Introduction

Owned by Srini Induri
Last updated: Jul 28, 2021 by Gunjan Bhardwaj
2 min read

Shared Collection Service Bus (SCSB) is a middleware that provides library discovery-to-delivery services using a multi-institutional and consortia approach. SCSB manages transactions between integrated library systems (ILS systems like Ex Libris Voyager, Ex Libris Alma ) and back end inventory management systems like Generation Fifth Applications (GFA)'s Library Archival System(LAS) and library’s discovery systems in order to expedite and smoothen the end-user discovery-to-delivery experience. SCSB is a open source product that can be downloaded and used by any individual or organization.

SCSB supports the following functions:

  • Facilitates Discovery: Consolidates and normalizes items and bib records from partners and provides a consolidated search. The search service provides the ability to perform federated search on the shared collection.

  • Real-time Availability: The database maintains real-time status of all “Shared”, “Open”, and “Private“ collection items.

  • Real-time Request Processing: Maintains validation rules and item status. Requests submitted through library discovery system forms are validated real-time, processed and recorded in the SCSB database. Users receive confirmation or validation error messages in real-time enabling them to resubmit a valid request.

  • Real-time Status Reporting: Consolidates a complete view of item status across all inventory system and partner library systems into the middleware database. Consolidated status can be leveraged for tracking and analytics.

  • Collection Management: Implements centralized automated collection classification algorithm (including duplicate detection). Middleware provides user interfaces for manual workflow steps such as withdrawal of preservation copies.

SCSB is designed to provide the following benefits to the Users:

  • Real-time availability of all shared collection items in OPAC systems

  • Validate and process the requests in real-time

  • Provide real-time item status

  • Integration with Partner ILS to support requesting and circulation. Support of collection management rules

  • Support existing workflows and user experience

  • Eliminate cross loading bibliographic and item records in ILS.