discoverlibrary and the new generation of library interfaces vanderbilt university libraries glb...
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Abstract One of the major trends in library automation over the last few years involves the development of a new generation of interfaces to provide access to library collections and services through a more contemporary Web environment. Primo stands as one of several competing products in this area. These products share a number of broad characteristics and features, aiming to be more in tune with the way that library patrons approach the Web today. Marshall Breeding will give an overview of the new generation library interface arena, providing some points of perspective and comparison as we proceed with the deployment of Primo on our libraries. Marshall has given versions of this presentation to a number of library audiences, nationally and internationally. One of the major trends in library automation over the last few years involves the development of a new generation of interfaces to provide access to library collections and services through a more contemporary Web environment. Primo stands as one of several competing products in this area. These products share a number of broad characteristics and features, aiming to be more in tune with the way that library patrons approach the Web today. Marshall Breeding will give an overview of the new generation library interface arena, providing some points of perspective and comparison as we proceed with the deployment of Primo on our libraries. Marshall has given versions of this presentation to a number of library audiences, nationally and internationally.TRANSCRIPT
DiscoverLibrary and the New DiscoverLibrary and the New Generation of Library Generation of Library
InterfacesInterfaces
Vanderbilt University LibrariesGLB Classroom
February 25, 2008
::A Context for PrimoA Context for Primo• Marshall BreedingMarshall Breeding• Director for Innovative Technologies and ResearchDirector for Innovative Technologies and Research• Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University• http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breedinghttp://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breeding• http://www.librarytechnology.orghttp://www.librarytechnology.org
AbstractAbstractOne of the major trends in library automation over the last One of the major trends in library automation over the last few years involves the development of a new generation few years involves the development of a new generation of interfaces to provide access to library collections and of interfaces to provide access to library collections and services through a more contemporary Web environment. services through a more contemporary Web environment. Primo stands as one of several competing products in this Primo stands as one of several competing products in this area. These products share a number of broad area. These products share a number of broad characteristics and features, aiming to be more in tune characteristics and features, aiming to be more in tune with the way that library patrons approach the Web today. with the way that library patrons approach the Web today. Marshall Breeding will give an overview of the new Marshall Breeding will give an overview of the new generation library interface arena, providing some points generation library interface arena, providing some points of perspective and comparison as we proceed with the of perspective and comparison as we proceed with the deployment of Primo on our libraries. Marshall has given deployment of Primo on our libraries. Marshall has given versions of this presentation to a number of library versions of this presentation to a number of library audiences, nationally and internationally.audiences, nationally and internationally.
Crowded Landscape of Crowded Landscape of Information Providers on the Information Providers on the WebWeb• Lots of non-library Web destinations Lots of non-library Web destinations
deliver content to library patrons deliver content to library patrons – Google ScholarGoogle Scholar– AmazonAmazon– WikipediaWikipedia– Ask.comAsk.com
• Do Library Web sites and catalogs meet Do Library Web sites and catalogs meet the information needs of our users?the information needs of our users?
• Do they attract their interest?Do they attract their interest?
Troubling statisticTroubling statisticWhere do you typically begin Where do you typically begin
your search for information on your search for information on a particular topic?a particular topic?
College Students Response:College Students Response:• 89%89% Search engines (Google 62%)Search engines (Google 62%)• 2%2% Library Web Site (total respondents -> Library Web Site (total respondents ->
1%)1%)• 2%2% Online DatabaseOnline Database• 1% 1% E-mailE-mail• 1% 1% Online NewsOnline News• 1% 1% Online bookstoresOnline bookstores• 0% 0% Instant Messaging / Online ChatInstant Messaging / Online Chat
OCLC. Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources (2005) p. 1-17.
The best Library OPAC?The best Library OPAC?
