Internet Librarian: Monday: Federated Searching Feedback

Federated Searching Feedback

Jill Hurst-Wahl, Hurst Associates, Ltd.
Sarah C. Williams, Science & Technology Library & Angela Bonnell, Government documents librarian, Illinois State University

Benefits and shortcomings of Federated Search.

Jill Hurst-Wahl's Presentation

Libraries may have multiple catalogs, databases, and digital repositories that users may want to search. Advise to libraries as we think about federated search and companies as they do federated software.

Why care about federated search?
Users are intolerant, they'd like to search one spot and get information as a variety of places.
Federated search is seen as a 'cure-all', a way to search everything at once.
Federated Search does what database vendors will not do, should it always be an extra piece of software?
We care because search results from federated search may be disappointing - so how do these vendors build federated search products to help ensure satisfactory results

Federated Search Benefits
One-stop "shopping"
Less database training, we just train them about the federated search: hopefully this is as easy to use as our favourite database
One portal for all library content
-And library & non-library content including web-content at some point (if not already happening)
Enhanced information discovery

Federated Search Shortcomings
Harder to delve deeper into content
Cannot use advanced search features
Complete de-duping is difficult - some may do it fairly well, but often you will receive more than one copy of the article in your search results.
Broken connectors - the software that connects the federated search software to a database - if this item is broken you can't access the database through search
New connectors take time & money to build - if the federated search doesn't support that database may charge you $$$ to create that connectors
Federated Searches can be extremely expensive

Advice for Libraries
Identify your largest target group when thinking about Federated Search - who are these people and what do they really need?
Learn about your Federated Search: Ask lots of questions and talk to other users who may use this Federated Search.
Evaluate all options; make an independent decision based upon all your needs.
Think about add-ons, what do you need that is not available in the base product and whether there will be costs
Document why you did what you did and publish how you went through this process and what you chose and what you found as a case study independent of vendors and be very honest about the search you chose and the good, the bad, and the ugly of your particular choice.

Advice for Federated Search Companies
Talk to every body about your product both with the librarians & consultants.
Don't make your language 'unique' - use the same language as everyone else so that we understand what you're talking about.
Provide screenshots with explanations on your website
Don't expect us to discuss items on the phone with you to figure out your 'unique feature'.


Sarah C. Williams, Science & Technology Library & Angela Bonnell, Government documents librarian, Illinois State University

"Search it" - what we chose to call the Federated Search Engine at Illinois State University
Librarians from Public Services, Technical Services, and Systems worked together to implement and prepare.

'Search it' appears on the home page and in the middle of the database page.

Usability Testing was to determine ease of use for new users.
Participants: 4 undergraduate students & 3 graduate students; 4 males & 3 females; 1 science, 6 social sciences & 0 humanities

Highlights of Usability Testing
Wasn't obvious to users they were searching only 12 resources simultaneously; action was to revise subheading to say that it was searching only 12 resources simultaneously
None of the students selected to include the library catalog; action was to automatically include the catalog

Several participants had difficulty finding material by format: action was to suggest vendor develop a limit by format option

Focus Group Details
Participants: 4 undergraduate students & 7 graduate students; 6 males & 5 females; 6 Science, 5 Social Sciences, & 0 humanities
Questions available on handouts.

Are students using Search It?
55% of students were using it often.
Several discovered it on their own, but students suggested that it be promoted through instruction session.

Used it because it is faster, easier, less confusing and a good beginning point.

Students were very confused about searching different databases even after several years on campus
None of the students relied exclusively on the Quick Search, usually they would use a combination of both or Advanced Search Only

Satisfaction: It didn't always narrow specifically and students recognized disadvantages

Right hand column - students thought it was a calendar event and not permanent as well as possibly an ad.

Students were pleased with it overall - they felt that 'more articles like this' and limiting by format as well as a shopping cart would be really useful. All students said that yes we should keep this product.

Illinois State University took a User Centered Approach to this search tool.