“Discovery Tools” were being pushed for libraries as being better than a traditional online catalog because they could incorporate websites and magazine articles into the search. What sounds good turned out to be a mess, and academic libraries in particular saw big declines in library book use after switching to one of these products. In short, the Emperor has no Clothes. However, since public institutions such as libraries never admit they made a mistake, they are now the norm. This article was a futile attempt to stop their spread. how_does_switching.pdf (ala.org)