Next Generation Library InterfacesNext Generation Library InterfacesOverview of concepts and an Overview of concepts and an brief tour of commercial and brief tour of commercial and

open source productsopen source products

Marshall BreedingMarshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technologies and ResearchDirector for Innovative Technologies and ResearchVanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt Universityhttp://http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edustaffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breeding/breedinghttp://http://www.librarytechnology.orgwww.librarytechnology.org//

ALCTS Midwinter SymposiumBreaking Down the Silos: Planning for Discovery in Library 2.0

AbstractAbstract

•• Marshall Breeding will present an overview Marshall Breeding will present an overview of commercial and open source options for of commercial and open source options for next generation library catalogs next generation library catalogs

Troubling statisticTroubling statistic

Where do you typically begin your Where do you typically begin your search for information on a search for information on a particular topic?particular topic?

College Students Response:College Students Response:•• 89%89% Search engines (Google 62%)Search engines (Google 62%)•• 2%2% Library Web Site (total respondents Library Web Site (total respondents --> 1%)> 1%)•• 2%2% Online DatabaseOnline Database•• 1% 1% EE--mailmail•• 1% 1% Online NewsOnline News•• 1% 1% Online bookstoresOnline bookstores•• 0% 0% Instant Messaging / Online ChatInstant Messaging / Online Chat

OCLC. Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources (2005) p. 1-17.

Usage + / Usage + / -- from 2005 to 2007from 2005 to 2007

“The unfortunate exception is the use of library Web sites; usage has dropped from 2005 to 2007.”

Source: Sharing, Privacy and Trust in our Networked World. OCLC 2007

+19%

+14%

+5%

+30%-10%

Crowded Landscape of Information Crowded Landscape of Information Providers on the WebProviders on the Web

•• Lots of nonLots of non--library Web destinations deliver library Web destinations deliver content to library patrons content to library patrons –– Google ScholarGoogle Scholar–– Amazon.comAmazon.com–– WikipediaWikipedia–– Ask.comAsk.com

•• Do Library Web sites and catalogs meet the Do Library Web sites and catalogs meet the information needs of our users?information needs of our users?

•• Do they attract their interest?Do they attract their interest?

The CompetitionThe Competition

The best Library OPAC?The best Library OPAC?

Better?Better?

Demand for compelling library Demand for compelling library interfacesinterfaces

•• Urgent need for libraries to offer Urgent need for libraries to offer interfaces their users will like to useinterfaces their users will like to use

•• Move into the current millenniumMove into the current millennium•• Powerful search capabilities in tune with Powerful search capabilities in tune with

how the Web works todayhow the Web works today•• Meet user expectations set by other Web Meet user expectations set by other Web

destinationdestination

Inadequacy of ILS Inadequacy of ILS OPACsOPACs

•• Online Catalog modules provided with an Online Catalog modules provided with an ILS subject to broad criticism as failing to ILS subject to broad criticism as failing to meet expectations of growing segments of meet expectations of growing segments of library patrons.library patrons.

•• Not great at delivering electronic contentNot great at delivering electronic content•• Complex textComplex text--based interfacesbased interfaces•• Relatively weak keyword search enginesRelatively weak keyword search engines•• Lack of good relevancy sortingLack of good relevancy sorting•• Narrow scope of contentNarrow scope of content

Disjointed approach to Disjointed approach to information and service deliveryinformation and service delivery•• Silos PrevailSilos Prevail•• Books: Library OPAC (ILS module)Books: Library OPAC (ILS module)•• Articles: Aggregated content products, eArticles: Aggregated content products, e--journal journal

collectionscollections•• OpenURL linking servicesOpenURL linking services•• EE--journal finding aids (Often managed by link resolver)journal finding aids (Often managed by link resolver)•• Local digital collectionsLocal digital collections

–– ETDsETDs, photos, rich media collections, photos, rich media collections

•• Metasearch enginesMetasearch engines•• All searched separatelyAll searched separately

Change underwayChange underway

•• Widespread dissatisfaction with most of the current Widespread dissatisfaction with most of the current OPACsOPACs. Many efforts toward next. Many efforts toward next--generation catalogs generation catalogs and interfaces.and interfaces.

•• Movement among libraries to break out of the current Movement among libraries to break out of the current mold of library catalogs and offer new interfaces better mold of library catalogs and offer new interfaces better suited to the expectations of library users. suited to the expectations of library users.

•• Decoupling of the frontDecoupling of the front--end interface from the backend interface from the back--end end library automation system.library automation system.

