Features of an Ideal Library Catalog

This week, as part of the Library 2.0 training, we are to think about our ideal library catalog. I have posted my list of desired features below. The list includes both old and new features. (For comparison, my library’s catalog is available here.)

General

• Open source (see Evergreen and Koha)
• Integrates seamlessly with library website
• Flexible – anticipates future needs
• Accommodates a large number of simultaneous users
• Secure
• Also available in Spanish

Appearance

• Visually appealing
• Ability to enlarge text sizes
• Design clearly incorporates customer and staff feedback, and current research (e.g. eye-tracking studies)

Navigation

• User-friendly navigation with minimal clicking
• Direct link/s to apply for a library card, library checkout periods, library fines, circulation policies
• Clear link to readers’ advisory material
• Add a section such as (but better phrased) “Didn’t see what you were looking for?” with links to iBorrow, WorldCat and “Suggest an Item”
• Majority of page content is visible at a glance, without having to scroll down
• Option on catalog homepage to sign in to library account

Searching

• Ability to search website content and catalog in one search box
• Fewer text boxes and more drop-down menus
• Ability to see at a glance which libraries show copies of an item checked in (both total number of libraries and library names) without having to scroll down or click
• Option to search catalog on library homepage
• Option to limit search to available (checked in) items only
• A search retrieves any other versions and editions
• Searches items in languages other than English

RSS Feeds

• RSS feed for hold notifications and/or overdue materials
• RSS feed for new additions to the online catalog
• Highlight recently returned items (no personal data, just book information) on side frame and offer an RSS feed

User-Generated Content

• Supports and encourages tagging
• Support for user reviews 

Other Features

• Customizable
• Suggests similar items or suggests other versions/editions of item
• A section that indicates the current total number of items systemwide (similar to U.S. Census population clock)
• Option to save item for later review (e.g. booklist)
• Option to place a hold

 

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