Upgrading GALILEO for the 21st Century
By Merryll Penson, Executive Director, Library Services
Office of Information and
Instructional Technology, USG Board of Regents
When GALILEO was launched on Sept. 21, 1995, it was
an early leader in providing centralized access to a specialized collection
of full-text resources. Netscape had just offered its first IPO on August 9,
1995. Internet Explorer 1 was launched August 24, 1995 and AOL was merely a
bulletin board system with less than 5 million users. Yahoo, Google, Palm
Pilots and the Blackberry didn't exist. Mobile phones for the average user
were for use in cars. However, the Internet has changed a lot in the ten
years that GALILEO has been available to users. Today, users' expectations
have increased along with the volume of information available on the
Internet. GALILEO users want GALILEO to be simpler to use this message comes
through in user comments, survey results, usability tests, and in feedback
from librarians. "Why can't I search everything in one search?" is a common
refrain. The Google experience has shaped user's expectations for
accessibility and convenience.
Libraries are looking for creative ways to ensure that their users have
convenient access to needed quality content. In addition, libraries want to
leverage existing investments in electronic and print resources. Academic
libraries are delivering library services within the context of campus
portals, online courseware, and/or faculty and library websites. In
addition, public libraries and K12 schools are serving diverse populations
that require multiple customized delivery methods and interfaces. Georgia
librarians have been involved in a variety of product review, investigation,
and discussion activities over the past several years in order to determine
how the GALILEO infrastructure should be changed to allow multiple
approaches for libraries to position content and access. A successful pilot
project using Ex Libris's SFX in GALILEO and the Regents Academic Committee
on Libraries (RACL) WebCT Library Resource Integration Working Group
suggested ways that GALILEO could serve these and other needs.
Specific goals and technologies were identified along with a method for
GALILEO libraries to fund an upgrade to GALILEO's existing functionality; a
proposal was then presented to and approved by RACL in November 2004,
followed by additional product review, approval by the participating
consortial communities, and the approval of a three year implementation and
cost proposal by the GALILEO Steering Committee in June 2005. GPLS, DTAE,
and DOE will provide funds for their libraries and media centers for this
upgrade. USG, AMPALS, and GPALS libraries will pay individually for this
upgrade.
The planned GALILEO Upgrade will use four new products:
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EZproxy (http://www.usefulutilities.com/)
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WebFeat (http://webfeat.org/)
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SFX (http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/sfx.htm)
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MetaLib (http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/metalib.htm)
The Upgrade will provide the following enhancements:
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A single search box to search across multiple
databases simultaneously
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The ability to link from a citation without full
text to an article in another database that does provide full text
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Journal lists for all the titles in GALILEO
databases
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Interfaces with a customized look and feel for
each user community (academics, publics, K-12)
-
More customization of menus
-
Access to content and features from library
websites, online courseware, campus portals, and other environments that
better meet user needs
-
Enhanced opportunities for user personalization
The GALILEO Upgrade is a complex project that will
be implemented in phases over the next three years. Federated searching will
be provided first within the existing GALILEO system through the WebFeat
federated search service, followed by linking through the SFX product and
additional remote access support from the EZproxy product. These initial
deployments will be made available first for review and feedback by the
GALILEO Reference Committee and then for general review in the GALILEO
demonstration system via announcements to the GALILEO listserv prior to
being moved into production. Subsequent phases will involve community
working groups in the development of customized interfaces, also involving
an additional product, MetaLib, for the academic library community
infrastructure.
As features become available, training sessions will be offered to assist
librarians and library staff in understanding and utilizing new tools and
techniques. GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online was named for GALILEO to evoke
the concept of learning and discovery. As this project evolves, we will all
learn about targets and sources; users perceptions, expectations, and use;
and integration with other technologies. These tools are not perfect, but
they will support our efforts to better connect the user with the
information needed at the time of need.
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