Last updated on Mar 12, 2024

You’re trying to improve your library services. What are the best discovery tools to help you do it?

As a librarian, you want to provide the best possible service to your patrons. You want them to find the information they need quickly, easily, and accurately. You also want to showcase the richness and diversity of your collections and resources. How can you achieve these goals? One way is to use effective library discovery tools. These are software applications that help users search, browse, and access library materials across different formats, platforms, and locations. In this article, we will explore some of the features and benefits of library discovery tools, and how to choose the best ones for your library.

1 What are library discovery tools?

Library discovery tools are designed to improve the user experience of finding and using library resources. They offer a single point of entry for searching and accessing multiple sources of information, such as catalogs, databases, journals, ebooks, archives, and digital collections. They also provide features such as relevance ranking, faceted filtering, full-text linking, citation management, and user feedback. Library discovery tools aim to simplify and enhance the research process for users, while increasing the visibility and usage of library collections.

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Beth Hinshaw

Circulation Clerk @ Muskogee Public Library | State Certification, Library Science
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One of the best is to look at what kind of databases your library has and learn about them. Try to attend workshops or webinars about these kinds of resources and start using them so you can expand your knowledge. I myself like to use EBSCO to find those hard to find articles or other kinds of information out there that could be useful.

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2 Why are library discovery tools important?

Library discovery tools are important because they can help users overcome some of the challenges and frustrations of traditional library search systems. For example, users may have difficulty navigating different interfaces, formats, and standards of library resources. They may also have trouble finding relevant and reliable results among the vast and diverse amount of information available. Library discovery tools can address these issues by offering a more user-friendly, intuitive, and comprehensive search experience. They can also help users discover new and related sources of information that they may not have found otherwise.

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Luis Enrique Lescano Borrego

📖 Library Specialist |🎓 Librarian Training |💡 Library Innovation |🚀 I help you enhance your knowledge in librarianship to achieve your goals.
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Las herramientas de descubrimiento, como VuFind, permiten a los usuarios tener un único punto de acceso a todos los recursos de la biblioteca. Son importantes porque mejoran la experiencia del usuario y evitan la saturación en la búsqueda al no tener que entrar a cada base de datos digital para buscar información, lo que a su vez mejora la experiencia en la investigación.

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Vusi Hlela

Open to opportunities in the field of Archives, Data, Information, Knowledge, Records and Library Resources Management ...
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Improving services in the library is the crucial part in the library. Now days such tools like Social Networks (SN) also known as Social Media's (SM) like Library Facebook Page, X Page, WhatsApp to name the few. These are the most popular solutions to Improving library services in the information era. Post new services on SN with concise details of that particular service, make practical examples of that services and ensure to include benefits of using that service.

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Alvaro Lopez Bustamante

Jefe Unidad de Gestión y Análisis de Recursos de Información en Universidad de Concepción
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Son esenciales, pues no sólo es importante tener material documental, sino que también es importante que los usuarios sepan que éste existe, y donde encontrarlo. Muchas veces, además, las herramientas de descubrimiento incorporan y centralizan material en formato electrónico, como repositorios y bases de datos, que de otra manera estarían dispersos. Porque, en otras palabras, si el usuario no encuentra el recurso, este -en los hechos- no existe, y por lo tanto, la inversión realizada para tener los recursos (ya sea monetaria o de tiempo y personal), es una inversión perdida.

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3 What are some examples of library discovery tools?

When it comes to library discovery tools, there are many different types available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Federated search tools, such as EBSCO Discovery Service, ProQuest Summon, or OCLC WorldCat Discovery, allow users to search multiple databases or sources simultaneously and display the results in a single interface. Web-scale discovery tools, like Ex Libris Primo, Innovative Interfaces Encore, and Bibliotheca Cloud Library, use a centralized index of metadata and full-text content from various sources to provide a fast and seamless search experience. Lastly, open source discovery tools like Blacklight, VuFind, and Koha are developed and maintained by the library community and offer more flexibility and customization options.

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Luis Enrique Lescano Borrego

📖 Library Specialist |🎓 Librarian Training |💡 Library Innovation |🚀 I help you enhance your knowledge in librarianship to achieve your goals.
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En nuestra biblioteca, contamos con dos excelentes herramientas de descubrimiento: Vufind y Ebsco Discovery Service. Para implementarlas eficientemente, es crucial que los bibliotecarios comprendamos cómo nuestros sistemas bibliotecarios exportan información a través del protocolo OAI-PMH. Esta comprensión simplifica la integración. En nuestra experiencia, optamos por ambos sistemas: uno de pago y otro de código abierto. Hemos enfrentado interrupciones en el servicio debido a problemas de suscripción y pagos, momento en el cual Vufind nos ha sido de gran ayuda. Sin embargo, el software libre también demanda mantenimiento y actualizaciones, tareas que el personal informático no siempre lleva a cabo.

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4 How to evaluate library discovery tools?

When selecting a library discovery tool, it is essential to evaluate its suitability and compatibility with your needs and expectations. Coverage must be considered - is the content and metadata comprehensive and diverse? Does it include all the sources and formats that your users need and want? Functionality is also important - is the tool easy to use and maintain? Does it offer features that enhance the search and access process for users and librarians? Usability should be taken into account, too - is the interface and design user-friendly and intuitive? Does it support different languages, devices, and accessibility standards? Additionally, customization should be examined - how much control do you have over the tool's configuration and appearance? Can it be tailored to your library's brand, identity, and preferences? Lastly, integration must be assessed - does the tool integrate well with existing library systems and services? Does it support interoperability and compatibility with other platforms and standards? Cost must also be considered - how much does the tool cost to acquire and operate? Does it offer value for money and return on investment?

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5 How to implement library discovery tools?

Once you have selected a library discovery tool for your library, you need to implement it effectively and efficiently. This includes planning and defining goals, objectives, expectations, roles, responsibilities, timeline, budget, and scope. You should also prepare by gathering and organizing data, metadata, and content sources. Testing and troubleshooting the system and network settings, as well as training and educating staff and users on how to use the tool are essential steps. When ready, you can launch the tool on your library website and platforms. This is followed by monitoring and evaluating its performance and usage, as well as soliciting and responding to feedback from users and librarians. Finally, you should maintain the tool's content, functionality, usability, resolve issues or problems that may arise, and communicate with the tool's vendor or developer.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Sabera Binta Bashar

Passionate School Librarian | Fostering a love for reading and learning 📚
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To improve library services, librarians can: 1. Use user-friendly digital catalogs. 2. Organize workshops for information literacy. 3. Engage with the community for feedback. 4. Curate diverse and updated collections. 5. Integrate multimedia resources and online platforms. 6. Develop library apps for mobile access. 7. Collaborate with schools for educational support. 8. Provide accessibility services for inclusivity. 9. Conduct staff training for staying updated. For discovery tools, consider integrated Library Management Systems, online databases, and AI-driven recommendation engines for efficient resource discovery.

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You’re trying to improve your library services. What are the best discovery tools to help you do it?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 What are library discovery tools?

2 Why are library discovery tools important?

3 What are some examples of library discovery tools?

4 How to evaluate library discovery tools?

5 How to implement library discovery tools?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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You’re trying to improve your library services. What are the best discovery tools to help you do it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 What are library discovery tools?

2 Why are library discovery tools important?

3 What are some examples of library discovery tools?

4 How to evaluate library discovery tools?

5 How to implement library discovery tools?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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