•• Eventual redesign of the ILS to be better suited for Eventual redesign of the ILS to be better suited for current library collections of digital and print contentcurrent library collections of digital and print content

NextNext--Generation Interfaces: Generation Interfaces:

Scope and ConceptsScope and Concepts

Working toward a new generation Working toward a new generation of library interfacesof library interfaces

•• Redefinition of the Redefinition of the ““library cataloglibrary catalog””•• Traditional notions of the library catalog Traditional notions of the library catalog

questionedquestioned•• Better information delivery toolsBetter information delivery tools•• More powerful search capabilitiesMore powerful search capabilities•• More elegant presentationMore elegant presentation

Redefining the Redefining the ““catalogcatalog””

•• More comprehensive information discovery environmentsMore comprehensive information discovery environments•• ItIt’’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited to s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited to

print resourcesprint resources•• Digital resources cannot be an afterthoughtDigital resources cannot be an afterthought•• Systems designed for eSystems designed for e--content only are also content only are also

problematicproblematic•• Forcing users to use different interfaces depending on Forcing users to use different interfaces depending on

type of content becoming less tenabletype of content becoming less tenable•• Libraries working toward consolidated user environments Libraries working toward consolidated user environments

that give equal footing to digital and print resourcesthat give equal footing to digital and print resources

Comprehensive Discovery ServiceComprehensive Discovery Service

•• Current distributed query model of federated Current distributed query model of federated search model not adequatesearch model not adequate

•• Expanded scope of search through harvested Expanded scope of search through harvested contentcontent–– Consolidated search services based on metadata and Consolidated search services based on metadata and

data gathered in advance (like OAIdata gathered in advance (like OAI--PMH)PMH)

•• Problems of scale diminishedProblems of scale diminished•• Problems of cooperation persistProblems of cooperation persist•• Federated search currently operates as a plugFederated search currently operates as a plug--in in

component of nextcomponent of next--gen interfaces.gen interfaces.

Web 2.0 FlavoringsWeb 2.0 Flavorings

•• Strategic infrastructure + Web 2.0Strategic infrastructure + Web 2.0•• A more social and collaborative approachA more social and collaborative approach•• Web Tools and technology that foster Web Tools and technology that foster

collaborationcollaboration•• Integrated blogs, wiki, tagging, social Integrated blogs, wiki, tagging, social

bookmarking, user rating, user reviewsbookmarking, user rating, user reviews•• Avoid Web 2.0 information silosAvoid Web 2.0 information silos

Web 2.0 supporting technologiesWeb 2.0 supporting technologies

•• Web servicesWeb services•• XML APIsXML APIs•• AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML)AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML)•• RelevancyRelevancy--based search enginesbased search engines•• Social networking tools and conceptsSocial networking tools and concepts

The Ideal Scope for Next Gen The Ideal Scope for Next Gen Library InterfacesLibrary Interfaces•• Attempt to collapse silos or draw Attempt to collapse silos or draw

appropriately from each siloappropriately from each silo•• Unified user experienceUnified user experience•• A single point of entry into all the content A single point of entry into all the content

and services offered by the libraryand services offered by the library•• Print + ElectronicPrint + Electronic•• Local + RemoteLocal + Remote•• Locally created ContentLocally created Content•• User contributed content?User contributed content?

Next Generation Discovery Next Generation Discovery Platforms: Platforms:

Functions and FeaturesFunctions and Features

Interface Features / User Interface Features / User Experience Experience

•• Simple point of entrySimple point of entry–– Optional advanced searchOptional advanced search

•• Relevancy ranked resultsRelevancy ranked results•• Facets for narrowing and navigationFacets for narrowing and navigation•• Query enhancement Query enhancement –– spell check, etcspell check, etc•• Suggested related results / recommendation Suggested related results / recommendation

serviceservice•• Enriched visual and textual contentEnriched visual and textual content•• Single SignSingle Sign--onon

Relevancy RankingRelevancy Ranking

•• Based on advanced search engines specifically Based on advanced search engines specifically designed for relevancydesigned for relevancy–– Endeca, Lucene, etcEndeca, Lucene, etc

•• Web users expect relevancy ordered resultsWeb users expect relevancy ordered results–– The The ““good stuffgood stuff”” should be listed firstshould be listed first–– Users tend not to delve deep into a result listUsers tend not to delve deep into a result list–– Good relevancy requires a sophisticated approach, Good relevancy requires a sophisticated approach,

including objective matching criteria supplemented by including objective matching criteria supplemented by popularity and relatedness factors.popularity and relatedness factors.

