Web-Scale Discovery

With significant developments in library discovery systems, many libraries are exploring options for improving access to content. Although these new systems appear to be better than what has come before (federated searching), many problems remain. Libraries therefore should consider a number of interrelated issues/challenges before investing. These challenges include: an information glut, devaluation of metadata, disconnection of content from discourse communities, the notion that libraries compete with Google, and the creation of false expectations for users searching for scholarly content.