Discovery: useful resources
Below is a collection of useful reports, websites, blogposts etc. relevant to different aspects of discovery:
A Very Small Pond: Discovery Systems That Can Be Used with FOLIO in Academic Libraries
Aaron Neslin & Jaime Taylor. Code{4}lib Journal. August 2023.
As well as identifying discovery solutions that do (and mostly don’t) work with the FOLIO open source library system the article provides a helpful summary of the different kinds of discovery solutions including:
Single Search Discovery Layers
OPAC-Like Front Ends – Open Source Options
OPAC-Like Front Ends – Proprietary Options
Resource Discovery for the Twenty-First Century Library
Dempsey, Lorcan 2020. Foreword to Resource Discovery for the Twenty-First Century Library: Case Studies and Perspectives on the Role of IT in User Engagement and Empowerment, xxi–xxxii. Edited by Simon McLeish. London: Facet Publishing. OCLC Research Foreword Preprint. https://doi.org/ 10.25333/p8j4-1411.
Full Book citation:
McLeish, Simon (ed.). 2020. Resource Discovery for the Twenty-First Century Library: Case Studies and Perspectives on the Role of IT in User Engagement and Empowerment. London: Facet Publishing
NISO Open Discovery initiative
Recommended practice published June 2020.
The Open Discovery Initiative (ODI) is
- A technical recommendation for data exchange including data formats, method of delivery, usage reporting, frequency of updates and rights of use
- A way for libraries to assess content providers’ participation in discovery services
- A model by which content providers work with discovery service vendors via fair and unbiased indexing and linking
- A way to disclose and assess open discovery conformance for content providers, discovery providers, and libraries
It aims at defining standards and/or best practices for the new generation of library discovery services that are based on indexed search. These discovery services are primarily based upon indexes derived from journals, ebooks and other electronic information of a scholarly nature. The content comes from a range of information providers and products–commercial, open access, institutional, etc.The group is establishing a more standard set of practices for the ways that content is represented in discovery services and for the interactions between the creators of these services and the information providers whose resources they represent.
Discovery services. Chapter 1. Introduction.
Marshall Breeding. ALA Techsource Vol 54, No 8 (2018)
“This issue of Library Technology Reports gives an updated look at the realm of discovery products implemented in libraries, focusing especially on how these products have been implemented in academic libraries. It is the third issue of Library Technology Reports produced by this author addressing topics related to library catalogs or discovery services”.
Discovery Services: Basics and Resources
James M Day. Library Technology Launchpap. March 2017
An introduction based on the Summon discovery service
Library Discovery System: An integrated approach to resource discovery
Sonawane, Chetan S Library Discovery System: An integrated approach to resource discovery. Informatics Studies, 2017, vol. 4, n. 3, pp. 27-38.
Provides an overview of discovery services including (central index based) commercial solutions, open source options. Includes discussion of Google Scholar and issues around metadata, APIs etc
Selecting link resolver and knowledge base software: Implications of interoperability
Cyndy Chisare, Jody Condit Fagan, David Gaines & Michael Trocchia (2017) Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, 29:2, 93-106, DOI: 10.1080/1941126X.2017.1304765
“Link resolver software and their associated knowledge bases are essential technologies for modern academic libraries. Because of the increasing number of possible integrations involving link resolver software and knowledge bases, however, a library’s vendor relationships, product choices, and consortial arrangements may have the most dramatic effects on the user experience and back-end maintenance workloads. A project team at a large comprehensive university recently investigated link resolver products to increase efficiency of back-end workflows while maintaining or improving the patron experience. The methodology used for product comparison may be useful for other libraries”.
