Usability of Search this Site

[Bonnie Shucha]

We do have a site search but made the decision not to feature it
prominently.  Like Greg, we were afraid that users would misunderstand it.
Instead, we created a "How do I find...?" drop down menu.  It seems to work
well.  (http://library.law.wisc.edu/)

Bonnie

Gregory Sennema wrote:

> "...it seems that library web sites are a bit unique..."
>
> Another aspect of this comment is that for many first-time library
> users, a "Search this Site" is easily misunderstood as a catalog,
> database, or even a web search.  We have taken our "Search this Site"
> off our web page, and replaced it with an "A-Z index of this site" which
> (according to our studies) is more clear in its intention as a local web
> site finding aid.  Does require maintenance though....
>
> http://www.calvin.edu/library/
>
> Greg Sennema
> Digital Resources Librarian
> Hekman Library
> Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary
> 3207 Burton St SE
> Grand Rapids, MI 49546
> tel: (616) 957-8455
> fax: (616) 957-6470

--
Bonnie Shucha
Reference and Electronic Services Librarian
University of Wisconsin -Madison Law Library
Phone:  608-265-5513
bjshucha at facstaff.wisc.edu