Keyword Search = "Improve Discovery Systems"

Webinar

About the Webinar

The "single search box" approach of web search engines like Google and Bing have forced libraries and system developers to rethink their whole approach to end-user searching for library and publisher resources and electronic content. Discovery systems are continuing to evolve from simple keyword search systems, to more elaborate indexed discovery, to new forms of usage-based discovery and beyond. Because discovery of content is such a critical component of library services, understanding in what potential ways these systems will develop is critical for library staff, either when selecting a system, or seeking ways to improve its service. NISO launched a research study in early 2014 on the status of discovery systems, their potential future development directions, and the systems interoperability needs of these services.

This webinar will cover some of the latest developments of library discovery systems as well as discuss the findings of the NISO research study, and the implications of those results.

Event Sessions

Introduction

Speaker

Differential Discovery: Effect of Discovery on Online Journal Usage

Speakers

John McDonald

Director, Information & Bibliographic Management & Faculty Relations, Libraries, Claremont University Consortium
Claremont University Consortium

Jason Price

PhD, Collections and Acquisitions Services Manager at Claremont Colleges Library and Eresource Package Analyst Consultant for the SCELC Consortium

In the first large-scale study of the effect of discovery systems on online journals usage, the authors developed a statistically significant model that determined that the four major discovery systems affect various publishers and a range of academic libraries to different degrees. The authors will provide an overview of that research and also present some hypotheses for why there are differential effects across discovery systems on usage and discuss potential methods that vendors, libraries, and publishers can implement to customize and localize the performance of the discovery system for improved journal usage or other possible effects that libraries have in mind when implementing a discovery system.

A Single Search Box is Definitely Not Enough

Speaker

Everyone gets excited about the concept of a single search box and the amount of content that is available for discovery. ProQuest recognizes the importance of both—but there’s so much more to delivering a good research experience. Users need better access to content, more librarian guidance, and tools to store, share and collaborate the content that they are accessing. Over the past year ProQuest has enriched its discovery services with the understanding that user experience matters, and that institutional enrichment, patron insights and researcher workflow are keys to ensuring users maximize what the library has to offer through discovery. This session will bring forward a fresh perspective on how a librarian- and user-centric approach with discovery can influence both academic and institutional outcomes.

Question
One of the challenges in large aggregations is diverse vocabulary schemes used in source metadata, particularly subjects... To what extent does this hinder user discovery and what should be done?
Answer

There are several ways that vocabulary differences are compensated for by Discovery engines. First, like traditional Search engines, Discovery services can accommodate synonym dictionaries, which essentially perform searches using the input term/phrase and its equivlents. That assumes the synonyms have been defined and incorporated into the system.

For the most part, however, Discovery services can usually generate good results even without these synonyms. Because modern Discovery services are based on full text indexes, they use more than metadata in the calculation of relevance. While the metadata may use specific terms to describe the content, it's highly likely that the full-text will use a wider variety of terms. If it does, the presence of those terms will make the article/holding more relevant and rank it more highly in the search results.

Question
A number of comments have been made with this phrasing "If discovery is working well, then ...." How would the panelists define "working well" and advise librarians to think about the criteria for judging "working well"?
Answer

I think that when a business is working well, it's satisfying its customers and its stakeholders. In the case of Discovery, I would judge "working well" to mean that use of the service is increasing on a per-person basis, and that users are finding the materials they are looking for (identifies via survey or other means). One can argue whether increasing use means people are finding what they need, or not finding it. But, my belief and experience is that when a service works well, people use it more.

In the case of stakeholders (institution management), I suspect "success" is defined as knowledge that their investment is well spent--that the library can establish that subscribed-to content is being used and there are metrics which ​show patron engagement.

Library Resource Discovery: Next Steps

Speaker

Based on issues covered in an upcoming NISO white paper he is developing, Marshall Breeding will discuss some of the anticipated developments that might benefit the arena of library resource discovery. Some themes will include the gaps in the current generation of discovery services relative to library expectations, role of linked data to enhance discovery, the possibilities for open source software and open access discovery indexes, and some other future trends in the development of discovery services.

Additional Information

  • Registration closes at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on November 12, 2014. Cancellations made by November 5, 2013 will receive a refund, less a $25 cancellation. After that date, there are no refunds.
  • Registrants will receive detailed instructions about accessing the webinar via e-mail the Monday prior to the event. (Anyone registering between Monday and the close of registration will receive the message shortly after the registration is received, within normal business hours.) Due to the widespread use of spam blockers, filters, out of office messages, etc., it is your responsibility to contact the NISO office if you do not receive login instructions.
  • If you have not received your Login Instruction email by 10:00 a.m. (ET) on the Tuesday before the webinar, at please contact the NISO office or email Juliana Wood, Educational Programs Manager at jwood@niso.org for immediate assistance.
  • Registration is per site (access for one computer) and includes access to the online recorded archive of the webinar. You may have as many people as you like from the registrant's organization view the webinar from that one connection. If you need additional connections, you will need to enter a separate registration for each connection needed.
  • If you are registering someone else from your organization, either use that person's e-mail address when registering or contact Juliana Wood to provide alternate contact information.
  • Library Standards Alliance (LSA) members receive one free webinar connection as part of their membership and DO NOT need to register for the event for this free connection. Your webinar contact will receive the login instructions the Monday before the event. You may have as many people as you like from the member's library view the webinar from that one connection. If you need additional connections beyond the free one, then you will need to enter a paid registration (at the member rate) for each additional connection required.
  • Webinar presentation slides and Q&A will be posted to the site following the live webinar.
  • Registrants and LSA member webinar contacts will receive an e-mail message containing access information to the archived webinar recording within 48 hours after the event. This recording access is only to be used by the registrant's or member's organization.

Event Dates

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Fees

Registration Costs

  • NISO Member
    • $95.00 (US and Canada)
    • $109.00 (International)
  • NASIG Member
    • $95.00
  • Non-Member
    • $125.00 (US and Canada)
    • $149.00 (International)
  • Student
    • $49.00