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Problem and Value Statements

Problem Statement

Since its founding, Harvard Library has been a guardian of the University’s memory and a gateway to the world's knowledge. We currently host an array of discovery systems that use different design approaches, organizational priorities, and technology standards. Scholars and the public expect to be able to find trustworthy information and discover resources easily regardless of the system that is managing and providing access to it.

Solution Business Value

By enabling rich cross-collection search, this project will offer end users intuitive, contextual discovery of special collections, archives and digital collections, through a mix of conversational interfaces, browsing that emphasizes the visual nature of materials when appropriate, and recommendations for similar or related resources, all informed by ongoing user research.

Alignment with Harvard Library Multi-Year Goals and Objectives

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Executive Stakeholders

Title

Martha WhiteheadVP for Harvard Library and University Librarian
Stu SnydmanAUL; Managing Director for Library Technology Services
OpenAUL for Discovery and Access
Tom HyryAUL for Archives and Special Collections

Library Stakeholders

Title









Technical Project Team

(Roles include: Product Owner, Project Manager, Scrum Master, Business Analyst, Quality Assurance Analyst, Architect, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, UI Designer, Metadata Analyst, Subject Matter Expert, Release Coordinator)

Team Member

Title

Project Role(s)

Enrique DiazManager of Library Software EngineeringProduct Owner (LTS)
Doug SimonSenior Digital Library Software EngineerDeveloper (LTS)
JJ ChenDigital Library Data EngineerDeveloper (LTS)
Maura MeagherAssociate UX DeveloperDeveloper (LTS)
Carolyn CaizziSenior IT Project ManagerProject Manager (LTS)
Robert HamptonUX DesignerResearcherUX Researcher/Designer (HL)

Cost and Estimated Schedule

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Phase

Phase Start

Phase End

Completion Milestone

1

June July 2024

September 2024

Natural language discovery platform for both digitized and physical special and archival collections with generative AI features is tested by selected end users.
2

September October 2024

December 2024Platform is adjusted based on user feedback, data pipeline is built and platform scaled for a public soft launch. Design process for digitized collections component is completed.
3

January 2025

March 2025Digitized collections components are built. Platform is monitored for costs and analytics are gathered and reviewed for full launch. 

Assumptions, Constraints, Dependencies, and Risks

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