--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 08:27:40 -0700 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Collaborative Digital Reference Service <fwd> Sender: [log in to unmask] With permission I am forwarding this response to Maps-L. Ithink many people may be interested. David Allen ----- Forwarded by David Allen/Lib on 07/20/2001 11:24 AM ----- "Edward James Redmond" To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask] cc: > Subject: Re: Collaborative Digital Reference Service <fwd> 07/19/2001 11:22 AM David: As part of the test project we have both submitted and answered map related questions. The big drawback as we see it right now (although the project is evolving almost daily) is that the system does not currently allow format-specific questions. In other words, if I submit the question "who made the first map of Long Island", the computer which matches the question to an institution does not look for map libraries, just libraries that are a) open to receiving questions at the time the question was sent and b) those libraries who indicate a "G" subject strength. The result is that map related questions are not sent exclusively to map libraries. In some of the practice questions I have seen , for example, map questions concerning Canadian resources were answered by a library in China when there are already a large consortium of Canadian libraries represented in CDRS. Additionally, the same Chinese library was assigned (by computer matching) a question seeking a physical description of about an unique to LC collections. Until the issue of format can be answered (which we are told it will be soon) the result is more work for more folks in more places, and not necessarily a complete answer. Admittedly, these quirks during the test phase are probably just growing pains and the future for CDRS may indeed be bright for map libraries. The goals include a central source where one can turn to submit "stumper" reference questions and a central list of FAQ, submitted by institutions around the world, where one may be able to quickly answer commonly asked map/geography questions such as elevations of cities, longest river, etc. I would be very interested in hearing other opinions/experiences concerning the Collaborative Digital Reference Service (a horrific name, by the way) especially those map related. For those who are unfamilar with the project see http://www.loc.gov/rr/digiref Ed Redmond Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division [log in to unmask] (These are my own opinions and not necessarily those of LC.) . >>> Johnnie Sutherland <[log in to unmask]> 07/18 3:08 PM >>> --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 07:35:12 -0700 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Collaborative Digital Reference Service Sender: [log in to unmask] Has anyone had experience with the Collaborative Digital Reference Service (CDRS), which is being sponsored by LC and OCLC? I am wondering if this is something that map librarians as a group (or in our five or six different groups) should get involved with. Membership seems to be institution based, and I know that many of our institutions will be participating. Is there any way that map reference questions can be earmarked so that they are circulated to map librarians? Sounds like this might be a potentially useful service for publicizing maps and map libraries, but I am not sure how it might work. David Allen Map Collection SUNY Stony Brook --- End Forwarded Message --- --- End Forwarded Message ---