PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of developing an open source federated searching tool. It is hoped that it will generate interest not only in dbWiz, but in the many other open source projects either completed or in development at the Simon Fraser University Library and at other libraries around the world.Design/methodology/approachThe methods used in this paper include reviewing of related literature, analysis of other federated search tools, and the observation and description of the development process at the Simon Fraser University Library.FindingsThe paper discusses the benefits and challenges faced in developing an open source federated searching tool for libraries. As a case study, it demonstrates the strength of the collaborative, open source development model. The paper also describes the key features required of any federated searching tool.Originality/valueFederated searching is becoming an important new product for both academic and public libraries, with several commercial products to choose from. This paper describes the development of an open source federated search tool that provides a low‐cost, yet highly functional alternative for the wider library community.
This article presents a case study for developing course journals, an approach to student writing and publishing that involves students in the production of an online, open access journal within a structured classroom environment. Simon Fraser University (SFU) Library’s Digital Publishing program has partnered with instructors in four different departments across the university to implement course journals in their classrooms using Open Journal Systems. Two models of course journals have emerged, both of which offer valuable learning opportunities for students around scholarly communications, information literacy, and open pedagogy. In Model 1, students act as both authors who write and submit their work for publication in the course journal and as reviewers who referee each other’s submitted work. In Model 2, students act as the course journal editors, crafting the course journal’s call for papers, soliciting content, recruiting reviewers, and managing the editorial workflow from submission to publication. This article discusses challenges and opportunities of both models as well as strategies for smooth implementation and collaboration with classroom instructors.
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