Demand for compelling library Demand for compelling library interfacesinterfaces• Urgent need for libraries to offer Urgent need for libraries to offer
interfaces their users will like to useinterfaces their users will like to use• Move out of the 1990’sMove out of the 1990’s• Powerful search capabilities in tune with Powerful search capabilities in tune with
how the Web works todayhow the Web works today• User expectations set by other Web User expectations set by other Web
destinationdestination• Eg: iLink / iBistro introduced in 2000Eg: iLink / iBistro introduced in 2000
Inadequacy of ILS OPACs Inadequacy of ILS OPACs • Online Catalog modules provided with an ILS Online Catalog modules provided with an ILS
subject to broad criticism as failing to meet subject to broad criticism as failing to meet expectations of growing segments of library expectations of growing segments of library patrons.patrons.
• Not great at delivering electronic contentNot great at delivering electronic content• Complex text-based interfacesComplex text-based interfaces• Relatively weak keyword search enginesRelatively weak keyword search engines• Lack of good relevancy sortingLack of good relevancy sorting• Narrow scope of contentNarrow scope of content
Typical Library Web site Typical Library Web site componentscomponents• Books: Library OPAC (ILS module)Books: Library OPAC (ILS module)• Articles: Aggregated content products, e-journal Articles: Aggregated content products, e-journal
collectionscollections• OpenURL linking servicesOpenURL linking services• E-journal finding aids (Often managed by link E-journal finding aids (Often managed by link
resolver)resolver)• Local digital collectionsLocal digital collections
– ETDs, photos, rich media collectionsETDs, photos, rich media collections• Metasearch enginesMetasearch engines• All searched separatelyAll searched separately
Change underwayChange underway• Widespread dissatisfaction with most of Widespread dissatisfaction with most of
the current OPACs. Many efforts toward the current OPACs. Many efforts toward next-generation catalogs and interfaces.next-generation catalogs and interfaces.
• Movement among libraries to break out of Movement among libraries to break out of the current mold of library catalogs and the current mold of library catalogs and offer new interfaces better suited to the offer new interfaces better suited to the expectations of library users. expectations of library users.
• Decoupling of the front-end interface from Decoupling of the front-end interface from the back-end library automation system.the back-end library automation system.
Working toward a new Working toward a new generation of library interfacesgeneration of library interfaces• Redefinition of the “library catalog”Redefinition of the “library catalog”• Traditional notions of the library Traditional notions of the library
catalog are being questionedcatalog are being questioned• Better information delivery toolsBetter information delivery tools• More powerful search capabilitiesMore powerful search capabilities• More elegant presentationMore elegant presentation
Redefinition of library Redefinition of library catalogscatalogs• More comprehensive information discovery More comprehensive information discovery
environmentsenvironments• It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited
to print resourcesto print resources• Digital resources cannot be an afterthoughtDigital resources cannot be an afterthought• Forcing users to use different interfaces Forcing users to use different interfaces
depending on type of content becoming less depending on type of content becoming less tenabletenable
• Libraries working toward consolidated search Libraries working toward consolidated search environments that give equal footing to digital environments that give equal footing to digital and print resourcesand print resources
Comprehensive Search Comprehensive Search ServiceService• More like OAIMore like OAI
– Open Archives InitiativeOpen Archives Initiative– Consolidated search services based on Consolidated search services based on
metadata and data gathered in advancemetadata and data gathered in advance• Problems of scale diminishedProblems of scale diminished• Problems of cooperation persistProblems of cooperation persist• Eg: Royal Library of Denmark Eg: Royal Library of Denmark
Web 2.0 FlavoringsWeb 2.0 Flavorings• A more social and collaborative A more social and collaborative
approachapproach• Web Tools and technology that foster Web Tools and technology that foster
collaborationcollaboration• Blogs, wiki, blogs, tagging, social Blogs, wiki, blogs, tagging, social
bookmarking, user rating, user bookmarking, user rating, user reviewsreviews
Web 2.0 supporting Web 2.0 supporting technologiestechnologies• Web servicesWeb services• XML APIsXML APIs• AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and
XML)XML)
The holy grail of New Gen The holy grail of New Gen Library InterfacesLibrary Interfaces• A single point of entry into all the A single point of entry into all the
content and services offered by the content and services offered by the librarylibrary
• Print + ElectronicPrint + Electronic• Local + RemoteLocal + Remote• Locally created ContentLocally created Content
Interface expectationsInterface expectations• Millennial generation library users are well Millennial generation library users are well
acclimated to the Webacclimated to the Web• Used to relevancy rankingUsed to relevancy ranking
– The “good stuff” should be listed firstThe “good stuff” should be listed first– Users tend not to delve deep into a result listUsers tend not to delve deep into a result list– Good relevancy requires a sophisticated approach, Good relevancy requires a sophisticated approach,
including objective matching criteria supplemented by including objective matching criteria supplemented by popularity and relatedness factors.popularity and relatedness factors.
