Portal Approach to Library Websites : Libraries Need to Discover New Integrated Platforms
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Date
2006-02-02
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INFLIBNET Center
Abstract
The advent of the World Wide Web and digitisation of publications have resulted in the
proliferation of a vast amount and format of content types. Initiatives such as cyber
infrastructure recommended by the NSF foundation provide specifications for accessing
data, information support the emerging collaborative processes within sciences and includes
several components relevant for libraries. Libraries are rapidly changing and expanding to
web-based delivery of content and related access services in order to conform to the
changing information seeking methods and expectations of their users. Developing an
understanding of changing user demands and the basic building blocks of a new architecture
will be a challenge in our current library environment. Presently our current technical systems
are organized around data (e.g. the catalogue, vendor-based indexes and publishers) or
services (e. g. interlibrary-loan, circulation and reference). One approach is to design multitired
architectures that include an integration layer providing programme level services for
user level applications such as a portal. Web portals are seen as positive potential frameworks
for achieving order out of chaos. The library portal is one approach to organize information
resources and services in a way that supports the users’ needs. However, the library portal
will not be the only starting point for access to the library. The future of library websites in
fact lies in integration of different effective information management and need based service
modules.
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Keywords
Library Websites, Library Portals, Library Automation, Portal Approach, Integration