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Streamlined Metalib Search Forms for Efficient Academic Research

Explore the on-the-fly Metalib search forms that provide seamless access to a wide array of research databases and resources, enhancing the academic experience. Discover how the innovative form generator simplifies the retrieval of scholarly information for students and faculty.

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Streamlined Metalib Search Forms for Efficient Academic Research

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  1. by Jerry V. Caswell & John Wynstra University of Northern Iowa caswell@uni.edu & wynstra@uni.edu On-the-fly Metalib Search Forms -- Anywhere, Anytime!

  2. Overview

  3. University of Northern Iowa • Founded in 1876 • 1 of 3 state universities • Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa • Current Enrollment 12,824 • 11,220 undergrad • 1604 grad • More than 120 undergrad majors

  4. Rod Library • Rod Library – (1964) • 20 lib ,36 sup, 71 stud • 1 million volumes • $5,994,015 annual budget • ILS – Innovative Interfaces since 1989 • Link Resolver – Ex Libris SFX • Federated Search – Ex Libris Metalib • 165 significant research databases

  5. Pathway to Metalib Not a silver bullet, just another tool.

  6. Pathway to Metalib Integration and ease of use are essential. Complexity is the enemy.

  7. Integration with Library Gateway • Purple Searchbar • Journal and Magazine Articles • Fields of Study • Databases A-Z • Find Database

  8. Additional Integration • Campus Portal - MyUNIverse • Library Instruction • WebCT

  9. WebCT Issues • Not under library control • Needs vary from class to class • Needs vary from semester to semester • Demand: just in time • Internal or external to WebCT?

  10. Our Solution • Self-service Form Generator • Can be generated anytime • Can be placed anywhere

  11. Form Generator • Demonstrate creating a form and all of the output and preview options.

  12. Form Generator • Demonstrate form already loaded into WebCT.

  13. How it works Database of Metasearchable Databases Input Form OUTPUT <html> <head> <title>Panther Prowler Search (Customized)</title> <SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2> function encode_searchterm(stringin){ encoded_term = ''; for (i=0; i<stringin.length; i++){ if (stringin.charCodeAt(i) == 32){encoded_term += "%20";} else if (stringin.charCodeAt(i) == 47){encoded_term += "%2F";} else if (stringin.charCodeAt(i) ==

  14. How it works a different view Generate.php Begin display input form { get_database_list; build_form display } on_submit Build output form{ capture input; build html output code; display output options [print | preview | save | edit] } End

  15. The Database

  16. The Input Form <input TYPE="checkbox" NAME="checkNIA00724" SIZE="1"> <a href=“ http://0-www.umi.com.unistar.uni.edu/pqdauto?COPT=REJTPTM@” >ABI/Inform Global</a>

  17. The Output Form • function encode_searchterm () • Properly encodes search terms for use in a url • function sendForm ( ) • Builds a url that is submitted directly to the metalib server Java script does the work at the clients browser

  18. The Building Blocks • Apache (web server) • Php (server side-scripting language) • Javascript (client side-scripting language) • Html (markup langugae) • Css (style sheets) • Programmer (genius)

  19. Getting the Data From Metalib • Export KB as a Spreadsheet OR • Lookup up individual Databases

  20. Export KB as a Spreadsheet 1

  21. Export KB as a Spreadsheet 2

  22. Export KB as a Spreadsheet 3

  23. Parting Thoughts • Metalib LinkGenerator by Stephen Elfstrand from University of Wisconsin-Eau Clairehttp://lib3.uwec.edu/systems/MetalibLinkGenerator/index.html

  24. Thank You http://www.library.uni.edu/lms_formgen/generate.php http://www.uni.edu/~caswell/eluna2007/ caswell@uni.edu & wynstra@uni.edu

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