Auraria 2'0 and the Role of Federated Searching

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Auraria 2.0 and the Role of Federated Searching

• Auraria Library Open Forum
• 28 February 2007
• Nina Still Here McHale

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Agenda

• Web 2.0
• Library 2.0
• Auraria 2.0, today
• Auraria 2.0, tomorrow
• Usability Test (Fall 2006) results
• Role of Federated Searching
• A 2.0 Home Page

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What is Web 2.0?

• Term coined by OReilly Media in 2004
• Refers to a perceived or proposed second
  generation of Web-based servicessuch as social
  networking sites, wikis, communication tools, and
  folksonomiesthat emphasize online collaboration
  and sharing among users. (Wikipedia, emphasis
  added)
• A bunch of hype?

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What is Library 2.0?

• Based on the concept of Web 2.0 term coined by
  Michael Casey (Gwinnett County, GA, Public
  Library)
• Some characteristics (from Wikipedia Library
  2.0)
• Harness the library user in both design and
  implementation of services.
• Library users should be able to craft and modify
  library provided services.
• Continue to examine and improve services and be
  willing to replace them at any time with newer
  and better services.
• Rigidity breeds failure.
• A bunch of hype?

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What About Auraria is Already 2.0?

• Our open source software web development
  environment (UNIX/Apache/MySQL/PHP)
• Blogs Hot Topics, Research Behind the News,
  Institutional Repository Committee
• Wikis WAC, Emerging Tech, Intranet Task Force,
  Institutional Repository Committee, planned for
  future intranet
• Focusing on user feedback with usability testing

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How can we take 2.0 farther?

• Regular usability testing (each fall?)
• Web site redesign
• Federated searching

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Usability Testing, Fall 2006 What Our Patrons
Want

• Less on the home page
• too much, its overwhelming
• More visual cues, guidance, in where to start
• one has to read really all the options and
  doesnt find an important option right away
• Improved functionality the Google question
• Google is faster, easier, friendlier
• BUT, the library has great and credible
  writings if the ARE found.

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The Role of Federated Searching

• For our patrons
• Google-izes the librarys web page
• Connects users to reliable content
• While not optimum for advanced searchers, will
  increase novice user usage
• For the library
• Return on investment Marist college example
• 256 increase in Project Muse usage
• 206 increase in Science Direct usage
• 198 increase in JSTOR usage

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What do we want in a federated search product?

• Attractive user features (deduplicating results,
  print/email/save search results, compatibility
  with bibliographic tools, i.e., EndNote)
• Compatibility with existing systems and tools
  (Skyline, GoldRush, etc.)
• Affordable pricing
• Easy-to-use administration module
• A vendor-hosted service
• CUSTOMIZATION and INTEGRATION into existing web
  page

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Federated Search Products Evaluated

• CSAs Multisearch
• Webfeats Express
• Auto-Graphics AGent
• Innovatives Research Pro (formerly MetaFind)
• Serials Solutions Central Search

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CSAs Multisearch
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WebFeat Express

• Similar customization limitations as CSAs
  Multisearch
• Does allow for a Google box on a web page
• WebFeat Custom product allows for better
  customization/integration, but is prohibitively
  priced

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Auto-Graphics AGent
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Innovatives ResearchPro

• Formerly MetaFind, which was being developed for
  III by a third party
• Current release lacking in features that have
  been standard in others
• Wariness of federated search products created by
  ILS vendors tacked on services

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And the Winner Is

• Serials Solutions Central Search
• Most customizable user interface (Pitt example)
• Unique new end-user feature clustering
• Competitively priced
• Satisfaction with other SS products

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Integration into an Existing Site U of
Pittsburgh Library
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Unique Feature Clustering
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A Home Page 2.0 Possibility
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Further Info About Library 2.0

• Karen Coombs, Building a Library Web Site on the
  Pillars of Web 2.0, Computers in Libraries,
  January 2007 http//www.infotoday.com/cilmag/jan07
  /Coombs.shtml
• Michael Sauers, Library 2.0 Free Friday Forum,
  December 2006 (Power Point Slides)
• http//www.travelinlibrarian.info/presentations/S
  auers-Library2.0-2006.12.13.ppt

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Links to Resources Mentioned

• Sample Auraria blog and wiki
• Research Behind the News blog http//aurariaresea
  rchnews.blogspot.com/
• WAC wiki http//aurariawac.pbwiki.com/
• Usability testing report
• http//carbon.cudenver.edu/nmchale/usability/fina
  lreportfall2006.doc
• Home page possibility wireframe
• http//library.auraria.edu/index3.html