Catalog User Search Strategies in Finding Music Materials

Abstract Studying how catalog users search for sound recordings and scores can provide insight into cataloging procedures, OPAC design and reference services. There has been a significant number of studies on general book searching, but little research on how users find music materials. This article examines the access points catalog users choose in finding sound recordings and scores, and how difficulties in music searching influence search strategies. User studies of music-specific material are reviewed and compared with user studies of general book searching. A non-user study is discussed to shed light on the relationship between cataloging practices and user search strategies. Some of the research into new music retrieval methods is considered.

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