|
Frequently Asked Questions about SFX in the CARLI Environment
Implementation Questions
What is the SFX implementation process for a CARLI library, and how do we get started?
What options are available for implementing SFX for our library?
How much work is involved for our library in setting up SFX?
Can individual libraries customize their own interfaces?
Fees or Assessments
If we choose to have an “instance” of SFX installed on the CARLI central server, how much will it cost?
Is there a CARLI service fee (annual assessment) for hosting and supporting SFX?
Current Users of SFX or Other Link Resolver Systems
What if our library uses SFX already but wants to migrate to the CARLI central server?
How much will it cost to migrate to the central server?
What happens to the agreement our library currently has with Ex Libris for SFX?
Will SFX replace the A-Z list we have now?
Running SFX on the Library’s Own Server
What if our library wants to have a copy of SFX installed on our own local server?
What are the benefits of running our own copy of SFX locally?
How much will it cost for us to run our own copy of SFX on our own local server?
If we run our own copy of SFX, will the license be covered under CARLI’s contract with Ex Libris?
Will our library need a separate maintenance agreement if we choose to run our own copy of SFX?
Will our library pay any recurring software maintenance costs for a local installation?
Implementation Questions
- What is the SFX implementation process for a CARLI library, and how do we get started?
Only CARLI Governing Members may implement SFX on the CARLI server. In order to implement SFX for the first time libraries must have staff attend one of the “SFX Overview” webcasts that CARLI schedules periodically. To start the process, fill out the non-binding SFX Interest Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=159002961957, or just send email to support@carli.illinois.edu. Registration for the two-hour Overview webcasts will be announced generally on the CARLI Announce email distribution list, but filling out the Interest Survey allows CARLI to know in advance how much interest there is and how many webcasts to schedule.
The Overview webcast is designed to give libraries the information they need in order to decide whether they are interested in implementing SFX at all. The Overview webcast is also an integral part of the training for implementing libraries, since the material covered during the webcast is not repeated during the full-day, hands-on implementation training that comes later. Therefore, even libraries that know already that they are interested in implementing SFX need to identify staff to attend the Overview webcast.
After the Overview webcast, libraries that want to proceed with implementing SFX will complete an Institutional Acknowledgement of SFX Software License and Instance Installation Fees and also a web-based CARLI SFX Implementation Survey that goes into more detail than the preceding Interest Survey. (The link to the Implementation Survey will be released to the libraries that submit the Institutional Acknowledgement of Fees form.) The Implementation Survey is brief, but collecting the information needed to respond to it might take each library several hours.
When CARLI has identified which libraries intend to implement SFX, CARLI will be able to schedule the hands-on implementation training sessions. Implementing libraries will register up to three individuals for the full-day, hands-on training. (All trainees from an institution must attend the same day of training.)
Next, implementing libraries will need to complete a spreadsheet (supplied by Ex Libris) with information about their electronic resource subscriptions. This spreadsheet must be submitted to CARLI, to be relayed to Ex Libris, two weeks prior to the scheduled hands-on implementation training for which the library has registered.
After the training, staff return to their libraries and continue the implementation process that was begun on their training day. Some libraries find they can “go live” with SFX after just a few hours of implementation work. Some libraries choose not to “go live” until they have invested a month or more in customizing the look and feel of their SFX instance.
- What options are available for implementing SFX for our library?
- The SFX software and KnowledgeBase can be hosted for you on CARLI’s SFX server.
- The SFX software and KnowledgeBase can be hosted for you on Ex Libris’ servers. If you select this option, all negotiations will be between Ex Libris and your library; CARLI will not be involved at all.
- Libraries may host the SFX software and KnowledgeBase on a server of their own. If you select this option, all negotiations will be between Ex Libris and your library; CARLI will not be involved at all.
For CARLI to host a library's SFX instance the library must be a governing member of CARLI. If CARLI hosts a library's SFX instance, then the library may choose to reduce slightly its SFX set-up work by having its local instance linked to the CARLI shared instance of SFX. In the shared instance CARLI staff have activated all the Targets to which every CARLI library has access. The SFX Menu and the SFX A-Z List for instances linked to the shared instance are generated from the combination of centrally- and locally-activated Targets.
- How much work is involved for our library in setting up SFX?
