LibraryLookup Bookmarklet Generator

Researching the idea of creating links to library resources as a method of initiating Lib 2.0 in practice I came across the LibraryLookup Bookmarklet Generator. It seems there is an entire project devoted to creating and disseminating linking userscripts for library catalogs.

The generator allows you to create a link to your library OPAC that will read ISBNs from any page you visit through a toolbar button. Allowing quick access to your library's records on that particular ISBN. I was attempting to create one for the Utica College Library OPAC but was having difficulties, you need to have a base url for your proxy server and I can't seem to get it right. There is a static list of previously made bookmarklets, but UC was not on the list.

I'll keep trying.

Update May 20,2006...

I was discussing my difficulties with the cataloger here at the library, and come to find out the ILS software we use (provided by Sirsi) is not open source compliant. This means that creating a link to the catalog is majorly difficult because Sirsi sets up its system (at least in the version we use) in a non-standard way. They use their own proprietary structures that do not work well with compliers and other systems (something like that).

As a way to illustrate we can look at the base URL of the UC library catalog:

209.137.75.111/uhtbin/cgisirshi/yUEAzohlik/UTICACOLL/
299100095/60/1173/X

Do you see how complicated this is, and this URL is only to get to the advanced search screen of the catalog. You would need more strings of commands to set up an ISBN scripting link.

To make this open source compliant the system would need to be changed to simplify the language structure and to put commands in the places where a complier would expect them. A URL for a more compliant system would look more straight-forward, such as something like this:

utica.edu/catalog/

At least this is my understanding of it. So I have sort of given up on the idea, but I do think having a link to the catalog and the e-journal portal in the browser bar is a good Lib 2.0-esque idea and I am going to suggest it.

This is something to look out for if you are in the market for ILS software. You should know whether its complaint to open source protocols, or at least can be easily made to be. Supposedly this makes the purchase more expensive because it usually means an upgraded academic version of the software, but in the long run, worth it. My suggestion, use Innovative.