Tiptoeing Forward

This chapter describes the implementation of the WorldCat®1 Local discovery tool in a multiple-library system at a mid-sized university. The catalog data preparation required for implementation is a key focus, including discussion of the use of the OCLC holdings reclamation process. Special circumstances and limitations regarding government documents records are described. The challenge that WorldCat® Local’s architecture presents for a library system with multiple processing units is explained. Additional concepts discussed are the decisions regarding configuration and presentation on the Library’s Web interface, the challenges faced by librarians and staff, and the impact on instruction and reference. Comparisons between the number of searches in the traditional library catalog and WorldCat® Local are presented as well as interlibrary loan requests statistics pre and post implementation. Various difficulties encountered and the applied solutions are explained and discussed as well as ongoing challenges and issues.

Designing an Evaluation Process for Resource Discovery Tools

This chapter discusses a process that can be used by libraries to evaluate the current generation of resource discovery tools. The process considers a three-tiered approach to the application, considering technical, functional, and usability layers. Because the current generation of discovery tools is very flexible, the process discussed uses an initial pass of evaluation to gain insight into the abilities of the tool and how users approach it. This leads to a further evaluative iteration, mainly at the usability level, where the user observations from the first iteration are used to inform more refined use cases.

Criteria to Consider when Evaluating Web-based Discovery Tools

As libraries re-think their collections, emphasizing online access and building digital resource collections that are growing at an exponential pace, Web-based discovery tools are under consideration by many academic libraries. These tools enable users to easily and quickly search across a broad range of pre-harvested, indexed content, including materials from databases, library catalogs and local collections. In 2010, the Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries conducted an extensive review of four Web-scale discovery services (EBSCO Discovery Service™1; Primo Central™2 from ExLibris™3; Summon™4 from Serials Solutions®5; and WorldCat®6 Local) in order to recommend one for purchase. Based on that experience, this chapter suggests five key criteria to consider when evaluating and selecting Web-based discovery tools.

From Metasearching to Discovery

Many academic libraries implemented a metasearch or federated search platform as a way to expand the amount of relevant information available to library users. While the metasearch concept seemed to hold great promise, it failed to live up to expectations and users failed to embrace the technology. Nevertheless, the single search box proved to be popular with search engine users, and metasearch would prove to be a forerunner to more evolved discovery solutions. In this chapter, the authors describe experiences with a metasearch product, usability testing, and how that experience shaped decision-making for the chosen discovery solution platform. The available discovery services are explored, and the process for selection at the University of Florida Libraries is described along with the plans for future evaluation of the implemented service.

Understanding Information Seeking Behavior of Faculty and Students

This chapter reviews significant information seeking literature, focusing on general models that can provide a framework for those not familiar with the research in that area. It then explores models and characteristics that are unique to academic users, specifically undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members, highlighting similarities and differences among these groups of users. Changes to information seeking that have resulted from technological advances are also examined. The chapter concludes with a look at resource discovery tools in light of what is known about the information seeking behaviors of academic users, and recommendations are provided for those considering adoption of resource discovery tools.

Developing a User-Centered Article Discovery Environment

This chapter discusses the user-focused research conducted at the University of Michigan Library to help make decisions about selecting and implementing a Web-scale article discovery service. A combination of methods—persona analysis, comparative evaluations, surveys, and guerrilla usability tests—were applied to bring a user-centered approach to the article discovery service decision-making process. After the selection of the Serials Solutions®1 Summon™2 service and developing a custom interface to this resource using the Summon™ API, a follow-up user survey was conducted and search log data were analyzed to gauge the impact of the Library’s decisions on users’ research habits and their perceptions of the library. Users reported a high rate of satisfaction with the new article discovery service and, as a result, reported being more likely to use library online resources again.

The Web-Scale Discovery Environment and Changing Library Services and Processes

Discovery services, such as Serials Solutions Summon, OCLC Local WorldCat, ExLibris Primo, and EBSCO Discovery Service, are built around increasingly comprehensive indexes to books, articles, and other materials. Discovery services and the global bodies of metadata which support them make up an online discovery environment. This chapter outlines the current makeup of this metadata environment. It explores the possibilities and the challenges this environment presents for libraries. It addresses discovery services’ central role in reducing the fragmentation of library resources. The chapter looks at the areas where discovery services can provide access to expanded and more comprehensive collections of materials. It discusses discovery services’ role as central hubs, seamlessly linking library access and delivery services together. The chapter addresses opportunities for more centralized and cooperative management of library metadata, and the need for less reliance on duplication of MARC format metadata.

Encore Synergy Implementation at a Medium-Sized University Library

Implementing Web-scale discovery at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Criss Library presented some unexpected challenges. The UNO library selected Encore Synergy from Innovative Interfaces, Vendor homogeneity between Innovative Interfaces’ Integrated Library System (ILS), and the discovery tool did not prevent problems regarding ILS module interoperability. This chapter describes the solutions found. Web-scale discovery via Encore also did not include all of the library’s electronic resources, but only a few aggregator databases. A representative sample of approximately thirty resources, however, was accessible via pass-through search from Encore to Innovative’s federated search tool, Research Pro. An initial examination of database usage indicates a decline in the use of databases not directly searchable in Encore.

Early Adoption

This chapter provides a case study of EBSCO Discovery Service™1 at Illinois State University’s Milner Library. After a formal selection process, Milner chose EBSCO Discovery Service™ to replace its federated search engine. The implementation team considered what local collections to include, ways to present catalog data, and the customizations to make. EBSCO Discovery Service™, locally called Search It, was implemented in August 2010. During the Fall, six informal usability sessions were conducted to determine Search It’s ease of use for students. Since Milner’s initial implementation, several changes have been made to Search It locally and by EBSCO. The presentation of Search It on Milner’s website also changed and became more prominent, due to a Web site redesign and user feedback. Statistics indicate that EBSCO Discovery Service™ has resulted in a significant increase in Milner’s database usage.

Implementing Library Discovery

In the summer of 2010, Drake University’s Cowles Library implemented EBSCO Discovery Service™1 (EDS). During the implementation and throughout the first year of use, the library faced challenging decisions regarding resource selection, how to present resources in a way that maximized their utility, and configuring the public interface to appeal to both first-time users and experienced researchers. This chapter provides libraries considering or having purchased a Web-scale discovery tool a look at the various issues and potential solutions they may face when implementing a discovery service. It will specifically target those aspects of implementation that concern resource selection and configuration of the public interface. Issues and examples discussed refer to EDS™, but many of the issues are common to all discovery solutions.