Link to original Google doc
Huda Khan, Astrid Usong, Steven Folsom
December 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GOAL
METHODOLOGY
PARTICIPANTS
SCHEDULE
KEY OUTCOMES
RESULTS SUMMARY
TASKS AND SCREENSHOT REFERENCES
SUMMARY BY PARTICIPANT
NOTES (Huda)
GOAL
We wanted to get participant reactions to our inclusion of Wikidata information directly within the page and through the use of work knowledge panels. We also wanted to understand which of the Wikidata properties the participants might find useful.
METHODOLOGY
We sent out a recruitment email to Tracey Snyder, a Cornell music librarian, who forwarded the message to staff and graduate students. When participants responded, we scheduled a half hour Zoom session with them and sent them the consent form as an attachment. During the Zoom session, after obtaining verbal consent from the participants, we provided a link to the tasks and links to the prototype. We began the session with a preliminary question about how participants used the library catalog to look for musical resources and ended the session with some follow up questions.
PARTICIPANTS
Number | Student or staff | Area of study or work |
1 | Staff |
|
2 | PhD Candidate (fourth year) | Music and sound studies |
3 | Staff |
|
4 | PhD Student (third year) | Music and sound studies |
5 | Doctoral graduate student (first year) | Composition |
SCHEDULE
December 19-22, 2022
KEY OUTCOMES
- Work info buttons appeared easy to find, with only one participant requiring a prompt to look at the included works section of the page. Once the button was clicked, all participants were easily able to navigate to and find the information on the resulting author title browse page. Future implementation could incorporate work info buttons next to included works.
- Catalog numbers provide potentially useful distinguishing information and may be best included nearer the top of the page or next to the title.
- Instead of “codes”, we should use a term more commonly used for this information such as “catalog numbers” or “thematic catalog numbers”.
- If the title is available in other languages, that information may best be positioned very near the title itself, in the languages field on the page, or somehow accessible in the “other forms” of this work page.
- When using asterisks in fields to indicate the data in those fields comes from Wikidata, we could reword the statement about the Wikidata source to say “This information comes from Wikidata” instead of “Some of the information on this page comes from Wikidata”. Additional design options should be reviewed to ascertain how to display Wikidata source information and how these options may be perceived on pages where Discogs information and highlighting are also present.
- Additional research should be conducted to evaluate which Wikidata properties may be most useful for the wider library catalog audience. Among the Wikidata properties we included, catalog number, instrumentation, librettist, and tonality may be candidates for most relevant information to include for a musical recording or score. Historical information, such as date and location of first performance, was deemed potentially useful for specific cases of research but not necessarily for the participants themselves.
- Another potential area of exploration may center around the use of the information captured in thematic catalogs, such as chronology of works and incipits of music for a particular work, to support discovery in library catalogs.
RESULTS SUMMARY
- All participants were able to complete the tasks and find the information we asked them to identify in the prototype. Three participants completed all the tasks without any additional prompts. One participant had to be prompted to look at the included works section to find the work info buttons. One participant had to be prompted to continue to the end of the page to see the librettist information, which they also identified within the contributors section at the top of the page.
- Work info buttons appeared easy to find, with only one participant requiring a prompt to look at the included works section of the page. Once the button was clicked, all participants were easily able to also go to the full information page.
- Although participants were able to correctly answer all the questions regarding catalog numbers, one participant noted that “codes” was not how they would usually refer to this information. “Catalog number” may be a better label.
- When asked which Wikidata properties they thought might be useful based on what they had seen in the prototype, all participants indicated catalog numbers were helpful to include. Three participants stated instrumentation was useful information. Three said information about the librettist was useful, with one of these participants saying the information would be useful if they were searching by the librettist. Two indicated tonality may be useful information to include, with one specifying how some pieces of music are identified through their tonality. Another participant stated tonality information was of mixed relevance, as the tonality may be information that could be contested or debatable. One participant mentioned Opus numbers as being useful to include. It is important to note that participants were not given the whole list of properties again when answering this question but asked to react to what they had already seen while completing the tasks.
- Two participants identified that the asterisk at the end of certain fields meant that that information was coming from Wikidata. The other three participants first saw and commented on the Discogs information statement. One of these participants suggested different wording for the Wikidata acknowledgment, replacing “some information” with “this information”.
- While answering follow up questions, all participants indicated they had some familiarity with the concept of catalog numbers. Two participants indicated they were familiar with some types of catalog numbers but not all of them.
TASKS AND SCREENSHOT REFERENCES
We shared the following document with the participants with the tasks and questions and links to the prototype. We are also including the text of the questions and tasks below. Screenshots from the prototype are included below for documentation.
TASKS
Preliminary questions- If you are a student, what is your year and subject area?
