Discovery Interface Development (DID) Group
DID group aims to improve the overall discovery and search experience for all our audiences to ensure timely access to the range of resources in their various formats. Its focus is to consider, plan and govern developments and changes to the libraries digital discovery interfaces incorporating business planning, user experience (UX) and usability testing.
Library Search is the primary discovery interface and search platform for library materials which are owned, subscribed to, and created. Library Search incorporates Primo Central Discovery Index (CDI) a cross-disciplinary resource that details millions of e-resources, such as journal articles, e-books, and digital collections.
Library Search is powered by ExLibris Primo and is dependent on a quarterly release schedule which informs new and improved functionality. A biannual Primo Roadmap informs the strategic direction of Library Search providing an overview of new developments.
The group considers all Library Search improvements alongside the wider Library discovery infrastructure which includes Luna, Elgar, Leganto, Manchester Digital Collections MDC, Manchester Digital Exhibitions MDE. DID will also consider interface elements for the Library Subject Guides and the Library website.
Remit
To deliver the best possible search, discovery, and access experience for our audiences.
- Ensure development proposals are fit for purpose for the target audiences
- Ensure change is in-line with Library and University guidance and governance
- Determine evaluation methods are in place to ascertain if the change is successful.
DID employs a business case approach to ensure projects or pieces of work adhere to existing governance and guidelines. The group will assess change requests in relation to how the potential change supports the Library Strategy. Change requests and ideas will be coordinated from several sources:
- New Primo release features
- Interface change requests from strategic and operational project outputs
- Requests for change generally handled via the IT Support Portal
- Feedback via Library website
- Ideas/requests generated by LMS Advisory Group
Aims of the group are to:
- Provide a forum to discuss issues related to any of the discovery interfaces
- Establish a formal feedback mechanism throughout the library services
- Consider integration issues with systems/platforms where appropriate
- Disseminate and share feedback from relevant user groups and conferences
- Discuss and consider Primo roadmap developments
- Generate Ideas within Ex Libris-Ideas Exchange and interact with NERs
- Oversee Primo release schedule, test new functionality and make recommendations for configuration
- Identify accessibility queries and agree an approach to resolving them
- Provide governance for User Interface UI changes
Membership
Metadata & Discovery Manager (Chair) - Kathryn Sullivan,
Metadata Assistant (DID Admin) - Veronica Pizzarotti
Members of the DID group are expected to represent different discovery interfaces and their users; to ensure all requirements are captured, prioritised, and fed into the development of the overall discovery experience.
DID is split into two strands namely Library Search DID (Primo) and Digital DID (library digital interfaces). The group meets monthly and alternates its focus across Library Search and Digital.
Definitions and characteristics of the digital library interface are stated in the development standards document “Digital Library interface development standards” (owned by this group). These standards and definitions underpin all digital library interfaces, along with details about interface responsibilities, definitions, and explanations of the various technical and business roles [currently under review]