Supporting exploratory information seeking in public digital libraries

公共图书馆提供的数字图书馆搜索界面通常被设计为最大限度地简化，当搜索者确切地知道他们需要什么（例如，一本书的确切名称）时，支持查找任务。虽然这些方法可能支持在库中查找特定项目所需的简单搜索策略，但当搜索任务很复杂时，它们提供的支持很少。复杂搜索任务具有模糊性和不确定性的特点，可能是多方面的，并且可能源于源信息本身的复杂性。例如，一个公共图书馆的搜索者可能希望找到有关加拿大西部扩张历史的书籍，但他对这个主题知之甚少，也不知道它与其他政治事件（如西北叛乱）有何关系。在这种情况下，探索性浏览可以让搜索者了解主题，然后集中搜索以找到支持资源。如果在搜索界面中没有功能来支持这种探索性搜索活动，那么搜索的成功取决于搜索者的能力和经验。本研究的主要目标是：（G1）更深入地了解公共图书馆用户的信息搜索行为；（G2）设计、实施和研究新的可视化增强的数字图书馆搜索界面方法，支持在固定和移动设备使用下的探索性搜索行为；（G3）研究搜索上下文(图书馆内与图书馆外；固定设备与移动设备的使用)可以更有效地协助公共图书馆用户的探索性搜索行为。我们将开发一种新型的公共图书馆检索界面，利用交互式信息可视化来支持和增强公共图书馆读者的探索性检索需求，使他们能够更容易地找到他们所需要的信息。

The digital library search interfaces offered by public libraries are often designed to maximize simplicity, supporting look-up tasks when searchers know precisely what they need (e.g., the exact name of a book). While such approaches may support the simple search tactics needed to find a specific item in the library, they provide little support when the search task is complex.Complex search tasks are characterized by ambiguity and uncertainty, may be multi-faceted, and could stem from complexity in the source information itself. For example, a public library searcher may wish to find books on the history of western expansion in Canada, without knowing much else about the topic or how it relates to other political events such as the North-West Rebellion. In such cases, exploratory browsing may allow the searcher to learn about the topic, followed by focused searching to find supporting resources. Without features in the search interface to enable such exploratory search activities, the success of the search depends on the abilities and experience of the searcher.The primary goals in this research are to (G1) develop a deeper understanding of the information seeking behaviour of public library patrons, (G2) design, implement, and study new visualization-enhanced approaches for digital library search interfaces that support exploratory search behaviours in both stationary and mobile device use, and (G3) study how the context of the search (in the library vs. out of the library; stationary vs. mobile device use) can be leveraged to more effectively assist the exploratory search behaviour of public library patrons. A new breed of public library search interface will be developed that uses interactive information visualization to support and enhance the exploratory search needs of public library patrons, enabling them to more readily find the information they are seeking.