Next Generation User Next Generation User InterfacesInterfaces

Delivering content and services Delivering content and services to today’s Web-savvy library to today’s Web-savvy library

usersusers

Marshall BreedingMarshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technologies and ResearchDirector for Innovative Technologies and ResearchVanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University

http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/breedinghttp://www.librarytechnology.org/

Ex Libris User Group Seminar-- Seoul, South Korea 19 May 2008

AbstractAbstract

• Marshall Breeding, Director for Innovative Marshall Breeding, Director for Innovative Technology and Research at Vanderbilt Technology and Research at Vanderbilt University Library will talk about the trend University Library will talk about the trend toward the deployment of a new breed of toward the deployment of a new breed of library interfaces more familiar to today’s library interfaces more familiar to today’s Web-savvy library users. He will describe Web-savvy library users. He will describe some of the general features of these new some of the general features of these new interfaces and talk about the experience interfaces and talk about the experience that Vanderbilt University has had with the that Vanderbilt University has had with the implementation of Primo from Ex Libris.implementation of Primo from Ex Libris.

Troubling statisticTroubling statistic

Where do you typically begin Where do you typically begin your search for information on your search for information on a particular topic?a particular topic?

College Students Response:College Students Response:• 89%89% Search engines (Google 62%)Search engines (Google 62%)• 2%2% Library Web Site (total respondents -> Library Web Site (total respondents ->

1%)1%)• 2%2% Online DatabaseOnline Database• 1% 1% E-mailE-mail• 1% 1% Online NewsOnline News• 1% 1% Online bookstoresOnline bookstores• 0% 0% Instant Messaging / Online ChatInstant Messaging / Online Chat

OCLC. Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources (2005) p. 1-17.

Usage + / - from 2005 to Usage + / - from 2005 to 20072007

“The unfortunate exception is the use of library Web sites; usage has dropped from 2005 to 2007.”

Source: Sharing, Privacy and Trust in our Networked World. OCLC 2007

+19%

+14%

+5%

+30%-10%

Crowded Landscape of Crowded Landscape of Information Providers on the Information Providers on the WebWeb• Lots of non-library Web destinations Lots of non-library Web destinations

deliver content to library patrons deliver content to library patrons – Google ScholarGoogle Scholar– Amazon.comAmazon.com– WikipediaWikipedia– Ask.comAsk.com

• Do Library Web sites and catalogs meet Do Library Web sites and catalogs meet the information needs of our users?the information needs of our users?

• Do they attract their interest?Do they attract their interest?

The CompetitionThe Competition

The best Library OPAC?The best Library OPAC?

Typical ILS OPACTypical ILS OPAC

Better?Better?

Better?Better?

Demand for compelling library Demand for compelling library interfacesinterfaces

• Urgent need for libraries to offer Urgent need for libraries to offer interfaces their users will like to useinterfaces their users will like to use

• Move into the current millenniumMove into the current millennium

• Powerful search capabilities in tune Powerful search capabilities in tune with how the Web works todaywith how the Web works today

• Meet user expectations set by other Meet user expectations set by other Web destinationWeb destination

Inadequacy of ILS OPACs Inadequacy of ILS OPACs

• Online Catalog modules provided with an ILS Online Catalog modules provided with an ILS subject to broad criticism as failing to meet subject to broad criticism as failing to meet expectations of growing segments of library expectations of growing segments of library patrons.patrons.

• Not great at delivering electronic contentNot great at delivering electronic content

• Complex text-based interfacesComplex text-based interfaces

• Relatively weak keyword search enginesRelatively weak keyword search engines

• Lack of good relevancy sortingLack of good relevancy sorting

• Narrow scope of contentNarrow scope of content

Disjointed approach to Disjointed approach to information and service information and service deliverydelivery• Books: Library OPAC (ILS module)Books: Library OPAC (ILS module)

• Articles: Aggregated content products, e-journal Articles: Aggregated content products, e-journal collectionscollections

• OpenURL linking servicesOpenURL linking services

• E-journal finding aids (Often managed by link E-journal finding aids (Often managed by link resolver)resolver)

• Local digital collectionsLocal digital collections– ETDs, photos, rich media collectionsETDs, photos, rich media collections

• Metasearch enginesMetasearch engines

• All searched separatelyAll searched separately

Change underwayChange underway

• Widespread dissatisfaction with most of the Widespread dissatisfaction with most of the current OPACs. Many efforts toward next-current OPACs. Many efforts toward next-generation catalogs and interfaces.generation catalogs and interfaces.

