More Library Mashups: Exploring new ways to deliver library data

More Library Mashups shows you how to take data from multiple channels and mix it to provide better services for your library users.

The book contains case studies, tutorials and examples from 24 creative library professionals from around the world who describe how they are mashing up free and inexpensive digital tools and techniques to improve library services and meet everyday (and unexpected) challenges. The book provides step-by-step guidance to allow you to work smarter, obtain maximum impact, enhance your library’s website and provide value-added services for your library users whether you have no programming skills or are a seasoned expert.

The book is divided in to 5 parts, Part 1 covers the basics of mashups including using the online service IFTTT ('If This Then That') to automate the collection, manipulation and sharing of data and information across a variety of networking, bookmarking, blogging, media and file sharing sites; using OPenRefine to clean and reshape and visualize your library's data; and using Umlaut to aggregate delivery/access options from multiple sources - both existing library 'enterprise' software and public access services on the web - and 'mash them up' into a unified interface.

Part 2 shows you how to enhance the library website with outside data from sources including LibGuides, Twitter, WordPress and Google Calendar. Part 3 focuses on mashing up library catalogue data to make it available in new, interesting and useful ways which offer eye-opening and inspiring routes to library collections. This part includes chapters on how to search your library collection from within Twitter to answer reference questions and how to create a current awareness service for Wikipedia relevant to your library collection.

Part 4 covers data visualization and includes chapters that show you how to transform your digital archive collection by creating a visual, interactive timeline; create maps that provide real-time data on the availability of computers in your library; and tell stories with Google Maps mashups such as using markers on maps to enhance the understanding of books and their contexts.

Part 5 is about using mashups to create value added services such as using Yahoo Pipes to merge new sources and create automated current awareness feeds; creating a unified discovery portal for library and archival collections; implementing a single sign-on process using open source software; and facilitating serendipitous discovery of photographs, documents, maps and other primary sources using Serendip-o-matic.

Readership: The book will be inspiring for small libraries looking to work more efficiently and provide enhanced services to their users without breaking the bank. It is also full of ideas for how large libraries can improve their websites and use their library catalogue data more effectively.