The document provides an overview of discovery layers and a case study on implementing EBSCO Discovery Service. It defines discovery in the context of web-scale integration of various content types and outlines leading discovery products in the market. The case study highlights the rationale for choosing EBSCO, its setup process, and lessons learned regarding its implementation.

1. Discovery Layers
An Overview and Case Study
Myka Kennedy Stephens
Seminary Librarian
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

2. Overview
● Discovery Defined
● Survey of Top Discovery Products
● Case Study: Implementing EBSCO Discovery

3. Discovery Defined1

4. Web-Scale Discovery
● Centralized index containing pre-harvested
metadata from multiple sources
● Searchable through one interface
● Includes licensed content for subscribers, open
access content, and local content

5. Discovery Layer
● User interface to search and display content from
the Web-Scale Discovery (WSD) index(es).
● Relevancy ranking algorithms and de-duplicating
ability for search results
● Refine search tool, direct content linking, and
record management features

6. Top Discovery Products on the Market2

7. WorldCat Discovery
https://www.oclc.org/en/worldcat-discovery.html
● OCLC member libraries already have holdings
linked
● Article, dissertation, open access content
metadata from OCLC databases
● Integrates with WordShare Management Services

8. ExLibris Primo
http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/category/PrimoOverview
● Personalized relevance ranking and other user
profile features
● Relies on vendors to make content indexes
available
● Integrates with ExLibris Alma

9. Summon
http://www.proquest.com/products-services/The-
Summon-Service.html
● Unified index with discovery-optimized records
● Syndetic Solutions add-on provides cover art,
contents, sample chapter, and more
● ProQuest product compatible with many
integrated library systems

10. Encore
https://www.iii.com/products/sierra-ils/encore-
discovery/
● General discovery interface with “RightResult”
search and ranking algorithms
● Encore Duet integrates EBSCO Discovery Service
metadata and content
● Integrates with Innovative’s Sierra

11. EBSCO Discovery Service
https://www.ebscohost.com/discovery
● Smart linking to full-text content
● Comprehensive relevance ranking and supports
multiple controlled vocabularies
● Research starters included
● Integration via API; multiple ILS partnerships

12. Case Study: EBSCO Discovery Service3

13. Why Discovery?
● Expanding database subscriptions beyond a single
vendor
● New subscriptions to eBook collections
● Small staff with little time to keep up with catalog
changes for eBook collections
● Centralized search and direct links to full-text
content for library patrons

14. Why EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS)?
● Tried WorldCat Discovery
○ Did not like relevance ranking
○ Could not add some licensed databases
○ Full-text links did not always work
● EBSCO is our primary content provider
● API integration available for new ILS

15. Signing Up for EDS
● Assigned EBSCO Discovery Specialist walks you
through setup, testing, and final implementation
● Catalog customizations are complicated and
critical
● Extensive questionnaire

16. What to Know for the EDS Questionnaire
● Number of local records
● Format of local records
● MARC fields for:
○ Unique identifier
○ Call number
○ Location
○ Barcode
○ URLs
● Catalog permalink
● Z39.50 or REST service
for real-time availability
checking (RTAC)
● Location codes
● Item status codes

17. Implementing EDS
● Set up content using Holdings Management and
Full-Text Finder
● Customize user profiles in EBSCOadmin for EDS
and EDS-API
● Establish catalog sync (FTP, OAI-PMH, z39.50)
● Discovery Layer options: EDS interface or
integrate EDS-API in Koha (our ILS)

18. Lessons Learned
● Enabling some open access content generates
overwhelming results
● The API integration with Koha works well but is
not error free … yet.
● EDS interface provides helpful tools (citation
builder, Google Drive integration, etc.) not
accessible directly from API
● Training patrons to use it is key

19. Thanks!
Myka Kennedy Stephens
Seminary Librarian & Assistant Professor
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Email: mkstephens@lancasterseminary.edu
Facebook: @mykakennedystephens
Blog: www.mission-information.org
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