SOER members include: Cheri Smith (chair), Charlotte Ames, Mark Dehmlow, Sherri Edwards, Laura Fuderer, Mary Lehman, Tom Lehman, Dan Marmion (LEC Liaison), Eric Morgan, Carole Pilkinton, Kathie Ryan-Zeugner, and Linda Sharp.
SOER implemented several changes to the Gateway during the last fiscal year. Tom Lehman was able to complete mapping from the catalog to the Gateway at the beginning of this fiscal year. Completion of this project has streamlined workflows. It is now no longer necessary to enter, update or change information regarding electronic resources into both Aleph and a Gateway text file. Completion of the project has also created consistency between information in the catalog and the Gateway, which eliminates a possible source of confusion for users.
Regarding consistency between the Gateway and Aleph; re-indexing in Aleph resulted in new "virtual types" being displayed in Aleph records. Often these "virtual types" are not consistent with the "types" being displayed in the Gateway. Several discussions in SOER led to some changes in "virtual types" in Aleph. As a result of this inconsistency, it was decided to place a member of SOER on the Aleph Screen Design Committee so that SOER can be more aware of activities affecting electronic resources in Aleph and the Screen Design Committee could be more aware of SOER issues and concerns. Tom Lehman is currently the SOER representation in the Aleph Screen Design Committee.
During the 2001-2002 fiscal year a new version of the Gateway was released. In this version users selecting a subject in the Gateway were sent by default to the list of indexes for that subject. To access other "types" of electronic resources (Reference, eTexts, and e-Journals) the user had to select that "type" from the menu on the left side of the page. This change was made to eliminate prohibitively long lists of resources that were appearing on subject pages. Collections of e-Journals, in particular, were making Gateway subject pages so long that many users with slow Internet connections were no longer able to view the lists at all. After comments from many reference librarians and several users, it was decided to change the default view for subjects to all Reference, eTexts, and Indexes for that subject. Many users (and librarians) were not clear on the difference between these various "types" and were becoming frustrated when trying to locate resources in the Gateway. By continuing to separate the e-Journals from the default subject lists, the lists are not terribly long. Combining the other "types" onto the same page made it easier for users to find electronic resources.
In September Sharon Neary, Data Librarian, visited SOER to discuss data, statistics and GIS resources on the Gateway. After discussion it was decided that many of the data/statistics/GIS sources were interdisciplinary in nature and therefore would be better represented by including a new "type" in the Gateway as opposed to a new subject. Therefore the new "type" Data/Statistics/GIS was added to the Gateway.
This year Doug Archer took over the duty of collection developer for Peace Studies. In October he requested and was granted a Peace Studies subject link on the Electronic Gateway.
In April it was decided that SOER would suspend meetings for the time being so that Tom Lehman could dedicate more of his time for other activities. Changes in the Gateway are typically carried out by Tom, which puts a tremendous strain on his time.
Developing a written policy for items to be included in and excluded from the Gateway. Although Area C. of the strategic plan pertains mostly to the physical building, I believe that this goal is most closely related to C.2.A and B.
Work with the MyLibrary group so that issues concerning electronic resources, such as consistency of presentation of resources are addressed by the MyLibrary group. (B.7.B)
Work with DAIAD on redesigning library website so that issues concerning arrangement and accessibility of electronic resource are addressed.