CORDIS Archive

Updated 02 JUL 98

Additional information is available from the ARCA web site . (http://www.pisa.intecs.it/projects/ARCA/)

Theme

SR target development and their interconnection (Theme 9 bis)

Project description

• The project has developed a general software package (tool) that allows existing OPAC's to act as SR targets. The project has also developed a SR client, with a Graphical User Interface, that allows end users to access the OPAC.
• The SR target tool is based on a description of the OPAC characteristics (e.g. access points) stored in a dictionary with a well defined structure. This dictionary contains all relevant data that are needed to translate the SR requests (e.g. a search) in to commands that can be managed by the target OPAC. Depending on the structure of the existing library software (e.g. existence or not of an API interface) minor or major pieces of code specific to the OPAC must be written.
• The SR client has a Graphical User Interface and provides functionality to define target libraries domains. Access for end users is facilitated when addressing their requests to the remote OPACs by using those domain definitions. This client also uses the dictionary defined for the SR target software in order to validate the user request locally.

Technical approach

The project consists of four work-packages, each divided into a number of tasks:

SR target development

• System requirements specification
• Architectural specification
• Detailed design
• Implementation of kernel and dictionary
• Implementation of Sabini and CDS-ISIS interfaces
• Integration and test

User interface application

• Requirements
• Architecture
• Implementation
• User manual.

Assessment

• Evaluation by individual project associates
• Aggregated report.

Information dissemination

• Professional journals
• Conferences, seminars and similar events
• To SIGs (Special Interest Groups)

Key issues

• Upgrading existing library systems, with OPAC functions, to act a SR servers;
• Definition and implementation of a client which provides a user friendly interface;
• SR client access to multiple SR servers.

Impact and results

The portability of the ARCA software, made possible by the dictionary and by minimal API definition, will greatly increase the number of OPACs with SR server functionality - and, in association, the number of users able to search remote OPACs.

In addition, the project will provide a detailed assessment of the benefits for end-users of working in an open library environment.

Deliverables

The main deliverable is the fully-tested prototype. Coding, executable files and the dictionary appertaining to this are confidential. In the public domain, in line with project progress, deliverables are:

• SR target requirements and archi-tectural specifications;
• SR target dictionary schema;
• SR target detailed design;
• API specification;
• Specifications of requirements and architecture for the user interface application.

Documentation is available from the contact below and from ARCA web site

Coordinator

Other Partners :