GALILEO Quick Search Redux

According to GALILEO e-mail the new Quick Search feature goes into production tomorrow, 3/28. Let the fun begin!

Oh, Snap! Britannica v. Nature Smack Down Ensues.

You will recall that, only a few short months ago, you couldn't escape the headlines about the Nature study that claimed that Wikipedia was roughly as accurate as Britannica. It was even briefly discussed on our own humble blog.

Now, Britannica is accusing Nature of taking a little artistic license with their methodology, and it sounds like they've got a point. I was a little suspicious of the methodology from the beginning, particularly since it wasn't made available with the original article. A link to it has now been added to the article, but the Word file seems corrupted and I haven't been able to open it. Regardless, it is sad to think that a respected publication like Nature would game a study like this, but if what Britannica says is true, they have every reason to call foul.

Computers In Libraries

keynote
Originally uploaded by decatur library.

Greetings from chilly Washington, DC. I'm at the Computers In Libraries 06 conference. Been to some great sessions about search engines, wikis, federated search etc. The keynote session today covered current and potential library-esque applications for handheld devices. And just saw Lorcan Dempsey from OCLC talk about some very cool stuff they're doing with WorldCat metadata.

I'll post more details about some interesting stuff when I get back or later on if I get a chance. And the presentations are usually online too at some point. Plus there are several folks blogging the conference in way more detail. Check out the CIL wiki bloggers section for links and more info.

Joy says "hi" too!

LCSH Changes: A Quickie, but a Goodie

I'm guessing that this is probably an oft-consulted subject heading, so you all will be pleased to know that the slightly awkward LCSH "Student loan funds" had become the tidy and trim "Student loans."

Let the dancing in the street begin.

Scopus Trial to Begin This Week

[For those who are unfamiliar with Scopus, it is a large abstract and citation database primarily covering the sciences.]

This news came from Merryll Penson via Kathy Gallo:

"Later this week, Scopus will appear on your GALILEO menus. It will say trial and there will be a link to a feedback form. Scopus is available at all academic libraries with a few exceptions.
At the end of December, 2006 libraries will be asked if they wish to subscribe for 2007.
Libraries would be billed in July 2007 if they choose to subscribe. If they do not choose to subscribe access would terminate in March 2007. "

Addition of Death Dates to Selected Name Headings

I've been meaning to tell you all about this, and just haven't found the time. So, here's the brief version.

On February 6, 2006, CPSO will commence a special project to add death dates to a selected list of name headings. The project is expected to end by Summer 2006.

In a nutshell, LC is now allowing NACO libraries to add death dates to national name authorities with "open" birth dates. So, Princess Diana, and many others, can finally die in our catalog. (We aren't a NACO library, so I won't be able to add these dates, until they are added to the LC or WorldCat authority file.)

If you peruse any of those links, you'll see that it's all a lot more complicated than it sounds. It's going to be an utter nightmare for libraries lacking some form of automated authority control. Even with automated authority control, it's a big job for us. But, we know it's going to be quite the blessing for public services, and we are excited about it. Just think, you'll never again have to hear, "You know Princess Diana is dead, right?"

Now, all that being said, it's going to take a little a while to do all this, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to start immediately. But, as a show of good faith, and since I've just harped on her so much, do a subject search for "Diana, Princess of Wales," and you'll see that I've shuffled off the biblio/mortal coil of poor Princess Di.

If anyone has any questions or comments about this process, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Octavia Butler Dies

Just an FYI. SciFi Writer Octavia Butler died this weekend. Obiturary information can be found at http://www.sfwa.org/members/butler/ . --Alicia