Subject Access

Terms applied by our catalogers

Our catalogers will apply Library of Congress Subject Headings to each map as it is cataloged for the print collection. They will use this controlled vocabulary to derive keywords for the digital instance of each map.

Further opportunities for community discoverability

Our Integrated Library System and digital content management system are both harvested by our search and discovery layer. This puts many resources at our user communities’ fingertips. To aid with search and discovery, especially with our students, user tagging capabilities are essential. This will offer another method for our new collections to be discovered.

Recent reports have told us that information searches don’t routinely begin with a library’s catalog, so we have to find other methods of increasing the accessibility of our collections. Our grant funders will want indication through statistics if our collections are actually being accessed. With that in mind, we are considering the following options, below:

Google and other search engines 

To optimize use of our new digital collection, our Information Technologies department has started to analyze how our digital content management system is harvested by search engines. Using Google Analytics, for example, the library will be able to gauge whether our collection is easily accessible by Google or whether further search engine optimization is necessary. There are other institutions that have come up with evaluation models we could use.

QR Codes

For greater accessibility within the library, the maps will be exhibited periodically. As each map is prepared for exhibit, a QR code will be applied to the display housing.  With a scan of a SMART phone, a viewer of the exhibit will be taken virtually to the map in the digital collection. We will be able to assess the use of this method of accessibility through statistics as well.

LibGuides 

Finally, to mesh with our teaching mission, our Geography subject selector will create a LibGuide highlighting our new collection. This will include information about accessing the print objects in Special Collections, as well as the collection online. We hope that Professors will be interested in bringing their classes to the new collection, either in its physical or virtual location. We have found some promising examples created by other institutions that could be used as a reference for our own.

References

Kramer, Danielle N. "In Search of University of Washington's Modern Photographers Collection." Danielle N. Kramer, SEO Audit: University of Washington's Digital Collections. Danielle N. Kramer, 21 Feb. 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2011.

Library of Congress Authorities. Web. 03 Dec. 2011.

"Maps & Aerial Photographs - LibGuides at Northwestern University." LibGuides at Northwestern University. Web. 03 Dec. 2011.

"Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community [OCLC - Reports]." Web. 03

"QR Codes and Academic Libraries." College & Research Libraries News. Web. 03 Dec. 2011.