Behaviours Making Library Content Appeal to Digital Information Seekers Dr Lynn Silipigni Connaway Senior Research Scientist OCLC Research 100 Deutscher Bibliothekartag 8 June 2011 ID: 600896
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Changing Information Behaviours:Making Library Content Appeal to Digital Information Seekers
Dr. Lynn Silipigni ConnawaySenior Research ScientistOCLC Research
100. Deutscher Bibliothekartag8 June 2011Berlin, GermanySlide2
Towards a Profile of the Researcher of Today: What Can We Learn from JISC Projects?
Digital Information Seekers: Report of findings from selected OCLC, JISC & RIN User Behaviour ProjecFunded by JISCAnalysis of 12 user behaviour studiesConducted in US and UKPublished within last 5 yearsSynthesisBetter understand user information-seeking behaviour
Identify issues for development of user-focused services and systemsSlide3
“The majority of researchers in all disciplines have adapted readily to the widespread availability of digital content, accessible directly from their desktops.”
(Consortium of University Research Libraries, and Research Information Network. 2007. Researchers' use of academic libraries and their services: A report.
London: Research Information Network and Consortium of University Research Libraries (CURL), p. 23)Common Findings:
User BehaviorsSlide4
Common Findings:
User BehaviorsConvenience dictates choice between physical & virtual library
Very little time using content“Squirreling” of downloadsPrefer quick chunks of informationVisit only a few minutesUse basic searchSlide5
Use snippets from e-booksView only a few pages
Short visitsSimple searching of Google-like interfacesPower browsingValue human resources
Common Findings:User BehaviorsSlide6
Common Findings:The Library
= Collections of booksDesire Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)More digital content = Better
Use for researchUse less since Internet availableSlide7
Common Findings:The Library
Criticize physical library & traditional servicesFaculty praise physical collectionElectronic databases not perceived as library sourcesFrustration with locating and accessing full-text copiesSlide8
Common Findings:User Literacy SkillsInformation literacy skills
LackingNot kept pace with digital literacyResearchers self-taught & confidentSlide9
Common Findings:The Web
Search engine first choiceStarting point Easy and convenient to useQuick searches to become familiar with subjectsRate search engines better lifestyle fit than librariesTrust Google to understandSlide10
Common Findings:The Search
Search strategies differ by context Database interfaces hinder accessDesire enhanced functionality & content to evaluate resourcesPrefer natural languageSlide11
Common Findings:The Catalog“It is very clear that Google has emerged as a real force in the accessing and discovery of research content which is rivalling university library catalogues.”
(Hampton-Reeves, Stuart, Claire Mashiter, Jonathan Westaway
, Peter Lumsden, Helen Day, Helen Hewerston, and Anna Hart. 2009. Students’ use of research content in teaching and learning: A report of the Joint Information Systems Council (JISC), p. 30)Slide12
Common Findings:The Catalog
Value databases & other online sourcesDo not understand what resources available in librariesCannot distinguish between databases held by a library & other online sources Library OPACs difficult to use Slide13
Common Findings:The Catalog
Search behaviors vary by disciplineDesire seamless process from D2DSciences most satisfiedSocial Sciences & Arts & Humanities have serious gapsForeign language materials
Multi-author collectionsJournal back filesLack of specialist search enginesSlide14
Common Findings:Metadata
Inadequately cataloged resources result in underuseLibrary ownership of sources essential data elementDifferences exist between the catalog data quality priorities of users & librariansSlide15
Contradictory Findings“Google generation”
Search engine speedSupport for library OPAC advanced search options & social featuresSlide16
ConclusionsSimple searches & power browsing
“Squirreling” of downloads Natural languageConvenience very importantHuman resources valuedD2D of full-text digital content desiredTransparency of ranking results
Evaluative information included in catalogMore robust metadataSlide17
Implications for LibrariansServe different constituencies
Adapt to changing user behaviorsOffer services in multiple formatsProvide seamless access to digital contentCreate metadata based on user needsAdvertise resources, brand, & valueSlide18
“Who has the most scientific knowledge of large-scale organization, collection, and access to information? Librarians! A librarian can take a book, put it somewhere, and then guarantee to find it again.” Peter Bol, Carswell Professor of East Asian Languages & Civilization(Shaw, Jonathan. 2010. Gutenberg: Harvard’s libraries deal with disruptive change.
Harvard Magazine, May-June, p. 36.)Slide19
Implications for Library SystemsBuild on & integrate search engine features
Provide search help at time of needChat & IM help during searchAdopt user-centered development approachSlide20
What Does This Mean for Libraries?
Keep talkingKeep movingKeep the gates openKeep it simpleSlide21
NotesConnaway, L.S., & Dickey, T.J. (2010). Digital information seekers: Report of findings from selected OCLC, RIN, and JISC user behavior projects.
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/publications/reports/2010/digitalinformationseekerreport.pdfFunded by JISCProject Web Site URL: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/reports/2010/digitalinformationseekers.aspx Slide22
Questions & CommentsLynn Silipigni Connaway
connawal@oclc.org