The HLG, RCN and National Library for Health (NLH) have agreed to
collaborate on building a new, single, online directory of library services,
capable of being updated by individual libraries or library networks on an
ongoing basis.
Being able to update your own entry or entries on a nationwide directory as
well as being able to use the website as a marketing tool will give it added
value.
We are focussing at the moment on trying to find easy ways of populating the
database from existing databases and developing a methodology for people to
update online for groups rather than individually where possible.
The service:
- will provide a browseable and searchable directory of library service
points
- will be open to the WWW
- will provide services to enable the directory to be used from within other
library portals, including NLH, as well as other health service gateways
- will provide "back office" functionality to allow remote editing of
contents by regional library networks
- will include links to local library service web site
- will provide "print on demand": users or editors can print sections of the
directory based on region or other selection for local circulation -
probably formatted as PDF documents
Scope
The coverage of the directory will be that of the current HLG book. That is,
all UK, including Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland and Eire. The
Directory includes health library and information services in all sectors,
not just NHS.
A "work-in-Progress", web facing version of the data will be made available
in April.
Integration with NLH
The Directory will be hosted as an HLG/RCN product, acknowledging all
partners, as a resource for the wider health community. NLH will be able to
utilise the database to provide users of NLH with personalised features.
Directory records will be linked to appropriate ATHENS org ID codes to
facilitate this and a "web service" interface will allow users of NLH who
have logged on with their Athens account to see relevant local library
details
Next Steps
Workshops are being held to engage library networks/structures with the
objectives of the project, test requirements for the directory, identify
issues and discuss models for how devolved maintenance could best be
developed. The workshop will also involve some testing of a possible website
interface.
A backend database will be available by April and further work will be
needed to establish the web version of the Directory and build the editing
systems
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