A Study of Librarians' Perceptions and Use of the Summon Discovery Tool

Abstract

Next-generation discovery tools such as Serials Solutions Summon seek to provide a more robust and unified search experience for library patrons. Previous disappointment with federated search has tarnished librarians' perceptions of new improved tools such as Summon. This study surveys East Carolina University librarians, assessing their use of the Summon discovery tool and their perceptions of its functionality and content. The results of the study indicate that librarians are using Summon and identify its worth, but that focused training initiatives would bolster knowledge of the tool and increase confidence when using it in the reference and instruction environment. This is an electronic version of an article published in Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries 9, no. 3 (2012): 173-183. The Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries is available online at: http://jproxy.lib.ecu.edu/login?url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15424065.2012.707056.