The needs and behaviours of library users are changing. As access to information increases, and ways to obtain information get faster and easier, libraries need to focus on discovery of library resources to ensure that we continue to meet user needs now and into the future. Discovery interfaces are one type of tool that libraries are implementing to make it easier to find relevant resources both inside and outside the library, but not without implications for user privacy and changed work practices.
Discovery layer software
Many academic and public libraries are investing in enhancements to their ILS to provide a better search experience for users. The traditional catalogue, unfriendly to users and unforgiving of both user error and changing user needs, was long overdue for an update. Discovery layer software seeks to provide a search experience that is simpler to use, but at the same time gives users more options to refine their searches and browse library resources. Software options include Innovative Interfaces' Encore, Ex Libris's Primo, AquaBrowser and Endeca. VuFind, Blacklight, eXtensible Catalog and SOPAC are Open Source alternatives. A list of software options, and the libraries that have implemented each, can be found at http://digbig.com/5bbnmr. The cost of implementation varies widely, depending on whether a software licence needs to be purchased, or staff time invested to customise and implement open source solutions.
Features of discovery layer software
Initially called ‘presentation layer' interfaces, but now more widely known as ‘discovery layer' interfaces, this software is installed as a software service on top of the library's existing ILS. The software is aimed at the end user rather than staff, and provides additional functionality such as tagging, book reviews, and faceted browsing without modifying the underlying catalogue records. Optional third party options can be added depending on the nature and needs of the institution, for example book covers and reviews are a very popular option in public libraries. Other libraries are extending the discovery aspect further and implementing products such as Serials Solutions Summon to aggregate metadata from the library's subscribed eJournals and eBooks so users can search all of the library's resources with one search.
Discovery layer software extends the existing catalogue interface and provides the ability to customise the look to the institution (for example, by adding a logo). However, functional options are often still largely unchangeable depending on the platform and so there is a great deal of similarity in the look and function of this software across different library sites. When introduced, many of these new features were disruptive - some librarians raised concerns about allowing users to add ratings and tags. Yet, anecdotally, several libraries found that the concerns were unfounded as library users were not taking the time to tag or rate items in large numbers. A few years on, now that these once Web 2.0 features are no longer so new, there is a need to focus more on search and discovery functionality, and less on the more easily implemented features like ratings and comments.
Focus on search and browsing performance
Search interfaces are now a part of many users' daily lives, whether searching the local council's website or a shopping site. Once buried within their websites, many libraries are now putting the search interface on the front page of their site. If search is to have such a prominent position, it needs to function as users expect.
Presentation of search results in any catalogue is critical. Some discovery interfaces give libraries access to adjust the software's search engine algorithm. Librarians need to allocate time to adjust and test the search engine algorithm to ensure the search experience meets user expectations. User testing is essential to ensure results rank as users expect, but users do not always agree on how they want results to be presented. For example, if there are no results for a search, some prefer to see a definitive blank page returned, as many catalogues do now. Others would prefer to see suggestions, if they made a spelling error, alternative terms, or a list of related items.
Result refinement, or faceted browsing, brings enhanced browsing to the catalogue and is a key feature of discovery interfaces. It gives users the ability to browse by author, subject, format or date published, and other options such as language.
Changes for users, and staff
New search and discovery interfaces can mean change not only for users but also for library staff. It is important to consider the impact that new interfaces will have on staff, and to give them time and support to learn new interfaces and new practices. Many catalogues had search options visible to the user that are only ever used by library staff, like searches by item number. Many catalogue interfaces provided those options as standard, bringing back office functions into the user interface. With discovery layer software, while such options may be removed from the new search interface, they are still available to staff using the underlying ILS, and often the existing catalogue interface is maintained alongside the new interface to give users, and staff, time to adjust to the new interface.
Privacy implications of discovery interfaces
Privacy is an issue yet to be broadly tackled as it relates to library catalogues. The default position for many librarians is total privacy. However, options to save your reading history have become a part of some catalogues, users are becoming more familiar with systems that recommend related items on ecommerce sites like Amazon, and some now share library items on sites such as LibraryThing. There is a need to analyse the level of privacy users are entitled to in the catalogue, and what ways data can be retained and shared. Very few libraries have changed their privacy policies to allow browsing and borrowing data to be used to provide recommendations, and those that do are generally providing data only in aggregate so that user groups cannot be identified.
There is a need for a new debate on privacy - what do we value as professionals and why- especially in an increasingly digital era where there is a growing willingness by some to share more information online, and a strong reaction against sharing by others? How do we both protect our users and embrace their ability to use data about themselves in the way that they choose? Such questions go beyond software to considerations about the role of the library in users' broader information environment. Libraries cannot change behaviour, but they can support and guide users in their use of information.
The rise of mobile devices
Despite the work libraries have already done to make their resources more findable, discovery layer software will need to evolve again, and soon. With the use of mobile devices rising, library resources need to be available on a variety of handheld and mobile devices. Other new technologies like augmented reality have the potential to bring a new level of detail to the catalogue, for example by allowing users to use their mobile phone physically to locate items of interest while they walk around the library.
Conclusion
The purpose of all these new catalogue features is to provide an enhanced search and browse experience for users that more closely meets what they want - to find relevant resources to meet their information need. Libraries are working fast to meet changing user needs, but the tools and policies used to meet those needs will need to evolve for libraries to keep pace.
Fiona Bradley is a consultant based in London. Previously, Fiona had roles in special and academic libraries including Research and Policy Officer at the University of Technology in Sydney where she was the Project Manager for the implementation of a new discovery platform that launched in 2009. She blogs at Semantic Library and can be contacted at fiona@semanticlibrary.net
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The needs and behaviours of library users are changing. As access to information increases, and ways to obtain information get faster and easier, libraries need to focus on discovery of library resources to ensure that we continue to meet user needs now and into the future. Discovery interfaces are one type of tool that libraries are implementing to make it easier to find relevant resources both inside and outside the library, but not without implications for user privacy and changed work practices.
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