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Metasearch and the Public Portal
Brenda Bailey-HainerColorado State Library
PreConference on Usability Issues in Metasearch Interface Design
ALA Annual 2004
Context
Portal – guided information gateway for the public
Success of portals critical for libraries
Illustrates value of librarians in making sense of information, the Web
Metasearch essential to public portals
Context Where do public portals come
from? Public libraries Library consortia State library agencies
Context What tools are used
Portal interface/searching software Integrated library system software Resource sharing system software
Public portals access… Resources
Library catalogs Online databases – commercial & locally
created Full text from journals, books, newspapers Digitized materials from local collections Selected websites GIS maps Community information Government information Knowledge databases
Public portals access…
Interactive services Virtual reference services Online homework help Online classes State and local government services Circulation systems Interlibrary loan requesting Purchasing options
The diverse public
General population
Adults Young adults Children Students K12 educators Lifelong learners Professionals
Business community
Academic community
Voters Legislators Genealogists English language
learners Multiple cultures
Usability – two faces Front end user
Joe and Josephine Citizen Back end user
Systems administrator Interface designer Librarian/content manager
Characteristics of success – Front end users
Easy to use, intuitive Fast Links to full text transparent to end user Reliable, consistent Everything delivered right now! Personalizable at user level Aggregates information in
understandable groupings
Characteristics of success – Back end users
Flexible Easily customizable Adaptable to institution, group, state
level Easy to maintain at institution, group,
state level Recognizes different types of
authorization/authentication Recognizes users in different roles Gathers statistics for evaluation
Outputs Outcomes
Metasearch – the history
In the beginning, there were… OPACs – alone OPACs – in packs Online databases – segregated Marriage of OPACs and online databases Extended family – digitized materials,
websites Password required to join the party
authentication/authorization More services, more resources
Challenges Speed Inconsistent implementation of standards Aggregating/presenting results from
disparate resource types New - cultural heritage institution
resources Different standards, software, & record
structures Maintaining interoperability Subject headings, thesauri, terminology Integrating multiple software packages Linkages and bread trails
Metasearch – the future
Think beyond current resource targets Seamless integration of searching and
services Integration with digital government New interface viewpoints
GIS Temporal spatial access Tempo-dynamic research
Multiple user role viewpoints
Teen’s view Single search box, but— multiple windows with
multiple simultaneous activities Immediate gratification – full text, complete
object 24/7 online chat with librarian for assistance Resource targets
Websites Video clips Audio clips Animation Games Online classes Last resort – books, magazine articles
Genealogist’s view Single search box Date limit Geographic limit – place name and lat/long codes Personal name as subject and/or author Resource targets
Newspaper full text Magazine article full text Manuscripts, diaries Public records – birth, death, property Cemetery records Digital objects – photos, oral histories, video clips
Temporal spatial view Layers of photographs of same physical location over time
K12 Educators View Single search box Returns selected “best” results – not
comprehensive Grade level and reading level limits Linked to state education standards Resource targets
Websites Full text books, articles Primary source material Digital objects – photos, audio, video Educational objects Lesson plans
Information Gathering Comments submitted via website Informal discussions Review of other public portals Focus groups with target audiences
Teens, Spanish speakers, adults Cultivated reviewers
Your Perceptions approach Formal usability testing
Metasearch and the Public Portal
Lots of opportunities Lots of challenges Exciting future potential
Brenda Bailey-Hainer [email protected]
