OCLC and Antarctica
Systems Inc. To Test Library Users' Search Preferences
OCLC has implemented a data visualization
pilot project in conjunction with Antarctica
Systems Inc. to evaluate library users' experiences
with searching and display of search results using
a visual interface to the Electronic Books database
on OCLC FirstSearch.
Users of the Electronic Books database on FirstSearch
will see a link at the top left of their basic, advanced
and expert search and results screens to "Try
an alternative view of Ebooks by clicking here."
Clicking this link will take users to a visual representation
of the Electronic Books database developed by Antarctica
Systems, Inc. You may also view the pilot interface
at: http://ebooks.antarctica.net.
For the purpose of this pilot, users will be searching
in a static database of about 211,000 electronic book
titles. The pilot will run through April 5, 2005.
We encourage you and your library users to explore
this pilot site at http://ebooks.antarctica.net
and provide us with feedback through your/their responses
to a short user survey. OCLC will also collect usage
statistics that will be evaluated for future applications
in other OCLC products and services.
