National Library of Australia - Gateways

ISSN 1443-0568 | no. 69 | June 2004


Kinetica Redevelopment Report

The Kinetica service supports resource sharing and collaboration between Australian libraries. The Library announced in December 2003 that Kinetica would be redeveloped over the next two years. This report provides information on developments which have occurred so far in 2004 and key improvements to be delivered in Phase 1, which will be implemented in late 2004.

Kinetica is being redeveloped with a new architecture based on a combination of a bibliographic data management system and a resource discovery system. This architecture will greatly increase the capacity of the National Library to be innovative in responding to the needs of its customer libraries. It will also allow the Library to develop new interfaces and services, based on the National Bibliographic Database, for individual users of the customer libraries.

The reasons for the redevelopment of Kinetica are to:

The most significant benefits from the move to a new technological base will be:

Progress to May 2004 has focused primarily on project planning and establishing specifications and statements of scope for each sub-project.

Features of the redevelopment

Summary by sub-project

National Bibliographic Utility Subsystem
This subsystem is designed to replace the current cataloguing or update database. It is at the heart of the creation and management of bibliographic records. A tender was issued on 2 March for this system and closed on 6 April. Copy of the tender can be view at <www.nla.gov.au/kinetica/redevdoc.html#RFT>.

The evaluation of tenders is now well underway. The team responsible for the selection and implementation of the new National Bibliographic Utility is led by Rob Walls. This team has also made considerable progress on planning the migration of data from the existing Kinetica system to the new Kinetica systems.

When the National Bibliographic Utility is selected, Australian libraries will be advised. The system will be implemented in Phase 2 of the Kinetica Redevelopment Project and will fully replace the cataloguing (update) database and cataloguing interfaces (web and online).

Search & Products Subsystem
This is the area where Kinetica users will be affected by changes in early 2005. This system replaces the current ‘search’ database and will be used by those using KineticaWeb search and Z39.50 searching. A software platform used by the Library for other applications, such as PictureAustralia, is being used for this subsystem.

The major milestone for this project in the first part of 2004 is the development of specifications. Key inputs to the specifications are the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group on Enhancements which consulted through workshops in all states in Australia, considered feedback from users and conducted research into international best practice.

This system will deliver improved searching through easy-to-use interfaces including a simple search based on a Google approach with Boolean functionality and an ‘expert’ or guided search offering the ability to select indexes for searching from drop down boxes. The KineticaWeb interface launched in March 2004 tested a new approach to easy searching of subsets, such as theses, newspapers and Australian resources. Feedback from this has been very positive and has contributed to planning for the development of the new interfaces. Display of results is also being specified including fuzzy logic that will help with any misspellings. The Results display will support a ‘get’ ordering service for interlibrary loans and as well as direct ordering to other suppliers such as Copies Direct.

Specifications are also being developed for a SDI service offering users the ability to select a regular update of information on resources added to the NBD in any subject area, format or by particular authors. In addition, the scope of a Z39.50 gateway service is being specified. This service will provide access to external Z39.50 targets that can be used by your local system, whether it be a cataloguing client, or a search service such as an OPAC or portal. The Z gateway will enable a connection to databases and pass on details of the user, allowing reports to be generated using individual logons for better access and a better information service. Users will be able to have their cataloguing software, for example, link directly through to other databases, rather than having to use KineticaWeb. This will promote significant efficiencies in cataloguing workflows and will provide more flexible services for Kinetica users.

Billing/Authentication (Customer Management) Subsystem
This subsystem will support administrative functions, including the management of access to the system (authentication and authorisation), production of management reports, and billing. Specifications and use cases are currently being prepared. IP authentication is a key component in this area, which will be supported by the new system.

Other progress points

A tender for the hardware required for Kinetica has been issued.

Discussions have been held with Kinetica trainers on the training for Phase 1. We anticipate that courses and documentation for the new search services, the area of development for Phase 1, will occur from November 2004.

Authorities are a key issue for the redevelopment. The NBU includes cataloguing interfaces. These will be deployed in Phase 2, with the existing AMICUS cataloguing client remaining the tool for authority work until then. In addition to changing software, the approach to managing the Australian Authority Service needs to be reconsidered. Surveys of Australian authorities indicate that there has been a decline in authority work, but that it is important that the Australian Authority Service is maintained and strengthened. In order to explore effective solutions for the future, Kinetica staff will be investigating and scoping issues relating to the possible uploading of batches of authority files. Also under investigation is the concept of ‘trusted partners’ for updating authorities. A paper will be prepared for the Kinetica Advisory Committee on this topic.

The project is on schedule and much work is occurring to ensure that the new system will significantly improve services for Australian libraries and end users. Regular updates will be provided throughout the redevelopment project and a major update will be provided to the Kinetica Annual User Meeting on 13 August.

Roxanne Missingham
Assistant Director-General
Resource Sharing
Tel. +61 2 6262 1143, Fax +61 2 6273 1180
Email: rmissingham@nla.gov.au

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