Documenting the Conversation: A Systematic Review of Library Discovery Layers

Abstract

This article describes the results of a systematic review of peer-reviewed, published research articles about discovery layers, user-friendly interfaces or systems that provide single-search box access to library content. Focusing on articles in LISTA published 2009–2013, a set of 80 articles was coded for community of users, journal type, research method, and results. The findings suggest sustained and potentially a converging professional interest in discovery layers over time. They also demonstrate what has not been studied, finding very little research about how discovery layers affect public libraries or children.