E-resource knowledge bases and link resolvers: an assessment of the current products and emerging trends

Authors

  • Marshall Breeding

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1629/2048-7754.25.2.173

Abstract

This article summarizes the findings of a study on e-resource knowledge bases and OpenURL-based link resolvers sponsored by the National Library of Sweden. The project involved soliciting detailed information from each of the providers of the major products in this genre, reviewing product information available on the web and in published articles, and conducting a survey addressed to libraries using these products. The report identified and presented comparative information on a top tier of products that includes KnowledgeWorks and 360 Link from Serials Solutions; SFX Global KnowledgeBase and the SFX link resolver from Ex Libris; LinkSource and the EBSCO Integrated Knowledge Base from EBSCO and the WorldCat knowledge base from OCLC. A second tier included TOUResolver from TDNet, Gold Rush from the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries and GODOT from Simon Fraser University. Innovative Interfaces, Inc offers the WebBridge link resolver but does not produce a knowledge base. The library survey revealed relatively narrow differences in the statistical results. Serial Solutions emerged as more favorable in most categories except for end-user functionality where Ex Libris received higher ratings. The Global Open Knowledgebase project (GOKb) is noteworthy as a nascent community-based effort to produce a knowledge base. Key trends noted include less emphasis on knowledge bases and link resolvers as stand-alone products as they become integral components of comprehensive discovery and automation products.

References

Knowledge Base and Link Resolver Study: General Findings: <a href="http://www.kb.se/dokument/Knowledgebase_linkresolver_study.pdf" target="_blank" >http://www.kb.se/dokument/Knowledgebase_linkresolver_study.pdf</a> (accessed 20 June 2012)\nKBART: Knowledge Bases and Related Tools: A Recommended Practice of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and UKSG, January 2010: <a href="http://www.uksg.org/sites/uksg.org/files/KBART_Phase_I_Recommended_Practice.pdf" target="_blank" >http://www.uksg.org/sites/uksg.org/files/KBART_Phase_I_Recommended_Practice.pdf</a> (accessed 1 June 2012)\nMcKracken P (presenter) Womack K (reporter), KBART: Improving access to electronic resources through better linking, Serials Librarian, 2010, 58, 232–239.\nSince time of writing, EBSCO has announced its first API: <a href="http://www.ebscohost.com/discovery/api" target="_blank" >http://www.ebscohost.com/discovery/api</a> (accessed 26 June 2012)\nScience Commons Protocol for Implementing Open Access Data: <a href="http://www.sciencecommons.org/projects/publishing/open-access-data-protocol/" target="_blank" >http://www.sciencecommons.org/projects/publishing/open-access-data-protocol/</a> (accessed 1 June 2012)\n

Downloads

Published

2012-07-05