Council of Chief Librarians Electronic Access & Resources Committee. (CCLEAR ) Spring 2016
In Spring 2016, selected members of the Council of Chief Librarians, Electronic Access and Resources Committee (CCLEAR) undertook a comparative study of five discovery tools:
- Ebsco Discovery Service (EDS)
- Encore Synergy
- Primo
- Summon
- Worldcat Local and Discovery
The review focused on the coverage, search interface, cost, availability/accessibility of service, and customer service as well as customization, and mobile options for each product.During Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 CCLEAR conducted a comparison review of Discovery Services for the California Community Colleges. To inform the comparison a survey was sent to the 113 colleges to learn if institutions were using Discovery Services, if so, what they were and what were their experiences with different aspects of the Discovery Services. If institutions did not have a Discovery Service they were asked why and if they were interested in having one. In February 2016 CCLEAR hosted a Discovery Services meeting and panel where all 113 colleges were invited. The survey results were reported and a panel discussion followed. Open discussion after the panel revealed a number of concerns and CCLEAR realized a comparison review would be challenging. Each interface was highly customizable. Content was based on the subscription databases the college had and the visibility and results ranking was based on the Discovery Service. Some products were integrated with Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and other were stand alone products. Reviewers were granted guest access to products across the state, CCLEAR conducted this comparison review.
Evaluating Web-Scale Discovery Services: A Step-by-Step Guide
Joseph Deodato Information Technology and Libraries. Vol 34, No 2 (2015)
Abstract:
Selecting a web-scale discovery service is a large and important undertaking that involves a significant investment of time, staff, and resources. Finding the right match begins with a thorough and carefully planned evaluation process. In order to be successful, this process should be inclusive, goal-oriented, data-driven, user-centered, and transparent. The following article offers a step-by-step guide for developing a web-scale discovery evaluation plan rooted in these five key principles based on best practices synthesized from the literature as well as the author’s own experiences coordinating the evaluation process at Rutgers University. The goal is to offer academic libraries that are considering acquiring a web-scale discovery service a blueprint for planning a structured and comprehensive evaluation process.
The Future of Library Resource Discovery
A white paper commissioned by the NISO Discovery to Delivery (D2D) Topic Committee
Marshall Breeding February 2015
“This paper provides an overview of the current resource discovery environment and discusses some of the possibilities regarding how these technologies, methodologies, and products might be able to adapt to changes in the evolving information landscape in scholarly communications and to take advantage of new technologies, metadata models, or linking environments to better accomplish the needs of libraries to provide access to resources”.
Thinking the unthinkable – doing away with the library catalogue
Simone Kortekaas Bianca Kramer UKSG Insights Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Pages : 244-248 2014 . DOI: 10.1629/2048-7754.174
“At Utrecht University we strongly believe that academic libraries have lost their role in the discovery of scientific information and should focus on delivery instead. Without your own discovery tool you might feel stark naked. However, we have to admit that others can do a better job on discovery, so don’t spend too much time on this. Make a priority of your delivery task and rethink the way you can provide value for your users.
From international studies we have learned that students and scholars are moving away from library websites and online library catalogues. Most students start their search in a general search engine on the web and don’t use the library website as a starting point. Scholars use specific research databases and they also use general search engines on the web.
Since scholarly information can increasingly be found via publicly accessible search engines (like Google Scholar) and via paid multidisciplinary and subject-specific search engines, and students and staff are increasingly taking that route”
See also the plenary presentation at the 2014 UKSG conference
Thinking the unthinkable - doing away with the library catalogue By Simone Kortekaas Utrecht University.
Breeding, Marshall. 2012. Insights 25 (2): 173–82. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1629/2048-7754.25.2.173Insights 25 (2): 173–82. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1629/2048-7754.25.2.173
“This article summarizes the findings of a study on e-resource knowledge bases and OpenURL-based link resolvers sponsored by the National Library of Sweden. The project involved soliciting detailed information from each of the providers of the major products in this genre, reviewing product information available on the web and in published articles, and conducting a survey addressed to libraries using these products. The report identified and presented comparative information on a top tier of products that includes KnowledgeWorks and 360 Link from Serials Solutions; SFX Global KnowledgeBase and the SFX link resolver from Ex Libris; LinkSource and the EBSCO Integrated Knowledge Base from EBSCO and the WorldCat knowledge base from OCLC. A second tier included TOUResolver from TDNet, Gold Rush from the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries and GODOT from Simon Fraser University”.