VuFind in the I-Share Environment

About VuFind

VuFind offers patrons an exciting new alternative interface to the I-Share catalog, providing what may be a better way to search and discover library resources. In the fall of 2007, CARLI staff began experimenting with VuFind as a potential, optional, and accessible alternative to WebVoyage for interested I-Share libraries. VuFind searches all the same data as the classic WebVoyage search option. Just as in WebVoyage, users may check item availability and place requests.

Features of VuFind include:

A single simple search box
Facets to refine search by subject, title, topic, language, format, and more
Scopes to user’s local library catalog or easy expansion to search all I-Share libraries at once
Up-to-the-minute item status and location information
Patron-created usernames and passwords
Links to user’s library account allowing user to save, organize and retrieve records from any computer just by logging in
One-click link to reviews
Social networking tools
Previews in Google Book Search

VuFind was developed initially at Villanova University for use in libraries. CARLI is working with the open source community to continue to develop and improve VuFind so that it will serve the unique needs of the consortial community, and serve libraries of all sizes within the CARLI I-Share community and beyond.

Beginning in May 2008, VuFind is being tested in the I-Share environment with the help of thirteen I-Share libraries. As these "Early Adopter" libraries conduct user testing of the VuFind interface, we will share their findings on this page.

For more information about VuFind visit www.vufind.org.

Early Adopters

Early Adopter Libraries

Bradley University
Columbia College
Eastern Illinois University
Eureka College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois State University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Millikin University
National-Louis University
Parkland College
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wheaton College

Early Adopter Expectations

Expectations for CARLI VuFind Early Adopters, February 2008

Early Adopter Communications

20080724: Status report

20080724: VuFind Project Status chart

20080527: Status report

20080514: Customization request form released

20080513: Status report

20080506: Status report

20080429: URL released

Early Adopter Meetings

VuFind Early Adopters Orientation Meeting, February 14, 2008

Agenda

Development

"Beta Requirements"

In the days following the February 14, 2008 Orientation Meeting, CARLI's VuFind Early Adopters identified features or functionality they felt strongly would have to be in place before they would be willing to show VuFind to their users, even as a beta product:

Feature or Functionality	Status
Adequate server for acceptable performance	CARLI staff believe the server currently in place will support the early adopters' usage acceptably. Close attention will be given to performance tuning throughout the early adoption period.
"Under construction" notices sprinkled liberally throughout the interface, not just on the welcome page	The VuFind welcome page describes VuFind as an experimental interface. "Blind alleys" are being eliminated from the interface.
Support for call slip (where supported) and reliable "request this" UB requests ("request other" and "request any" can follow later)	Phase 1 of requesting ("request this") is done. Phase 2 ("request other") and phase 3 ("request any") are in the planning stages.
Logging software, for usage statistics	Under investigation.
Library facet moved to the top of all facet options	Done.
"Advanced search" capabilities	The "Advanced Search" link brings up an alternative search form, but also offers links to the advanced search form in WebVoyage and to information about advanced search techniques that can be used on any page in VuFind. In addition, users may reply to a brief survey designed to collect information on whether a special VuFind advanced search page is truly required.
Data loaded from all I-Share libraries, and a mechanism in place for keeping the data current	Bibliographic data searchable via VuFind each day reflect the I-Share libraries' Voyager databases as of 3AM the previous day.
Reduced clutter in the facet lists	Preliminary steps have been taken to reduce duplicate entries in the facet lists. Additional "de-cluttering" strategies are under investigation.
Non-book formats need to be identified correctly (currently the "book" icon displays for many non-book items)	Phases 1 and 2 are complete. Microform and electronic resources are identified, and publication formats are identified by bibliographic record type and bibliographic level code combination. Phase 3 will make finer distinctions among formats, identifying media. The I-Share OPAC Team is currently developing a specification for phase 3 of VuFind format identification.
856 field links must be labeled appropriately (not all are links to full text). When link is to a related resource rather than full text, the presence of the 856 must not suppress the display of the local holdings information.	In process. See specification.
Some reasonable display, on both Results Page and Record Page, for multi-copy/multi-item holdings	In process. See specification.
A local catalog view	Done.
Index more of the MARC record	Specification required.
Display more note fields	Specification required.