MyLibrary, A Personalization Service for Digital Library Environments

Abstract

Several initiatives have offered personalized electronic services for digital library users. However, most of these services do not provide users with personalized shared Web environment, recommender system integration, Web link checking mechanism and tools that extend the functionality of Web browsers. MyLibrary at Los Alamos National Laboratory LANL provides digital library users (as individuals or groups) with a personalized Web environment while offering all these features. MyLibrary at LANL is the result of a project sponsored by LANL Research Library, which provides electronic services to {LANL} users (scientists, students, staff, external users, etc). This article explains the motivations for the design and development of the system, presents an overview of the {MyLibrary} at {LANL} initiative, summarizes {MyLibrary's} features, briefly discusses the technical solutions adopted, describes how the system is perceived by its users and addresses some of the directions for future developments of the product.