View from a Content Provider NISO Metasearch Initiatives Meeting May 7, 2003 E. Moura

Background We publish proprietary content and aggregate/distribute others content in all media formats. Users are reference librarians and their patrons in K-12, Academic, Public, Corporate, Special and Government libraries. Keys to success include having quality information/content for the task at hand, easily located.

Metasearch Use Today How does this service type relate to metasearch tools today technology threatens to commoditize content and is incapable of differentiating quality or relevance technology needs become smarter and more customer driven (librarian and patron) Historical perspective librarians choose to purchase content based on its value... technology needs accommodate/emulate this fundamental service that librarians provide

Metasearch Use Tomorrow Picture of 18 months … more databases, greater online usage, emergence of standards and customer expectations. Picture of 3 years … yet more content and usage, industry consolidation with survival of only the most fit (or deepest pockets), technology tools become part of the ILS. Impact on content providers is faster migration to digital delivery methods, adoption of standards, multiple partnerships with others in the value chain.

Challenges Problems that need solving results lists smart searching locally driven (librarians) content/search preferences … high cost/high value content at top of results list development and adherence to standards