The answer to this question varies from library to library, depending on how many Targets and Sources they decide to activate, and how much customization they decide to apply to the “out-of-the-box” SFX. For more information, please see CARLI’s Post Training Checklist for SFX Implementation.
- Can individual libraries customize their own interfaces?
Yes, the SFX interface is highly customizable. Libraries receive training in how to customize their SFX instances at the time they implement SFX. Nearly every aspect of SFX is customizable. One minor exception is that libraries that opt to link their local instance of SFX to the CARLI shared instance cannot change the name that displays on their SFX Menus of the Targets that are activated only in the shared instance. Examples of how other CARLI libraries have customized their SFX Menus, A-Z Lists, and Citation Linkers are available from an SFX Comparison page.
Fees or Assessments
- If we choose to have an “instance” of SFX installed on the CARLI central server, how much will it cost?
For CARLI Governing Members, each library may receive one "instance" of SFX installed on the CARLI central server at no charge. The individual library will pay for the software cost for being added to the CARLI central software license. The SFX software pricing formula is a tiered structure based on FTE. At the request of Ex Libris, the pricing information contained in the CARLI Agreement is confidential. For a price quote, contact the CARLI Office.
- Is there a CARLI service fee (annual assessment) for hosting and supporting SFX?
SFX is considered a premium CARLI service. For CARLI to host a library's SFX instance the library must be a governing member of CARLI. A service fee may be initialized at some point in the future with appropriate prior notice to users. CARLI will pay the annual software maintenance and hardware maintenance associated with hosting SFX for governing members.
Current Users of SFX or Other Link Resolver Systems
- What if our library uses SFX already but wants to migrate to the CARLI central server?
Use the CARLI SFX Link Resolver Interest Survey to notify the CARLI Office of your interest. Migrations will be scheduled at a time that is mutually convenient for the library, Ex Libris staff and CARLI staff. All customizations the library has made to its SFX instance(s) in the past, as well as all archived usage data will be migrated to the CARLI server. The library will be responsible for communicating its new link resolver URL to all of its Source vendors.
- How much will it cost to migrate to the central server?
At the request of the vendors, pricing information negotiated through individual institutional agreements is confidential. For a price quote on data migration, contact the CARLI Office.
- What happens to the agreement our library currently has with Ex Libris for SFX?
Licenses for SFX previously executed by individual institutions will remain in effect until the end of their respective annual terms. At the end of such annual terms, the institution may choose to renew its SFX license (and its order for maintenance and support services) under the previously executed license or under the CARLI/SFX Agreement.
- Will SFX replace the A-Z list we have now?
SFX does provide a hyperlinked A-Z list of the titles associated with each instance’s activated Targets. Generally libraries have arranged for a several-month overlap of their current A-Z product license with their new SFX license, but a library could decide to retain both products, if resources allow.
Running SFX on the Library’s Own Server
- What if our library wants to have a copy of SFX installed on our own local server?
This is possible. Your library would assume responsibility for the terms and conditions of a separate license agreement, as well as for all server hardware, maintenance upgrades, etc.
- What are the benefits of running our own copy of SFX locally?
- Your library could apply on a schedule of its own choosing the software and KnowledgeBase updates that Ex Libris releases. Currently CARLI applies updates to the SFX instances on the CARLI server over the weekend, generally one week after the updates have been released.
- Your library might decide to host additional applications on the same server machine. CARLI’s SFX server is not available for uses other than SFX.
- How much will it cost for us to run our own copy of SFX on our own local server?
At the request of the vendors, pricing information negotiated through individual institutional agreements is confidential. For a price quote on running an individual copy of SFX on your local server, contact, Michael Tartaglione, Regional Account Manager, Ex Libris U.S.A., Inc., mike.tartag@exlibrisgroup.com or 1-866-227-5973.
- If we run our own copy of SFX, will the license be covered under CARLI’s contract with Ex Libris?
No, the locally hosting library assumes responsibility for the terms and conditions of any separate license agreement.
- Will our library need a separate maintenance agreement if we choose to run our own copy of SFX?
Yes, a separate maintenance agreement will be created between the individual library and Ex Libris.
- Will our library pay any recurring software maintenance costs for a local installation?
Yes, maintenance and support services costs are the responsibility of the individual library.
|
Search
Featured Links
 Post-Training Checklist for SFX Implementation
|
View Calendar
Email Lists