- How do you normally search for musical scores or recordings using the catalog?
Tasks - You have searched for Vivaldi sonatas in A major and are viewing the result: “Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano” at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/3047471 . Please go to this link.
- What is the RV number for this musical score?
- Are there other catalog numbers visible for this score?
- You have searched for “Die Zauberflote” by Mozart and are viewing the result at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 . Please go to this link.
- What is the K number for this musical recording?
- Who is the librettist?
- You are looking at the page for “Four sonatas for violin and continuo, op. 5 nos. 1-4 (RV 18, 30, 33, 35)” which is available at this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/377609 . Please go to this link.
- What is the Fanna number for op. 5. No. 2?
- You are looking at the page for “Simon Rattle edition” which has works by Stravinsky. Please go to this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646929 .
- What is the date of the first performance for “Ebony Concerto” which is part of this selection?
Follow up questions- Which of these tasks do you currently do when researching or looking for musical resources? Which of these tasks would you not do? Would you please explain why?
- “Die Zauberflote” on the page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 may be known by other languages.
- Where, on this page or elsewhere in the catalog, might you want to see titles in other languages for a musical score or recording? How might this information help with searching or viewing musical recordings in the library?
- Which Wikidata information in the prototype would you find useful while searching for musical recordings or scores in the catalog (for example, catalog codes such as K number or RV number)? Which information would you not find useful? For both questions, can you please explain why.
- Were you familiar with the idea of catalog codes (such as Kochel)? If so, how do you typically use these codes?
- Would any of these features be useful to you in how you search or do research?
- Do you have any suggestions or feedback about any of the features you saw?
|
SCREENSHOTS FROM THE PROTOTYPE
Link to Google slides
Figure 1: Top of the page for Task 1. "Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano".
Figure 2: Bottom of the page for Task 1. "Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano". Shows inclusion of Wikidata information for codes (catalog numbers), opus, tonality, and instrumentation.
Figure 3: Top of the page for "Die Zauberflote" or "The Magic Flute" for Task 2.
Figure 4: Bottom of the page for "Die Zauberflote" or "The Magic Flute" for Task 2. Shows inclusion of Wikidata information for codes (Kochel catalogue), first performance date, first performance location, and librettist.
Figure 5: Top of the page for "Four sonatas" by Vivaldi for Task 3.
Figure 6: Bottom of the page for "Four sonatas" by Vivaldi for Task 3. Shows "Work info" buttons next to titles in the "Included work" section.
Figure 7: Bottom of the page for "Four sonatas" by Vivaldi for Task 3. Shows how clicking on the second "Work info" button displays a knowledge panel bringing in Wikidata information (codes, opus, tonality, and instrumentation) and information from the author title browse entry.
Figure 8: Top of the page for full author title browse page for "Vivaldi, Antonio, 1678-1741. | Sonatas, op.5 .No. 2" for Task 3. This page shows the Wikidata information included for codes, opus, tonality, and instrumentation. Clicking on "View full info" in the knowledge panel in Figure 7 leads to this page.
Figure 9: Continuation of the page for full author title browse page for "Vivaldi, Antonio, 1678-1741. | Sonatas, op.5 .No. 2" for Task 3.
Figure 10: Top of the page for "Simon Rattle edition" with works by Stravinsky for Task 4.
Figure 11: Continuation of the page for "Simon Rattle edition" for Task 4. Shows the "Included Work" section" with the knowledge panel for "Stravinksy, Igor, 1882-1971. Ebony Concerto" visible.
Figure 12: Author title browse page for "Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971. | Ebony Concerto" for Task 4. This page shows the inclusion of information from Wikidata for first performance date, first performance location, and instrumentation. Clicking on "View full info" in the knowledge panel shown in Figure 11 leads to this page.
SUMMARY BY PARTICIPANT
In the tables below, we summarize participant behavior and answers to follow up questions. “#” denotes the column for participant number.
# | Normal search method | Tasks | Comments |
1 | Cornell library home page. Type in composer and title or short form. | Completed all but task 3 without prompts. Task 2 (Die Zauberflote) comments: - Expected to see K number towards beginning.
- When looking for librettist, noted Wikidata field not as easy to find. For opera, librettist important contributor.
Task 3 (Four sonatas for violin and continue): Prompted to look at included works section. Then, found work info button. - Looking for word “Fanna”.
