Implementing portal functionality at Wageningen UR Library: combining the old with the new

摘要

Wageningen UR Library (WURL) is a relatively small but highly specialised academic library serving a population of about 5900 researchers and 4700 students in the life sciences. Research has shown thai the Desktop Library's current list of 'shortcuts' tends to overwhelm newcomers, who often fail to select the correct resources when initiating queries. Portal functionality has been introduced gradually with the creation of subject-oriented pages, where patrons find a selection of bibliographies, core journals, reference works and selected websites. At present there are about 110 different pages. They provide useful features not only for novice users but also for experienced users searching in unfamiliar subject domains, important given the growing interdisciplinary nature of science. With 'My library' we have also provided additional enhancement of portal functionality by allowing users to 'personalize' library functions. These include selection of favourite bibliographies and databases; a virtual lending desk (services of renewals and tracking of reservations); alerts on new additions to the library catalogue and in-house bibliographies; table of contents alerts for the majority of our journals; SDI alerts for end users of our Ovid/Silverplatter databases; world-wide access to our collection of 4000 electronic journal and databases through EZproxy. WURL has a highly mobile, internationally oriented client-base. Currently, about a third of our clientele has subscribed to the various 'My library' functionalities. To date we have not introduced 'one search' functionalities, which are fashionable in library portals Currently, a team is working on the implementation of Metalib with SFX. This will be integrated with the subject-oriented portal pages. It is envisioned that patrons will be able to construct their own starting page using 'myPortal', enabling them to select their favourite journals, reference works and websites. These functionalities are underpinned by our library catalogue, built on a Minisis system with customised web interface based on open URL