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 Bailey_b@cde.state.co.us