Applying the NISO Metasearch Initiative Scheme to Enhance E-Resources Management at Rutgers University Library

Abstract

This paper discusses problems in the management of library e-resources and attempts to identify potential solutions to the problems. By describing an e-resources enhancement project taken by Rutgers University Libraries, this paper points to the importance of providing contextually-rich metadata and reorganizing the accessibility of e-resources on a library's website. It introduces how this Rutgers project adopted the National Information Standards Organization Metasearch Initiative to support the identification of appropriate e-collections for metaseaching. The outcomes of the project have facilitated a dynamic display of relevant e-resources to library users as an effective way of automatic access to library e-collections.Keywords: Electronic collections, dynamic display, enhanced access to library materials INTRODUCTION Electronic subscriptions represent the largest expense for most libraries and are the heaviest used resources of in library collections. 1 At the same time, a wealth of fantastic free online resources available to libraries can also help enrich their electronic collection. It is crucial that both types of resources be readily accessible for library users through the library's web site. To facilitate use, it is important to provide quick access to users who want to meet a specific need, such as finding peerreviewed articles on a topic or to enable browsing for users to understand the difference between an abstracting and indexing resource, an e-journal aggregation site and a web site.Libraries are faced with the challenges of collecting and managing diverse e-resources and providing access to growing e-collections. Access to date has focused on developing the online catalog into a central location through which e-resources are structured and accessed via a library's web site, such as an A-Z list. Federated searching is a popular option, and has recently been expanded by many vendors into a webscale search service against all the resources of participating vendors. Google Scholar is increasingly popular for identifying resources that meet a user's needs, which are then accessed via the library. 2 All of these approaches offer partial solutions but the fundamental problem is the difficulty confronting users in understanding the complex array of electronic resources offered specific to their context of need.This article is a case study that highlights the strategies adopted by the Rutgers University Libraries (RUL) to solve this problem. It examines the National Information Standards Organization Metasearch Initiative (NISO MI) metadata schema and its modification for use by RUL to enhance searchability of the library's web site. Through the introduction of the RUL project for maximizing the online presentation of information and resources, this article explores how a new content 2 management system can help RUL reorganize its e-collection and enable users to find and use electronic resources more effectively. PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONSElectronic resources have been an integral part of collections in ...