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User Perceptions of MetaLib Combined Search: An Investigation of How Users Make Sense of Federated Searching

SUMMARY This article presents an investigation of users' understanding of MetaLib Combined Search (MCS), a federated search system implemented for the Washington Research Library Consortium. Through a survey instrument, librarians and students reported their experience, usage, and opinions of the system. Upon responding to process-related questions about a search simulation included in the questionnaire, participants described and illustrated their understanding of MCS operation. Data show that students considered MCS primarily as a tool for locating full text, while librarians viewed it as a secondary search tool with disappointing performance. In discussing MCS operation, students focused largely on full-text retrieval capability and search efficiency whereas librarians paid more attention to search strategies and retrieval quality. Both students and librarians indicated that the lack of background information about MCS operation was problematic. Both groups identified knowledge and skills related to federated searching for information literacy programs. Implications of the findings for information literacy, interface design, and system development were explored.