Virtual CollectionsAgendaWhat is the Virtual Collections Service?Virtual Collections Service Is …Features of VCWhat VC Is NotWho Is Eligible to Use VCNear Term UsersDemonstrationsSample Virtual CollectionsHow Virtual Collections WorkVC ArchitectureCreating a Virtual CollectionStep 1: Define the CollectionStep 2: Customize the User InterfaceStep 3: Harvest RecordsAbout VC Data Conversion (part 1)About VC Data Conversion (part 2)Step 4: Add Categories to RecordsStep 5: Test and ReleaseDiscovering Virtual CollectionsBenefits of Virtual CollectionsRequesting a Virtual CollectionHow to ParticipateStep 1: Review VC PoliciesStep 2: Submit a Project ProposalStep 3: OIS Schedules the ProjectVirtual Collection Fee ScheduleHCL Application ProcessThe FutureVC Future DevelopmentsFor More Information …Virtual Collections LinksQuestions?May 2, 2006Virtual CollectionsOr, catalog building without the rocket scienceAgenda•Welcome• What is the Virtual Collections Service?• Demonstrations of Virtual Collections• How Virtual Collections Work• Requesting a Virtual Collection• Future Developments• VC Information and Links• QuestionsPresentation on the web: http://hul.harvard.edu/ois/systems/vc/rollout/What is the Virtual Collections Service?Virtual Collections Service Is …A new OIS service that allows a curator to create a web-based collection view of thematically related resources which exist in a number of systems or within a single system.In this presentation, “VC” is shorthand for Virtual Collections!Features of VC• Scheduled harvesting of metadata from HOLLIS, VIA and Harvard Geospatial Library• Web-based search, browse, and display interface; short and full record views• Search results include thumbnails and links to digital objects• Two ways to configure– “Out of the box” stand alone public interface– “Embedded” option for integrating into web sites, such as OCPWhat VC Is Not• A new catalog – records must exist in another catalog• A repository for digital objects• A TED collection• A tool for non-library sponsored projects• A platform for short term projectsWho Is Eligible to Use VC• Libraries, museums, and archives• Other Harvard organizational units, when sponsored by a Harvard libraryNear Term Users• Latin American Pamphlets(Widener)• Immigration to the US, 1789-1930(Open Collections Program)• Studies in Scarlet(Law Library; upcoming)DemonstrationsSample Virtual Collections• Latin American Pamphlets(stand-alone)• Immigration to the US, 1789-1930(stand-alone)• Immigration to the US, 1789-1930(integrated)How Virtual Collections WorkVC ArchitectureHollisData ProviderVIAData ProviderHGLData ProviderVCHarvesterHarvest fileHOLLIS 002223743VIA olvwork125041HGL MGISRAILTRA1OAI-PMHPublicAccessMaintenanceInterfaceVCDatabaseDRS, HOLLIS,VIA, HGLCreating a Virtual CollectionStep 1. Define the collectionStep 2. Customize the user interfaceStep 3. Harvest recordsStep 4. Add categories Step 5. Test and release!Step 1: Define the Collection• Curator selects an implementation option: – Stand-alone is an easy “out of the box” solutiono Data and public “skin” hosted by VCo Setup performed by OIS– Integrated is a more customized solutiono Data hosted by VC; public “skin” hosted locally o Setup under curator’s control– Both options offer same search, browse, and record display features• OIS sets up the collection– Provides a collection code to the curator– http://vc.hul.harvard.edu:11080/vc/deliver/advancedsearch?_collection=LAPStep 2: Customize the User Interface• Stand-alone collections offer limited customization– Curator provides custom banner, background colors, footer, menu links, home page text– OIS implements• Integrated collections are highly customizable– Style sheets (XSL and CSS) control presentation, order and visibility of elements– Customization under curator’s control– Collection can be integrated with a local web site– Must have local technical support resourcesStep 3: Harvest Records• Sources: HOLLIS, VIA, Harvard Geospatial Library• Curator creates a “harvest list” (text file containing record numbers)• Curator FTPs the harvest list to a dropbox; records harvested overnight– Automatic weekly harvesting picks up changes in source cataloging• Source system cataloging is converted to a format used by VCAbout VC Data Conversion (part 1)VC converts differing data sources into a standard format with a predefined set of elements.In HOLLIS Label in VC In VIATitle Title TitleAuthor Name/Creator CreatorPublished Place of Origin ProductionGenrePhysical DescriptionForm/Genre Work TypeSubject Subject Location/SubjectTopicsAbout VC Data Conversion (part 2) Standard format is MODS “Metadata Object Description Schema”100 1 |a Picasso, Pablo |d 1881-1973.MARC21<name type="personal"><namePart>Picasso, Pablo</namePart><namePart type="date">1881-1973</namePart><role><roleTerm authority="..." type="..."> creator</roleTerm></role></name>VC MODS xml<creator><nameElement>Picasso, Pablo</nameElement><dates>1881-1973</dates></creator>VIA xmlStep 4: Add Categories to Records• Categories are optional subject-like terms added to records in VC• Supplement but do not replace subject terms from the source system• Created using the VC Maintenance Interface to a collection• Can be searched and browsedStep 5: Test and Release• Test, then test some more …• For release, curator is responsible for: – Assigning a URN to virtual collection– Arranging for description of collection in HOLLIS and Harvard Libraries site–Publicity– Providing support to end-usersDiscovering Virtual CollectionsEach virtual collection will be …• Cataloged in HOLLIS• Accessible from Harvard Librariessite:– Like any e-resource, findable by title, keyword and subject– For all: Find E-Resources > Keyword > Resource Type “Harvard digital collections”• Listed in Digital Collection Highlightshttp://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/directory/Benefits of Virtual Collections• Minimal setup time for a fully functional web based collection• OIS supported central infrastructure –24x7 support• Have our cake and eat it too– Capitalize on central cataloging– Automated sync with catalog updates– Multiple contexts for discovery (union catalog and virtual collection)Requesting a Virtual CollectionHow to ParticipateStep 1: Review VC PoliciesStep 2: Submit a project proposalStep 3: OIS schedules