[Sigia-l] multiple search index usability/conceptual model

[jess at cognissa.com]

So a friend is redesigning an academic library web site, and I was wondering:

How do we get people to understand the differences between the multitude of searches offered on a library site (which includes a catalog search, half-a-dozen licensed databases, and a tool to help newbies search the web).

In usability testing, *everyone* (all undergrads) assumed that there is one "Library Search" and if they don't find it in that first search, it's not there...this was most problematic for a search of the website itself, labelled "Search Site"..so they ditched the site search, but there are still a large number of other search tools for patrons to wrap their heads around....

the same problem exists anytime there's multiple search indexes (say, on a large corp. site where one might search the division's web pages, the entire corp. site, or a product database...)

thoughts?

I think that one search field with radio buttons to choose the search index used can work for a small number of options that are controlled by the same IT group (doesn't work for multiple licensed content like a library subscribes to, though)

thanks,

Jess

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