Does faceted display in a library catalog increase use of subject headings?

Abstract

Purpose

This research aimed to explore whether subject facets would increase patron use of subject headings in a faceted (Yufind) versus a non‐faceted (Orbis) catalog interface at Yale University.

Design/methodology/approach

Two rounds of think aloud protocol testing were done with students to measure the acceptance and use of subject heading facets. After a faceted and non‐faceted interface were implemented, side‐by‐side, log file analysis was employed to measure and compare use of subject headings in both interfaces.

Findings

Initial usability testing showed that patrons would try facets, but had some problems effectively using them. In production from January to May 2011, at least one facet was used in 25.4 percent of Yufind searches, and subject facets were used in 5.1 percent of searches, while in Orbis subject headings were used in 6.4 percent of searches. Facets were used less than subject heading links in records in either interface.

Practical implications

The findings are important as libraries spend significant staff time adding subject headings to records, and their use by patrons is declining. As measured in two production systems running on exactly the same catalog records, subject heading facets did not successfully increase use of subject headings. Without further refinements, faceted display may not be a successful strategy to increase patron use of subject headings.

Originality/value

A comparison of patron generated subject heading use in two concurrently running interfaces, one faceted and one not, has not been done before.

Citation

Bauer, K. and Peterson‐Hart, A. (2012), "Does faceted display in a library catalog increase use of subject headings?", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp. 347-358. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831211240003