Library IT is in the process of implementing Summon search – see the earlier Counterculture posting.
It has already been decided that Summon will replace Databases Multisearch, and that it will be the first search box on our homepage. Catalogue Quick Search will remain on the homepage, but it will be under the new Summon search box. See the mockup of the retemplated version of our homepage, which includes a (not yet functioning) Summon search box.
We need a new descriptive name for this search – Summon Search won’t mean anything to our users. It needs to imply that it is searching more than the catalogue, but needs to be short and to the point. We will not be putting any explanatory text underneath the search box, as usability testing has shown that people just don’t read this type of text. There will still be a question mark after the search box, which will link to more information about the search for people who choose to click on it.
One suggestion so far has been “Library Search”. Please put any suggestions up as a comment to this posting, so everyone can see them and comment.
Catherine Jane
How about "Eighty percent search"? I’m not being facetious or derogatory, but I think users do need to be aware that 20% of our content won’t be indexed by Summon. i.e. That they will need to go the second step of searching the vendor platforms for other possibilities. Some guidance could be provided about where else to search. Is this a function of the subject guides?
I was going to suggest "Multi-search" but I rather like "Eight percent search" too. 🙂 It doesn’t overpromise but at the same time 80% is quite a lot.
("Multi-search" is a term that worked in usability testing at the Uni of Arizona according to http://www.jkup.net/terms-s…, and it’s similar to what we’ve had here as well so has the advantage of familiarity, without misleading by being identical.)
Deborah
I’m not sure 8% is a good sales pitch.
Lots of people seem to think Google has 100% so maybe 80% would turn them away?
Multi-search kinda makes sense (or Cross-Search?) and has the advantage of already being used..
I don’t know if there is any real advantage in the Catalogue Search being labelled "Quick" – It doesn’t really do anything any quicker than a regular catalogue search. It is really just a basic version of the full catalogue.
I would have thought the key point of distinction is that it is only searching the Catalogue rather than how fast it is going. Following that line of logic the two labels could be "MultiSearch" and "Catalogue Only" or "MultiSearch" and just "Catalogue".
If the "Go" on the Buttons is replaced with "Search" then we don’t need the word "Search" as part of the label which would mean 2 less words on the page and every little bit counts!
Another way of doing it would be to have one search box and then a check box that said "Catalogue only" that could be checked if people only want to search the catalogue. Then the search would have to be redirected accordingly. I think Nat Lib Aus used to do this but maybe they didn’t like it as they seem to have got rid of it.
There is of course already a link to the regular catalogue on this page (which itself could do with one less word in front of it). And it will be directly under these two boxes on the new page which seems a bit excessive to me.
Of course we could have some silly name that is memorable but not trying to explain everything. My personal preference is "Ferret" or maybe or "Sherlock" or even "Sniff"…
my 5 cents worth
I like the idea of "Catalogue" and could live with "Multisearch" although my preference is for "Library Search". The idea of changing the button label is interesting but may not help in practice. I think we should resist too much explanation of what does or does not work in Summon as the results should speak for themselves. If it gets too complicated the type of user we are aiming at will just go back to Google. Also Summon is a product that will continually change. Cheers Anne
My vote would be for just "search". Most people are just looking for an empty box to put their terms in and are less hung up than the average librarian about what that box is actually searching (or not).
I like Adam’s idea of one box with an option to select catalouge, then if people behave in google-fashion, they’ll mostly just stick their terms in, but they can still very easily limit to the catalogue.
Just to reiterate that there will be 2 search boxes for 2010 at least – the first being the new (renamed) Summon Search, and the second being a Catalogue search box, with the drop down options.
This decision has already been made, so any suggestions/discussions about names needs to take this into account. It also means that we probably do need to have names for both searches to distinguish them.
Catherine
Multi-search and Catalogue search
MultiSearch
Catalogue Search
Cf. http://library.lincoln.ac.nz/ !!
John
Multisearch and catalogue search.
The names "DeepSearch" and "Probe" just popped into my head today. They sound a bit strange, I know, but it is quite difficult to think of a short name which encapsulates what Summon actually does. What about "CataloguePlus"? Caroline Anderson.
What about "Muster"? Caroline Anderson.
Given something short and snappy is needed, I’d be happy with “MultiSearch” for the Summon Search option. I’d prefer something possibly a little clearer like “Search for books, articles and more” but that’s not as concise and there probably isn’t enough room for it – although the search box for the Summon Search is quite big.
How about PowerSearch – with a wee hover up saying "search the Catalogue and Databases". I think that would convey that they are getting more when they use it!
Deirdre
"OneSearch"? "Harvest"? "Total Library Search"? "EasySearch"? "Discover"? "BigSearch"?
Caroline Anderson
I like Search. Agree with the comment that it is more important to us than the users what they are searching, but would be happy with Library Search.
Definitely don’t like Summon Search – the summon is meaningless to me.
For the future I also like the idea of only one box, with the option to choose a catalogue search.
Erin
"Find"?
Caroline Anderson.
I would like to see the word "Search" in there somewhere…Search, Multisearch, Library search….I have no real preference between these.
Kathryn
"Summon" sounds like a trip to the headmaster. "Deepsearch" confuses with the deep web which it probably won’t cover much. "Probe" sounds uncomfortable. "Muster" makes me think of sheep. "MultiSearch" and "Catalogue Search" would probably do the job…
One of our stated goals is to use more Maori language and this seems like a perfect opportunity. I also agree with Adam that the name should be memorable but not trying to explain everything.
I propose "Paraketu" which means "to rummage through"
I think Paraketu is a wonderful name. it would get the students to stop and think about what they were doing…
To explain … to say that they are searching is actually overstating what they are actually doing. Search implies more a more systematic approach than Summon really allows.
He Kete Korero http://kete.taranakireo.co.nz/ defines ‘paraketu’ as ‘To weed a garden by grubbing around in the soil’. So the things being found are being thrown out… much as I love gardening, I’m not sure that this is a good choice! ‘Search’ is simple and would be understood by all.
Following Paraketu,how about the English word then, rummage, or fossick (you may find the "gold" you are seeking.
ESOL students may have trouble with all of these more unusual alternatives though.
I tend to agree that while it might be nice to give Summon a catchy, punchy name,it is important that it has a name which makes sense to the majority of users. So I hereby cast my vote in favour of MultiSearch.
Caroline Anderson
I have asked Nekerangi about the term paraketu and he says the traditional meaning of the word is from "para" meaning rubbish and "ketu" to rummage through, so it may not be the best choice? Going down the gardening trail he says that it refers to weeding with purpose, not rummaging. Jill
Friday facetitiousness: The thought did cross our minds in LegalLand that had Summon had significant law content, "Summons" would’ve been a great name; but given that it doesn’t, "Lucy" was suggested…
John
I think the name(s) on an English language page should be in international english as much as possible – rather than in NZ English. There should also be a switch language option for the whole site so that everything in English is duplicated in
Te Reo. For the Te Reo version perhaps..
MahaRapu & Putumôhio?