CDLINFO Newsletter, January 27, 2005, Vol. 8 No. 2
CONTENTS
- Metasearch Usability
- 2004 Melvyl Catalog Satisfaction Survey Results
- For More Information
- News and Publications
- Contacts for Questions or Problems
- About CDLINFO
1. Metasearch Usability
In the Metasearch Infrastructure Project, the CDL is working to create metasearch tools and software that campus libraries can use to craft search portals tailored to specific audiences. The "Core Collection" portal is targeted towards undergraduate students doing research for papers, as well as researchers doing research in subjects outside of their areas of expertise. The primary goal of the metasearch service is to assist users in efficient discovery of information across a range of resources. After a thorough review of leading commercial metasearch products, the CDL purchased the MetaLib application from Ex Libris and has been working with them to further develop the software.
In October 2004, CDL staff conducted usability tests and a focus group session with undergraduate students at UCSC, one of our campus partners on the project. The purpose of the testing was to predict the expected performance of actual users interacting with the current MetaLib interface, as well as detect any serious usability problems prior to the release of this service. The purpose of the needs assessment portion was to determine whether students would perceive this service as useful.
A report of the testing is available at http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/metasearch/core_ucsc_oct2004usability.pdf [PDF]
For more information on the Metasearch Infrastructure Project, see http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/metasearch/.
2. 2004 Melvyl Catalog Satisfaction Survey Results
A Melvyl Catalog Satisfaction Survey was made available via the web to UC library staff November 2-20, 2004. Its aim was to determine the level of satisfaction of campus library staff for Melvyl, to surface issues of dissatisfaction of which CDL may not be aware, and to gain a feel for the general "pulse" of opinion about the catalog. To support CDL's ongoing effort to meet the bibliographic service needs of its library staff user community, the Melvyl Catalog Satisfaction Survey will be repeated on a regular basis. The data will be used to measure changes in library staff satisfaction with the Melvyl Catalog suite of services, to assess evolving user needs and expectations, and to gather recommendations for change.
A total of 150 responses were submitted, and responses were received from staff at all ten UC campuses and represented a broad range of work responsibilities, including but not limited to Reference/Instruction (34%), Circulation (14%), Cataloging (9%), and Collection Development (8%). A significant number of respondents (25%) identified their primary work responsibilities as falling into the category "Other"; of the 37 respondents indicating "Other", 17 list interlibrary loan responsibilities as primary.
The full survey analysis can be found at http://www.cdlib.org/inside/projects/melvyl/melvylstaff_survey_nov2004.pdf.
Articles addressing some issues raised by user comments to open-ended questions will be reported in upcoming issues of "Melvyl Matters".
3. For More Information
a. News and Publications
News and events, press releases, reports and guidelines, and articles published by CDL staff are posted on the CDL web site. Please share news of this resource with your colleagues!
In addition, status information about CDL resources, reports, and working documents of particular interest to library staff are available on the Inside CDL web site.
b. Contacts for Questions or Problems
If you have problems accessing CDL resources or have questions, including questions about the status of electronic journal collections and Internet resources, contact the CDL:- For immediate assistance, call the CDL Helpline at 510-987-0555. Callers with TDD equipment, please call 1-800-735-2929 in California for the telephone relay operator.
- Or, send an email to cdl@www.cdlib.org.
For information about whether your UC campus has access to a particular electronic journal or Internet resource, contact your local collection development officer.
c. About CDLINFO
CDLINFO informs UC librarians and the UC community about the progress of the CDL, policy issues under discussion, and newly available electronic resources. Please share selected information from this newsletter with faculty, staff, and students on the campuses.
Eligible subscribers: UC library employees
Subscriptions: To subscribe for email distribution, send an email to listserv@listserv.ucop.edu with the following line as the body of the message, where FirstName LastName is your name: SUBSCRIBE CDLINFO-L FirstName LastName.
Frequency of publication: Biweekly, or as new information warrants. CDLINFO is also published on the Inside CDL news and events page.
Submissions: For information about submitting to CDLINFO, see the submission deadlines. Email articles to jennifer.colvin@ucop.edu.
Communicating with the listserv: While the CDLINFO listserv does not accept emails, subscribers are encouraged to send suggestions, thoughts, and comments to the CDL at cdl@www.cdlib.org.