• ““Did you mean?” and other features to avoid “No Did you mean?” and other features to avoid “No results found”results found”
• More like thisMore like this
Interface expectations Interface expectations (cont…)(cont…)• Very rapid response. Users have a low tolerance for Very rapid response. Users have a low tolerance for
slow systemsslow systems• Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating
scores, etc.scores, etc.• Let users drill down through the result set Let users drill down through the result set
incrementally narrowing the fieldincrementally narrowing the field• Faceted BrowsingFaceted Browsing
– Drill-down vs up-front Boolean or “Advanced Search”Drill-down vs up-front Boolean or “Advanced Search”– gives the users clues about the number of hits in each sub gives the users clues about the number of hits in each sub
topictopic– Ability to explore collections without Ability to explore collections without a prioria priori knowledge knowledge
• Navigational Bread crumbs Navigational Bread crumbs
Appropriate organizational Appropriate organizational structuresstructures• LCSH vs FAST (Faceted Application of LCSH vs FAST (Faceted Application of
Subject Terminology)Subject Terminology)• Full MARC vs Dublin Core or MODSFull MARC vs Dublin Core or MODS• Discipline-specific thesauri or Discipline-specific thesauri or
ontologiesontologies• ““tags”tags”
Deep searchDeep search• Increasing opportunities to search the full Increasing opportunities to search the full
contentscontents– Google Library Print, Google Publisher, Open Google Library Print, Google Publisher, Open
Content Alliance, Microsoft Live Book Search, etc.Content Alliance, Microsoft Live Book Search, etc.– High-quality metadata will improve search High-quality metadata will improve search
precisionprecision• Commercial search providers already offer Commercial search providers already offer
“search inside the book”“search inside the book”• No comprehensive full text search for books No comprehensive full text search for books
quite yetquite yet• Not currently available through library search Not currently available through library search
environmentsenvironments
Beyond DiscoveryBeyond Discovery• Fulfillment orientedFulfillment oriented• Search -> select -> viewSearch -> select -> view• Delivery/Fulfillment much harder Delivery/Fulfillment much harder
than discoverythan discovery• Back-end complexity should be as Back-end complexity should be as
seamless as possible to the userseamless as possible to the user
Library-specific FeaturesLibrary-specific Features• Appropriate relevance factorsAppropriate relevance factors
– Objective keyword ranking + Library Objective keyword ranking + Library weightingsweightings
– Circulation frequency, OCLC holdings, Circulation frequency, OCLC holdings, scholarly contentscholarly content
• Results grouping (FRBR)Results grouping (FRBR)• Collection focused (vs sales-driven)Collection focused (vs sales-driven)
Enterprise IntegrationEnterprise Integration• Ability to deliver content and Ability to deliver content and
services through non-library services through non-library applicationsapplications
• Campus portal solutionsCampus portal solutions• CoursewareCourseware• Social networking environmentsSocial networking environments• Search portals / Feed aggregators Search portals / Feed aggregators
Smart and SophisticatedSmart and Sophisticated• Much more difficult than old gen Much more difficult than old gen
OPACSOPACS• Not a dumbed-down approachNot a dumbed-down approach• Wed library specific requirements Wed library specific requirements
and expectations with e-commerce and expectations with e-commerce technologiestechnologies
Architecture and StandardsArchitecture and Standards• Need to have an standard approach Need to have an standard approach
for connecting new generation for connecting new generation interfaces with ILS and other interfaces with ILS and other repositoriesrepositories
• Proprietary and Proprietary and ad hocad hoc methods methods currently prevailcurrently prevail
• Digital Library FederationDigital Library Federation– ILS-Discovery Interface Group ILS-Discovery Interface Group
New-Gen Library New-Gen Library InterfacesInterfaces
Current Commercial and Open Current Commercial and Open Source ProductsSource Products