- Once clicked, information made sense and was helpful for doing cross-references.
| Quote: “You do my research for me. That’s marvelous” Quote: “More information is always better than less” |
2 | Youtube. Don’t normally search catalog for recordings. Would use title when searching. | Completed all tasks without additional prompts Task 1 (Vivaldi sonatas): Found RV but didn’t know what it stood for. Task 4 (Stranvinsky): Found information in table of contents first and then quickly found work info button below. | Easy enough to figure out. Catalog numbers useful when title isn’t particularly useful. K number then becomes part of title or alternate title. |
3 | Search by title, composers, specific edition, performer (especially for recordings) | Completed all tasks without prompt except Task 2. Task 2 (Die Zauberflote): Saw librettist in contributors and other roles. Prompted to scroll down and then saw librettist also listed there. | Quotable/referenceable: Catalog numbers are confusing. Having laid out all the numbers is illuminating to someone trying to get a handle. |
4 | Composer and name of recording, or keyword search | Completed all tasks without additional prompts. | Work info button solved information overload problem in a way that still makes that information accessible. Important to know source May trust transcription of information from CD more than publicly editable database. Translations of titles is useful, but unclear how to implement this feature. Non-catalog resources: if widely held knowledge, would use Google search. If more esoteric, may use online encyclopedias such as Grove music or Oxford music online to find information like first performance data or historical information. |
5 | Cornell library website using keyword, title, composer | Completed all tasks without additional prompts | If could search by ensemble type and years, that would be a big help. |
Table 1: Summarizing answer to preliminary search question, tasks, and additional comments by participant
# | Tasks realistic | Languages | Wikidata properties | Catalog numbers | Useful features | Suggestions |
1 | Conceivably do all the tasks, with most basic ones with greater frequency. Not many patrons ask for first performance information. Query for librettist possible. | Don’t expect language to be in traditional library catalog page. Alternate forms in card catalog for title. Search by uniform title? | Don’t normally look for non-bibliographic info but useful to have. Catalog codes are bibliographic. Librettist. | “Catalog numbers” preferred term. Used for cross-references. Kochel put works in chronological order, so useful info. Also catalogs can include incipits of music with each title and bibliographic info like editions, dates of composition, performance, publication, etc. Useful contextual information to get a handle on the entry. | First performance location may be useful for focused research. Thankful information available quickly and reliably. | Online catalog can be considered as a study guide. |
2 | Don’t generally work with classical music. Don’t often use opus numbers/k numbers, etc. Closest task: looking for book editions, first volume, when published, translation. | Would expect to find other language titles as close to the German title as possible. Title line or language field. When assigning to students, would want English title even if original in German. For self, would want original language title. | Clearly identified asterisk to indicate source. Catalog numbers useful. Tonality and instrumentation helpful. If cared about history, then historical info also useful. | Familiar with some nut not all. Know about K. Use catalog numbers to distinguish between pieces and understand chronology and grouping. | Click to get more info allows initial entry to be less info heavy and then info that don’t often need can be visible later. | K number wasn’t listed as K (said “Kochel” instead). |
3 | Don’t need date of first performance. RV and Fanna numbers may be useful for ordering pieces. Librettist may be useful for cataloging. Mostly check for different performers of work since people want specific recording. Contributors list useful. | Next to the title with a little link. Link between recording and other language titles? Other forms of this work may be a helpful place to put these other language titles. | Saw and noted Discogs source first. Unclear if they identified the asterisk as mapping to Wikidata as source. K number very useful. Instrumentation. Catalog numbers useful. First performance date is interesting for researcher but not for me. | Familiar with them. Useful to determine which piece you are looking for. | Use Discogs all the time. Good for modern music and soundscape music. Think different languages for title would be helpful. | Discussed the use of the subject line on the item page e.g. clicking on “Sonatas (violin and piano) -> scores and parts”, could see what’s in the catalog, filter by composer, and look for scores. |
4 | Would look for catalog numbers as do use library catalog for RV/Opus and other catalog numbers. Would not look for performance date or expect information would be there. Do not typically look for librettist in catalog but may use other sources. | Not sure. Instinct to look on Mozart info page to look for metadata field with language info. Possibly look at “other forms of this work”. (Clicked on “other forms” and looked at language facet). | Can see Discogs source. Indefinite wording for “some” of this information. If the wording had been “this information”, would have looked at the asterisk. Glanced off the asterisk since the wording was the same as Discogs. Location of recording may be relevant for very specific research question but not otherwise. Catalog numbers useful for translating between different performance editions. In manuscripts where names can be inconsistent (e.g. diacritics), would depend on catalog numbers for search. Tonality may be interesting as some, though not majority, of pieces identified solely through tonality. Instrumentation info is often inconsistent and would not expect to see this in the library catalog page. Librettist may be useful if searching for pieces by a specific librettist, otherwise would go to other sources to find this information. | A given piece may have multiple catalog numbers. Having a central repository which provides all the catalog numbers for a given piece. Would search for catalog number they are familiar with. Tends to be vernacular agreement (agreed upon shorthand) regarding which catalog number to use. | (Covered in other answers) | Contributors list has long strings of info. “Other contributors” is a partial list followed by “more” link and that feels more user-friendly. Like the work info button approach, although found it confusing at first since not used to it in the library catalog. |
5 | Look more for new music (recent composers) and less older music like Mozart, Don’t use catalog numbers as much as peers although have looked for alternative catalog numbers. Searched for librettist. Probably use first performance of work. | Helpful to see other titles by name or copied down in notes or “other titles” field. Useful if system search understood the mapping between titles in different languages (i.e. searching for “magic flute” would still direct to “Die Zauberflote”). | Correctly identified asterisk as corresponding to Wikidata source. Useful: First performance date, librettist, catalog numbers, first performance location, opus number. Instrumentation is most important piece of information. Tonality is a mixed bag. | Familiar with K and Bach numbers. Otherwise use infrequently. | Catalog numbers, first performance date, location, librettist info all useful. Would use codes to cross-search elsewhere. Search by dates quite a bit. Sometimes search by language if performance sung in another language. | Great work! |
Table 2: Summarizing answers to follow up questions by participant.
