Coming to Terms with Search: Re-implementing MetaLib at Notre Dame

Abstract

Mark Dehmlow & Ben Heet, Univ. of Notre Dame.

This presentation will cover an overview of our MetaLib re-implementation process from start to finish. We will begin with the techniques we used, such as usability and system statistics evaluation, to assess what changes to make in the system and how to re-position the service within our library website. We will also cover how we mitigated technical challenges with navigation between MetaLib and our website using the deep linking method along with how we improved search results in MetaLib 3.13. Finally, we will describe how we are managing organizational concerns regarding the service and how we are determining its value to our users through surveys and search statistics. The topics we will cover represent a broad range of techniques (usability, system statistics analysis, basic web technology, and organizational communication and culture, and user surveys) that can help organizations design a successful implementation of MetaLib.