Improving the search experience: federated search and the library gateway

Abstract

Purpose -The aim of this paper is to review the evolving nature of the library web site with a focus on improving the usability of the access points to licensed and unlicensed research databases. Design/methodology/approach -The paper describes the milestones in the development of a library gateway and the incorporation of federated search into a prominent place in the gateway. Findings -Technological developments present new opportunities to extend the functionality of library systems. Achieving simplicity among the complex array of bibliographic and full text resources is critical. Originality/value -The efforts made by the library in the development of a gateway and incorporating metasearching and other tools into it have resulted in greater control over the way resources are presented to the user community.

Applying Hierarchical Task Analysis Method to Discovery Layer Evaluation

“…Jerry Caswell and John D. Wynstra studied the implementation of Ex Libris MetaLib centralized indexes based on the federated search technology at the University of Northern Iowa Library. [8] They confirmed how the easily accessible unified interface helped users to search multiple relevant databases simultaneously and more efficiently. Lyle Ford concluded that the Summon discovery layer by Serials Solutions fulfilled students' expectations to be able to search books and articles together.…”

“…Google and Amazon), (3) Enriched content (e.g. book cover images, ratings and comments), (4) Faceted navigation for search results, (5) Simple keyword search on every page, (6) More precise relevancy (with circulation statistics a contributing factor), (7) Automatic spell check, (8) Recommendations to related materials (common in commercial sites, e.g. Amazon), (9) Allowing users to add data to records (e.g.…”

“…[8][1] Yet it has been known to frustrate users, as they often do not know which databases to include in their search. Emily Alling and Rachel Naismith aggregated common findings from a number of studies involving the traditional federated search technology.…”

Leveraging Access to E-resources through Gateway: A Case Study at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi

“…Jefcoate 4 described that the project was launched with the aim of providing a well-founded service and building up exposure of British Library services and collections by adding home pages for directorates and departments. Caswell & wynstra 1 shared their experience about library gateway and elaborated that the gateway is all about providing new opportunities and extends the functionality of library systems. Achieving simplicity among the complex array of bibliographic and full-text resources is critical.…”

“…Knowledge Gateway at St. Stephen's College is an attempt to construct a single search service to save the time of users. Therefore, advancement of a gateway, adding meta searching and other tools into it have resulted in greater control over the way resources are presented to the user community 1 .…”