2004/07/23
Encounters with the OPAC: On-line Searching in Public Libraries
Debra J. Slone
- Available from JASIS 51 (8):757-773, 2000
- Printed and Filed (with known-item project bibliography)
- Relevant to: Known Item searching, OPAC, query strategies, user studies.
This paper examines the searching strategies of library users by performing a study and questionnaire of 32 library patrons. Slone examines three major types of library queries: area searches, known-item searches, and unknown-item searches.
My summary only concentrates on the known-item searches, since that is the focus of our current research. In the abstract, Slone writes that known-item searches experience "the most disappointment" and are characterised by "simplicity".
1. Finding results in the OPAC doesn't mean that the known-item query is satisfied. Slone shows that even in cases where a known-item search finds a resource, it may not be the desired one. A question then is "how do we figure out what the proportion of correct answers is?"
2. Not satisfied with other material. The patron wants this resource specifically and not others. Also dissatisfaction when the book is unavailable. This leads to critical and negative opinion of the library OPAC. My opinion: this suggests that OPACS that can infer that the current query is a known-item one should present circulation information right away (and suggest alternatives for finding another copy if one is not available, e.g. hold, ILL, substitution for an area search, alternative titles).
3. Known items may not be retrieved because of spelling errors. Children in public libraries may be most affected by this. Also spellings of author names.
4. Confidence and frustration levels differ for known-item vs unknown-item search. Confidence levels are higher and frusteration lower for known-item searching.
