This presentation was given at the ALA-ALCTS Continuing Resources Section Committee on Holdings Information Discussion Forum, American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, February 10, 2018, Denver, CO

1. Holding Steady with Changes!
Using and Teaching a Discovery Service While Planning
for a Transition
Cynthia Kane
Professor and Director of Assessment, Emporia State University Libraries and
Archives, Emporia, KS
Dr. Terri Summey
Professor and Research and Instruction Librarian, Emporia State University Libraries
and Archives, Emporia, KS

2. S.I. Ranganathan, The Five Laws of Library Science (1931):
1. Books are for use.
2. Every reader their book.
3. Every book its reader.
4. Save the time of the reader.
5. The library is a growing organism.
--How do these last two laws apply
in a world of confusing searching interfaces?
Five Laws of Library Science

3. William Allen White Library:
 Current integrated library system (ILS): WorldCat WMS,
WorldShare Management Services
 Migration to this system took place in January 2014
 Migrated from Innovative Interfaces, Inc. – with this ILS
since 1999
Our Background

4. Back to the Future?
We are in the process of migrating
(kind of) back to III…
• Sierra ILS
• Some functionalities that were
lost in transition to WorldCat
WMS; and,
• Some functionalities that will be
lost in transition to Sierra!

5.  EBSCO’s Discovery Search
 Presently an “overlay” of the WorldCat WMS searching interface
 Offers features such as “Research Starters” at the top of the screen when a patron
searches for a broad topic
 Other features in our Discovery Search customization:
 Recommended Research Guides (links to our library’s subject LibGuides)
 Frequently Asked Questions (link to our FAQs on LibAnswers)
 Ask Us! Button (link to LibChat)
 Library Hours
 More Resources (direct links to additional subject-specific databases)
In the Meantime…

6. BrowZine -- Overlay

7.  One-stop shopping – user expectations for “single search”
 No need for users to select the “right” database
 Speed and convenience
Discovery Tools: Opportunities

8.  Plethora of sources and information
 Library users and source differentiation
 Scope of tool – what is included and what is not included?
 Limiting results
 Discipline specific tools and features
 Known item searches
Discovery Tools: Challenges

9. We do not have official “branch” libraries, but our library does perform cataloging and holdings
management for several collections across ESU:
OCLC Code: KKR
“Branch” or location codes:
 KKR8: Nursing Library
 KKRA: ESU Library (William Allen White Library)
 KKRB: Science/Math Education Center
 KKRC: Science Hall Math Library
 KKRE: Office of Multicultural Affairs
 KKRD: Teachers College Resource Center
 KKRF: Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Library
 KKRJ: Jones Institute for Educational Excellence
Holdings Challenges!

10. When Holdings in the Discovery Search Work…

11. And When They Don’t…
KKRB –
Science/Math
Education Center

12.  Communication with vendor at EVERY step of the process. “If you don’t know why the
vendor is asking for a specific piece of information, be sure to understand fully before
moving on…”
 Plan for migration issues and adjust as necessary
 If you or others are dissatisfied with processes or results, “talk to other users and
present your case to the vendor.”
Brandsma, T. T., & Conger, M. J. (2014). Influencing success: Configuring the WorldCat
Knowledge Base with user needs in mind. Serials Review, 40(3), 147-153.
Advice – Working with ILS Vendors

13. “Every decision we make affects how people
experience the library. Let’s make sure we’re
creating improvements.”
Schmidt, A. (2015). UX means you. Library Journal, 140(16), 21.
One Change Impacts Everyone

14. Questions?
Contact Information:
Cynthia Kane, ckane1@emporia.edu
Dr. Terri Summey, tsummey@emporia.edu
Thank You!