Re: [CODE4LIB] locator
One case study on this very topic was published in the recent Code4Lib Journal, it may be of use: http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/3072 From: Code for Libraries [code4...@listserv.nd.edu] On Behalf Of Tom Vanmechelen [tom.vanmeche...@libis.kuleuven.be] Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 8:24 AM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] locator We're considering to expand our service with a item locator. Mapping the library (http://mashedlibrary.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mapping_the_library) describes how to build this with Google maps. But is this really the way to go? Does anyone has any experience with this? Does anyone have some best practices for this kind of project knowing that we have about 20 buildings spread all over the town? Tom --- Tom Vanmechelen K.U.Leuven / LIBIS W. De Croylaan 54 bus 5592 BE-3001 Heverlee Tel +32 16 32 27 93
Re: [CODE4LIB] locator
Hi Tom, The mapping the library project started out (in my head) as simply using existing mapping tools to provide an interface to a map. The way the project went when we sat down and played for a day was slightly different, although still vaguely interesting :) The thinking behind using Google Maps (which would apply to other 'mapping' interfaces - e.g. OpenLayers) was simply you get a set of tools that are designed to help navigation round a physical space. You can dispense with the geographic representation and simply use your own floorplan images. Whether this is the way to go probably depends on your requirements - but you would get functions like the ability to drop markers etc. 'for free' as it were, and also a well documented approach as the GMaps etc APIs come with good documentation. However, more than once it has been suggested that this is a more complex approach than is required (I'm still not convinced by this - I think there are real strengths to this 'off the shelf' approach) Some other bits and pieces that may be of interest: My writeup of the day we worked on the Mapping the Library project http://www.meanboyfriend.com/overdue_ideas/2009/12/mashing-and-mapping/ A JISC funded project to look at producing 'item locator' service at the LSE http://findmylibrarybook.blogspot.com/ Owen Owen Stephens Owen Stephens Consulting Web: http://www.ostephens.com Email: o...@ostephens.com Telephone: 0121 288 6936 On 30 Jun 2010, at 13:24, Tom Vanmechelen wrote: We're considering to expand our service with a item locator. Mapping the library (http://mashedlibrary.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mapping_the_library) describes how to build this with Google maps. But is this really the way to go? Does anyone has any experience with this? Does anyone have some best practices for this kind of project knowing that we have about 20 buildings spread all over the town? Tom --- Tom Vanmechelen K.U.Leuven / LIBIS W. De Croylaan 54 bus 5592 BE-3001 Heverlee Tel +32 16 32 27 93
Re: [CODE4LIB] locator
Tom, Before spending too much time trying to integrate building floorplans with Google Maps, I would consider whether the maximum zoom level (currently 20, which is around 3 pixels per foot) will allow you to provide the detail needed for your floorplan. Although this might only be an issue if you want the floorplan to display as an overlay over the regular GMaps basemaps. Keith Keith Jenkins GIS/Geospatial Applications Librarian Mann Library, Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 8:24 AM, Tom Vanmechelen tom.vanmeche...@libis.kuleuven.be wrote: We're considering to expand our service with a item locator. Mapping the library (http://mashedlibrary.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mapping_the_library) describes how to build this with Google maps. But is this really the way to go? Does anyone has any experience with this? Does anyone have some best practices for this kind of project knowing that we have about 20 buildings spread all over the town? Tom --- Tom Vanmechelen K.U.Leuven / LIBIS W. De Croylaan 54 bus 5592 BE-3001 Heverlee Tel +32 16 32 27 93
Re: [CODE4LIB] locator
I do suggest you look at your locations carefully before you dive in. For the reserved stock held in boxes the location is in the box, the box has its own location. Moving the box to a new shelf in another room becomes a simple single update to the boxes location. Some contain other items in the sleeve or pocket so a location is in an item and its ID. And people like to move shelves around but thats covered in the code4lib article. I am implementing barcodes so I can stock check and update the locations of books on a shelf or box etc, I put the barcode on the spines and on the loose contents of a book (as the loose contents were in a book the shelf check will assume they are still in the book) so its just a few seconds to check, this also sets any book that was supposed to be there to a missing state. Dave Caroline
