Criteria to Consider when Evaluating Web-based Discovery Tools

As libraries re-think their collections, emphasizing online access and building digital resource collections that are growing at an exponential pace, Web-based discovery tools are under consideration by many academic libraries. These tools enable users to easily and quickly search across a broad range of pre-harvested, indexed content, including materials from databases, library catalogs and local collections. In 2010, the Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries conducted an extensive review of four Web-scale discovery services (EBSCO Discovery Service™1; Primo Central™2 from ExLibris™3; Summon™4 from Serials Solutions®5; and WorldCat®6 Local) in order to recommend one for purchase. Based on that experience, this chapter suggests five key criteria to consider when evaluating and selecting Web-based discovery tools.