Directory of CDL-Licensed Content to Retire

The Directory of CDL-Licensed Content will be retired October 31, 2005.

Background

Information in the Directory of CDL-Licensed Content is currently being replicated in several places: in campus lists of electronic resources; in the UC-eLinks (SFX) A-Z lists (available currently in version 2); in the Melvyl Catalog; and in local campus catalogs.  (A new version of SFX will be coming to UC later this year; see below for more details.)

Most campuses no longer rely on the Directory of CDL-Licensed Content, but on these other sources for verifying information about and accessing licensed content.  Maintaining the directory is not an automated process—it is updated manually.  New digital packages have many titles, some held by multiple vendors.  There is a great deal of change and “churn” among the titles, with new titles and dates of coverage constantly being added to and deleted from the directory.  Staff time aimed at this labor-intensive process can be put to better use now that other sources duplicate most of what the directory accomplishes.

What do you use it for?

An in-depth analysis of the “hidden uses of the Directory of CDL-Licensed Content” was completed within the CDL, with remedies addressed for all issues raised.  Consultation with campus library staff has taken place and we have also done an investigation of how campus libraries link to the directory.  Later this month, a survey of all users of the directory will be undertaken to see if there are other uses that have not yet been uncovered and addressed.  Please also let us know directly if you have other issues about the removal of the directory.  We want to hear and address your concerns.  Feedback on this topic can be sent to cdl@www.cdlib.org.

Other options

For verifying coverage dates for an electronic resource, the UC-eLinks/SFX A-Z list, which is updated on a regular basis by CDL staff, or Melvyl Catalog records, maintained by the UC San Diego Shared Cataloging Program staff, can be used.  The UC-eLinks list can also be used to determine the part of a vendor package a title belongs to, and to link to the journal at the vendor’s site.

What’s coming down the pike?

SFX version 3 will go live within the UC libraries in June 2005.  The new version, different from the current version that you see via the link above, has enhanced functionality that will include searching by ISSN, category (or loose subjects), and journal title-stay tuned for further details.

A UC Electronic Resources Management System (ERMS) Task Force (http://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/sopag/ermsfinal.htm) was created in 2004, and a request for bids for an ERMS is being presented to potential vendors in April.  The final report of the task force outlines the requirements such a system must satisfy for the UC libraries.

Timeline

July 1: Begin parallel service with UC-eLinks (SFX) A-Z lists.
October 31: Turn off patron access to the directory.