It's new and improved -- but annoying to some patrons

January 24, 2008 - 7:43am — Blake

Part of the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Web site (www.columbuslibrary.org) has been updated to allow complex searches and provide new information. Yet, for those who simply want to check the availability of a book, the changes have sometimes spurred exercises in frustration.
"Now, instead of getting the information you are looking for, you are inundated with every conceivable piece of information related to your search, regardless of how off the mark it may be," library user Carol Shields said. The library installed the new search system, based on technology called AquaBrowser Library, on Dec. 10. More than 100 libraries in the United States have acquired the system, which cost the Columbus library $70,000, but some have customized it or presented it only as an option.
[From The Columbus Dispatch, sorry, forgot the link originally]

Email this Story

Comments

January 24, 2008 - 10:17am — Susannah (not verified)

I couldn't agree more. I am

I couldn't agree more. I am mystified about how to make the "discovery trail" useful--I've tried a number of meandering subject searches, and I'm not at all keen on it.

Also, I kept searching for books, thinking I'd located the title in question, only to discover that there was "no holding information available". I wrote to them, saying that I really hated having to wade through the universe of material only to be teased with titles I want but can't get, and they wrote me back and said that wasn't happening.

Email this comment

January 24, 2008 - 10:33am — leo

AquaBrowser

I always kind of wondered about this thing. I mean, beyond the gee-wiz factor, it didn't seem to be especially helpful. For most searches I can imagine it's just a spinnin', buzzin', whirlin' distraction.

I think I'd prefer Clippy.

Email this comment

January 24, 2008 - 10:54am — CML patron (not verified)

Hmmm... I wonder what you're

Hmmm... I wonder what you're referring to by "Part of the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Web site (www.columbuslibrary.org) has been updated to allow complex searches and provide new information." I use Columbus Metro and all I've noticed is the new catalog upgrade to Aqua browser. The simple search box can return some weird things, but I find with the advanced search I can still find what I want easily. Plus the look is so much nicer than the old catalog -- that thing was too dreary! I like being able to see book covers and reserve books from the results screen instead of having an entirely new pop up window open up.

It did take me a few minutes to find where things were in the new layout, but overall I think the new catalog is definitely an improvement!

Email this comment

January 24, 2008 - 11:28am — Jon Gorman (not verified)

Is there some sort of

Is there some sort of article or citation for the facts/quotations that I'm just not seeing? I'm interested in seeing more of the coverage on people's actual reactions to these types of systems and testing.