Jason A. Clark

A usability study of the Belgian‐American Research Collection: measuring the functionality of a digital library

This study presents findings with a particular digital library system, the Belgian‐American Research Collection at the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center (UWDCC). It focuses on the ways in which a usability study can inform the future design of the collection and other UWDCC projects. The study uses two formal testing instruments: a focus group and a task‐oriented field test. Both of these techniques yielded solid data about user expectations, problems and actions with the collection. While the findings can aid UWDCC designers as they begin to envision another iteration of the Belgian‐American Research Collection, the findings also point to a need for a shift in the development of more complete digital library systems. This study proposes the development of digital library systems that have a strong orientation toward users and usability as well as advanced search interfaces and full metadata. In the end, it is not just about cataloging and organizing information; it is also about presenting information logically and intuitively for your users.

Demonstrating Library Value at Network Scale: Leveraging the Semantic Web With New Knowledge Work

Demonstrating Library Value at Network Scale: Leveraging the Semantic Web With New Knowledge Work Kenning Arlitsch, Patrick Obrien, Jason A. Clark, Scott W. H. Young & Doralyn Rossmann a Dean of the Library, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA b Semantic Web Research Director, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA c Head of Library Informatics and Computing, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA d Digital Initiatives Librarian, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA e Head of Collection Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA Published online: 30 Aug 2014.

Rangelands West/Global Rangelands, eXtension Rangelands, and the Range Science Information System: A Suite of New Web Resources

Rangelands West/Global Rangelands, eXtension Rangelands, and the Range Science Information System: A Suite of New Web Resources DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v33i4_hutchinson

The Open SESMO (Search Engine & Social Media Optimization) Project: Linked and Structured Data for Library Subscription Databases to Enable Web-scale Discovery in Search Engines

ABSTRACT Todays learners operate in digital environments which can be largely navigated with no human intervention. At the same time, libraries spend millions and millions of dollars to provide access to content which our users may never know is available to them. Through the Open SESMO (Search Engine & Social Media Optimization) database project, Montana State University (MSU) Library applied search engine optimization and structured data with the Schema.org vocabulary, linked data models and practices, and social media optimization techniques to all the librarys subscribed databases. Our research shows that Open SESMO creates significant return-on-investment with substantial increased traffic to our paid resources by our users as evidenced through analytics and metrics. In the core research of the article, we take a quantitative look at the pre/post results to assess the Open SESMO method and its impact on organic search referrals and use of the collection analyzing data from three distinct fall semesters. Returns include demonstrated library value through database recommendations, connecting researchers to subject librarians, and increased visitation to our librarys paid databases with growth in organic search referrals, impressions, and click-through rates. This project offers a standard and innovative practice for other libraries to employ in surfacing their paid databases to users through the open web by applying structured and linked data methods.

Feed Me! Rethinking Traditional Modes of Library Access and Content Delivery

At their core, XML feeds are content-delivery vehicles. This fact has not always been highlighted in library conversations surrounding RSS and ATOM. The authors have looked to extend the conversation by offering a proof of concept application using RSS as a means to deliver all types of library data: PDFs, docs, images, video—to people where and when they need it. The model of distribution enabled by Web feeds gives libraries a new option in sprinkling our content into all corners of the Web.