New Paradigm for search and New Paradigm for search and navigationnavigation•• Let users drill down through the result set Let users drill down through the result set

incrementally narrowing the fieldincrementally narrowing the field•• Faceted BrowsingFaceted Browsing

–– DrillDrill--down down vsvs upup--front Boolean or front Boolean or ““Advanced SearchAdvanced Search””–– gives the users clues about the number of hits in gives the users clues about the number of hits in

each sub topiceach sub topic–– Ability to explore collections without Ability to explore collections without a prioria priori

knowledgeknowledge•• Visual search toolsVisual search tools•• Navigational Bread crumbs Navigational Bread crumbs

–– Select / deselect facetsSelect / deselect facets

Query / Result EnhancementQuery / Result Enhancement

•• ““Did you mean?Did you mean?”” and other features to and other features to avoid avoid ““No results foundNo results found””

•• Validated Spell check Validated Spell check •• Automatic inclusion of authorized and Automatic inclusion of authorized and

related termsrelated terms•• More like this More like this –– recommendation servicerecommendation service•• Make the query and the response to it Make the query and the response to it

better than the query providedbetter than the query provided

Appropriate organizational Appropriate organizational structuresstructures•• LCSH LCSH vsvs FAST (Faceted Application of FAST (Faceted Application of

Subject Terminology)Subject Terminology)•• Full MARC Full MARC vsvs Dublin Core or MODS, or Dublin Core or MODS, or

unstructured dataunstructured data•• DisciplineDiscipline--specific thesauri or specific thesauri or ontologiesontologies•• ““tagstags””

Enriched contentEnriched content

•• Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating scores, etc.Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating scores, etc.

•• Syndetic Solutions ICE ($$$$)Syndetic Solutions ICE ($$$$)•• Amazon Web Service (AWS) Amazon Web Service (AWS)

–– Recent changes in term of use seem to preclude use Recent changes in term of use seem to preclude use by librariesby libraries

•• Google Book Search API Google Book Search API –– Released March 13, 2008Released March 13, 2008–– Liberal terms of useLiberal terms of use

•• No open content approach (yet)No open content approach (yet)

Personalization / Single SignPersonalization / Single Sign--onon•• Customized content and service options based on Customized content and service options based on

personal preference and profile of userpersonal preference and profile of user•• Persistent signPersistent sign--on on –– horizontal and verticalhorizontal and vertical

–– Seamless navigation in and out of appropriate subSeamless navigation in and out of appropriate sub--systemssystems•• ILL / ILS patron requests, federated search, proxy servicesILL / ILS patron requests, federated search, proxy services

–– Credentials follow as user navigates among Web site Credentials follow as user navigates among Web site componentscomponents

–– ILS / Interlibrary Loan / proxy services / shopping cart / etcILS / Interlibrary Loan / proxy services / shopping cart / etc–– Carry signCarry sign--on into and out of institutional resourceson into and out of institutional resources

•• Ability to select and save content; initiate requests; Ability to select and save content; initiate requests; customize preferences, etc.customize preferences, etc.

Deep searchDeep search•• Entering postEntering post--metadata search erametadata search era•• Increasing opportunities to search the full contentsIncreasing opportunities to search the full contents

–– Google Library Print, Google Publisher, Open Content Google Library Print, Google Publisher, Open Content Alliance, Microsoft Live Book Search, etc.Alliance, Microsoft Live Book Search, etc.

–– HighHigh--quality metadata will improve search precisionquality metadata will improve search precision•• Commercial search providers already offer Commercial search providers already offer ““search inside search inside

the bookthe book””•• Comprehensive full text search for books beginning to Comprehensive full text search for books beginning to

emergeemerge•• Not currently available through library search Not currently available through library search

environmentsenvironments•• Deep search highly improved by highDeep search highly improved by high--quality metadataquality metadataSee: Systems Librarian, May 2008 See: Systems Librarian, May 2008 ““Beyond the current generation of nextBeyond the current generation of next--generation generation

interfaces: deeper searchinterfaces: deeper search””

Beyond Discovery to Fulfillment Beyond Discovery to Fulfillment / Delivery/ Delivery•• Fulfillment orientedFulfillment oriented•• Search Search --> select > select --> view> view•• Delivery/Fulfillment much harder than Delivery/Fulfillment much harder than

discoverydiscovery•• BackBack--end complexity should be as end complexity should be as

seamless as possible to the userseamless as possible to the user•• Offer services for digital and print contentOffer services for digital and print content

