Re: [ha-Safran]: On-Line Catalog Access
Paula, I did not see your question so I add to Alba and Joyce's replies.I prefer to have the synagogue library open to the general public. If you are concerned or wish Temple Members to feel more privileged you can ask non-members to leave a refundable deposit. Amalia - --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: On-Line Catalog Access
Dear Paula and all- I waited to reply to this request until I saw what some of the synagogue librarians had to say, since ours is a JCC community library, not a synagogue library. But now I will weigh in to agree with the repsonses I have seen. First, there is a definite difference between opening up your online catalog to all vs. lending library materials to all. I would definitely encourage universal access to the online catalog -- we have experienced no down side since we put our catalog online about 3 years ago. The benefit is more visibility and an uptick in library usage. Second, I can share my experience as to lending to a broad community through our library, which is located in our JCC but funded by our CJLL (Jewish ed. department). Since our funding comes through Federation, not directly from the JCC, we have served the entire community, not just JCC members, for the past 18 years. All I ask, before lending, is for the person to give me name, address, phone number, and (optional) e-mail address. I will not lend without address and phone number, because I need to be able to contact the patron for return of overdue materials. We have definitely had some loss over the years, but I would describe it as minimal. I do send bills to replace long overdue materials, and then the patron usually finds and returns the item or pays to replace it. On very rare occasion, I find the address and/or phone number to be inaccurate and am unable to contact the patron. When a patron totally fails to return or replace items, I mark the patron's record in our catalog, so a pop-up alram will come up warning us not to lend to that patron in the future until past issues are resolved. Good luck with your online catalog! It is really great fun! Here is a link to our home page, which I enjoy cutomizing (with very little past tech experience): http://jewishnewhaven.mysurpass.net/ Liz Elizabeth Edelglass Library Director Jewish Community Library JCC of Greater New Haven 360 Amity Rd, Woodbridge, CT 06525 (203) 387-2424 x330 libr...@jewishnewhaven.org --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: On-Line Catalog Access
Paula Fine wrote: restrict access to the catalog to synagogue members Access to the catalog and access to the physical book are two different kettles of fish. ...make it (the catalog) available to everyone. Yes. The entire universe if possible. Though Steven Hawkings says that we shouldn't be so trusting of extra-terrestriales with their beam-up technology thoughts about access to on-line synagogue catalogs. Are there any down-sides None , potential problems, None or other issues (including hacking) Hacking is a problem no matter what you do on the internet.. If we made the catalog available to members only, that would be an added perk A public library is an added perk to anyone who lives in a town but to take out a book you actually have to pick your butt up, go there, sign up for a card, prove you live in the town, ya di da di da. it would be good library public relations to make our historic collection available to the larger community. An on-line catalog is one thingy and letting the books walk out the door is another thingy. Even the public library doesn't let the reference books and special collections go off premises even to members. If your historic collection catalog is on-line everyone in the whole wide world will know it. Scholars would come from far and wide just to have a look which doesn't mean they will be allowed to walk off with any of it. The question of security (will we get the books back from a non-member?) Will you get the books back from a member? When people die and leave their libraries to the synagogue library, it is amazing the number of library books one finds amongst the junk How have you dealt with these issues In La Javurá (Valencia, Spain) no reference book leaves the library. Only quota-paid-up members can check out one book at a time. Anybody can come in and browse whatever and whenever they like by calling and giving me a heads-up. and what decisions have you made about your on-line catalogs? I keep looking for the gliztyest ways possible to get it into the public. Right now I'm working on LibraryThing. if you want to see the total mess of a catalog we have on-line at the moment, go to our web-page. It's embarrassing, but it's there. Once I get my head around it, I'll pass the catalog over to LibraryThing. Besos de Valencia Alba ** Alba Toscano, presª, bibliotª Sinagoga conservador La Javurá calle Uruguay 59, pta 13 46007 Valencia (España) http://www.uscj.org/world/valencia http://lajavura.org Skype: albatoscanovalencia UStream: http://www.lajavura.org/ustream/html Blog de Bitacora de los Viajes con La Javurá 96 380 2129 96 380 6970 658 721 769 lajav...@lajavura.org --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: On-Line Catalog Access
Dear Paula, I think that having an online catalog is important for publicizing your library collection. If the automation system offers that option, I would take it - as long as the hosting company is reputable, I don't think hacking should be a worry. However, circulating materials to non-members is an altogether different issue. You should not be coerced into circulating materials to people with whom you have no connection. In that sense, synagogue membership would be a great perk for your library and would benefit your institution. Many synagogue library catalogs will again be available on the new AJL website, though that page is currently under construction. Mazal tov on your new endeavor! Joyce Levine, SSC President Synagogues, Schools and Centers Division, AJL --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: On-Line Catalog Access
Good question; I have heard it a lot in my career in the online library catalog industry. There are good arguments to each side. In favor of keeping it wide open and available: 1) library visibility in the community - something to crow about, publicity, etc. 2) Adds to the prestige of the synagogue as a central place to go 3) ability to tally outside 'hits' to see how outreach is going 4) statistics and numbers can be used by synagogue board as justification for funding the library more generously. Downsides: 1) outsiders will find things and want to borrow them. Do you have policies for handling that sort of request? 2) potential that non-members will check out all the 'good' books (which is actually a positive- see above) 3) more visibility might mean more susceptibility to hackers (but I doubt it) If you keep this only as a member 'perk' you'll have 2-3 people a day using it. I question whether that's worthwhile. If it's open, the sky is the limit (but of course, usage will grow) Ask yourself this: 1) does my collection have titles that people want? (members and non-members both). Why would someone come to *your* collection? 2) how big is the collection? 3) How many members? 4) how will you deal with outsiders wanting to borrow? My vote is to keep it open, unless (and until) you are so overrun with business in the library that you can't keep up with the level of activity. Ted --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: On-Line Catalog Access
We are upgrading the synagogue library software to a web-based system with an on-line catalog. We are in the process of deciding whether we should restrict access to the catalog to synagogue members only or to make it available to everyone. I would be interested in knowing your thoughts about access to on-line synagogue catalogs. Are there any down-sides, potential problems, or other issues (including hacking) that we should consider if we were to allow full access to everyone. If we made the catalog available to members only, that would be an added perk that congregants would have. However, it would be good library public relations to make our historic collection available to the larger community. The question of security (will we get the books back from a non-member?) is a problem that some people are concerned about. How have you dealt with these issues and what decisions have you made about your on-line catalogs? We'd appreciate any help/insight you can offer. Thanks in advance, Paula Fine Cong. Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun Milwaukee, WI --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