• Movement among libraries to break out of the Movement among libraries to break out of the current mold of library catalogs and offer new current mold of library catalogs and offer new interfaces better suited to the expectations of interfaces better suited to the expectations of library users. library users.

• Decoupling of the front-end interface from the Decoupling of the front-end interface from the back-end library automation system.back-end library automation system.

• Eventual redesign of the ILS to be better suited Eventual redesign of the ILS to be better suited for current library collections of digital and print for current library collections of digital and print contentcontent

Next-Generation Next-Generation Interfaces: Interfaces:

Scope and ConceptsScope and Concepts

Working toward a new Working toward a new generation of library interfacesgeneration of library interfaces

• Redefinition of the “library catalog”Redefinition of the “library catalog”

• Traditional notions of the library Traditional notions of the library catalog questionedcatalog questioned

• Better information delivery toolsBetter information delivery tools

• More powerful search capabilitiesMore powerful search capabilities

• More elegant presentationMore elegant presentation

Redefining the “catalog”Redefining the “catalog”

• More comprehensive information discovery More comprehensive information discovery environmentsenvironments

• It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited to It’s no longer enough to provide a catalog limited to print resourcesprint resources

• Digital resources cannot be an afterthoughtDigital resources cannot be an afterthought• Systems designed for e-content only are also Systems designed for e-content only are also

problematicproblematic• Forcing users to use different interfaces depending on Forcing users to use different interfaces depending on

type of content becoming less tenabletype of content becoming less tenable• Libraries working toward consolidated user Libraries working toward consolidated user

environments that give equal footing to digital and environments that give equal footing to digital and print resourcesprint resources

Comprehensive Search Comprehensive Search ServiceService• Current distributed query model of federated Current distributed query model of federated

search model not adequatesearch model not adequate

• Expanded scope of search through harvested Expanded scope of search through harvested contentcontent– Consolidated search services based on metadata Consolidated search services based on metadata

and data gathered in advance (like OAI-PMH)and data gathered in advance (like OAI-PMH)

• Problems of scale diminishedProblems of scale diminished

• Problems of cooperation persistProblems of cooperation persist

• Federated search currently operates as a plug-Federated search currently operates as a plug-in component of next-gen interfaces.in component of next-gen interfaces.

Web 2.0 FlavoringsWeb 2.0 Flavorings

• Strategic infrastructure + Web 2.0Strategic infrastructure + Web 2.0

• A more social and collaborative A more social and collaborative approachapproach

• Web Tools and technology that foster Web Tools and technology that foster collaborationcollaboration

• Integrated blogs, wiki, tagging, social Integrated blogs, wiki, tagging, social bookmarking, user rating, user reviewsbookmarking, user rating, user reviews

• Avoid Web 2.0 information silosAvoid Web 2.0 information silos

The Ideal Scope for Next The Ideal Scope for Next Gen Library InterfacesGen Library Interfaces• Unified user experienceUnified user experience

• A single point of entry into all the A single point of entry into all the content and services offered by the content and services offered by the librarylibrary

• Print + ElectronicPrint + Electronic

• Local + RemoteLocal + Remote

• Locally created ContentLocally created Content

• User contributed content?User contributed content?

