User Expectations in the Time of Google: Usability Testing of Federated Searching

SUMMARY

As libraries expand their services into the world of federated searching, librarians need to work with users to discover what their expectations are and how the library can customize the software to meet users' expectations. This article describes the user testing performed at Texas A&M University during 2005 as the libraries implemented a new federated search service called Search Now (ExLibris' MetaLib). Over fifty volunteers–including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and library faculty and staff–helped to test the new system and offered suggestions for improvements. Problems were noted and, where possible, modifications were made to improve results. These modifications were then tested again. Major issues noted during the usability testing included: user expectations of search performance; information included in and the layout of the search results; availability of advanced search options; and lack of ability to limit by format, scholarly nature of journal, date and full-text availability. Suggestions for further development are also presented.     

Planning and Implementing a Federated Searching System: An Examination of the Crucial Roles of Technical,Functional, and Usability Testing

SUMMARY

Federated searching software offers much promise to users as a convenient way of accessing the wealth of electronic information resources libraries provide. But metasearching is not the same as Google searching; care must be taken in organizing and presenting search options and results so that they are comprehensible to users. From software installation to usability testing and creating documentation, most of the work of implementation is behind-the-scenes and hidden from most library staff and users; however, the decisions made during implementation greatly affect staff and user experiences with the product as well as its overall utility and usability. Systematic testing of the product is necessary to make informed and defensible decisions. This article details three layers of testing (technical, functional, and usability) recommended during implementation of a federated search product, based on best practices in the literature, metasearch standards, and the authors' own experiences with implementing a locally developed broadcast search system and the federated search system WebFeat.     

Understanding Vendor Data with Federated Searching

ABSTRACT

Federated searching options are offered by academic libraries as a way to simplify using varied electronic resources while simulating a popular Internet search engine. While search results may satisfy the novice user, more senior, sophisticated researchers often prefer using the proprietary, native interfaces of the specific resource. This study investigates one university's encounter with a federated search portal and analyzes usage and effectiveness through vendor-provided data. Statistical reports indicate patron use despite the lack of promotion and instruction, no significant differences in completion of searches between access methods, and the distribution of access methods for freely available Internet resources. Avenues for further research are also presented.     

A Nontraditional Application of MetaSearch

ABSTRACT

Federated searching has become an increasingly popular way for academic libraries to provide access to their diverse and rapidly growing collections of electronic resources. IUPUI University Library handled the implementation of its federated search project somewhat differently than many academic libraries. The cornerstone of their efforts was to not only create a gateway to the library's electronic resources, but to build upon previous experience as a beta site for Ex Libris' SFX cross-referencing software by using MetaSearch in conjunction with SFX to permit teaching faculty to link to online bibliographies through the university's course management system, Oncourse. Issues of working with two closed systems needed to be overcome, but a product resulted that was embraced by the faculty and gave direction for future developments. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_04     

Federated Searching

ABSTRACT

With an increasing number of libraries implementing federated searching to help users negotiate the complex electronic database environment, it is important to note how users are being instructed to use these resources. This article presents the results of examinations of the Web sites of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions that currently use federated search products. It analyzes help guides and search tips related to federated searching to determine what concepts are being explained to users and how the information is being communicated. The result of the evaluation of these Web sites is a list of “best practice” guidelines that may be used by librarians creating their own federated searching guides. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_03     

A Review of “Technology and Literacy: 21st Century Library Programming for Children and Teens”

ABSTRACT

Given the endless volume of information available today, searchers are forced to satisfice when searching. The first satisfactory alternative is chosen over the best. Digital library search services, however, do not support satisficing users. There is no single, simple, comprehensive search service available to end-users to meet their need to gather information on alternatives from all information repositories accessible through a digital library. Federated search services bridge the gap between satisficing searchers and today's digital libraries.     

