Use of Subject Metadata in Library Discovery Systems: A Global Survey.
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| Title: | Use of Subject Metadata in Library Discovery Systems: A Global Survey. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Haynes, David1 david@davidhaynes.co.uk, Gnoli, Claudio2, Golub, Koraljka3, Salaba, Athena4, Slavic, Aida5 |
| Source: | Knowledge Organization. Jun2026, Vol. 53 Issue 3, p1-15. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Subject headings, Library catalogs, Information retrieval, Classification of books, Academic libraries |
| Abstract: | This paper reports on a survey of research library catalogs and the ways these information retrieval systems support subject searching, the use of knowledge organization systems (KOSs), and the subject-searching options made available to users. The research was conducted by the International Society for Knowledge Organization (ISKO) Scientific and Technical Advisory Council (STAC) Working Group on Subject Access Metadata. Libraries commonly use KOSs such as general subject heading and classification systems, subject-specific thesauri, and other controlled vocabularies. However, there is concern that many library discovery systems do not provide easy or seamless access to this enriched metadata. The study examined available subject-searching and browsing features and explored barriers to their use. A survey of 114 academic and research libraries in 34 countries revealed widespread adoption of discovery systems, although many institutions continue to rely on Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs) as the primary interface for subject searching. Libraries reported using a range of library management and discovery systems from suppliers including Ex Libris, SirsiDynix, EBSCO, Koha, and OCLC. Frequently used general KOSs include Library of Congress Subject Headings, Dewey Decimal Classification, Universal Decimal Classification, and the Chinese Library Classification, while Medical Subject Headings was the most commonly cited domain-specific system. Reported barriers include limited user familiarity with KOSs, system complexity, lack of natural-language access, language issues, and interface design problems. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop guidelines for improving access to enriched subject metadata in library discovery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Knowledge Organization is the property of IMR Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 195165558 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Use of Subject Metadata in Library Discovery Systems: A Global Survey. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Haynes%2C+David%22">Haynes, David</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> david@davidhaynes.co.uk</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gnoli%2C+Claudio%22">Gnoli, Claudio</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Golub%2C+Koraljka%22">Golub, Koraljka</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Salaba%2C+Athena%22">Salaba, Athena</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Slavic%2C+Aida%22">Slavic, Aida</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Knowledge+Organization%22">Knowledge Organization</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 53 Issue 3, p1-15. 15p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Subject+headings%22">Subject headings</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+catalogs%22">Library catalogs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+retrieval%22">Information retrieval</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Classification+of+books%22">Classification of books</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+libraries%22">Academic libraries</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This paper reports on a survey of research library catalogs and the ways these information retrieval systems support subject searching, the use of knowledge organization systems (KOSs), and the subject-searching options made available to users. The research was conducted by the International Society for Knowledge Organization (ISKO) Scientific and Technical Advisory Council (STAC) Working Group on Subject Access Metadata. Libraries commonly use KOSs such as general subject heading and classification systems, subject-specific thesauri, and other controlled vocabularies. However, there is concern that many library discovery systems do not provide easy or seamless access to this enriched metadata. The study examined available subject-searching and browsing features and explored barriers to their use. A survey of 114 academic and research libraries in 34 countries revealed widespread adoption of discovery systems, although many institutions continue to rely on Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs) as the primary interface for subject searching. Libraries reported using a range of library management and discovery systems from suppliers including Ex Libris, SirsiDynix, EBSCO, Koha, and OCLC. Frequently used general KOSs include Library of Congress Subject Headings, Dewey Decimal Classification, Universal Decimal Classification, and the Chinese Library Classification, while Medical Subject Headings was the most commonly cited domain-specific system. Reported barriers include limited user familiarity with KOSs, system complexity, lack of natural-language access, language issues, and interface design problems. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop guidelines for improving access to enriched subject metadata in library discovery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Knowledge Organization is the property of IMR Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.31083/KO50768 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 15 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Subject headings Type: general – SubjectFull: Library catalogs Type: general – SubjectFull: Information retrieval Type: general – SubjectFull: Classification of books Type: general – SubjectFull: Academic libraries Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Use of Subject Metadata in Library Discovery Systems: A Global Survey. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Haynes, David – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Gnoli, Claudio – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Golub, Koraljka – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Salaba, Athena – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Slavic, Aida IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 06 Text: Jun2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 09437444 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 53 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: Knowledge Organization Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
