[Web4lib] "A truly hideous search experience"

[Marc Davis]

There's some usability literature in libraries -- and my own experience -- that would incline me toward "Find books, articles . . . " rather than "Search books, articles."  


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Marc Davis | Systems Coordinator | Cowles Library | Drake University 
Mailing: 2507 University Avenue | Des Moines, IA 50311 USA | 515-271-1934 
Shipping: 2725 University Avenue | Des Moines, IA 50311 USA 
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Jensen" <flaco.jensen at gmail.com>
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 2:36:08 AM
Subject: [Web4lib] "A truly hideous search experience"

We have a federated search tool. What we see in testing is that newbie users
are confused by the results.  Some wonder where the books are, because after
all they did a *library* search, so where in the search results are the *
books?*

I'm certain many of you have already experimented with--heavy air quotes
around this next word--'solutions' like this one i've been working on.  Any
feedback would be most welcome.  It has already been hailed by one of my
co-workers as "a truly hideous search experience," so don't worry about
hurting my feelings with your critiques.

http://www.kutztown.edu/library/labs/twinsearchdemo.htm

Mind you, the intention is not to try to solve any huge issues, but more to
try to gently orient users without getting too much in their way.  Your
thoughts on this, as well as on optimal wording etc. would be great.

Thanks,

bruce jensen
Kutztown, PA
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