Initiating the Learning Process

ABSTRACT

Access to federated search tools is increasing and many academic libraries are now looking beyond implementation, and are considering the broader implications of federated searching such as its impact on information literacy programs. Although this emerging technology is still experiencing acknowledged growing pains, its potential for transforming the way students conduct research is promising. Reviewing information seeking behavior research and analyzing how federated searching fits within the Association of College and Research Libraries' Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (2000) enables academic librarians to consider an integrative instructional model that utilizes federated searching as a way of initiating the learning process. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_01     

Librarian Perspectives on Teaching Metasearch and Federated Search Technologies

ABSTRACT

This article explores three assessment projects: two focused on librarians' reactions to metasearch technologies from a reference and information literacy perspective, and one user survey that attempts to capture student experiences, understanding, and satisfaction with metasearching at California State University Northridge. Exploring both librarian and user reactions to metasearch and federated search interface technologies in academic libraries, the authors review what the literature reveals about these technologies and their impact on information literacy initiatives. Emphasis focuses on how federated searching technologies affect librarians, students, the marketing of existing library and electronic databases, and information literacy instructional programming. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_02     

Known-Item Searching on the World Wide Web

Abstract

With the explosion of the World Wide Web, numerous search engines have proliferated online, claiming to be the best, fastest, or most accurate. Though each product is slightly different from the others in its presentation and search architecture, what all are providing is keyword searching of the Web's millions of pages. However, there are circumstances, just like in a library catalog, where an individual may want to perform a known-item search rather than a keyword search. The purpose of this paper was to discover whether known-item searches are possible with some of the Web's most popular search engines, and if the results retrieved using such a search would be satisfactory to a user. The author tested and compared four major Web search engines, using the most sophisticated search techniques available. Thirty-nine sites were selected and searched by title, and ranked according to the relevance and order of the displayed results.     

Challenges for Federated Searching

ABSTRACT

This article looks at the current capabilities of federated search software applications which search multiple full text e-journal databases. It also considers the developing capability to search journal content over the World Wide Web. Advances in federated searching are considered, such as standardized XML based searching, subject subdivided searching, linking services and Web indexing of formerly proprietary content. Despite these advances, federated searching of e-content so far falls short of its potential and of user expectations. The article looks at developments which are still needed to create a unified cross-searchable electronic content environment out of the current collection of separate e-content sources. It explores a number of challenges which must be overcome by e-content and software vendors, network developers and libraries to allow federated search and access to rise to a new level well beyond current limited capabilities. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_08     

Preparing Staff for Federated Searching: A Community of Practice Approach

ABSTRACT

This article outlines one library's staff-training program for a newly implemented federated search product and lessons learned from the process. The discussion examines federated searching from the patron's point of view and introduces a community of practice approach to training staff. The approach aims to help staff learn how to embrace federated searching as an additional research tool to complement search features already in place.     

Exploring Virtual Librarianship: Second Life Library 2.0

ABSTRACT

In April 2006, Alliance Library System and Online Programming for All Libraries partnered to start the Second Life Library 2.0 in the online world Second Life and in August 2006 purchased an island on the Teen grid of Teen Second Life. Second Life is a virtual world, a descendant of multiplayer online games. Educational institutions have recently been drawn into Second Life's robust economy and vibrant cultural life. The Second Life Library 2.0 works with librarians from around the world and with other educational partners such as TechSoup, WorldBridges, and the New Media Consortium. Second Life Library 2.0 provides “traditional” library services such as ready reference, book discussions, and search assistance, but, at heart, it explores what it means to be a virtual library in a virtual world.     

How to Trap the Network Intruder

Abstract

There is a level of sensitivity to almost all data, but what is most important — keeping sensitive data sensitive or guaranteeing the integrity of the data? When it comes to sensitivity or integrity, access control models have provided several options. Yet, wouldn't a combination of access control models provide a more desirable result than just settling for one? Is it possible to have a slice of data sensitivity with a dollop of data integrity? In finding the answer to this question it must be understood exactly what an access control model is and, in terms of sensitivity and integrity, which models provide the best security.     

Collaboration to Build a Meaningful Connection Between Library Content and the Researcher

Europeana Libraries is an EU-funded project that brings together the key networks of CENL (Conference of European National Librarians), LIBER (Association of European Research Libraries), CERL (Consortium of European Research Libraries), and the Europeana Foundation.

Together, they are uniting to accomplish the following objectives:

??Build a platform capable of large-scale aggregation of national and research libraries' collections;

??Feed this newly-aggregated content into a new website, specifically aimed at meeting the needs of digital humanities researchers, as well as to Europeana;

??Improve metadata quality, to address the need for better search results in both Europeana and the new portal;

??Offer digital collections where the text will be ready to be made fully searchable, making it possible to search inside books and other materials; and

??Develop an exploitation plan to prepare the service for its extension, initially to other libraries within the membership of LIBER, CERL, and CENL, as well as beyond the consortium partners

Nineteen European research libraries from across Europe are participating by adding first-class digital content, including 5.1 million pages, videos, books, theses, and articles, via Europeana Libraries to Europeana.

