Tuesday, May 6, 2008

SCRIBLIO : a Web 2.0 native OPAC

Scriblio is a catalog replacement designed to help libraries create a stronger online presence. Developed by Casey Bisson of Plymouth State University, it was recognized by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation with a prestigious Mellon Award for Technology Collaboration in 2006. It provides keyword searching, faceted searching and browsing, persistent URLs for easy linking, and full integration of website and catalog content. Speaker: Casey Bisson, Information Architect, Plymouth State University.

http://scriblio.net/


Unlike old school photos, the Web is not a passing fad. So much has changed in a couple years – opportunity awaits.

Scriblio is based on WordPress, an open source, discovery based application. The underlying philosophy is to use something that is already out there, free, easy and fun. Half of all bloggers use WordPress.

Libraries break down the world. Using WordPress, Casey talks about facets and metadata being tools common to WordPress and a library catalog. Examining the front page of Plymouth State University, Lamson Library, http://library.plymouth.edu/ Facets are on the left. Content interfaces with Web 2.0 applications – blogs, Flickr, Facebook and other applications (Google, Yahoo) The library can keep statistics for tracking and searching relationships. Each item has a space for comment – comments add content.

Casey demonstrates a search - it misses the complexity that so many customers dislike and avoid. Keyword is combined with faceting. Scriblio is a content management system. Staff librarians can create locally relevant content.

Cook Memorial Library, a small NH rural library http://tamworthlibrary.org/ is the first library to use Scriblio. Library use after Scriblio skyrocketed. Content on the Web adds value and users. Casey demonstrates the website of Brown Manufacturing, late 1800s industrial photos. Scriblio puts a face on the web and cultivates community. Beyond Brown Paper Online Archive http://library.plymouth.edu/read/292 .The real value is in comments. This service has added local value to library and telecommunication services in this community. In addition it has added users in Maine and Quebec, historically linked to this industry. “Community is emerging based on these tools”

How does Scriblio manage comments? Scriblio is based on WordPress and “access to talent doesn’t exist unless you are using software like this” Being a very popular blogging platform, good spam management tools exist. WordPress gives us tools. First comments by an individual have to be approved by an administrator. Further comments go in automatically. This will only work if it is easy for the entire community.

Scriblio does not replace the ILS – no modules for cataloging and acquisitions exist. A customer can place holds depending on the underlying system. Casey is experimenting with a single sign-on. Integrating Scriblio with ILS is open to lots of development. Go with it!

Doris Madsen, Springfield City Library

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