Ranking library materials

TL;DR

This paper reviews various ranking factors for library materials, emphasizing the complexity of ranking processes and the need for tailored weighting of factors in library catalog systems, inspired by web search engine techniques.

Contribution

It systematically discusses ranking factors for library materials, adapting insights from web search engines, and highlights the necessity of individualized ranking formulas for different use cases.

Findings

Many ranking factors are applicable to library materials.

Current library systems use only some of these factors.

Individual weighting of factors is essential for effective ranking.

Abstract

Purpose: This paper discusses ranking factors suitable for library materials and shows that ranking in general is a complex process and that ranking for library materials requires a variety of techniques. Design/methodology/approach: The relevant literature is reviewed to provide a systematic overview of suitable ranking factors. The discussion is based on an overview of ranking factors used in Web search engines. Findings: While there are a wide variety of ranking factors applicable to library materials, todays library systems use only some of them. When designing a ranking component for the library catalogue, an individual weighting of applicable factors is necessary. Research limitations/applications: While this article discusses different factors, no particular ranking formula is given. However, this article presents the argument that such a formula must always be individual to a certain use case. Practical implications: The factors presented can be considered when designing a ranking component for a librarys search system or when discussing such a project with an ILS vendor. Originality/value: This paper is original in that it is the first to systematically discuss ranking of library materials based on the main factors used by Web search engines.