Next Generation Next Generation Interfaces: Interfaces:

Functions and FeaturesFunctions and Features

Interface Features / User Interface Features / User Experience Experience

• Simple point of entrySimple point of entry– Optional advanced searchOptional advanced search

• Relevancy ranked resultsRelevancy ranked results

• Facets for narrowing and navigationFacets for narrowing and navigation

• Query enhancement – spell check, etcQuery enhancement – spell check, etc

• Suggested related resultsSuggested related results

• Navigational bread crumbsNavigational bread crumbs

• Enriched visual and textual contentEnriched visual and textual content

• Single Sign-onSingle Sign-on

Relevancy RankingRelevancy Ranking

• Based on advanced search engines Based on advanced search engines specifically designed for relevancyspecifically designed for relevancy– Endeca, Lucene, etcEndeca, Lucene, etc

• Web users expect relevancy ordered resultsWeb users expect relevancy ordered results– The “good stuff” should be listed firstThe “good stuff” should be listed first– Users tend not to delve deep into a result listUsers tend not to delve deep into a result list– Good relevancy requires a sophisticated Good relevancy requires a sophisticated

approach, including objective matching criteria approach, including objective matching criteria supplemented by popularity and relatedness supplemented by popularity and relatedness factors.factors.

New Paradigm for search and New Paradigm for search and navigationnavigation• Let users drill down through the result set Let users drill down through the result set

incrementally narrowing the fieldincrementally narrowing the field• Faceted BrowsingFaceted Browsing

– Drill-down vs up-front Boolean or “Advanced Drill-down vs up-front Boolean or “Advanced Search”Search”

– gives the users clues about the number of hits in gives the users clues about the number of hits in each sub topiceach sub topic

– Ability to explore collections without Ability to explore collections without a prioria priori knowledgeknowledge

• Visual search toolsVisual search tools• Navigational Bread crumbs Navigational Bread crumbs

– Select / deselect facetsSelect / deselect facets

Query / Result Query / Result EnhancementEnhancement• ““Did you mean?” and other features to Did you mean?” and other features to

avoid “No results found”avoid “No results found”

• Validated Spell check Validated Spell check

• Automatic inclusion of authorized and Automatic inclusion of authorized and related termsrelated terms

• More like this – recommendation serviceMore like this – recommendation service

• Make the query and the response to it Make the query and the response to it better than the query providedbetter than the query provided

Appropriate organizational Appropriate organizational structuresstructures

• LCSH vs FAST (Faceted Application of LCSH vs FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology)Subject Terminology)

• Full MARC vs Dublin Core or MODSFull MARC vs Dublin Core or MODS

• Discipline-specific thesauri or Discipline-specific thesauri or ontologiesontologies

• ““tags”tags”

Enriched contentEnriched content

• Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating scores, Rich visual information: book jacket images, rating scores, etc.etc.

• Syndetic Solutions ICE ($$$$)Syndetic Solutions ICE ($$$$)

• Amazon Web Service (AWS) Amazon Web Service (AWS) – Recent changes in term of use seem to preclude Recent changes in term of use seem to preclude

use by librariesuse by libraries

• Google Book Search API Google Book Search API – Released March 13, 2008Released March 13, 2008– Liberal terms of useLiberal terms of use

• No open content approach (yet)No open content approach (yet)

Personalization / Single Personalization / Single Sign-onSign-on• Customized content and service options based on Customized content and service options based on

personal preference and profile of userpersonal preference and profile of user

• Persistent sign-on – horizontal and verticalPersistent sign-on – horizontal and vertical– Seamless navigation in and out of appropriate sub-systemsSeamless navigation in and out of appropriate sub-systems

• ILL / ILS patron requests, federated search, proxy servicesILL / ILS patron requests, federated search, proxy services

– Credentials follow as user navigates among Web site Credentials follow as user navigates among Web site componentscomponents

– ILS / Interlibrary Loan / proxy services / shopping cart / etcILS / Interlibrary Loan / proxy services / shopping cart / etc– Carry sign-on into and out of institutional resourcesCarry sign-on into and out of institutional resources

• Ability to select and save content; initiate requests; Ability to select and save content; initiate requests; customize preferences, etc.customize preferences, etc.

