Canadian public libraries and search engines: barriers to visibility. Issue 5 (19th September 2016)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Canadian public libraries and search engines: barriers to visibility. Issue 5 (19th September 2016)
- Main Title:
- Canadian public libraries and search engines: barriers to visibility
- Authors:
- Dickinson, Zoe
Smit, Michael - Abstract:
- Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges presented by search engine visibility for public libraries. The paper outlines the results of a pilot study investigating search engine visibility in two Canadian public libraries. Design/methodology/approach: The study consists of semi-structured interviews with librarians from two multi-branch Canadian public library systems, combined with quantitative data provided by each library, as well as data obtained through site-specific searches in Google and Bing. Possible barriers to visibility are identified through thematic analysis of the interviews. Findings: The initial findings of this pilot study identify a complex combination of barriers to visibility on search engines, in the form of attitudes, policies, organizational structures, and technological difficulties. Research limitations/implications: This paper describes a small, preliminary pilot study. More research is needed before any firm conclusions can be reached. Practical implications: A review of the literature shows the increasing importance of search engine visibility for public libraries. By delving into the underlying issues which may be affecting libraries' progress on the issue, this paper may help inform libraries' decision-making processes and practices. Originality/value: There has been little original research investigating the reasons behind libraries' lack of visibility in search engine results pages. This paper provides insightAbstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges presented by search engine visibility for public libraries. The paper outlines the results of a pilot study investigating search engine visibility in two Canadian public libraries. Design/methodology/approach: The study consists of semi-structured interviews with librarians from two multi-branch Canadian public library systems, combined with quantitative data provided by each library, as well as data obtained through site-specific searches in Google and Bing. Possible barriers to visibility are identified through thematic analysis of the interviews. Findings: The initial findings of this pilot study identify a complex combination of barriers to visibility on search engines, in the form of attitudes, policies, organizational structures, and technological difficulties. Research limitations/implications: This paper describes a small, preliminary pilot study. More research is needed before any firm conclusions can be reached. Practical implications: A review of the literature shows the increasing importance of search engine visibility for public libraries. By delving into the underlying issues which may be affecting libraries' progress on the issue, this paper may help inform libraries' decision-making processes and practices. Originality/value: There has been little original research investigating the reasons behind libraries' lack of visibility in search engine results pages. This paper provides insight into a previously unexplored area by exploring public libraries' relationships with search engines. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Aslib journal of information management. Volume 68:Issue 5(2016:Oct.)
- Journal:
- Aslib journal of information management
- Issue:
- Volume 68:Issue 5(2016:Oct.)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 68, Issue 5 (2016)
- Year:
- 2016
- Volume:
- 68
- Issue:
- 5
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2016-0068-0005-0000
- Page Start:
- 589
- Page End:
- 606
- Publication Date:
- 2016-09-19
- Subjects:
- Optimization -- Libraries -- Visibility -- Discoverability -- Google -- Search engine
Information science -- Periodicals
Library science -- Periodicals
020.5 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=2050-3806 ↗
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/ ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1108/AJIM-09-2015-0147 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 2050-3806
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 1424.xml