the databse


mssql_select_db($configArray['Catalog']['database']);


}

 I made further changes to the horizon.php
Changed

• "mssql_query" to sqlsvr_query".
• "while ($row=msql_fetch_assoc($sqltmt))" to "while ($row=msql_fetch_array($sqltmt, SQLSVR_FETCH_ASSOC);"

I made a few mistakes  during in these change and got some errors when I tested the VuFind searching.

Debugging appeared very useful
I had turned on debug in VuFind config file, so I was able to easily track the line numbers that had problems. Problem were typically with missing punctuation values.

I am feeling very proud of my self! An PHP expert!

Test VuFind.

YES! I can now see holdings information.

My account
Phew! Next I have to test login to "My account".

Oops, errors :(

5/1/11
Toubleshoot
Back to the Horizon.php.

I again tried a few changes but each time I got different errors.
I am getting very frustrated. I need help.

So I contacted the programmer at my work but he says he does not know PHP programing language. He asked to take a look but will no promises.

I sent Paul the message:

Hi Paul,


Please see if you can assist me.


I get this error from browser on the portion on the php pasted below. 97108 is borrower barcode which I used to login.


Connection established. Error in query preparation/execution. Array ( [0] => Array ( [0] => 42S22 [SQLSTATE] => 42S22 [1] => 207 [code] => 207 [2] => [Microsoft][SQL Server Native Client 10.0][SQL Server]Invalid column name '97108'. [message] => [Microsoft][SQL Server Native Client 10.0][SQL Server]Invalid column name '97108'. )


}
public function getMyTransactions($patron)


{


$serverName = ("rchile");


$connectionInfo = array("UID"=>"sa", "PWD"=>"f0rt1fi3d", "Database"=>"horizon742");


$conn = sqlsrv_connect( $serverName, $connectionInfo);


if( $conn )


{


echo "Connection established.\n";


}


else


{


echo "Connection could not be established.\n";


die( print_r( sqlsrv_errors(), true));


}


$sql = "select item.bib# as BIB_NUM, item.ibarcode as ITEM_BARCODE, " .


"convert(varchar(12), dateadd(dd, item.due_date, '01 jan 1970')) as DUEDATE, " .


"item.n_renewals as RENEW, request.bib_queue_ord as REQUEST from circ " .


"join item on item.item#=circ.item# " .


"join borrower on borrower.borrower#=circ.borrower# " .


"join borrower_barcode on borrower_barcode.borrower#=circ.borrower# " .


"left outer join request on request.item#=circ.item# " .


"where borrower_barcode.bbarcode=\"" . $patron['id'] ."\"";


try {




$qlStmt = sqlsrv_query($conn, $sql);


if( $sqlStmt === false)


{


echo "Error in query preparation/execution.\n";


die( print_r( sqlsrv_errors(), true));


}


while ($row = sqlsrv_fetch_array($sqlStmt, SQLSRV_FETCH_ASSOC)) {


$transList[] = array('id' => $row['BIB_NUM'],


'duedate' => $row['DUEDATE'],


'barcode' => $row['ITEM_BARCODE'],


'renew' => $row['RENEW'],


'request' => $row['REQUEST']);


}


sqlsrv_close( $conn);


return $transList;


} catch (PDOException $e) {


return new PEAR_Error($e->getMessage());


}

Paul replied:
try this:

"where borrower_barcode.bbarcode=\'". $patron['id'] . "\.";


Trouble shooting continues...
After a few emails back and forward with different things to try, Paul finally suggested a workable solution:


"where borrower_barcode.bbarcode='{$patron['id']}'";


This works!

Project objectives accomplished

I had setup to achieve 2 objectives in the VuFind project.


• To install the VuFind product

• To interface VuFind with an ILS.