Deep searchDeep search• Entering post-metadata search eraEntering post-metadata search era• Increasing opportunities to search the full contentsIncreasing opportunities to search the full contents

– Google Library Print, Google Publisher, Open Content Google Library Print, Google Publisher, Open Content Alliance, Microsoft Live Book Search, etc.Alliance, Microsoft Live Book Search, etc.

– High-quality metadata will improve search precisionHigh-quality metadata will improve search precision• Commercial search providers already offer “search Commercial search providers already offer “search

inside the book”inside the book”• No comprehensive full text search for books quite yetNo comprehensive full text search for books quite yet• Not currently available through library search Not currently available through library search

environmentsenvironments• Deep search highly improved by high-quality metadataDeep search highly improved by high-quality metadataSee: Systems Librarian, May 2008 “Beyond the current generation of next-generation See: Systems Librarian, May 2008 “Beyond the current generation of next-generation

interfaces: deeper search”interfaces: deeper search”

Beyond DiscoveryBeyond Discovery

• Fulfillment orientedFulfillment oriented

• Search -> select -> viewSearch -> select -> view

• Delivery/Fulfillment much harder than Delivery/Fulfillment much harder than discoverydiscovery

• Back-end complexity should be as Back-end complexity should be as seamless as possible to the userseamless as possible to the user

• Offer services for digital and print Offer services for digital and print contentcontent

Library-specific FeaturesLibrary-specific Features

• Appropriate relevance factorsAppropriate relevance factors– Objective keyword ranking + Library Objective keyword ranking + Library

weightingsweightings– Circulation frequency, OCLC holdings, Circulation frequency, OCLC holdings,

scholarly contentscholarly content

• Results grouping (FRBR)Results grouping (FRBR)

• Collection focused (vs sales-driven)Collection focused (vs sales-driven)

Enterprise IntegrationEnterprise Integration

• Ability to deliver content and Ability to deliver content and services through non-library services through non-library applicationsapplications

• Campus portal solutionsCampus portal solutions

• CoursewareCourseware

• Social networking environmentsSocial networking environments

• Search portals / Feed aggregators Search portals / Feed aggregators

InteroperabilityInteroperability

• Decoupled interface implies data Decoupled interface implies data synchronizationsynchronization

• Mass export of catalog dataMass export of catalog data

• Hooks back into the ILS for holdings Hooks back into the ILS for holdings and patron servicesand patron services– Real-time availabilityReal-time availability

Architecture and StandardsArchitecture and Standards

• Need to have an standard approach for Need to have an standard approach for connecting new generation interfaces with ILS connecting new generation interfaces with ILS and other repositoriesand other repositories

• Proprietary and Proprietary and ad hocad hoc methods currently methods currently prevailprevail

• Digital Library FederationDigital Library Federation– ILS-Discovery Interface Group ILS-Discovery Interface Group

• Time to start thinking about a new generation Time to start thinking about a new generation of ILS better suited for current library of ILS better suited for current library collections and missions.collections and missions.

Smart and SophisticatedSmart and Sophisticated

• Much more difficult than old gen Much more difficult than old gen OPACSOPACS

• Not a dumbed-down approachNot a dumbed-down approach

• Wed library specific requirements Wed library specific requirements and expectations with e-commerce and expectations with e-commerce technologiestechnologies

Next Gen Interface Next Gen Interface DeploymentsDeployments

Innovative Interfaces: Innovative Interfaces: EncoreEncore

20062006 8181

Ex Libris: PrimoEx Libris: Primo 20062006 7777

Medialab solutions: Medialab solutions: AquaBrowserAquaBrowser

20022002 128128

EndecaEndeca 20042004 55

VTLS VisualizerVTLS Visualizer 20072007 11

Source: Automation System Marketplace, Library Journal April 1, 2008

Open Source opportunity?Open Source opportunity?

