SFX

SFX™, the original OpenURL link server, is a unique and revolutionary tool for navigation and discovery, delivering powerful linking services in the scholarly information environment. With SFX™, libraries can define rules that allow SFX™ to dynamically create links that fully integrate their information resources regardless of who hosts them -- the library itself or external information providers. The user is presented with context-sensitive links that are dynamically configured on the basis of the institution's e-collections. Such resources could include:

• Full-text repositories
• Abstracting, indexing, and citation databases
• Online library catalogs
• Citations appearing in research articles, e-print systems, and other Web resources.

SFX™ permits context-sensitive linking between these web-based resources; whereby the target of a link depends on the digital library collection of the institution to which the user who requested the link is affiliated. No more "dead" links whereby the user clicks on a link to navigate to a new information space but finds that they do not have rights of access to the resource to which they have linked and are therefore blocked from access.

SFX™ allows the librarian to define the library's electronic collection, including both licensed and freely available resources; and to determine the manner in which the component resources can be linked to best suit the library's users.

SFX™ linking uses an emerging protocol for interoperability between information resources and service components that allows for localization in an open linking framework -- the OpenURL. SFX™ also complements existing important linking initiatives such as CrossRef.

SFX™ has been in full-release for over 2-years, having won The Charleston Advisor's "Best New Product" Award for Electronic Service to Libraries, as nominated by Users. For more information, visit the TCA Website.

Updated monthly, the SFX™ Global KnowledeBase provides the comprehensive underpinnings by which relevant links are presented to users. With this regular updating, the SFX™ web-based Administration Module also provides the library with many tools and reports that may assist in forming collection development strategies specific to each library. Additionally, the library has the ability to easily create HTML e-journal title lists from SFX.

Call MLC for current offerings and group purchase discounts. Standard pricing is not available; quote only.

For further information please visit www.sfxit.com