C U R R E N T  I S S U E
T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S
M A R C H/ A P R I L   2 0 1 0
Volume 16, Number 3/4

doi:10.1045/march2010-contents
ISSN: 1082-9873

Continuing publication of D-Lib Magazine is made possible by the D-Lib Alliance.

E D I T O R I A L

An Introduction to the March/April Issue
by Laurence Lannom, Corporation for National Research Initiatives

A R T I C L E S

Realizing and Maintaining Aggregative Digital Library Systems: D-NET Software Toolkit and OAIster System
Article by Paolo Manghi, Marko Mikulicic, Leonardo Candela, Donatella Castelli and Pasquale Pagano, Instituto di Scienza e Tecnologie dell'Informazione "Alessandro Faedo", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

Abstract: Aggregative Digital Library Systems (ADLSs) provide end users with web portals to operate over an information space of descriptive metadata records, collected and aggregated from a pool of possibly heterogeneous repositories. Due to the costs of software realization and system maintenance, existing "traditional" ADLS solutions are not easily sustainable over time for the supporting organizations. Recently, the DRIVER EC project proposed a new approach to ADLS construction, based on Service-Oriented Infrastructures. The resulting D-NET software toolkit enables a running, distributed system in which one or multiple organizations can collaboratively build and maintain their service-oriented ADLSs in a sustainable way. In this paper, we advocate that D-NET's "infrastructural" approach to ADLS realization and maintenance proves to be generally more sustainable than "traditional" ones. To demonstrate our thesis, we report on the sustainability of the "traditional" OAIster System ADLS, based on DLXS software (University of Michigan), and those of the "infrastructural" DRIVER ADLS, based on D-NET.

Using Omeka to Build Digital Collections: The METRO Case Study
Article by Jason Kucsma, Metropolitan New York Library Council, and Kevin Reiss and Angela Sidman, City University of New York

Abstract: In September 2008, the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) began work building a directory of digital collections created and maintained by libraries in the metropolitan New York City area. METRO built the directory using Omeka, an open source collection management system, as a test to determine the viability of this platform for member libraries interested in using Omeka to build and deliver their own collections. This paper addresses Omeka's strengths and weaknesses as a software platform for creating and managing digital collections on the web. The analysis includes an examination of original record creation and the extensibility of the system through the use of plug-ins.

Museum Data Exchange: Learning How to Share
Article by Günter Waibel, Ralph LeVan and Bruce Washburn, OCLC Online Computer Library Center

Abstract: The Museum Data Exchange, a project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, brought together nine art museums and OCLC Research to model data sharing in the museum community. The project created tools to extract CDWA Lite XML records out of collections management systems and share them via OAI-PMH. OCLC Research harvested 900K records from participating museums and analyzed them for standards conformance and interoperability. This article describes the free or open source tools; lessons learned in harvesting museum data; findings from the data analysis; and the state of data sharing and its applications in the museum community. Museum participants were the Cleveland Museum of Art; Harvard Art Museum; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Minneapolis Institute of Arts; National Gallery of Art; National Gallery of Canada; Princeton University Art Museum; Victoria & Albert Museum and Yale University Art Gallery.

Crowdsourcing: How and Why Should Libraries Do It?
Article by Rose Holley, National Library of Australia

Abstract: The definition and purpose of crowdsourcing and its relevance to libraries is discussed with particular reference to the Australian Newspapers service, FamilySearch, Wikipedia, Distributed Proofreaders, Galaxy Zoo and The Guardian MP's Expenses Scandal. These services have harnessed thousands of digital volunteers who transcribe, create, enhance and correct text, images and archives. Known facts about crowdsourcing are presented and helpful tips and strategies for libraries beginning to crowdsource are given.

O P I N I O N

An Approach to Open Access Author Payment
Article by Donald W. King, University of North Carolina

Abstract: There have been hundreds of articles in recent years exhorting the strengths and warning of the weaknesses of Open Access through author payment. This article discusses a few of the favorable and unfavorable issues and proposes an approach that takes advantage of the favorable aspects and overcomes some of the unfavorable ones. It requires extensive government support, which may or may not be feasible, but the approach is presented here nevertheless. Some evidence is given for the potential savings that would be achieved by scientists, publishers and libraries in the US.

C O N F E R E N C E  R E P O R T

Berlin 7: Open Access Reaching Diverse Communities
Conference Report by Elena Giglia, University of Turin

Abstract: The international meeting, Berlin 7: Open Access Reaching Diverse Communities, took place from December 2nd to 4th, 2009, in Paris. This seventh follow up of the 2003 Berlin conference highlighted the different pathways to Open Access that research communities are taking. The conference was conducted primarily in a round-table style and addressed all of the most debated issues in the Open Access area. The aim of this report is to offer a synthesis of the different topics and perspectives.

N E W S   &   E V E N T S

In Brief: Short Items of Current Awareness

In the News: Recent Press Releases and Announcements

Clips & Pointers: Documents, Deadlines, Calls for Participation

Meetings, Conferences, Workshops: Calendar of activities associated with digital libraries research and technologies

F E A T U R E D   D I G I T A L
C O L L E C T I O N

The WADP Numbering System (WNS) is a stamp-identification system conceived, developed and established jointly by the Universal Postal Union and the World Association for the Development of Philately. A postage stamp issued by a postal authority is allocated a WNS number on the basis of the following four specific criteria: Design, Face value or indication of tariff, Colorimetry and Format. Launched in January 2002, the aim of the WNS is to create a database of all authentic postage stamps issued by the 195 UPU member countries or territories on or after that date. The WNS works to be the central point of philatelic reference against which stamp issues can be verified, supporting the legal philatelic market by endorsing those genuine stamps.

The WNS website provides value beyond the goal of combating fraudulent stamps. Currently containing more than 42,000 entries, it yields a treasure trove of postal stamp information and images. Users can search for stamps in various fields including: WNS number, country or post, date of issue, and primary theme (of which there are 48) as well as, in some cases, by sub-theme, subject or key word. Use is free of charge, and the web site is accessible over the Internet.

The WNS website serves as an internationally uniform tool for identifying stamps of recent issue, it is simple and straightforward to understand, and it provides a clear and concise description of individual stamps, along with thumbnail, low-resolution, and high-resolution images.

[Description provided by Ujwala Nawlakhe, Library Intern, Sarwajanik Wachanalaya, Bhandara, India; Sulbha Thengadi, LIS Post Graduate, Waijeshwar ward, Pauni, District Bhandara, India; and Anil Nawlakhe, Lecturer in Physics, J.M.Patel College, Bhandara, India.]

D - L I B   E D I T O R I A L   S T A F F

Laurence Lannom, Editor-in-Chief
Catherine Rey, Managing Editor
Bonita Wilson, Contributing Editor

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