In 2023 Curtin University Library ran a research project to seek feedback from Library users about their experience of finding resources through the Library’s Catalogue and other discovery systems in order to learn about any roadblocks to effective searching and to identify what would be an ‘ideal’ searching and discovery experience. The project was approved by the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval HRE2023-0561) and led by Dr David Wells, Deputy Director, Collections, Systems & Infrastructure.
A series of workshops were held in late 2023 at which participants were asked to complete a short questionnaire about their discovery preferences and to take part in a guided conversation with project team members about their experience with Curtin discovery systems.
High-level conclusions from this work are summarised below.
- The Library Catalogue is valued as the starting point of choice for a new project, scoring slightly ahead of internet search engines, and well ahead of individual specific databases.
- Participants were well satisfied with the range of information resources that can be accessed through the Catalogue, and in general comfortable with Catalogue functionality.
- On the other hand, many find the Catalogue confusing, complex and overwhelming at first sight, though there was acknowledgement that taking the time to learn how the Catalogue works pays dividends in terms of improving the search experience.
- There was also a feeling that the Library could do more to provide training and help in Catalogue use. In particular, participants identified a need for immediate contextual help to assist with problems as they arise in actual search sessions.
- Google Scholar was offered as a model for emulation in terms of clarity and simplicity of use.
Participants also provided numerous suggestions for specific improvements on points of detail. The Library will be working through all of the feedback in coming months to ensure that we continue to develop the Library Catalogue to provide the best possible discovery experience for our clients.
