Experiences from the Field: Choosing a Discovery Tool for YOUR Unique Library

Abstract

Our users want an easier way to search library resources; currently, there are many discovery tools available, which can seem daunting. How do you know which one will work for your unique library? Librarians from different types of libraries—an online library, a land-grant school, a law library, a private university, and a consortium—describe how they evaluated the available products and made decisions on which tools to implement. A variety of platforms are discussed, including: Ebsco’s Discovery Service, III’s Encore Synergy Discovery, Serials Solutions’ Summon, and even a homegrown solution. Discover what libraries are looking for in these tools, strategies for determining which one best fits your needs, and lessons learned throughout the process from the investigation phase to implementation.