NOTES (Huda)
Participant One
Grad/Staff:
Preliminary questions
- If you are a student, what is your year and subject area?
- How do you normally search for musical scores or recordings using the catalog?
- Composer and title or short form
- Go to Cornell library home page, type in information
Tasks
- You have searched for Vivaldi sonatas in A major and are viewing the result: “Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano” at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/3047471 . Please go to this link.
- Look down, see under codes RV 31
- What is the RV number for this musical score?
- Are there other catalog numbers visible for this score?
- You have searched for “Die Zauberflote” by Mozart and are viewing the result at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 . Please go to this link.
- Scroll down until we find it
- Doesn’t show up as K-620 anywhere. Unusual. Typical to see the catalog number married to the title - maybe right up next to title
- Expected to see it - miss something at the beginning. Typically K numbers given for titles
- Under code
- Says Kochel - doesn’t say K. Say 620
- Know this well. One of the contributors.
- Composer and librettist right up front
- Co-creators
- Shinaker important creator for work
- If didn’t know name, long time to search
- Also saw under “other contributors”
- Also under notes
- Also the Wikidata field - maybe not as quite as easy to find
- Up on top, see language, publication info
- Operas are like musicals
- What is the K number for this musical recording?
- Who is the librettist?
- You are looking at the page for “Four sonatas for violin and continuo, op. 5 nos. 1-4 (RV 18, 30, 33, 35)” which is available at this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/377609 . Please go to this link.
- “Edited and realized” - interesting.
- Small selection. One wonders why. Guess OP 5 contains 12 sonatas. No table of contents also does 4
- Michael Talbot one of the great Vivaldi scholars
- Not RV number under table of contents. Is it showing here? (looking under table of contents)
- Wouldn’t expect Fanna number in the publication - not in universal use anymore.
- Did not focus on work info button but looking for the word Fanna. Hadn’t thought to scout around for other ways to get it.
- (Had to be prompted to look at included works section, then saw work info button)
- Once clicked, what you’re seeing make sense? Yes. Very much. Helpful. Not in publication itself. To do the cross-references.
- What is the Fanna number for op. 5. No. 2?
- You are looking at the page for “Simon Rattle edition” which has works by Stravinsky. Please go to this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646929 .
- Saw it first under table of contents
- Saw view full info
- Full performance date, found it right away
- “You do my research for me. That’s marvelous”
- As someone who would have been doing background work as a student, know the amount of work it would have been to
- What is the date of the first performance for “Ebony Concerto” which is part of this selection?
Follow up questions
- Which of these tasks do you currently do when researching or looking for musical resources? Which of these tasks would you not do? Would you please explain why?
- Not many patrons going to come to reference librarian looking for first performance.
- Librettist might happen
- Realistic ones - but the more specific the info, the less likely thatrequest
- Conceivably all of them
- Most basic ones more often when helping patron
- “Die Zauberflote” on the page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 may be known by other languages.
- Opera like this known in many languages. Translated and performed in many different languages. Suspect that would be a long list.
- Wonder if typed in Mozart magic flute
- Don’t expect traditionally as part of library catalog page
- Thinking back to card catalogs, typically card catalog for each title page/work. Often, main title card, standardized title. Often it would in fact other forms of the title, including in other languages.
- Uniform title of some kind - way to search by it?
- Used the main
- Where, on this page or elsewhere in the catalog, might you want to see titles in other languages for a musical score or recording? How might this information help with searching or viewing musical recordings in the library?
- Which Wikidata information in the prototype would you find useful while searching for musical recordings or scores in the catalog (for example, catalog codes such as K number or RV number)? Which information would you not find useful? For both questions, can you please explain why.
