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Information Technology. 17:610:550. September 9th, 2010.

Next-Generation Library Catalogs

Terminology:

Legacy Catalog – Current form of library catalog interface of the last few decades; lacks intuitive features needed to attract Web “crowd.”

Integrated Library System (ILS) – A database search interface which separates each library section into multiple searchable databases; limited to library’s immediate resources.

Link-Resolver – Any hyperlink connecting a user from a result to an actual resource i.e. full-text articles or an ILS service.

Federated Search – Any search which draws from multiple resources not under the same

Relevancy Ranking – Ordering search results according to what will most likely satisfy the user, “best match.”

Faceted Navigation – The ability to narrow a search.

Enhanced Content – Any non-essential data added to a search result to provide the user with peripheral information i.e. cover art, reviews, liner notes.

PROS CONS Options for implementation based

on a library’s size, budget and needs.

Works with any library’s existing ILS.

Has strong visual appeal and

Not widely used in the United States.

Technology may be confusing or frustrating for long-time patrons

M. Chu, R. Dement, D. DeCicco, and A. Zintl. Page 1


customization options. Search Results: Word Clouds,

Faceted Navigation, Relevancy Ranking.

AquaBrowser.

PROS CONS Any organization can implement

Endeca. Relevancy Ranking, Faceted

Navigation Provides flexibility for how a

library or organization uses it.

Requires considerable time and attention to implement.

Decisions about search engine configuration must be made by the library.

Not a library interface; search engine only.

Endeca.

Encore.PROS CONS

Compatible with Millenium, Innovative Interfaces (ILS).

Search box can be embedded anywhere on site.

Relevancy Ranking, Faceted Navigation, Tag Cloud, Enriched Content.

Need to upload catalog from previous ILS.

Level of enriched content option dependent on library’s subscription level.

Encore.

Primo.PROS CONS

Can receive article-level uploads. Relevancy Ranking, Faceted

Navigation, Federated Search, Personalized Features and User Tagging.

Access to electronic resources only available with purchase of MetaLib software.

Slanted towards needs of academic and research libraries.



WorldCat Local.

Other examples of Online Catalogs include:

Polaris: Employs Relevancy Ranking, Faceted Navigation, “Did you mean…?”, RSS feeds and a “Related Searches” feature.

Evergreen: Open Source system which provides relevant search terms (authors, series, subjects) in a toolbar on the left.

Koha: Open Source system with Enhanced Content, Relevancy Ranking and Faceted Navigation.

LibraryThing for Libraries: A Social-networking site that allows the user to create an online collection of books in their personal libraries.

Information drawn from:


PROS CONS Searches entire OCLC (Online

Computer Library Center) geographically.

Lists findings in local library first and proceeds onto the nearest location.

Provides on-screen link to ILS services.

Only searches OCLC database. Lacks intuitive spelling (Did you

mean..?) and functioning “Back” button.

Will likely require two accounts for both the library and WorldCat.


Breeding, Marshall. (2007). Library Technology Reports, 43(4), 5-42.

For Further Reading:

Antelman, Kristin, Emily Lynema, and Andrew K. Pace. (2006). Toward a 21st Century Library Catalog. Information Technology and Libraries, 25 (3), 128-139.

Casey, Michael E. and Laura Savestinuk. (2006). Library 2.0: Services for the Next Generation Library. Library Journal, 14.


Education

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