LibraryLibrary--specific Featuresspecific Features

•• Appropriate relevance factorsAppropriate relevance factors–– Objective keyword ranking + Library Objective keyword ranking + Library

weightingsweightings–– Circulation frequency, OCLC holdings, Circulation frequency, OCLC holdings,

scholarly contentscholarly content

•• Results grouping (FRBR)Results grouping (FRBR)•• Collection focused (Collection focused (vsvs salessales--driven)driven)

Enterprise IntegrationEnterprise Integration

•• Ability to deliver content and services Ability to deliver content and services through nonthrough non--library applicationslibrary applications

•• Campus portal solutionsCampus portal solutions•• CoursewareCourseware•• Social networking environmentsSocial networking environments•• Search portals / Feed aggregators Search portals / Feed aggregators

InteroperabilityInteroperability

•• Decoupled interface implies data Decoupled interface implies data synchronizationsynchronization

•• Mass export of catalog dataMass export of catalog data•• Hooks back into the ILS for holdings and Hooks back into the ILS for holdings and

patron servicespatron services–– RealReal--time availabilitytime availability

Architecture and StandardsArchitecture and Standards

•• Need to have an standard approach for Need to have an standard approach for connecting new generation interfaces with ILS connecting new generation interfaces with ILS and other repositoriesand other repositories

•• Proprietary and Proprietary and ad hocad hoc methods currently prevailmethods currently prevail•• Digital Library FederationDigital Library Federation

–– ILSILS--Discovery Interface Group Discovery Interface Group

•• Time to start thinking about a new generation of Time to start thinking about a new generation of ILS better suited for current library collections ILS better suited for current library collections and missions.and missions.

Smart and SophisticatedSmart and Sophisticated

•• Much more difficult than old gen OPACSMuch more difficult than old gen OPACS•• Not a Not a dumbeddumbed--down approachdown approach•• Wed library specific requirements and Wed library specific requirements and

expectations with eexpectations with e--commerce commerce technologiestechnologies

Great Benefit, Great cost?Great Benefit, Great cost?

•• A whole new level of expense to the library to A whole new level of expense to the library to achieve needed automation resultsachieve needed automation results

•• Patron interface was previously expected to be Patron interface was previously expected to be part of ILSpart of ILS

•• Cost of ILS OPAC module very modest relative Cost of ILS OPAC module very modest relative to new discovery productsto new discovery products

•• Can the library community bear the cost?Can the library community bear the cost?•• Can the library community afford not to move Can the library community afford not to move

forward?forward?

Can we afford a slow Can we afford a slow Transition?Transition?•• Deployment of older Deployment of older OPACsOPACs widespreadwidespread•• WeWe’’re very early in the adoption cyclere very early in the adoption cycle•• Libraries tend to cycle to new technologies Libraries tend to cycle to new technologies

at a slow paceat a slow pace•• Time on the Web moves quickly!Time on the Web moves quickly!

Open Source opportunity?Open Source opportunity?

•• Commercial traditionally licensed solutions Commercial traditionally licensed solutions appeared ahead of open source appeared ahead of open source alternativesalternatives

•• TimeTime--toto--market a critical factormarket a critical factor•• Open Source products starting to gain Open Source products starting to gain

tractiontraction

NewNew--Gen Library InterfacesGen Library Interfaces

Current Commercial and Open Current Commercial and Open Source ProductsSource Products

Endeca Guided NavigationEndeca Guided Navigation

•• Technology platform optimized for faceted Technology platform optimized for faceted browsing of large collectionsbrowsing of large collections

•• Widely used in eWidely used in e--commerce arenacommerce arena•• No libraryNo library--specific productspecific product•• Toolkit of components that can be Toolkit of components that can be

integratedintegrated•• $$$$$$$$

Endeca Library ExamplesEndeca Library Examples

•• North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State Universityhttp://http://www.lib.ncsu.eduwww.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog//catalog/

•• McMaster UniversityMcMaster Universityhttp://http://libcat.mcmaster.calibcat.mcmaster.ca//

•• Phoenix Public LibraryPhoenix Public Libraryhttp://http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.orgwww.phoenixpubliclibrary.org//

•• Florida Center for Library AutomationFlorida Center for Library Automationhttp://catalog.fcla.edu/ux.jsphttp://catalog.fcla.edu/ux.jsp

Endeca Screen shotsEndeca Screen shots

Endeca 1Endeca 1

Endeca 2Endeca 2

Endeca 3Endeca 3

Endeca 4Endeca 4

Endeca 5Endeca 5

AquaBrowser LibraryAquaBrowser Library

•• One of the earliest library catalog replacement One of the earliest library catalog replacement productsproducts