- Marvelous to have that info “first performance date” or location
- But wouldn’t be something might look in the catalog for
- Makes me wish for seeing what else could get from - doesn’t strike me as bibliographic info
- Catalog codes ARE bibliographic: would find in citation and would use to lead you to the source
- Librettist: role of creator in case of opera
- Typically when searching for kinds of things find in library, not also looking for background information for work. Just looking for source
- Were you familiar with the idea of catalog codes (such as Kochel)? If so, how do you typically use these codes?
- Another important use to actually see titles connected to the musical themes. Most catalogs actually print incipit of music with each title. 41 symphonies of Mozart all called “symphony”, handy to have that opening couple of bars of music. Yes, that’s what I’m looking for.
- More bibliographic information in nature. Each entry for each work will give editions, dates of composition, dates of first performance, publication. Information one needs to get a handle on thing.
- Didn’t realize word “codes” was the keyword. Certain catalog numbers. Cross-references from one catalog to another.
- Most major composers/scholars have made scholarly catalogs
- In the library, couple of rows of thematic catalogs. Easily 500 - 800.
- In some cases, composers have multiple catalogs (e.g. Vivaldi). Even in the case of Mozart, standard Kochel, but made his own, but it’s incomplete and not scholarly.
- Catalog number: Mozart’s. Kochel tried to put everything in chronological order. And also mistakes made. Important facet.
- Would any of these features be useful to you in how you search or do research?
- One wouldn’t expect to find it in library catalog. Once it’s there, thankful for it. Now you know where you can find it quickly and reliably. Don’t have to worry about looking up again.
- More information is always better than less
- Certainly possible to imagine a situation - Stravinksy example. Maybe someone looking for Stravinsky premiered in NY. Saw that piece was performed in Carnegie Hall. Could be important to someone doing a highly focused bit of research.
- Do you have any suggestions or feedback about any of the features you saw?
- One might consider online catalog as a bit of a study guide. Can go to it for ideas of things you might want to know or need to know that you didn’t think of yourself. Started for research projects.
Participant Two
Preliminary questions
- If you are a student, what is your year and subject area?
- 4th year Phd Candidate, music and sound studies
- How do you normally search for musical scores or recordings using the catalog?
- Truthfully don’t use scores. Usually don’t search for recordings in catalog. Usually by title when searching
- Youtube generally for searching
Tasks
- You have searched for Vivaldi sonatas in A major and are viewing the result: “Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano” at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/3047471 . Please go to this link.
- Don’t know what RV stands for. Guess it’s this under codes. So 31
- What is the RV number for this musical score?
- Are there other catalog numbers visible for this score?
- You have searched for “Die Zauberflote” by Mozart and are viewing the result at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 . Please go to this link.
- Guess in similar location to RV. 620
- Getting that from the last field
- What is the K number for this musical recording?
- Who is the librettist?
- You are looking at the page for “Four sonatas for violin and continuo, op. 5 nos. 1-4 (RV 18, 30, 33, 35)” which is available at this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/377609 . Please go to this link.
- Assumed it would be in a similar spot but not
- Clicked on work info
- What is the Fanna number for op. 5. No. 2?
- You are looking at the page for “Simon Rattle edition” which has works by Stravinsky. Please go to this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646929 .
- Found it exists in table of contents
- Assuming work info button
- Clicked on view full info -
- Found date
- What is the date of the first performance for “Ebony Concerto” which is part of this selection?
Follow up questions
- Which of these tasks do you currently do when researching or looking for musical resources? Which of these tasks would you not do? Would you please explain why?
- Don’t generally work with any classical music. Don’t often use opus numbers or k numbers or different catalog numbers
- Closest to the search did in tasks: looking for particular editions of books. First volume, when it was first published. Or translation.
- “Die Zauberflote” on the page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 may be known by other languages.
- As close to the German title as possible
- Wouldn’t know where to look for it
- Maybe also in title line?
- Or right here in language (most helpfully there - to see the English version of this German thing)
- How might it help? If assigning something to students, would almost always want English title. (If found in German, would want in English)
- Personally prefer in original language than translation. Good to have easily accessible
- Where, on this page or elsewhere in the catalog, might you want to see titles in other languages for a musical score or recording? How might this information help with searching or viewing musical recordings in the library?
- Which Wikidata information in the prototype would you find useful while searching for musical recordings or scores in the catalog (for example, catalog codes such as K number or RV number)? Which information would you not find useful? For both questions, can you please explain why.
- If I were a fake musicologist who cares about history, then I would be interested in historical bits
- Tonality and instrumentation? Would be quite helpful. Would use a piece like this it in survey class situation - want to get basic information about the piece.
- Asterisk points to Wikidata
- For my own uses, just the catalog numbers would be useful.
- Were you familiar with the idea of catalog codes (such as Kochel)? If so, how do you typically use these codes?
