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To describe a new online library catalog browser and interface AquaBrowser, developed specifically to enhance the experience of the library patron.

A summary of the main features of the AquaBrowser search engine.

This article provides an overview of AquaBrowser search engine: what it does, how it works, and its benefits.

This paper is useful for information management professionals who want to provide an alternative search and display functionality to an online library catalogues.

While examining subject headings and tags is a popular research topic, most studies focus on comparing user-assigned tags and professional subject heading. Studies that compare Library of Congress Subject Headings to user-assigned tags, for instance, dominate the literature. However, little research has involved an examination on how and to what extent these features are actually used by library staff. This study adds to the body of knowledge. This study aims to focus on how librarians perceive and use tags. By focusing on people’s perceptions rather than simply comparing social tags and formal subject headings, new insights can be collected.

This research collects data through semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 library staff from various roles and locations throughout Auckland Libraries.

The research findings show that while social tags have been adopted and used in their work by the majority of library staff interviewed, there remains resistance to using them. Some library staff preferred the traditional hierarchical subject headings found in the traditional catalogue. A general lack of awareness about tag functions and features is also evident among the staff interviewed.

The research focus is unique because it examines this phenomenon in a public library setting rather than in academic libraries, an area that is rarely examined in the literature.

The purpose of this study is to show how the addition of a next‐generational overlay to an existing online catalog can lead to more‐refined searching by users. Users of classic online catalogs have always had the ability to refine their searches and define better the specific type of material they want. However, research in the last two decades has consistently shown that few users take advantage of this extra step. Now with the rise of discovery platforms like Encore and Aquabrowser, the limiting capabilities are automatically displayed to the user, and this study aims to demonstrate that this creates a significant change in search behaviors.

The library worked through months of its search logs for both the classic and online catalogs and compared data from the two platforms. Similar log data were obtained from other libraries to confirm that this was a universal trend.

The study shows that users are 15‐20 times more likely to refine their searches if they are searching in a discovery platform.

Librarians can base their bibliographic instruction sessions on a better understanding of the search behaviors likely in the two kinds of catalogs.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of 23 Things @SCPL, a learning Library 2.0 program based on Web 2.0, running from September 2007 to January 2008 at Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

The paper introduces a new methodology in promoting the concept that learning could not only be self‐directed and collaborative, but also fun and rewarding.

By studying indepth the program's implementation process, the two authors report their findings in the following areas: organizing the first project in the history of Santa Cruz Public Libraries, to involve the whole organization in the learning process about the digital realm; helping staff members overcome typical learners' stress and blocks, by offering an innovative teaching approach; key to success I: comprehensive curriculum; key to success II: strong leadership; and impact on library services and beyond.

The paper analyzes a successful implementation of the “lighten‐up” approach for program management. For this purpose, it adopts a user‐friendly and easy approach, so as to reach a broader audience.

The paper helps project managers to organize, develop and succeed in their new projects.

The purpose of this paper is to offer some insight into changes that are occurring in the expectations and behaviour of researchers seeking scholarly information and the ways in which libraries and vendors are addressing these changes in light of the availability of Web 2.0 technologies.

The paper investigates current trends in information seeking, defines and describes factors that contribute to an up‐to‐date, user‐centric library experience, and examines the movement of vendors and libraries toward such a library experience.

The paper identifies aspects of new library interfaces that attempt to satisfy the needs of today's information seekers and describes a new approach for creating a user experience layer for library collections. The Primo® discovery and delivery system from Ex Libris serves as an example of a library interface that was designed in light of this new approach.

As more organisations become concerned about the decreasing use of their library collections, this paper suggests ways in which libraries can adapt to the changing user expectations and maintain the relevance of their collections and services for today's information seekers.

The chapter aims to present a case study of what is involved in implementing the VuFind discovery tool and to describe usability, usage, and feedback of VuFind.

The chapter briefly documents Western Michigan University (WMU) and University of Richmond’s (UR) experience with VuFind. WMU Libraries embarked on a process of implementing a new catalog interface in 2008. UR implemented VuFind in 2012. The usability result and usage of Web 2.0 features are discussed.

The implementation processes at WMU and UR differ. At WMU, users’ input was not consistent and demanded software customization. UR strategically began with a very focused project management approach, and intended the product as short-term solution. The usability and feedback from several sites are also presented.

The benefits of using open source software include low barrier and cost to entry, highly customizable code, and unlimited instances (libraries may run as many copies of as many components as needed, on as many pieces of hardware as they have, for as many purposes as they wish). With the usability studies presented, VuFind is proved to be a valid solution for libraries.

The chapter provides a unique account of library’s experience providing an alternative catalog interface using open source software. It also uniquely reports on VuFind usability and initial testing results and evaluation.