1. The "Google"-like search bar: Making things easier for a quick keyword search, most catalogs have a single search bar that makes the interface easier for librarian and patron alike.
2. Advanced Search option: When you have plenty of information and want stellar results, advanced search is the way to go.
3. Facets: Ahhh, facet navigation is the butter to the catalog's bread. Easily limit your search parameters by location, language, or subject term.
4. "Did you mean...?": For the patron (or librarian!) who is not sure how to spell a specific term or author's name, there is a solution (though sometimes not the best help).
5. Subject Headings: The ability for patrons and librarians to find more resources through the use of subject heading links at the bottom of the individual item records makes subject browsing easier.
Those are just a few qualities that I like regarding Next-Generation Catalogs. What do you like?
Those are just a few qualities that I like regarding Next-Generation Catalogs. What do you like?
I like the idea of using the catalog to review materials that you have used. I also like the idea of social tagging within a catalog. How cool would it be to be able to go into the catalog, locate materials and then see what other people in your research area said about the materials?
ReplyDeleteThis past fall, I went to a talk by John Palfrey who was the author of the book "Born Digital" that I read for my book review, and he showed us where Harvard was going in regards to their digital library.
One feature was that you could browse virtually, with books and call numbers being represented visually and with the books that were used the most being highlighted and pulled forward from the shelf. This way, you could visually browse the stacks in the same way that you could in person, as well as see what others like you had checked out previously.
I see the catalog going in this same direction, with users being able to see what others searched for, and then take it a step further and see what those same people had reviewed as helpful. It could definitely help you when doing your own research.