- Familiar with them but not all of them. Know about K b/c more familiar with them.
- Distinctions between pieces - to identify one sonata from the next. To understand the chronology of pieces (why are pieces grouped together? Which comes first, second)
- Would any of these features be useful to you in how you search or do research?
- The info that I don’t often access, don’t need it right up front. So can get it later
- Like click here for more information type of interface. Initial entry is less info heavy. If want to know about this particular number or date of piece, often wouldn’t need, but if I do, can find it.
- Do you have any suggestions or feedback about any of the features you saw?
- Caught off guard that K number wasn’t listed as K
Easy enough to figure out.
Those numbers are particularly useful when the title isn’t particularly useful. In those cases, the K number becomes part of the title. Alternate title.
Participant Three
Preliminary questions
- If you are a student, what is your year and subject area?
- How do you normally search for musical scores or recordings using the catalog?
- Search by title, composers, specific edition, performer (especially for recordings)
Tasks
- You have searched for Vivaldi sonatas in A major and are viewing the result: “Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano” at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/3047471 . Please go to this link.
- What is the RV number for this musical score?
- Are there other catalog numbers visible for this score?
- You have searched for “Die Zauberflote” by Mozart and are viewing the result at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 . Please go to this link.
- Scrolling up to look at the contributors list. Lots of vocalists and conductors
- Saw other roles listed and librettist definitely a role
- Prompted to go all the way down and then saw it there
- What is the K number for this musical recording?
- Who is the librettist?
- You are looking at the page for “Four sonatas for violin and continuo, op. 5 nos. 1-4 (RV 18, 30, 33, 35)” which is available at this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/377609 . Please go to this link.
- This record doesn’t have as much info
- Found opus 5 no 2 under table of contents
- Guess I could go to work info
- Does give it to me in the codes, 13, 42 (found on own)
- What is the Fanna number for op. 5. No. 2?
- You are looking at the page for “Simon Rattle edition” which has works by Stravinsky. Please go to this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646929 .
- See Ebony Concerto in table of contents but no link
- Went to included works - saw work info - clicked on view full info and found on full info page
- What is the date of the first performance for “Ebony Concerto” which is part of this selection?
Follow up questions
- Which of these tasks do you currently do when researching or looking for musical resources? Which of these tasks would you not do? Would you please explain why?
- Contributors list would be useful to make sure have right performer
- Or have more info, have the right edition of something
- Less research but more about ordering and cataloging information
- Don’t think need to know the date of the first performance for my work. Really interesting that you can get there
- RV numbers and Fanna numbers might be useful in ordering, to make sure am getting the correct piece
- Librettist: might use that for cataloging work
- Mostly checking on different performers of this work, because people want to hear specific recording of a particular work
- “Die Zauberflote” on the page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 may be known by other languages.
- Helpful to have it up at the top, next to the title with a little link. That’s where I would be looking for a title
- If had no idea about music, and didn’t know it was magic flute, would be helpful to see it. Would do keywords and that to do a different search.
- Would it be linked to the recording with the other language titles? If it said Magic flute, would that link to other titles?
- Other forms of this work is helpful
- Where, on this page or elsewhere in the catalog, might you want to see titles in other languages for a musical score or recording? How might this information help with searching or viewing musical recordings in the library?
- Which Wikidata information in the prototype would you find useful while searching for musical recordings or scores in the catalog (for example, catalog codes such as K number or RV number)? Which information would you not find useful? For both questions, can you please explain why.
- All the catalog numbers are confusing, (not the interface). Having laid out is illuminating to someone trying to get a handle
- Saw Discogs first
- Obvious that data coming from Wikidata?
- Majority of that data is not coming from Discogs
- Kochel number is useful - but feel like that should be elsewhere very boldly
- First performance date really interesting - for a researcher. Not useful for me.
- Instrumentation is useful. All of it is useful for determining which one you have, especially with Vivaldi, can get confusing .
- Were you familiar with the idea of catalog codes (such as Kochel)? If so, how do you typically use these codes?
- Familiar with them. Most useful to determine which piece you are looking at or trying to find. Gets confusing certain composers have a number of catalog numbers.
- Would any of these features be useful to you in how you search or do research?
- Accurate when researching modern music and soundscape music.
- Personally use Discogs all the time. Interesting they are supplying info.
- Different languages for title: personally think that would be helpful. Especially if someone
- Do you have any suggestions or feedback about any of the features you saw?
- Subject is useful if they want to look for other
- Could see what’s in the catalog
- Filter by composer
- For scores
- If looking for particular score to play it, if clicked on sonata, would it be listing
- Subject: sonatas, shouldn’t it take me to that whole list on
- Using the actual subject line (Sonatas (violin and piano) -> scores and parts)
- Don’t think so
- Like how links are in blue
- What other things could I do if just looking at sonata record (Vivaldi sonatas in A major for violin and viola)
Participant Four
Preliminary questions
- If you are a student, what is your year and subject area?