Common characteristicsCommon characteristics• Decoupled interfaceDecoupled interface• Mass export of catalog dataMass export of catalog data• Alternative search engineAlternative search engine• Alternative interfaceAlternative interface• Hooks back into the ILS for holdings Hooks back into the ILS for holdings
and patron servicesand patron services
Endeca Guided NavigationEndeca Guided Navigation• North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/• McMaster UniversityMcMaster University
http://libcat.mcmaster.ca/http://libcat.mcmaster.ca/• Phoenix Public LibraryPhoenix Public Library
http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/• Florida Center for Library AutomationFlorida Center for Library Automation
http://catalog.fcla.edu/ux.jsphttp://catalog.fcla.edu/ux.jsp
AquaBrowser LibraryAquaBrowser Library• Queens Borough Public LibraryQueens Borough Public Library
– http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/• Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma State University
– http://boss.library.okstate.edu/http://boss.library.okstate.edu/• University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
– http://lens.lib.uchicago.edu/http://lens.lib.uchicago.edu/
Ex Libris PrimoEx Libris Primo• Discovery and Delivery platform for Discovery and Delivery platform for
academic librariesacademic libraries• Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University
http://alphasearch.library.vanderbilt.eduhttp://alphasearch.library.vanderbilt.edu• University of Minnesota University of Minnesota
http://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_librhttp://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIary/libweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIESES
• University of IowaUniversity of Iowahttp://smartsearch.uiowa.edu/http://smartsearch.uiowa.edu/
Encore from Innovative Encore from Innovative InterfacesInterfaces• Designed for academic, public and special Designed for academic, public and special
librarieslibraries• Nashville Public LibraryNashville Public Library
http://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/aphttp://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/appp
• Scottsdale Public LibraryScottsdale Public Libraryhttp://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/app
• Yale University Lillian Goldman Law Yale University Lillian Goldman Law LibraryLibraryhttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/app
OCLC Worldcat LocalOCLC Worldcat Local• OCLC Worldcat customized for local OCLC Worldcat customized for local
library cataloglibrary catalog– Relies on hooks into ILS for local servicesRelies on hooks into ILS for local services– Tied to library holdings set in WorldCatTied to library holdings set in WorldCat
• University of Washington LibrariesUniversity of Washington Librarieshttp://uwashington.worldcat.org/http://uwashington.worldcat.org/
• University of California Melvyl CatalogUniversity of California Melvyl Catalog
SirsiDynixSirsiDynix• No faceted search product currently No faceted search product currently
available:available:– Enterprise Portal SolutionEnterprise Portal Solution– Rooms / SchoolRoomsRooms / SchoolRooms– iLink / iBistro (legacy)iLink / iBistro (legacy)
• Product based on FAST announced in Product based on FAST announced in March 2006 – withdrawnMarch 2006 – withdrawn
• Product based on Brainware Globalbrain Product based on Brainware Globalbrain announced in Nov 2007announced in Nov 2007
VUFind – Villanova VUFind – Villanova UniversityUniversityBased on Apache Solr search Based on Apache Solr search
toolkittoolkithttp://www.vufind.org/http://www.vufind.org/
Library-developed solutionsLibrary-developed solutions• eXtensible CatalogeXtensible Catalog• University of Rochester – River University of Rochester – River
Campus LibrariesCampus Libraries• Financial support from the Andrew Financial support from the Andrew
W. Mellon FoundationW. Mellon Foundation• http://www.extensiblecatalog.info/http://www.extensiblecatalog.info/
For more informationFor more informationNext Generation Next Generation
Library Catalogs by Library Catalogs by Marshall BreedingMarshall Breeding
Library Technology Library Technology Reports June/July Reports June/July 20072007
ALA TechSourceALA TechSource
Questions and DiscussionQuestions and Discussion