Cornell University Library Voyager Implementation Site    

OPAC/Gateway Configuration Team
Notes from the January 12, 2000 meeting

Attending: Lynn Brown, Karen Calhoun, Elaine Engst, Lance Heidig, Tom Gale, Philip Herold, Fred Muratori, Pat Schafer, Ed Weissman, Noni Vidal

1) Introductory page

Fred presented the updated Introductory page. We agreed on the following changes:

Change the text "Search tips" to "More ...".
Shorten the descriptions about the various search options.
Make the vertical order of the search options match the horizontal order of the search options on the search page. (Ranked keyword, Author/title/subject (Heading), Guided, Advanced keyword, Course reserve.)
Match the design elements with the design elements on the search page, e.g., banner, fonts, color.)

2) Search page

We reviewed the mock-up search pages Noni Vidal designed.

First, Tom restated that it is not possible to separate "action" from "option" buttons at the top of the page nor is it possible to change the order of these buttons or to push the buttons up closer to the banner. We agreed to add our voice to the chorus of Endeavor sites asking for a more customizable product, especially the ability to change the order of the buttons.

Second, the consensus of the group was that "Red Tab 1" was the best overall design. We would like, however, to add to the left hand side of the 'Cornell University Library Catalog' red letter on white "banner", the graphic used on the MyLibrary page (the sweeping background with the tower image.in the oval.) We think this will help bridge the design gap between WebVoyage and the Gateway and also serve as a kind of CUL brand identifier.

Third, we liked having the "subfunctions", i.e., the second row of selectable choices (on Red Tab 1: Keyword | Author/Title/Subject | Search Builder | Command Search | Course Reserve) converting to red bold text when selected. We agreed to change the names of these subfunction choices to: 'Ranked Keyword', 'Author/Title/Subject...', 'Guided Search', 'Advanced Keyword' and 'Course Reserve' (same name).

Ed will ask Noni to create the new banner which incorporates the MyLibrary graphic, generate the function button and the subfunction button icons and send them to Tom Gale so that he can incorporate them into the WebVoyage structure before next Wednesday's meeting.

Lynn and Elaine distributed draft text for the search hints for each of the search options. The Team suggested some changes. Lance will work with Lynn and Elaine on version 2.

3) Documentation

We discussed documentation needs with Lance. The Team's goal is to have WebVoyage customized by March 31 leaving April 1 through mid-June to develop and finalize documentation with a stable product. (Ed will now draft a schedule.) Lynn and Elaine will work with Lance on WebVoyage documentation. We briefly discussed whether WebVoyage Help pages should reside within Endeavor or within Gateway Help and asked Lance if he would make a recommendation on this point after taking a thorough look at WebVoyage Help. While the OPAC Configuration Team will focus on documentation aimed at public use of the OPAC, Lynn will take primary responsibility for staying in touch with those working on documentation aimed at the staff. As liaison to the Documentation and Online Help Committee, Lance should enlist the support of the Committee as he and the Committee deem appropriate. Pat recommended and the Team agreed that an Access Services person be added to the Documentation Committee because the public will be going through the OPAC to make requests (holds, recalls, annex ILL) and the documentation will have to reflect this. Lynn said she would recommend this to the Documentation and Online Help Committee. Pat will also recommend this to PSEC.

4) Integration of Library Gateway Networked Resources Catalog into Voyager

Ed will finalize and distribute the recommendation to the Steering Committee regarding Gateway Catalog/Voyager integration.

5) Next Meetings

Wednesday, January 19, 3:00-5:00 pm in 106 Olin Library

Monday, January 24, 3:00-5:00 pm in 2B48 Kroch (3:00-4:00 pm with the Steering Committee.)

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last modified on: January 18, 2000