- Third year PhD student in music and sound studies
- How do you normally search for musical scores or recordings using the catalog?
- Typically by composer and name of recording of name of piece, just as general keyword searches
Tasks
- You have searched for Vivaldi sonatas in A major and are viewing the result: “Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano” at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/3047471 . Please go to this link.
- See Opus number (under Rinaldi), fanna catalog
- What is the RV number for this musical score?
- Are there other catalog numbers visible for this score?
- You have searched for “Die Zauberflote” by Mozart and are viewing the result at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 . Please go to this link.
- Glancing over the info on page. Performers. Track list. UPC numbers.
- Schikaneder (at the bottom of the page)
- What is the K number for this musical recording?
- Who is the librettist?
- You are looking at the page for “Four sonatas for violin and continuo, op. 5 nos. 1-4 (RV 18, 30, 33, 35)” which is available at this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/377609 . Please go to this link.
- Looking at table of contents, broken down by opus and sub number, but only see RV numbers
- Not sure what the fanna is and don’t see anything past RV
- I do see the work info button
- What is the Fanna number for op. 5. No. 2?
- You are looking at the page for “Simon Rattle edition” which has works by Stravinsky. Please go to this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646929 .
- Scrolling to find past performers and engineers - looking for Ebony Concerto under table of contents without a date
- I see ebony concerto under included work with work info button. No date there - View full info
- Saw the first performance date
- What is the date of the first performance for “Ebony Concerto” which is part of this selection?
Follow up questions
- Which of these tasks do you currently do when researching or looking for musical resources? Which of these tasks would you not do? Would you please explain why?
- Looking at a library catalog to translate between opus number and RV number
- Do use the library catalog for RV/Opus and other catalog numbers
- Librettist: also not typically look for info in catalog. If goal to find librettist, would turn to other resources before the library catalog.
- Looking for catalog numbers: it is something I would do.
- Looking for performance date: not something I would actually think to do. Not info I would think would be there so don’t have
- “Die Zauberflote” on the page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 may be known by other languages.
- Click through to see other languages
- Then clicked on other forms and in results see the title in French
- Where, on this page or elsewhere in the catalog, might you want to see titles in other languages for a musical score or recording? How might this information help with searching or viewing musical recordings in the library?
- Initial answer: not sure
- Instinct to look under mozart info page, to see if there is a single metadata term that all the languages are contained for
- Also see the other forms of this work - but all of which are in german
- Which Wikidata information in the prototype would you find useful while searching for musical recordings or scores in the catalog (for example, catalog codes such as K number or RV number)? Which information would you not find useful? For both questions, can you please explain why.
- Outside that very specific research question, not really looking for
- If had physical copy, might leaf through while listening
- Especially in manuscripts, where the language name is inconsistent with respect to diacritics, would turn to catalog numbers as how to search for something
- Can see Discogs highlighting
- Where the source is from librarian view
- Indefinite wording of “some” -> if it had said “this information”, would have looked at where the asterisk. Glanced off the asterisk b/c the wording the same as Discogs.
- Can’t imagine a set of research questions for which this info : like where this hall this was recorded
- As performer, catalog numbers would be useful in terms of translating between different performance editions. If had score for one piece contained in recording that used a different catalog numbering than recording - having that translation on that page - especially if metadata searchable from the catalog page.
- Tonality: could be useful for pieces identified solely through tonality. Not the majority of pieces so not critical all of the time.
- Instrumentation: Often info with recordings is inconsistent at best. Wouldn’t necessarily to library catalog page.
- Librettist: could be useful if searching for pieces by librettist/composer. But if just had a question about who the librettist is for a piece, would turn to other resources
- Were you familiar with the idea of catalog codes (such as Kochel)? If so, how do you typically use these codes?
- Most of the time when I use catalog numbers - there’s a piece, Beethoven opus 18,no. 4. C-minor. Would search for catalog number I am familiar with.
- Don’t typically run into situations where catalog numbers are an issue or point of contention, even with Bach where there are so many catalog numbers. Agreed upon shorthand. There tends to be a vernacular agreement on which one to use.
- They are interesting in their own names. Difficult for Mozart and Vivaldi that have so many cataloging systems. Any given piece might have many catalog numbers. Having a central repo of info: here’s a piece and here are all the catalog numbers.
- Q: Is that how you typically search (look for central listing)?
- Would any of these features be useful to you in how you search or do research?
- Do you have any suggestions or feedback about any of the features you saw?
Long strings of info of performers under magic flute - aren’t necessarily helpful.
