Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Content Enrichment in the Integrated Library System

Content Enrichment is the process of adding descriptive information, metadata, which describes the subject contents within a bibliographic record in an Integrated Library System (ILS). Identifying added context within the subject information of a bibliographic record allows libraries to add value to their content and provide more targeted research results to its patrons. For example, we use content enrichment in a limited capacity usually within the 505 field (Formatted Contents Note) of a bibliographic record. As can be seen from the picture above left, the table of contents of the book “The Creative Curriculum learning games: birth-12 months” is listed in the 505 field in addition to the subject fields (650).

As you probably aware from an earlier posting, we use SirsiDynix Workflows at our Campus. We now have the option of enriching the features or upgrading our ILS to Enterprise 3.1 which can be integrated into Workflows. April of this year, SirsiDynix released Enterprise 3.1 which allows libraries to integrate “Indexed Content Enrichment” such as “reviews, cover images, tables of contents, awards data, fiction profiles, excerpts, summaries, and author notes”. These are indexed and accessed through searches which provide more results and improved relevancy. A Press Release from SirsiDynix on “Enhanced content and user interface skins unveiled with Enterprise 3.1” can be viewed at
http://www.sirsidynix.com/sites/default/files/press-releases/20100427_ent_3_1.pdf .
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2 comments:

  1. GillianOctober 20, 2010 at 10:32 AM

    informative post, Shelley. What you do think the benefits of Sirsi content enrichment services will be for your users?

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  2. Shelley DicksOctober 20, 2010 at 11:58 AM

    The benefits of Sirsi content enrichment services will provide our patrons with more relevant search results more quickly. Upon receiving these results, our patrons will be able to review each result in-depth. It will be as if the patron actually has the book in his/her hands. They can preview the cover, contents, etc, without actually leaving the chair. Another advantage to patrons is that they can access this information from any computer. Content enrichment makes information more visually appealing and provides more relevant results in a timely manner; thus, resulting in a less stressful, more successful and satisfying experience for our patrons.

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