Posted on behalf of Terry Reese:
The OSUL Discovery Project represents a different type of discovery project. For better or worse, I think that many in the OSU community would equate discovery at the Libraries with the tabbed box on the homepage:
or a results page from WorlCat Local:
These do not present a clear picture of the content, services, and expertise found within the Libraries. We are so much more than a search box, and one of the challenges that we face as we think about how we perform discovery at OSUL, is creating transparent pathways for users to the Libraries’ expansive content, while still presenting the rich services and expertise provide by the Libraries and its people.
Some Background
In considering discovery, the Libraries had a couple of options. We could attempt to shift discovery to a different vended solution (i.e., replace WorldCat Local with a different vended product), or we could look to develop a hybrid approach, one that mixes local development with vended content to allow the Libraries to create their own discovery experience. After carefully considering our user’s needs, the desire is to move beyond simple discovery and provide a tool that exposes not only content but also surfaces our expertise to the user community.
We choose the hybrid approach using a “bento” box design. This means that while the Libraries will be working with a vendor to provide discovery to vended content via an API (Application Programming Interface), but for local content (all content controlled by the Libraries), we will be developing our own local indexing and custom Platform.
As a result, we are developing discovery differently than many of our other projects. Like the website redesign, the Libraries will be working directly with user communities through the UX cohort to test assumptions with users, because in the end, we want this to be a usable interface and an improvement from what we currently offer. It’s a process that should be exciting and rich with research opportunities, and one that I’m hoping you will all share with us as the Libraries begins to offer UX testing and feedback opportunities this summer.
Read more about the the project at go.osu.edu/osuldiscovery. Additionally Michelle will be adding FAQs and more content to the project space. And as always, we welcome your feedback.