It is widely accepted that ease of access and, particularly, the one-stop shop approach, are favored by researchers as a clean and efficient way to access digital content. As well as ease of access, quality-assured content is of equal importance. Europeana Libraries addresses this issue directly by taking content from Europe's research libraries, where confidence can be placed in the metadata and the quality of the imaging. The development of full-text indexing as part of Europeana Libraries is of great importance as it will deliver a first-class tool for researchers, enabling them to undertake both deep textual analysis and types of research that are simply not possible in a paper environment.

In an environment where digitized and born digital content is growing at an accelerated pace, Europeana Libraries shows how previously disparate institutions can work together to seize the opportunities this presents and help libraries and researchers exploit the benefits of digital cultural heritage.     

Supporting the semi-automatic semantic annotation of web services: A systematic literature review

ContextSemantically annotating web services is gaining more attention as an important aspect to support the automatic matchmaking and composition of web services. Therefore, the support of well-known and agreed ontologies and tools for the semantical annotation of web services is becoming a key concern to help the diffusion of semantic web services.ObjectiveThe objective of this systematic literature review is to summarize the current state-of-the-art for supporting the semantical annotation of web services by providing answers to a set of research questions.MethodThe review follows a predefined procedure that involves automatically searching well-known digital libraries. As a result, a total of 35 primary studies were identified as relevant. A manual search led to the identification of 9 additional primary studies that were not reported during the automatic search of the digital libraries. Required information was extracted from these 44 studies against the selected research questions and finally reported.ResultsOur systematic literature review identified some approaches available for semantically annotating functional and non-functional aspects of web services. However, many of the approaches are either not validated or the validation done lacks credibility.ConclusionWe believe that a substantial amount of work remains to be done to improve the current state of research in the area of supporting semantic web services.     

Wanted,Dead or Alive: Federated Searching for a Statewide Virtual Library

SUMMARY

Federated search solutions have strengths and weaknesses that are appraised by librarians in light of Google. Consortial implementations have unique needs that require solutions to be scalable and flexible. GALILEO, Georgia's Virtual Library, recently selected two federated search solutions in order to meet the needs of its consortium, which includes 400 academic, K-12, and public libraries. GALILEO works with the communities to develop the system collaboratively. Implementations should be based on user behavior. Federated search should be evaluated on its own terms as another tool, not as another Google.     

Supporting multilinguality in library automation systems using ai tools

Language barriers present a major problem in the effectiveness of resource sharing and in common access to the resources of libraries. In this paper we present the TRANSLIB system, which consists of an integration of both new and existing multilingual information tools. This system takes full advantage of some AI-based methods in order to provide multilingual access to library catalogues. Its main features include functionalities for searching in multiple languages, multilingual presentation of the query results, and localization of the user interface. TRANSLIB has currently been tested in existing medium-sized bibliographic databases. Evaluation results show a remarkable improvement in the search process and report high user friendliness and easy and low-cost maintenance and upgrade of the system.     

Continuing the Quest for the Quick Search Holy Grail

ABSTRACT

This article describes the selection, implementation, configuration, and assessment of a proprietary federated search product. The decisions made and processes used to facilitate the implementation are outlined. Users' perception of the product based on a usability study and survey responses are presented. Also described are unique and innovative implementations of the software within Oregon State University libraries and the application of this experience to the creation of a homegrown open source federated search tool.     

A Review of “A Librarian's Guide to an Uncertain Job Market”

SUMMARY

The reference collections of most research libraries contain a readily identifiable collection of standard paper sources used in locating tests and test-related materials for education and psychology. Yet currently there is no electronic equivalent, no set of Internet resources that has been identified as constituting an online literature on tests and measurements. This study attempts to investigate what resources are now available on the Internet for tests and measurements, and identifies the most useful ones. In order to keep the study manageable, the emphasis is on resources for psychological testing, with some educational psychology materials included as well. Whenever possible, evaluative summaries of these resources have been included.