Susan Baker Project Manager

1. Susan Baker Project Manager

2. What is FiiL? • Web based look up tool • Collection level descriptions • Cross sector and cross domain • Pilot project • Final evaluation in progress http://www.fiil.org/

3. FiiL Partners • Cross Sector • Birkbeck College, University of London (Library) • University of Westminster (Library) • LSE Library (for project direction and technical assistance) • Harrow College of Further Education (Library) • Havering College of Further Education (Library) • London Borough of Merton (Library) • Westminster Public Library http://www.fiil.org/

4. FiiL Partners • Cross Domain • London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (Museum) • London Borough of Enfield (Museum) • London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (Archive) • London Borough of Lambeth (Archive) http://www.fiil.org/

5. Aims • Provide a resource to answer the question • Where in London will I find strong collections in my subject? • Encourage users to access collections and types of collections, which they might not otherwise find • Meet some of the objectives of the ICT Strategy for London Libraries (led by London Libraries Development Agency) http://www.fiil.org/

6. How • RSLP UKOLN Collection Level Description Schema • Collection level information • Directory information eg. • Geographical location • Opening hours • Access policy • High level Thesaurus based on Inform25 subject list http://www.fiil.org/

7. How • Front end web interface • novice search • expert search • Project evaluation • based in Partner and Steering Group Institutions http://www.fiil.org/

8. Limitations • First step only • Links to • partner home sites • collection catalogues and indexes • other finding aids such as A2A, MASC25, Cornucopia http://www.fiil.org/

9. Impact • Increased usage of collections • Higher profile for partner institutions • Increased funding • Collaborative Collection Management http://www.fiil.org/

10. Barriers • Level • FiiL aiming to work at very high level not always supported by information professionals • FiiL aimed at “the man in the street” but could also be a starting point for academics http://www.fiil.org/

11. Barriers • Time Pressure • Main barrier to success that project relied on voluntary time • Future bids will include project staff to create CLD’s • Culture Clash • Archives have different approach ISAD(G) • Museums and Libraries seem closer http://www.fiil.org/

12. Barriers • Sustainability and currency • Automatic harvesting limited by partner web sites • Use of direct data entry to be investigated http://www.fiil.org/

13. Full Project? • Aim for full project to cover all London • Higher Education Libraries • Further Education Libraries • Public library authorities • Local authority museums • Local authority archives • National Institutions? http://www.fiil.org/

14. Future Bids • LASER Foundation bid submitted • Money would be available from Jan 2003 • University of London Vice Chancellors Fund • Money would be available from August 2003 • London Grid for Learning • Possible bid under consideration http://www.fiil.org/

15. Future Developments • Use of project staff to compile CLD’s • Implement XML database for data storage • Develop user interface to provide user profile searching • Investigate cooperation and CLD sharing with other projects http://www.fiil.org/

16. Web Site • http://www.fiil.org/ http://www.fiil.org/

17. Susan Baker Project Manager