[Eril-l] Database management question

[Athena Hoeppner]

Hi,

At UCF over the past 15 years we've used all the methods you list. ;-)  We abandoned MetaLib years ago in favor of a home-grown systems. We recently switched from that to LibGuides last year - the programmer who coded the in-house system was long gone and the library switched to WordPress. We also catalog our databases.  We've experimented with hosting a back up database list on Delicious.

Lessons learned from all these lists:

  *   Use one location as your master list and use PURLs so you only have one location to maintain URLs.. We currently use LibGuides Friendly-URLs. The Friendly URLs are then used in our 856 fields and on the research guides - everywhere we want to link to the database.
  *   Use a system that lets you quickly change or turn off EZproxy or other authentication.
  *   Maintain a spreadsheet of database titles,  native URLs, and PURLs. We learned the hard way that not all systems let you output such a sheet. I'm considering making a publicly viewable Google Sheet of this info.
  *   Expect to have to keep changing database titles. I'M LOOKING AT YOU, GALE! I recommend keeping the same PURL or Friendly URL for the new title (Rename the old entry to the new title, create a new entry for the old title and link it to the Friendly URL).

All the best,
Athena

Athena Hoeppner
athena at mail.ucf.edu
Electronic Resources Librarian
University of Central Florida
407-823-5049
________________________________
From: Eril-l [eril-l-bounces at lists.eril-l.org] on behalf of Montgomery, Kathrine E [kmontgom at tulane.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 1:45 PM
To: eril-l at lists.eril-l.org
Subject: [Eril-l] Database management question

Hi everyone,

We’re looking into changing how we manage our databases, including the frontend ability to search for a database, sort databases by subject area/topic and create a database A-Z list.  We’re currently using ExLibris’ MetaLib.

The solutions I’ve found so far include using LibGuides or creating a home grown database, so I was wondering if anyone has any other products or solutions that are working for you.

And a follow-up question: Are you cataloging your databases directly in your catalog, importing records into your catalog from another system or not adding database records to your catalog at all?

Thanks for the help,
Kathrine

Kathrine Montgomery
Head of Acquisitions and ERM
Howard-Tilton Memorial Library
Tulane University
7001 Freret St
New Orleans, LA 70118
Ph:  (504) 865-5686
Fax: (504) 862-8556
kmontgom at tulane.edu

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