| Abstract | |
| Jennifer L Ward | |
| Steve Shadle | |
| Pam Mofjeld | |
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| Abstract |
The University of Washington Libraries, in collaboration with OCLC, began a pilot project that resulted in the creation and launch of a new discovery and delivery platform called WorldCat Local. It enables users to search what were previously three separate catalogs as well as five article databases. The search interface is simple, which research has shown that users prefer.1 WorldCat Local also integrates what were previously separate delivery systems, resulting in a seamless, easier-to-use service. WorldCat Local debuted on April 30, 2007, when the University of Washington Libraries made it the default search box on its home page. The impact on delivery has been impressive, with users requesting and getting far more materials than when we had separate “silos” for discovery and delivery. WorldCat Local provides a new service environment to the library user. Because WorldCat Local integrates a number of data sources (local library catalog, consortial library catalog, digital collections, article databases) and library services (local and consortial catalog requesting, interlibrary loan, link resolving, direct full-text linking, and online reference services), it is important to have the functional experts in all of these areas involved in planning and implementation. This article explores why such a tool was desirable; describes various aspects of the implementation, the effect of usability on development, and the impact on discovery and delivery; and discusses future plans. |
The University of Washington Libraries, in collaboration with OCLC, began a pilot project that resulted in the creation and launch of a new discovery and delivery platform called WorldCat Local. It enables users to search what were previously three separate catalogs as well as five article databases. The search interface is simple, which research has shown that users prefer. 1 WorldCat Local also integrates what were previously separate delivery systems, resulting in a seamless, easier-to-use service. WorldCat Local debuted on April 30, 2007, when the University of Washington Libraries made it the default search box on its home page. The impact on delivery has been impressive, with users requesting and getting far more materials than when we had separate “silos” for discovery and delivery. WorldCat Local provides a new service environment to the library user. Because WorldCat Local integrates a number of data sources (local library catalog, consortial library catalog, digital collections, article databases) and library services (local and consortial catalog requesting, interlibrary loan, link resolving, direct full-text linking, and online reference services), it is important to have the functional experts in all of these areas involved in planning and implementation. This article explores why such a tool was desirable; describes various aspects of the implementation, the effect of usability on development, and the impact on discovery and delivery; and discusses future plans.
Notes
(About the Authors from page 2)
Steve Shadle is Serials Access Librarian at the University of Washington Libraries, where he catalogs serials, supports link resolver and knowledge-base applications, and otherwise wrangles serial holdings and bibliographic data. Steve is an active trainer in the Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program. He frequently presents at North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) and American Library Association meetings and regularly writes for Serials Review. Prior to his tenure at the University of Washington, Steve was an ISSN cataloger at the National Serials Data Program of the Library of Congress and Technical Services Librarian at the Agency for International Development Library. Steve received his Masters of Librarianship from the University of Washington in 1990 and his Bachelor of Arts in linguistics (also from the University of Washington) in 1987.
| 1. | Steve Krug, Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (Indianapolis, IN: Que, 2000); John Maeda, The Laws of Simplicity (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2006); Steven Heller and Anne Fink. Less Is More: The New Simplicity in Graphic Design (Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books, 1999) |
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