Other contributors: partial list followed by “more” link. Feels much more user-friendly
Work info: like this idea. Confused at first b/c not used to in library catalog. Solved that info overload problem from the Mozart page. In a way that info still accessible.
Having source info: Discogs or Wikidata. Would be really useful if there was a recording I wanted info. Saw it but didn’t have a way of getting physical copy. Having sourcing info. Discogs is community sourced but may not be sure of the info, in the case of using library catalog as a primary source.
Transcription of CD booklet: may trust that more than a publicly editable database.
Translation of titles: don’t know what an easy way to implement that would be. Really helpful tool too have, Multiple languages referenced in info in that page.
- What kinds of resources do you use other than the catalog and why do you think reliable?
- Grove music or Oxford music online: first performance data, historical information
- Widely held knowledge, may just do Google search
- If more esoteric, online encyclopedias
Participant Five
Preliminary questions
- If you are a student, what is your year and subject area?
- First year doctoral graduate student, composition
- How do you normally search for musical scores or recordings using the catalog?
- Usually go to directly to Cornell library website and search in that first search box
- Usually keyword, know the title, maybe the composer
Tasks
- You have searched for Vivaldi sonatas in A major and are viewing the result: “Sonata in A major, for violin (or viola) and piano” at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/3047471 . Please go to this link.
- What is the RV number for this musical score?
- Are there other catalog numbers visible for this score?
- You have searched for “Die Zauberflote” by Mozart and are viewing the result at this page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 . Please go to this link.
- Usually the K number is in alternative titles or somewhere alongside the title but not the official title. Looking for titles. Goes to notes. Saw it under Codes: Kochel catalog 620
- Emanuel (saw it on the bottom)
- What is the K number for this musical recording?
- Who is the librettist?
- You are looking at the page for “Four sonatas for violin and continuo, op. 5 nos. 1-4 (RV 18, 30, 33, 35)” which is available at this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/377609 . Please go to this link.
- See table of contents and see RV numberrs near the title and “down here” in table of contents
- Doesn’t seem to be, Oh work info! 13 no. 42
- What is the Fanna number for op. 5. No. 2?
- You are looking at the page for “Simon Rattle edition” which has works by Stravinsky. Please go to this link: http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646929 .
- Saw Ebony Concerto in table of contents
- Then work info
- Clicked view full info in popup
- What is the date of the first performance for “Ebony Concerto” which is part of this selection?
Follow up questions
- Which of these tasks do you currently do when researching or looking for musical resources? Which of these tasks would you not do? Would you please explain why?
- I use K numbers differently than peers who are research based
- Most popular. Just don’t use catalog numbers as often
- Probably use: first performance of works included in the database
- Definitely searched for librettist before
- Also looked for alternative catalog numbers - not as often as other info
- More in new music, little less older Mozart. Maybe a little more Stravinsky. Recent and current composers
- “Die Zauberflote” on the page http://dev-hjk54.library.cornell.edu/catalog/10646838 may be known by other languages.
- Seen alternative titles around main title. Perhaps for Rite of Spring
- Would be helpful to see more titles by name
- OR copied down here in notes or other titles
- If to search for “magic flute”, would hope to be directed to “Die Zauberflote” if that is the main title. Having the system understand that these are the same.
- Where, on this page or elsewhere in the catalog, might you want to see titles in other languages for a musical score or recording? How might this information help with searching or viewing musical recordings in the library?
- Which Wikidata information in the prototype would you find useful while searching for musical recordings or scores in the catalog (for example, catalog codes such as K number or RV number)? Which information would you not find useful? For both questions, can you please explain why.
- Tonality: Mixed bag. Kind of like gender. Becoming a little less real. Little strange to have the full tonality for the entire piece. Or large piece. Or fiercely contested.
- Instrumentation: Most important thing to be added to a listing.
- Search by ensemble type or instrumentation
- Found Wikidata as source and identified as asterisks at the end of field
- Useful: First performance date, librettist, catalog numbers. First performance location.
- Useful: opus number.
- Were you familiar with the idea of catalog codes (such as Kochel)? If so, how do you typically use these codes?
- Mostly familiar with Mozart K numbers
- DVW Bach numbers
- Beyond that, use them fairly infrequently
- Would any of these features be useful to you in how you search or do research?
- Definite improvement. Wonderful to have. Even location better to have than not.
- Would be using codes to cross-search somewhere else
- First performance date and librettist, very useful
- Instrumentation would be huge
- Usually search by dates quite a bit. Sheet music. If could search by ensemble type and year, that would be huge.
- Search by language sometimes. If they sing in language, then.
- Definitely catalog numbers, first performance date, location, librettist
- Do you have any suggestions or feedback about any of the features you saw?