Welcome to the Agora news bulletin for April.
We are now entering the final phases which will take theproject through to the end of this year. Phase 5 - Build/Deliver will see installation and of Agora release 1 at the Library Associate sites where more configuration detailed evaluation and testing of the software will be undertaken.
Board Meeting
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An Agora board meeting was held in London on 10th March. The meeting discussed the technical issues concerning release 2 and the progress that is being made.The board agreed the planning documents presented.
Library Associates/Training (contribution from David Palmer, UEA)
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The Library Associates attended a training session in Sheffield March 13-14 at Fretwell-Downing's Training facility and were introduced to the Admin Client software for the Agora HLMS. The purpose of the training was to introduce the Associates to the Admin Client software, to provide them with enough knowledge and skill to be able to configure the system to meet local needs and to be able to use it in the upcoming user case studies. More training will be provided if necessary.
Installation
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The servers have now been delivered to UEA and are currently being installed with the foundation software. Testing will follow and the servers will then be shipped to the Library Associate sites.Work by FDI continues to improve Release 1 prior to installation.
A document has been prepared by David Palmer which sets out the specifications of the server, the hardware and software required by the system, and the roles and responsibilities in the configuration process. This has been posted on BSCW. The Library Associates will be working with Release 1 of theAgora HLMS. Release 2 is scheduled for 1st September 2000.
User case studies
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The case studies will take place June-August.The foci of the studies was discussed at a meeting with the Associates on 19th April. Several case study scenarios were put forward, these will be formalised and then presented at the next board meeting. Geoff Butters from CERLIM provided valuable input concerning case study methodologies and the different tools and techniques that might be appropriate. Further training and support will be provided according to requirements.
Service Associates
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We are continuing to work closely with the Agora Service Associates.This is helping to iron out any outstanding access problems, whilst offering an opportunity to demonstrate Agora release 1 and provide a project update. Feedback has been very positive. A useful meeting with John Eyre from the HELIX /ELISE project means that images can now be viewed in Agora including the prestigious Hulton-Getty Picture Collection. HGPC has been referred to as the best known library of photojournalism. HELIX offers over 15,000 images from the 2.5 million in the Picture Post collection, dating from 1938 to 1957.
The Service Associate meetings will continue, culminating in the organisation of a Service Associate update day later in the year.
Dissemination
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A key part of the project during the final phases is to spread the word about Agora - this is especially important as we now have something viable to demonstrate. A dissemination plan is currently being drafted and will be presented at the next board meeting. Plans are already underway including attendance at a number of conferences, as well as the placing of articles in pertinent.journals. It is envisaged that the installation of Agora at the Library Associate sites will offer opportunities to promote Agora on a more localised level. Greg Newton-Ingham presented an overview of Hybrid Libraries and a demonstration of Agora at Libtech 2000 in March.