08/05/2005
by:Barbara Polowy
Five College Libraries, Reference, Instruction, and Outreach Committee
Minutes of the July 22, 2005 meeting
Present: Bryan Goodwin, Margaret Groesbeck, Beth Lang, Barbara Polowy (recorder), Bonnie Vigeland (chair)
Absent: Sherre Harrington
Minutes, Annual Report
- Margaret’s corrections to the July 6 meeting minutes were approved. Bonnie will make the corrections and post the minutes to the RIO website (http://fivecolleges.edu/sites/libraries_rio/).
- Margaret will complete the annual report and circulate her draft to RIO members for review the week of July 25.
Ebsco Academic Search Premier Records
Bonnie will contact Sherre Harrington and Gai Carpenter to ask them to notify (in writing) Gary Huff to load the ASP records into the Four College Catalog.
RIO Representatives to the Aleph OPAC Design Committee
Beth and Bonnie will serve on the Aleph OPAC Design Committee.
Bryan will serve as a substitute if Beth or Bonnie is not able to attend a meeting.
Aleph OPAC Design
Based on discussions with public service librarians at each of the five colleges, committee members reviewed the basic search and results screens of the OPACs selected as good models for the Five College Catalog (at the July 6 RIO meeting) and have the following recommendations and questions.
Questions for the aleph implementation committee
1. Null keyword search: when a keyword search does not return any results, is it possible to default to an alphabetical list of words close to the search term as is the case in the III OPAC?
2. Contextual help: When users create a large set, is it possible to suggest ways to limit the number of citations (like Google)
3. If a patron limits a search to the holdings of one institution, is it possible to show the call number in the brief display (as is the case in non-consortial institutions like Alfred)
4. If a patron limits a search to the holdings of one institution, is it possible to show the full record rather than a table or brief view as the default?
Basic search screen
- One box/two boxes: No consensus on displaying two boxes (one for keyword in field, one for exact match) or one search box (conflation of keyword and exact match).
- Dropdowns: No consensus on the use of dropdown menus. MHC prefers no dropdowns, AC does not object to them.
- No consensus on the number or types of searches that should be displayed
Null search results screen
- When a search produces no results, the screen should suggest other possibilities to the user. The best solution is to default to an alphabetical list of words close to the search term in the III OPAC.
Onscreen help
- Context-specific search examples should be presented (i.e., a different example for each type of search offered.
Good examples: Alfred and Notre Dame.
-The use of long, on-screen help texts should be avoided. These could be offered through a link.
- Any on-screen help should not be placed too far down on the screen.
- When users create large sets, it would be helpful suggest ways to limit the number of citations (like Google)
Login/logout
- Users should be able to search without logging in, but should be able to log in at any point in their use of the catalog.
- A login box should be prominently displayed on every page and should include brief information about what the user can do when s/he logs in (check her account, use FC delivery, save sets, etc.).
Good example: Alfred
Search Options
- Command search should not be offered to the public
Terminology
-Keyword: “words anywhere” preferred by some
-Previous searches: “past searches” preferred
- Holdings/availability: problematical, need clearer terms
Display of catalog functions and features
- Tabs and buttons are clear way to display filters and limits on the basic search screen
Good examples: Notre Dame, CUNY, Duke
- Grouping of like functions is important (catalog searching options, patron empowerment options, filters/limits)
Good examples: MIT, Notre Dame
Bad example: Albany
Features
- “New titles” is highly recommended
Good examples: MIT, Notre Dame
Results
- Brief display
- Tabular form is the unanimous choice for a search of the full catalog (i.e., all five institutions).
Good examples: CUNY
Bad examples: MIT (too much information on first screen)
- Is it possible to show the full record rather than a table or brief view if the search is limited to the holdings of a single institution?
- Elements to display:
- Citation numbers are not needed
- no consensus on “format” (HC strongly supports)
- no consensus on “year”
- library owns/out, but no consensus on use of “1/0” convention
- A lined chart style of display at any level should be absolutely avoided
Bad example: Albany
- Highlighting search terms is strongly recommended
- Holdings/availability:
- The display of holdings and availability is of great concern and no entirely satisfactory examples were identified in any of the consortial catalogs
- If a patron is limiting a search to the holdings of only one institution, is it possible to show the call number in the brief display (as is the case in single institution catalogs like Alfred’s)
Next Meeting
August 22, 2005. Hampshire College.
Agenda: OPAC filters, limits, and possibly logical bases
