A long time ago, in a library
far, far away…
I am C-3PO, human-cyborg
relations
CP30 to Luke SkyWalker, Star Wars: A New Hope
Project Background
SWWHEP
Swansea University, Swansea Metropolitan University, University of Wales: Trinity Saint David
Project Background
VIRTUAL ACADEMIC LIBRARY PROJECT
Budget of £1 million
Goals
Reciprocal borrowing for all staff and students
Physical and electronic document delivery between the three institutions
Implementation of RFID technology in all three library services
Shared storage of low use research material
An exploration of opportunities for the single management of services between Swansea University and Swansea Metropolitan University
A co‐ordinated approach to staff development
Shared implementation of new services and process development
Shared access to library catalogues and if feasible e‐resources
The Force is strong with this
one…
Darth Vader, Star Wars: A New Hope
Why VuFind?
Requirements
Proprietary ruled out
3 LMS's = 1 discovery interface
Functionality
• Ex Libris Voyager
Cost
• SirsiDynix Horizon
Flexibility
• Talis Alto / Prism
Full 'next generation' interface
Customisable
Integrate Federated Search
Cost Exception: Federated Search
No viable Open Source Alternative
Support & Knowledge Base
Integration capabilities
Why VuFind?
VuFind Chosen
Rich functionality
Strong community
Flexible
Stable
Easy to set up
'Lowest risk’
Possibility of Integration with SFX / MetaLib
My name is Luke Skywalker;
I’m here to rescue you…
Luke Skywalker to Princess Leia, Star Wars: A New Hope
Modifying VuFind
Requirements for Multi Site Implementation
1 Solr record for up to three institutions
Connections and drivers to three LMSs
Methods of Authentication
“Additional Functions” – Place Hold, Cancel Hold, Renew Items
..plus multitude of interface tweaks & improvements
Help Me Obi-Wan Kenobi;
You’re my only hope…
Princess Leia to Obi-Wan Kenobi via R2D2, Star Wars: A New Hope
Development: Open Source Mediclorians
No Skills
Master
Programmer
Shambrarian Scale
HTML
APACHE
XML
SQL
PHP
UNIX
AJAX
MARC
CSS
JAVASCRIPT
SOLR
OOP
SSL
LDAP
JANGLE
PHP
UNIX XML SQL
APACHE
If you only knew the power of
the Dark Side…
Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Merging Marc Records
Solution
Get Dark Side Sith Master to merge the Marc records for you
001 field becomes 13‐digit ISBN or unique institution code plus Institution BIB ID (e.g. LIB12345)
Each BIB ID is placed in the 969 field with a unique institution code 969|a LIBA |b LIBA1070780
969|a LIBB |b LIBB44661
969|a LIBC |b LIBC78504
Solr Biblio Schema Modified
..daily merge / upload script to keep in sync with LMS’
Don’t be too proud of this
technological terror you’ve
created...
Darth Vader to Conan Antonio Motti, Star Wars: A New Hope
Lessons Learned
Light Side
‐ Product
‐ Community
‐ Capital cost
‐ Flexibility
‐ Customisation
‐ Staff development
‐Partnership
Dark Side
‐ Parity with trunk
‐ Associated technology
‐ Politics
‐ Staff resource
‐ Staff time
‐ Changing mindset
‐ Sustainability
‐Partnership
Email: m.j.hughes@swansea.ac.uk
Twitter:@Mark_H_Swansea
VuFind: http://ifind.swwhep.ac.uk
Project: http://www.swwhep.ac.uk
Email: l.osullivan@swansea.ac.uk
Twitter: @L_OS_Cymru
...for the original presentation remixed into this
today & all the techie work on VuFind
Email: j.p.johnson@swansea.ac.uk
Twitter: @jpjohnson
...for immense amounts of work on the project