John T. Butler

Automatically building research reading lists

All new researchers face the daunting task of familiarizing themselves with the existing body of research literature in their respective fields. Recommender algorithms could aid in preparing these lists, but most current algorithms do not understand how to rate the importance of a paper within the literature, which might limit their effectiveness in this domain. We explore several methods for augmenting existing collaborative and content-based filtering algorithms with measures of the influence of a paper within the web of citations. We measure influence using well-known algorithms, such as HITS and PageRank, for measuring a nodes importance in a graph. Among these augmentation methods is a novel method for using importance scores to influence collaborative filtering. We present a task-centered evaluation, including both an offline analysis and a user study, of the performance of the algorithms. Results from these studies indicate that collaborative filtering outperforms content-based approaches for generating introductory reading lists.

Developing a Model To Provide Digital Reference Services.

Developing digital reference services within a large library system requires managing fundamental organizational issues before applying technological strategies. Using the development of library services for distance learners as a catalyst, the University of Minnesota‐Twin Cities Libraries have implemented an organizational model for providing digital reference services to all students, faculty and staff who access the library remotely. The resulting service, InfoPoint, has the dual role of providing reference service and making referrals to over 30 information service units in the library system. Details the planning and implementation process by which the libraries developed this centrally coordinated digital reference service within a historically decentralized environment. Initial conclusions based on the service’s first two years of operation are presented. In conclusion discusses organizational change issues and the value of digital reference services in the digital library.

Techlens: a researcher's desktop

Rapid and continuous growth of digital libraries, coupled with brisk advancements in technology, has driven users to seek tools and services that are not only customized to their specific needs, but are also helpful in keeping them stay abreast with the latest developments in their field. TechLens is a recommender system that learns about its users through implicit feedback, builds correlations among them, and uses that information to generate recommendations that match the users profile. It gives users control over which parts of their profile of known citations are used in forming recommendations for new articles. This demonstration is a prototype that showcases some of the tools and services that TechLens offers to the users of digital libraries.

Libdata to LibCMS : One library's evolutionary pathway to a content management system

Purpose – The University of Minnesota Libraries have developed and implemented LibCMS, an open architecture content management system (CMS) that combines with the previously‐built LibData system to meet the web page publishing and site management needs of a large research library. The purpose of this paper is to present overall observations about CMSs and their implementation, and details the requirements and design of LibCMS.Design/methodology/approach – The systems development followed an evolutionary path moving from a modest data repository, to a large system with a three‐tiered web page authoring environment, and now to a CMS with site‐level management capability. This work leaned on abstract tree structures to manage navigational hierarchy both within and between pages. Methods were developed to represent tree architecture in an RDBMS while economizing traversal and maintenance of nodes.Findings – Developing the CMS locally ensured that design followed the requirements of a large academic library e...

Developing E-science and Research Services and Support at the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries

ABSTRACT This article describes the development and implementation of e-science and research support services in the Health Sciences Libraries (HSL) at the University of Minnesota (UMN). A review of the broader e-science initiatives within the UMN demonstrates the needs and opportunities that the University Libraries face while building knowledge, skills, and capacity to support e-research. These experiences are being used by the University Libraries administration and HSL to apply support for the growing needs of researchers in the health sciences. Several research areas that would benefit from enhanced e-science support are described. Plans to address the growing e-research needs of health sciences researchers are also discussed.