David Munsey-Kano's Dartmouth Projects
July 2001 - March 2002

Last updated on 3/27/2001

Here are some of the things I have helped to create and are either released to the general community, in development or planned to be started from July 2001 through June 2002.

Released:

• Subject Guide System - This system enables the creation of subject guides without the author needing to know HTML. When anyone on the Dartmouth Library Staff accesses these pages for the first time, an account in the system is created for them automatically. They can begin creating a Subject Guide immediately. The system also allows existing static subject guide pages to be linked from the browse page. Both static and generated pages referenced by the system are automatically checked for bad URLs to resources and an e-mail message with the results for only their pages is sent to the author of each page.
• Library Hours System - This is the first project where I used the "wire frames" system of developing and user testing a web based interface. This paper mock-up system helped me create an easy-to-understand and use system with a minimum of rewriting code. The librarians that participated in this processed felt excited and empowered by being involved in the early stages of design. The library hours system displays the current and next period of time (term or intersession) from a database who's content is controlled by a staff only web interface. This project reduces the time it takes for the central library office staff (Derika) to create the new hours pages. The paper handout is also printed from this one system, eliminating the spreadsheet that was formerly used.
• Instructional Videos Database
• Researched backup tape changes for Retrospect, ordered, installed and configured same.
• Installed, debugged and configured the Ariel Web-based Document Delivery system.
• I took the lead in helping our transition to using CVS. I wrote up how we are using it. (Note that as of this writing this document is probably not in its final form).

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Under Development:

• I have been working with Acquisitions on the analysis and definition of systems to help them automate some of their processes. In particular, they have a number of small databases implemented in Filemaker some of which they would like to see network accessible. In addition, they have a traditional paper filing system for tracking the process of acquiring digital resources (e-journals, etc.) that we are suggesting could be replaced or enhanced by a digital system.
  
  The first of these will be the Alumni Memorial Books Funds database.
  

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Planned:

• I assume I will play a role in implementing the Digital Library.
  
• I will lead the installation and configuration of the Borrow Direct system.
• I have started to learn WebObjects and will continue to build on these skills as required.
  
• I may convert one or more additional Acquisition databases to a web based interface if time allows.