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

[Laura Norvig]

I don't think it's possible to direct a novice library user to the 
best places to search through design alone.

A pull-down could be fine for people who know what database or source 
they need to search. Others need to be directed to very well-written, 
well-organized explanations of the types of searches and types of 
content available.

One idea would be to guide based on a series of choices the user 
would make, e.g.,

I am looking for:
Scholarly articles
Popular articles
Books
Web resources
etc.

I am looking for:
Citations and abstracts
Full-text only
etc.

On the topic of:
Social science
medical science
arts and humanities
etc.

Based on their choices, explanations of the use and scope of various 
databases, catalogs or electronic journal collections would appear.

There is no easy way to educate academic library users - it's an 
ongoing process. Of course, it helps to remind them that they can 
always ask the Reference Librarian for help.

Laura Norvig, MLIS
"Intelligent Human Agent"
lauran at etr.org


At 8:47 AM -0400 5/16/02, Blake Carver wrote:
>Large libraries have an endless array of products available on a cavernous
>wed site that usually does a poor job of pointing the beginning user to
>where they need to be. Most of the time they fail to even give the user a
>starting point.
>e.g., try to answer this question using most library web sites:
>What is the best Database to use for finding articles in Sociology?
>
>I doubt it can be done, but this is how people approach me at the reference
>desk every day, and I imagine it's how they approach the site every day as
>well.