University Libraries is moving to Primo Library Search on Friday, July 1st, where searching and finding library resources can be done easily in one place!
We are here to help! For questions or concerns, please reach out to Kerry Walton, Electronic Resources Librarian | kwalton2@wcupa.edu
Check our webpage @ https://library.wcupa.edu/home to start searching!
Recommendation for West Chester University Libraries’ Discovery Layer
Members: Kerry Walton, Gary Childs, Clayton Garthwait, Annette Hamilton, Anne Larrivee, Alex
Miriello, Wes Miriello, Jenn O’Leary, Laurie Palumbo
April 4, 2022
Since 2019, West Chester University Libraries has managed and supported two discovery systems – ExLibris’ Primo and EBSCO’s EDS. While EDS serves as the default discovery layer, it is necessary to keep Primo as a public-facing catalog layer. EDS is commonly used for instruction and research-help purposes but Primo remains a staple resource for looking up library holdings. Having two discovery systems provided an opportunity for a usability study to compare the use, behavior, and perception of the two systems. The study was conducted between late fall 2020 through spring 2021 and had 19 undergraduate and graduate student participants. Upon completion of the usability study, it was clear the libraries would benefit from:
The Discovery Working Group (DWG) convened in Fall 2021 after soliciting employee volunteers to serve. The charge of the working group was to utilize quantitative and qualitative data from the usability study and library focus groups led by members of the DWG to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two discovery systems, with the goal of putting forward a recommendation for the discovery system University Libraries should use.
Usability study data indicates that students are less likely to focus on the interface but are concerned with locating and accessing resources needed for an assignment. The study also confirmed the findings of many previously published studies that show students do not understand library terminologies such as catalog, online access, full-text, and citations. Although participants in the study did not show strong favoritism toward a particular system, there was a slight preference toward Primo.
Which Library Search interface did you prefer?
Frequency |
Percent |
Valid Percent |
Cumulative Percent |
||
Valid |
EDS |
5 |
26.3 |
26.3 |
26.3 |
PRIMO |
7 |
36.8 |
36.8 |
63.2 |
|
No Preference |
7 |
36.8 |
36.8 |
100.0 |
|
Total |
19 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
|
The DWG conducted a focus group of the members and then in late fall 2021 and early spring 2022 led four separate focus groups in the library: student workers, faculty, staff, and library administration. The results of the focus groups were compiled and organized into ten themes (see Appendix A). Overall, the results showed that there were advantages and disadvantages to each system, areas for improvement and customization, and preferences between systems appeared evenly split. Some of the most significant points are:
ArchivesSpace, widgets, building maps (StackMap), and call number texting
The Discovery Working Group recommends that the University Libraries’ support the ongoing subscription, instruction, and management of Primo discovery system. The following reasons are supported by the results of the study, focus groups, and discussion among DWG members:
The Discovery Working Group’s goal is to respond to the discovery needs and requests of the West Chester University community. Students and faculty should be able to discover library resources with ease. It is important that the resources supplied through our discovery layer are available as soon as possible with metadata that can be customized to match user needs.
Having one discovery system that aligns with the library’s back-end system would allow resource service management staff to refine metadata practices, improve management of electronic resources, and enhance discoverability of all resources including print, subscribed, perpetual access, open access, Digital Commons, special collections and other library specific collections.
Beyond accessibility and discoverability, it is important that our instruction librarians have one tool to develop consistent and outcome-based instruction practices. Having two systems creates confusion and complicates the explanation of discovery searching. It is the recommendation of the group that Primo discovery system will support the needs of both University Libraries’ and the larger West Chester University community.
0 Comments.