MEDDLEing with digital library searches: surmounting user model and system misalignments through lightweight bespoke proxying

Abstract

We document how surprisingly easy it is for user misconceptions to arise when using digital library search interfaces, and the significant unseen impact this can have on the user's interpretation of search results. Further, we detail a bespoke proxying technique we have devised called Meddle -- for ModifiED Digital Library Environment -- which is a lightweight agile technique that helps address identified pitfalls in a DL search interface that operates independently of the originating digital library.