History

In 1998, WebFeat set out to change the way people did research. The idea was simple: let libraries search any or all of their databases at the same time.

In 2007, WebFeat's 10th year of consecutive growth, database searches grew from 88 million searches in 2006 to over 170 million. The company added 330 new client systems during in 2007, in turn providing WebFeat federated search access for over 3,500 more libraries. WebFeat systems are now used by over 16,500 leading public, academic, government and Global 1000 libraries and information centers—including over a third of the largest 100 U.S. public libraries, 17 statewide library systems, and 2 out of every 10 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions.

We've accomplished what we set out to do - thanks to our very special customers!

1998 -

WebFeat gets its start when a small band of former Dialog and IAC employees are asked a question by a client: "can you search two websites at the same time?" WebFeat's founder, Todd Miller, who is the former product manager responsible for the launch of the InfoTrac CD product in 1986, one of the industry's most successful product lines. Miller was also instrumental in the launch of the successful InfoTrac 2000 database site licensing program for IAC, as well as the SourceOne patent document delivery service for Knight Ridder Information/Dialog. While president of KR SourceOne, Miller was recognized with an award from the Gartner Group for development of a document management system developed in concert with IBM. The prototype WebFeat system is developed over a weekend - the rest is history!

1999 -

WebFeat launches its first production WebFeat systems at several Fortune 500 client sites. Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 4

2000 -

WebFeat launches the country's first public and academic library federated search systems. At King County Library System, Director Bill Ptacek says: "we needed our patrons to know there was more out there than Google." WebFeat launches the first academic library federated search system at University of Illinois, Chicago. WebFeat partners with Follett Software Company to offer WebFeat as part of its Find-it-All product suite. WebFeat introduces WUT, the WebFeat Usage Tracker, for the first time enabling libraries to track detailed licensed database usage metrics with a mouse click. Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 100

2001 -

WebFeat partners with Dynix, the country's largest ILS technology provider. WebFeat also partners with Nelinet, Palinet, and New York Metro. Notable new clients include Queens Public Library, Cleveland Public Library, the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), and San Francisco Public Library. Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 500

2002 -

WebFeat president and founder, Todd Miller, receives Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" award. WebFeat receives SEFLIN's Horizon award. WebFeat partners with Thomson Scientific/ISI to offer WebFeat as part of its Web of Knowledge system. Notable new clients include Houston Public Library, The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and Broward County Library. Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 800

2003 -

WebFeat introduces "WebFeat 2™," a remarkable technology capable of presenting database results within their true native interfaces. Other technology advances include Unicode compatibility and 508 Compliancy. WebFeat launches MiServiciodeBiblioteca with SEFLIN, the first Spanish language federated search system. WebFeat also launches Japanese and Chinese language sites. WebFeat partners with TLC, who switches from its previous federated search partner. Notable new clients include Los Angeles Public Library, Boston Public Library, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Denver Public Library, Miami-Dade Public Library, Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library, Vancouver Public Library, Oregon State Library and Tampa Bay Library Consortium. Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 1,200

2004 -

WebFeat introduces "WebFeat 3™," a suite of powerful new federated search capabilities, including "MyWebFeat™," Alerts, Thesaurus, OpenURL support, ProCite®/EndNote® export options, and powerful new dynamic results sorting and presentation features. The Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) launches its WebFeat system, making federated searching available to 265 public libraries in the state of Ohio. Other notable new clients include the Nevada State Library and Louisiana State Library. San Francisco Public Library and Chicago Public Library. WebFeat partners with Infotrieve, the largest US document delivery supplier to offer WebFeat as part of its Article Finder Extreme system. And, in the fourth quarter, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office grants WebFeat U.S. Patent #6,807,539 which covers WebFeat’s method and technology for managing the authentication and session management necessary to perform a federated search across licensed resources. Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 1,500+

2005 -

"WebFeat achieves record growth and doubles revenues. The number of libraries using WebFeat exceeds 3,000, including over half of the 20 largest US public libraries, 8 statewide systems and 1 out of 10 ARL institutions. New clients include: major public libraries Brooklyn Public Library; Columbus Metropolitan Library; New York Public Library; Omaha Public Library; Phoenix Public Library; San Diego Public Library; and Tacoma Public Library. Academic libraries at Princeton University; GALILEO, Georgia’s Virtual Library, representing 2000 libraries including the University System of Georgia; CARLI - Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (formerly ILCSO) representing over 60 academic institutions including the University of Illinois; LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network representing over 38 academic institutions including the Louisiana State Universities; Northern Arizona University; Northumbria University (UK); the University of Oklahoma; and Westminster College. The New York State Library and the State Library of Louisiana. And, Government libraries at the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Reserve Bank and the Institute for Defense Analysis. In addition, WebFeat was granted its first International Patent (Australia). Total number of libraries using WebFeat: 3,000+

2006 -

WebFeat debuts "WebFeat Express™," a streamlined version of the original WebFeat search engine designed for budget conscious libraries. WebFeat partners with EBSCO to fully integrate WebFeat Express with EBSCO's A to Z service. WebFeat continues to launch major public, academic and statewide custom search systems. New system launches include: Las Vegas - Clark County Library District (LVCCLD); GALILEO--providing Quick Search capabilities for more than 2,000 in the state of Georgia; INCOLSA--providing federated searching for more than 2,200 libraries in the state of Indiana; and, Dartmouth College.