• Commercial traditionally licensed Commercial traditionally licensed solutions currently far ahead of open solutions currently far ahead of open source alternativessource alternatives

• Time-to-market a critical factorTime-to-market a critical factor

• Challenge to catch upChallenge to catch up

New-Gen Library New-Gen Library InterfacesInterfaces

Current Commercial and Open Current Commercial and Open Source ProductsSource Products

Primo Partnership at Primo Partnership at Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University

What does Primo offer What does Primo offer Vanderbilt?Vanderbilt?• Not just a replacement for the OPAC. A research Not just a replacement for the OPAC. A research

environment with a broader scope, more current search-environment with a broader scope, more current search-and-retrieval technologies, with an interface more in step and-retrieval technologies, with an interface more in step with other Web destinations. Incorporates “Web 2.0” with other Web destinations. Incorporates “Web 2.0” concepts.concepts.

• A new information discovery and delivery tool created by Ex A new information discovery and delivery tool created by Ex Libris.Libris.

• An environment for the discovery of information resources An environment for the discovery of information resources provided by the library.provided by the library.

• Provides a mechanism for the delivery of materials and Provides a mechanism for the delivery of materials and services for different types of collections including services for different types of collections including electronic, digital, and print materials.electronic, digital, and print materials.

• Works toward an environment that gives equal footing to Works toward an environment that gives equal footing to print and digital resourcesprint and digital resources

Primo consistent with VU Primo consistent with VU VisionVision• The vision of Primo addressed many of the The vision of Primo addressed many of the

concerns that we had with our current concerns that we had with our current environment and with the inherent environment and with the inherent problems in the current product offeringsproblems in the current product offerings

• Break down the silos betweenBreak down the silos between– Print and DigitalPrint and Digital– Local and RemoteLocal and Remote

• Consolidated search and information Consolidated search and information delivery environmentdelivery environment

• More like the interfaces library users see More like the interfaces library users see everywhere else on the Web.everywhere else on the Web.

Primo ContentPrimo Content

• Direct harvesting and indexing of different Direct harvesting and indexing of different information resourcesinformation resources– Initially the bibliographic and authority data of Unicorn Initially the bibliographic and authority data of Unicorn

and TV News abstractsand TV News abstracts– Other content sources added over timeOther content sources added over time

• Subscription based content brought in through Subscription based content brought in through integrated metasearch capabilities.integrated metasearch capabilities.

• Acorn and TV News are but the first steps toward Acorn and TV News are but the first steps toward developing an environment that provides fast developing an environment that provides fast access to multiple, diverse content sources.access to multiple, diverse content sources.

Primo isn’t a Dumbing down Primo isn’t a Dumbing down of the Catalogof the Catalog• Most library catalog searches are currently keywordMost library catalog searches are currently keyword• Primo offers a more sophisticated and effective Primo offers a more sophisticated and effective

keyword search engine.keyword search engine.– Relevancy ranking.Relevancy ranking.

• Faceted browsing provides a mechanism for users Faceted browsing provides a mechanism for users to navigate through and narrow search results. to navigate through and narrow search results. Faceted browsing has proven itself as a preferred Faceted browsing has proven itself as a preferred approach for Web-based information resources. approach for Web-based information resources. “Did you mean?” – beyond simple spell check: “Did you mean?” – beyond simple spell check: library specific approach for providing search library specific approach for providing search alternatives. [example]alternatives. [example]

• Makes use of Authority dataMakes use of Authority data• Incorporates FRBRIncorporates FRBR

Relationship our Unicorn ILSRelationship our Unicorn ILS

• The native version of Unicorn iLink (WebCat) will The native version of Unicorn iLink (WebCat) will continue to be available.continue to be available.

• Data from Unicorn is replicated in Primo and kept Data from Unicorn is replicated in Primo and kept up-to-date. All data retained and maintained in up-to-date. All data retained and maintained in Unicorn. Unicorn.

• Unicorn infrastructure continues to be the Unicorn infrastructure continues to be the mechanism for presenting library services related mechanism for presenting library services related to the physical collection: holds, renewals, annex to the physical collection: holds, renewals, annex requests, faculty book delivery.requests, faculty book delivery.

• An additional item display in Unicorn/iLink An additional item display in Unicorn/iLink (WebCat) will be created specifically for Primo that (WebCat) will be created specifically for Primo that is more consistent with the look and feel of Primo.is more consistent with the look and feel of Primo.

