I think there are ways to provide authority-backed guidance to users
other than the traditional "browse search" which users don't like.
What if when the user does a keyword search, they get, along with their
search results, a list of authorized (eg) names that also matched their
query, that they can choose to 'drill down' into if they want? The
authorized name matches could be matches on any part of the name (not
just the beginning of the name as in 'browse search'), and could include
authorized names which matched on "lead in" terms too.
This is just one idea. But I have the strong suspicion that we can
provide an interface which does the functions 'browse search' are
intended to supply, but does so in a way users like BETTER than the
traditional 'browse search'. I am unaware of what current software does
this, but there might be some examples. It'll take some development and
some user testing to get there. But that's our job, right?
Jonathan
Lundgren,Jimmie Harrell wrote:
> Hi Jim,
> Thanks for your very clear points about retrieval of names based on name authority. A new subject line seemed warranted.
>
> While I continue to believe that browse searching backed by authority record functionality is essential, I also have noticed the frequency with which users default to keyword searching. Providing clear guidance to keyword searchers has become an important option, so looking into the best ways to perform that will be helpful. It seems to me that a few ad hoc means of utilizing the power of name authority records have begun to emerge. I see this in the alternate name and subject search term recommendations being suggested in response to keyword searching in some systems.
>
> Given the naïve Google-expecting approach we often bring to searching, post-search navigation options have become essential. Suggesting headings for authors, topics, geographical terms, form/genre terms, chronological terms, formats, etc. as facets allow users to bring order that may be meaningful for their tasks to bear in limiting large sets. Users tell me they like it. Simple options to reorder the retrieval sets alphabetically or chronologically are also very useful, especially for known-items or partly known items. While new users may not notice these right away, those who get even a little experience behind them begin to take advantage.
>
> As a side comment, in the context of libraries serving user needs there are a host of user features emerging that it might be helpful to discuss on this list. One improvement that has been in demand where I live is better display for cell phone users of the online catalog. Another is more powerful post-catalog management and sharing tools for information resources that go beyond simple citation systems for power users. I used to think of these as fluff in the catalog, but have come around to appreciating their value for users.
>
> Another useful navigation tool that some might mistakenly dismiss as "old hat" is the ability to click on headings in displayed records to retrieve other records with those headings. This option has been around for a while, but is not always done well and is clearly not obsolete for users.
>
> Thanks for your patience, persistence, and positive thinking.
> Jimmie
>
> Jimmie Lundgren
> Associate Chair & Contributed Cataloging Unit Head
> Cataloging & Metadata Dept.
> Smathers Library
> PO Box 117004
> University of Florida
> Gainesville, FL 32611-7004
> 352-273-2725
> 352-392-7365 (fax)
> jimlund_at_ufl.edu
>
>
>
Received on Wed Apr 28 2010 - 12:33:09 EDT