So, part of what I've been doing is trying (and trying!) to get caught up on some of the backlog of library literature piling on my desk (and in my inbox). Whilst reading Library Hi Tech, I came across an article I thought was just a nifty, nifty thing, so of course I wanted to share!
Michael Vandenburg of Kingston Public Library, Kingston Canada wrote an article in Vol. 26 No. 1 titled "Using Google Maps as an interface for the library catalogue." It caught my eye because of the other mashups I've been reading about - how neat, to have a systemic map of your catalog onto a world map so folks can choose resources based on clicking a country! Hopefully they'll be able to bring it online in the real world soon; the only bummer was that it's still in development so there are only the screenshots in the article, not a live URL to try out. Best wishes to Michael and his library!
2 comments:
You might be interested in this GIS/OPAC mashup too then ... using a GIS interface to search for aerial photographs in a library catalogue. While it isn't permitting graphical searching of the whole catalogue, it is a great start. While this presentation was done before we went live in 2006, it gives you an idea about the concept: http://www.cla.ca/resources/cla2005/index.htm#38 To see it in action, to go: http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/library/ and click on "Launch SkyLine". If you are familiar with GIS interfaces, it will look familiar to you. The link between SkyLine and the OPAC can be found when you have "identified" a photo centre point, just click on "Library location ...." and you will initiate a search of the library's catalogue. A bit rudimentary, but it has made the Yukon EMR Library's clients VERY happy.
oops, should have linked you to:
http://www.hyperboreanlibrarian.wordpress.com for the prior comment.
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