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The Open URL

The Open URL. By Melodie Hamilton, Connecticut College. The OpenURL. What are OpenURLs? How do they work exactly? What is SFX? What’s so “special” about SFX, and how easy is it to maintain?. History of the OpenURL & SFX.

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The Open URL

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  1. The Open URL By Melodie Hamilton, Connecticut College

  2. The OpenURL • What are OpenURLs? • How do they work exactly? • What is SFX? • What’s so “special” about SFX, and how easy is it to maintain?

  3. History of the OpenURL & SFX • Initial concept developed at the University of Ghent by Herbert Van de Sompel (now at the British Library) • His product, now known as SFX, was acquired by ExLibris in 2000, and has been sold to nearly 200 customers in some 20 countries

  4. Responding to user needs • Users want seamless access to e-journals • Students feel frustrated with too many steps trying to use library resources • With vast amounts of information now available, expectations are high: students want it any time, anywhere • Speed is the key today: fast computers, fast connections, and fast delivery of resources

  5. Static URLs • Static URLs are location dependent: link refers to a single copy of a resource at one location • Static URLs cannot take into consideration the user’s affiliation with the library • Static URLs must be verified periodically

  6. The OpenURL • The nature of the OpenURL is tied directly to the article and not a specific location • Resolution service (SFX) resolves the OpenURL to a copy or a set of services appropriate for that user: SFX can also retrieve multiple versions of a full-text article regardless of where it is located

  7. The OpenURL • Provides context-sensitive linking • Combines full-text and extended services with user authentification • The OpenURL contains elements that identify the user and information about the desired article

  8. SFX Considerations • Publishers and aggregators must use OpenURLs rather than traditional URLs in order for SFX to work • Librarians determine what services the library will offer: what options a search in a database will provide • In addition to full-text, librarians define what extended services will be offered, including links to the OPAC, abstracts, ILL services, and search engines

  9. More SFX Considerations • Be aware that each vender presents SFX differently; this can be challenging to the user • Not all products can be linked to SFX; users must be made aware which products are SFX-enabled

  10. Sources • Collins, Maria D. D., and Christine L. Ferguson. “Context-Sensitive Linking: It’s a Small World After All.” Serials Review 28:4 (2002) : 267-282. • Gerrity, Bob, Lyman, Theresa, and Ed Tallent. “Blurring Services and Resources: Boston College’s implementation of MetaLib and SFX.” Reference Services Review 30:3 (2002) : 229-241. • Needleman, Mark. “The OpenURL: an Emerging Standard for Linking.” Serials Review 28:1 (2002) : 74-76. • Schneider, Karen G. “SFX: a Linkalicious Service.” American Libraries June/July 2001 : 118.

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