IPSWICH, Mass. — October 6, 2015 — As libraries look to expose their collections to patrons who use standard search engines, EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) and its NoveList division are working with Zepheira to determine how to help libraries make the transition. NoveList will sponsor The Libhub Initiative, founded by Zepheira. The goal of the initiative is to increase the visibility of libraries.
NoveList Co-Founder and Senior Director of Technology Roger Rohweder says by sponsoring the Libhub Initiative, EBSCO and NoveList are showing support for Zepheira and moving forward to support BIBFRAME and Linked Data which are seen as essential to opening up library collections to the World Wide Web. “Through our support for libraries, we understand the challenges they face and as we work to create resources to help expose the valuable services and collections libraries provide, we want to make sure we are developing products and services that meet the new and emerging standards being created.”
Rohweder says it is a natural progression for NoveList which is already working to help libraries improve their exposure. “Whether a library uses NoveList Select to enrich its catalog results with read-alike recommendations and additional information, or uses LibraryAware to promote its services to patrons and potential patrons, we want them to be able to take the next step and connect those resources to online searchers. We want to help libraries become the essential, go-to place in their communities.”
Zepheira President Eric Miller says vendor support for the Libhub Initiative is as crucial to libraries as the initiative itself. “We’ve created standards-based technologies so libraries can ‘communicate’ with the Web and their patrons can search online and find easy access to library resources. If vendors can get as excited as libraries are about the use of BIBFRAME and the potential of Linked Data to replace closed communications such as MARC and push library collections to Web searchers, we can all begin to see a future where that exposure benefits both libraries and their users.”
EBSCO Executive Vice President Stratton Lloyd says EBSCO wants to begin leveraging BIBFRAME and Linked Data to change the online conversation. “If we are all using the same practices to expose and collect data, we can help libraries use the Web to make their collections more visible to their local communities and the world at large. This is a win-win situation for libraries and vendors who want to serve the needs of the end user and increase the usage of valuable library collections.”
About Zepheira
Zepheira is a leading provider of software and services designed to help clients across industries make information available and more prominent on the Web. Founded in 2007, Zepheira has extensive experience creating products and solutions focused on the modernization of library information systems. Zepheira’s founders and staff have played key roles in pioneering the next generation of the Web, including the semantic technology underlying most Web applications. For more information find us online: http://www.zepheira.com.
About NoveList
NoveList is dedicated to transforming lives through reading. By helping libraries help readers, NoveList empowers libraries to engage and inspire their communities. NoveList has been helping readers find their next favorite book for more than 20 years, and continues to develop innovative solutions for connecting readers, books, and libraries. As a division of EBSCO Information Services, NoveList specializes in readers' advisory tools for libraries that include book discovery, catalog enrichment, and outreach. Find out more at www.ebscohost.com/novelist.
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the leading discovery service provider for libraries worldwide with more than 8,000 discovery customers in over 100 countries. EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) provides each institution with a comprehensive, single search box for its entire collection, offering unparalleled relevance ranking quality and extensive customization. EBSCO is also the preeminent provider of online research content for libraries, including hundreds of research databases, historical archives, point-of-care medical reference, and corporate learning tools serving millions of end users at tens of thousands of institutions. EBSCO is the leading provider of electronic journals & books for libraries, with subscription management for more than 360,000 serials, including more than 57,000 e-journals, as well as online access to more than 700,000 e-books. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: www.ebsco.com. EBSCO Information Services is a division of EBSCO Industries Inc., a family owned company since 1944.
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For more information, please contact:
Kathleen McEvoy
Vice President of Communications
(800) 653-2726 ext. 2594
kmcevoy@ebsco.com
