ITAL Information Technology and Libraries (E-Journal)
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Identifying Emerging Relationship in Healthcare Domain Journals via Citation Network Analysis
Get PDFOnline e-journal databases enable scholars to search the literature in a research domain, or to cross-search an interdisciplinary field. The key literature can thereby be efficiently mapped out. This study builds a Web-based citation analysis system consisting of four modules: (1) literature search; (2) statistics; (3) articles analysis; and (4) co-citation analysis. The system focuses on the PubMed Central dataset and facilitates specific keyword searches in each research domain in terms of authors, journals, and core issues. In addition, we use data mining techniques for co-citation analysis. The results could assist researchers to develop an in-depth understanding of the research domain. An automated system for co-citation analysis promises to facilitate understanding of the changing trends that affect the journal structure of research domains. The proposed system has the potential to become a value-added database of the healthcare domain, which will benefit researchers
Primo New User Interface: Usability Testing and Local Customizations Implemented in Response
Get PDFWashington State University was the first library system of its 39-member consortium to migrate to Primo New User Interface. Following this migration, we conducted a usability study in July 2017 to better understand how our users fared when the new user interface deviated significantly from the classic interface. From this study, we learned that users had little difficulty using basic and advanced search, signing into and out of primo, and navigating their account. In other areas, where the difference between the two interfaces was more pronounced, study participants experienced more difficulty. Finally, we present customizations implemented at Washington State University to the design of the interface to help alleviate the observed issues
Information Technology and Libraries at 50: The 1960's in Review
Get PDFPart of ITAL's 50th anniversary celebration, this column reviews the highlights of articles published in the 1960s
Efficiently Processing and Storing Library Linked Data using Apache Spark and Parquet
Get PDFResource Description Framework (RDF) is a commonly used data model in the Semantic Web environment. Libraries and various other communities have been using the RDF data model to store valuable data after it is extracted from traditional storage systems. However, because of the large volume of the data, processing and storing it is becoming a nightmare for traditional data-management tools. This challenge demands a scalable and distributed system that can manage data in parallel. In this article, a distributed solution is proposed for efficiently processing and storing the large volume of library linked data stored in traditional storage systems. Apache Spark is used for parallel processing of large data sets and a column-oriented schema is proposed for storing RDF data. The storage system is built on top of Hadoop Distributed File Systems (HDFS) and uses the Apache Parquet format to store data in a compressed form. The experimental evaluation showed that storage requirements were reduced significantly as compared to Jena TDB, Sesame, RDF/XML, and N-Triples file formats. SPARQL queries are processed using Spark SQL to query the compressed data. The experimental evaluation showed a good query response time, which significantly reduces as the number of worker nodes increases
Accessible, Dynamic Web Content Using Instagram
Get PDFThis is a case study in dynamic content creation using Instagram’s API. An embedded feed of the Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections’ most recent Instagram posts was created for their website’s home page. The process to harness Instagram’s API highlighted competing interests: web services’ desire to most efficiently manage content, Archives staff’s investment in the latest social media trends, and everyone’s institutional commitment to accessibility.
Consortia Building: A Handshake and a Smile, Island Style
Get PDFIn the evaluation of consortia and what constitutes these entities the discussion runs the gamut. From small, loosely knit groups who are interested in cooperation for the sake of improving services to large membership driven organizations addressing multiple interests, all recognize the benefits of partnerships. The Federated States of Micronesia are located in the western Pacific Ocean and cover 3.2 million square miles. Throughout this scattering of small islands exists an enthusiastic library community of staff and users that have changed the outlook of libraries since 1991. Motivated by the collaboratvie ef orts of this group, a project has unfolded over the past year that will further enhance library services through staff training and education while utilizing innovative technology. In assessing the library needs of the region this group crafted the document "The Federated States of Micronesia Library Services Plan, 1999-2003," which coalesces the concepts, goals, and priorities put forward by a broad-based contingency of librarians. The compilation of the plan and its implementation demonstrate an understanding of the issues and exhibit the ingenuity, creativity, and willingness to solve problems on a grand scale addressing the needs of all libraries in this vast Pacific region
Facilitating Research Consultations Using Cloud Services: Experiences, Preferences, and Best Practices
Get PDFThe increasing complexity of the information ecosystem means that research consultations are increasingly important to meeting library users' needs. Yet librarians struggle to balance escalating demands on their time. How can we embrace this expanded role and maintain accessibility to users while balancing competing demands on our time? One tool that allows us to better navigate this shifting landscape is Google Appointment Calendar, part of Google Apps for Education. It makes it easier than ever for students to book a consultation with a librarian, while at the same time allowing the librarian to better control their schedule. Our research suggests that both students and librarians felt it was a useful, efficient system