Optimizing Discovery Systems to Improve User Experience
The Innovative Librarian's Guide
Published on 24. May 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
150 pages
978-1-4408-4382-2 (ISBN)
Description
Two authors with more than 40 years of combined library experience tap into their wealth of knowledge about discovery and user experience, sharing proven methods for setting up, promoting, and teaching their own discovery systems.
Discovery systems are the new one-stop search model for libraries, but simply implementing the software doesn't ensure that it will meet your users' search needs. This book looks at how discovery systems are actually used by examining the findings of several user experience (UX) studies, providing data and observations that will inform your decisions about selecting, implementing, and enhancing this software.
This book provides library practitioners who choose, administer, and interact with discovery systems with insight for establishing or fine-tuning a discovery system. You will understand how the use and effectiveness of the top discovery systems compare to more traditional databases and web resources, get insight into the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the best-selling discovery systems, and examine the UX research findings of the authors on student response and faculty response. You'll also learn about key configuration options that help or hinder search success with these systems and affect content selection, linking software setup, and interlibrary loan processes. The book concludes with recommended best practices for promoting discovery systems, including web design, placement on the library's website, getting coworkers on board, and PR ideas.
Discovery systems are the new one-stop search model for libraries, but simply implementing the software doesn't ensure that it will meet your users' search needs. This book looks at how discovery systems are actually used by examining the findings of several user experience (UX) studies, providing data and observations that will inform your decisions about selecting, implementing, and enhancing this software.
This book provides library practitioners who choose, administer, and interact with discovery systems with insight for establishing or fine-tuning a discovery system. You will understand how the use and effectiveness of the top discovery systems compare to more traditional databases and web resources, get insight into the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the best-selling discovery systems, and examine the UX research findings of the authors on student response and faculty response. You'll also learn about key configuration options that help or hinder search success with these systems and affect content selection, linking software setup, and interlibrary loan processes. The book concludes with recommended best practices for promoting discovery systems, including web design, placement on the library's website, getting coworkers on board, and PR ideas.
Reviews / Votes
...recommended for discovery system administrators in both academic and public settings. * Technical Services Quarterly * A thought-out and thorough exploration of discovery systems. . . . Thorough, sound, and achievable for most libraries and librarians. * VOYA * Optimizing Discovery Systems to Improve User Experience will be of use to all library administrators and IT staff seeking to enhance their single search system or for professionals seeking to develop such searching in their digital library community. Recommended. * ARBAonline *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
240 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4408-4382-2 (9781440843822)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Bonnie Imler | Michelle Eichelberger
Optimizing Discovery Systems to Improve User Experience
The Innovative Librarian's Guide
E-Book
05/2017
1st Edition
Libraries Unlimited Inc
€49.99
Available for download
Bonnie Imler | Michelle Eichelberger
Optimizing Discovery Systems to Improve User Experience
The Innovative Librarian's Guide
E-Book
05/2017
1st Edition
Libraries Unlimited Inc
€49.99
Available for download
Persons
Bonnie Imler is library director at Penn State Altoona, Altoona, PA, and the web usability and assessment coordinator for Penn State University Libraries.
Michelle Eichelberger is the systems and electronic services librarian at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY.
Michelle Eichelberger is the systems and electronic services librarian at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 Setting the Stage
Chapter 2 Usability Testing
Usability Testing Framework
Creating the Study Team
Defining the Purpose of the Study
Defining the Scope of the Study
Identifying Participants
Selecting a Study Method
Designing Your Instrument
Selecting a Data Collection Method
Creating Consent Forms
Seeking Permission for the Study
Recruiting Participants
Planning Research Session Details
Conducting Testing
Collecting Data
Data Analysis
Report Findings
Instrument and Data Retention
Storage Methods for Study Instruments and Results
Study Follow Through
Chapter 3 Discovery System Configuration
Data Decisions
The Catalog
Local Catalog Data
External Catalog Data
Local Catalog Tools
Databases
Recommended Database Option in Summon
Database Selection and Branding
eBook Collections
Setting Up Your User Interface
Search Decisions
Results List
Getting to Full Text
Website Access to the Discovery System
Benchmarking against Other Libraries
Search Box Design
Web Implementation
Beta Testing
System Deployment
Transition Planning
Search Engine Optimization
Chapter 4 Library Instruction and Discovery Systems
Instruction Methods
Learning Outcomes
Where to Start
Keyword vs. Subject Searching
Advanced Search
Boolean Quotation Marks and Truncation
Teaching to Limit
Teaching the Extras
Citation
Discovery System Help
Promoting the Library Reference Desk
Teaching Library Research Grit
Chapter 5 PR and Community Buy-In
Naming Your Discovery System
What's in a Name?
Naming Decisions
Name Longevity
Discovery System PR
PR Leadership
PR Methods
Discovery System Orientation
Promotional Timing
Community Buy-In
Library Staff
Selling To Faculty
Student Buy-In
Chapter 6 Conclusion
You Have the Power
A Moving Target
Appendix: Software and Tools
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
Chapter 1 Setting the Stage
Chapter 2 Usability Testing
Usability Testing Framework
Creating the Study Team
Defining the Purpose of the Study
Defining the Scope of the Study
Identifying Participants
Selecting a Study Method
Designing Your Instrument
Selecting a Data Collection Method
Creating Consent Forms
Seeking Permission for the Study
Recruiting Participants
Planning Research Session Details
Conducting Testing
Collecting Data
Data Analysis
Report Findings
Instrument and Data Retention
Storage Methods for Study Instruments and Results
Study Follow Through
Chapter 3 Discovery System Configuration
Data Decisions
The Catalog
Local Catalog Data
External Catalog Data
Local Catalog Tools
Databases
Recommended Database Option in Summon
Database Selection and Branding
eBook Collections
Setting Up Your User Interface
Search Decisions
Results List
Getting to Full Text
Website Access to the Discovery System
Benchmarking against Other Libraries
Search Box Design
Web Implementation
Beta Testing
System Deployment
Transition Planning
Search Engine Optimization
Chapter 4 Library Instruction and Discovery Systems
Instruction Methods
Learning Outcomes
Where to Start
Keyword vs. Subject Searching
Advanced Search
Boolean Quotation Marks and Truncation
Teaching to Limit
Teaching the Extras
Citation
Discovery System Help
Promoting the Library Reference Desk
Teaching Library Research Grit
Chapter 5 PR and Community Buy-In
Naming Your Discovery System
What's in a Name?
Naming Decisions
Name Longevity
Discovery System PR
PR Leadership
PR Methods
Discovery System Orientation
Promotional Timing
Community Buy-In
Library Staff
Selling To Faculty
Student Buy-In
Chapter 6 Conclusion
You Have the Power
A Moving Target
Appendix: Software and Tools
Glossary
Bibliography
Index