The University Library is working to introduce a new cataloguing system, called VIRGObeta, which will hopefully simplify the search process and alleviate some confusion students often experience with the current VIRGO system.
VIRGObeta, the test form of the software released about a year ago, allows students to get the results they want from a simple keyword search, said Jane Penner, director of content management services.
"We want [VIRGObeta] to be a positive experience for the users," Penner said. "We want them to be able to use it once and find the resources they need and feel like they've been successful in their research."
The old VIRGO system was confusing at times and somewhat unpopular with students.
"Sometimes students have trouble deciphering what information is exactly being presented," said third-year Engineering student Brian Boswell, a circulation assistant at Clemons Library. "A lot of people look at VIRGO at the initial screen and don't know how to proceed, even if they know specifically what they are looking for."
Penner added that the library has at times received complaints from students who said they could not find what they were looking for with VIRGO and that the results sometimes did not seem to have anything to do with the search terms.
Jennifer Roper, head of Cataloguing and Metadata Services, said VIRGO was problematic because it was built by outside vendors who wanted their software to work for a broad range of libraries. VIRGObeta, on the other hand, was designed specifically with the University in mind.
"We can take into account the specifics of our community," Roper said. "[The vendors] were not going to be able to hone in on that one particular user group."
Penner also noted that with the new system, users will be able to search digital images and text, which was formerly filed in a separate database.
"We subscribe to many, many databases, and for most of them you have to go into them database by database and know where you need to go," Penner said.
Penner said although VIRGObeta improves functionality in that area, it still is not perfect. She added that the University may purchase new software that could search each database quickly.
Roper said plans to improve the functionality of VIRGO are nothing new.
"We're always trying to change things and make the systems work better," she said. "This is just a different approach."
According to library staff, a timeframe for the changes' implementation has not been established at this time. The interface for the new VIRGO system is an open-source program called Blacklight, which was developed by the University and is becoming popular elsewhere, including Stanford University and University of Wisconsin, Madison, Roper said.
Read More
Visa status restored for one international student and two recent University graduates
By Jackie Bond | 17 hours agoAccording to a statement from University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover, the University learned of the visa terminations of the current student and two alumni April 4
Students react to President Ryan signing national letter defending higher education
By Brendon Bordwine | YesterdayWhile some students praised the move as a stand for academic freedom, others questioned its impact amid recent DEI rollbacks and safety concerns
Honor Committee adjusts panel scheduling and discusses term goals for subcommittees
By Bertie Azqueta | 2 days agoThe Committee will not reconvene for an in-person meeting until the Fall 2025 semester.