•• Developed by Medialab Solutions in AmsterdamDeveloped by Medialab Solutions in Amsterdam•• Originally distributed by TLC in the US, Canada, Originally distributed by TLC in the US, Canada,

etcetc•• Now owed by R.R. Bowker, part of CIGNow owed by R.R. Bowker, part of CIG•• Distributed to academic libraries by Serial Distributed to academic libraries by Serial

SolutionsSolutions•• Faceted NavigationFaceted Navigation•• Cloud of associationsCloud of associations

AquaBrowser examplesAquaBrowser examples

•• Queens Borough Public LibraryQueens Borough Public Library–– http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/

•• Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma State University–– http://http://boss.library.okstate.eduboss.library.okstate.edu//

•• University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago–– http://http://lens.lib.uchicago.edulens.lib.uchicago.edu//

LibraryThing for LibrariesLibraryThing for Libraries

•• Not a full nextNot a full next--gen interfacegen interface•• Provides a way to add tagging to existing Provides a way to add tagging to existing

interfacesinterfaces•• Deal with social tagging critical mass Deal with social tagging critical mass

problemproblem•• Now distributed exclusively by R.R. Now distributed exclusively by R.R.

Bowker Bowker

Ex Libris PrimoEx Libris Primo

•• Discovery and Delivery platform for academic Discovery and Delivery platform for academic librarieslibraries

•• Provides access to local and remote resourcesProvides access to local and remote resources•• Supports diverse content in local indexSupports diverse content in local index•• Integrated federated search component for Integrated federated search component for

remote content not loaded into local index remote content not loaded into local index (MetaLib)(MetaLib)

•• Integrated Link resolution (SFX)Integrated Link resolution (SFX)

Primo ExamplesPrimo Examples

•• Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt Universityhttp://http://discoverlibrary.vanderbilt.edudiscoverlibrary.vanderbilt.edu

•• University of Minnesota University of Minnesota http://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_library/lihttp://prime2.oit.umn.edu:1701/primo_library/li

bweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIESbweb/action/search.do?vid=TWINCITIES

•• University of IowaUniversity of Iowahttp://smartsearch.uiowa.edu/http://smartsearch.uiowa.edu/

Primo screen shotsPrimo screen shots

Primo 1Primo 1

Primo 2Primo 2

Primo 3Primo 3

Primo 4Primo 4

Primo 5Primo 5

Primo 6Primo 6

Primo 7Primo 7

Encore from Innovative Encore from Innovative InterfacesInterfaces•• Designed for academic, public and special Designed for academic, public and special

librarieslibraries•• Single search boxSingle search box•• Tag cloudTag cloud•• Encore Web services APIEncore Web services API

Encore examplesEncore examples

•• Nashville Public LibraryNashville Public Libraryhttp://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/apphttp://nplencore.library.nashville.org/iii/encore/app

•• Scottsdale Public LibraryScottsdale Public Libraryhttp://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.scottsdaleaz.gov/iii/encore/app

•• Yale University Lillian Goldman Law Yale University Lillian Goldman Law LibraryLibraryhttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/apphttp://encore.law.yale.edu/iii/encore/app

Encore screen shotsEncore screen shots

Encore1Encore1

Encore2Encore2

Encore3Encore3

Encore4Encore4

Encore5Encore5

OCLC OCLC WorldcatWorldcat LocalLocal

•• OCLC WorldCat customized for local OCLC WorldCat customized for local library cataloglibrary catalog–– Relies on hooks into ILS for local Relies on hooks into ILS for local

servicesservices–– Tied to library holdings set in WorldCatTied to library holdings set in WorldCat

WorldcatWorldcat local exampleslocal examples

•• University of Washington LibrariesUniversity of Washington Librarieshttp://uwashington.worldcat.org/http://uwashington.worldcat.org/

•• University of California Melvyl University of California Melvyl CatalogCatalog

The Library Corporation The Library Corporation –– LS2LS2

•• Indigo Indigo –– announced at ALA Midwinter Jan announced at ALA Midwinter Jan 20082008

•• Now branded as the LS2 PacNow branded as the LS2 Pac•• First module of new ILS from TLCFirst module of new ILS from TLC•• Based on Lucene / SOLRBased on Lucene / SOLR•• First ILS company involved in promoting First ILS company involved in promoting

new interface technologiesnew interface technologies•• Initially based its strategy on AquaBrowser Initially based its strategy on AquaBrowser

and Endecaand Endeca

LS2 ExamplesLS2 Examples

•• Shenandoah County LibraryShenandoah County Library–– First production siteFirst production site