• Acorn is but one content component of Primo.Acorn is but one content component of Primo.

Primo: Behind the Scenes Primo: Behind the Scenes

Primo ArchitecturePrimo Architecture

Primo Indexes

Search Engine

Primo Normalized

XML(PNX)

HarvestedContent

RecordEnrichment

ContentHarvesting

Primo Interface Layer

UnicornAuth Records

Meta

Lib

SFX

SFX

Know

led

ge B

ase

UnicornBib Records

TV NewsAbstracts

Other LocalContent

Other ContentEnrichment

Other OAIContent

Cover artTOC, Abstracts,

etc

ProQuest

ScienceDirect

JSTOR

Many others…

SubscriptionContent Primo Publishing Platform

PNX recordsPNX records

• Primo Normalized XMLPrimo Normalized XML

• The native record structure of Primo. The native record structure of Primo.

• Information from other resources is Information from other resources is harvested, enriched, and converted harvested, enriched, and converted to this specificationto this specification

Primo Publishing PlatformPrimo Publishing Platform

• Primo Publishing PlatformPrimo Publishing Platform (PPP), (PPP), a component of a component of PrimoPrimo, handles the , handles the harvesting, normalization, and harvesting, normalization, and enrichment of data enrichment of data

Why Ex Libris?Why Ex Libris?

• A library automation company with a history of A library automation company with a history of developing significant technologies for academic developing significant technologies for academic librarieslibraries– SFXSFX

• Vanderbilt was a beta test site for SFX, even Vanderbilt was a beta test site for SFX, even though we ended up not purchasing it until later.though we ended up not purchasing it until later.

• A company that tends to develop its own A company that tends to develop its own technologies rather than license them from technologies rather than license them from others.others.

• A stable and growing company. (15 percent A stable and growing company. (15 percent growth per year) Acquisition by Francisco Partners growth per year) Acquisition by Francisco Partners can be seen as an affirmation of their viability.can be seen as an affirmation of their viability.

MilestonesMilestones• Feb 2006 -- Initial conversations with OrenFeb 2006 -- Initial conversations with Oren• Mar 2006 – First on-site demo of Primo at VUMar 2006 – First on-site demo of Primo at VU• Apr 2006 – Decision to partner with Ex Libris for Apr 2006 – Decision to partner with Ex Libris for

PrimoPrimo• May 15 2006 – Kick-off meeting w/ Ex LibrisMay 15 2006 – Kick-off meeting w/ Ex Libris• Oct 31 2006 – Project plan completeOct 31 2006 – Project plan complete• Dec 2006 – Hardware delivered and installedDec 2006 – Hardware delivered and installed• Jan 1007 – Full data extractsJan 1007 – Full data extracts• Feb 2007 – Version 1.0 of software installedFeb 2007 – Version 1.0 of software installed• Jun 2007 – Primo available to all VU staff for review Jun 2007 – Primo available to all VU staff for review

and testingand testing• Aug 2007 – Primo available for the general publicAug 2007 – Primo available for the general public• Spring 2008 – Soft roll-out continues. Traditional Spring 2008 – Soft roll-out continues. Traditional

interface still defaultinterface still default

Primo – out of the boxPrimo – out of the box

• Vanderbilt’s lengthy process not typical for Vanderbilt’s lengthy process not typical for libraries that purchase the completed libraries that purchase the completed productproduct

• Development partnership gives us Development partnership gives us opportunity for input on the product and opportunity for input on the product and responsibility for testing and local responsibility for testing and local developmentdevelopment

• Our work should result in an easier out-of-Our work should result in an easier out-of-the-box installation and deployment.the-box installation and deployment.

For more informationFor more information

Next Generation Next Generation Library Catalogs by Library Catalogs by Marshall BreedingMarshall Breeding

Library Technology Library Technology Reports June/July Reports June/July 20072007

ALA TechSourceALA TechSource

Questions and DiscussionQuestions and Discussion