Cornell University Library Upgrades Find Articles Service with WebFeat Search Prism

Partnership with WebFeat greatly expands access to electronic resources

The Cornell University Library has upgraded its previous federated search solution with a custom configured WebFeat Search Prism. With WebFeat, Library patrons can now simultaneously search any or all of over 100 electronic resources—including the Cornell University Library catalog, foreign language resources and specialized databases unique to Cornell. WebFeat also provides improved options for displaying, sorting and saving results. In the coming months, WebFeat will be further integrated within the University Library Gateway (http://www.library.cornell.edu/) expanding the number of simultaneously searchable electronic resources to nearly 400 resources.

"Implementing WebFeat for Cornell's federated search service has made it possible for us to expand dramatically the databases our users can search, particularly into subject areas that had previously been underserved," said Martin Kurth, Head Metadata Services, Cornell University Library (and Co-chair of Cornell’s federated search implementation team). "We're also pleased that our response time is faster and that users have more control over their search results."

Added Kurth, "We're looking forward to working with WebFeat in the coming year to expand our database coverage even further and to seamlessly integrate federated searching more fully into the CUL Gateway and into other information services used at Cornell."

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USC Upgrades Scholars Portal with WebFeat

Library chooses WebFeat Express Search Prism to power Scholars Portal

The University of Southern California (USC) has upgraded its USC Scholars Portal with a WebFeat Express™ Search Prism. The new WebFeat-powered USC Scholars Portal, launched at the end of June, enables users to simultaneously search over 70 electronic resources—nearly double the 40 resources previously searchable through Scholars Portal. Using the latest generation WebFeat Administration Console, library administrators were able to configure the new USC Scholars Portal in under a month.

USC was an original participant in the Association of Research Libraries’ (ARL) Scholars Portal Project, a multiyear collaboration between seven ARL member libraries. Three of these original Scholars Portal participants now use WebFeat systems. Project Manager Deborah Holmes-Wong, USC Libraries, stated, "The functionality of federated search software has increased considerably in the last three years... We selected WebFeat Express because it offered the best value to us. The WebFeat Express Administration Console is easy to use and requires little training. We had our site up and running in less than a month."

Functionality and features are the key benefits of WebFeat to USC students, faculty and staff. Holmes-Wong explained, "We've done usability testing with our students and found that the single most important determining factor as to whether they would return to a search site was speed in returning results. The developers at WebFeat understand this. With WebFeat, students can see the results as they are returned.” Compatibility with resources was also a major factor in the Library’s decision to implement a WebFeat Express system. Added Holmes-Wong, “Librarians and our faculty want more resources available through federated searching. WebFeat is already compatible with an extensive list of resources which includes most of our subscription databases. They also have a fairly quick turnaround time in making new databases available."

Learn more about USC Libraries

Edinburgh University Library Launches WebFeat Solution

Custom branded and custom configured system debuts for the start of the 2006/2007 academic year

Edinburgh University Library (EUL), founded in 1580, today launched a WebFeat Custom search solution in time for the start of the 2006/2007 academic year. The custom branded and custom configured system, dubbed "Searcher: findit@edinburgh," can simultaneously search thousands of high-quality academic resources from over 160 electronic databases. Resources include subscription databases, full text journals, image banks, free resources and the Library Catalogue. Searcher (powered by WebFeat) provides novice researchers with a simple Google-type search experience, yet provides more scholarly results. Experienced researchers can take advantage of Searcher's advanced interface which allows users to simultaneously search across multiple resources by selecting any combination of EUL's 160 plus resources. There is no limit to the number of the EUL resources that can be simultaneously searched. Users may also search by selecting subject categories which focuses the search to relevant databases selected by Library staff to be most appropriate for the topic being searched.

Learn more about Searcher and Edinburgh University Library

WebFeat Releases Next Generation Search Proxy

New technology boosts full-text display performance up to 500%

WebFeat has released its latest generation federated proxy, boosting the performance of full text display by 150% - 500%.

The WebFeat proxy, first released in 2002, enables full text/full record content to be displayed within the content provider’s native user interface with all native functionality preserved intact. The ability of a federated search engine to display full-text results in true native interfaces is critical for many reasons. With results displayed in the true native interface, all native database functions are fully functional, enabling the user to email, print, or refine searches from within the native interface. The proxy offers this native capability to both walk-up and remote users, regardless of whether WebFeat or the library hosts the WebFeat system. The latest release of the proxy dramatically enhances the performance of the native full record display.

"When first introduced in 2002, WebFeat’s proxy technology provided a remarkable capability − providing users with true native user interfaces and liberating libraries from much of the hassle previously associated with federated searching," commented Todd Miller, President of WebFeat. "The WebFeat proxy has evolved in dramatic fashion in 2006, displaying full text in a fraction of the time of its predecessor."

Press Release

WebFeat & American University of Armenia Launch First Federated Search Services in CIS

In partnership with SEFLIN (Southeast Florida Library Information Network) the first demonstration of a customized federated search service in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an alliance of 11 Former Soviet Republics, has been launched by WebFeat, developer of the WEBFEAT™ and WebFeat Express™ Search Prisms, and the Papazian Library at the American University of Armenia (AUA). Library users can now simultaneously search the Library’s catalog and selected popular databases from a quick search box.

"WebFeat has already become an indispensable topic-oriented tool for AUA students," says Lena Hovivyan, 2nd year student in the AUA Political Science and International Relations graduate program. "It provides us with a unique opportunity to search the library's entire collection alongside many other articles and catalogs in a very organized manner. Moreover, the search engine is so simple to use that both the beginners and the experienced users can easily describe the information they seek and get access to the high-ranking files in a few seconds. This has made our search much more extensive, quick, and pleasant."

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Quick Hits: System Launches and Other News

The American University in Cairo is in the process of implementing a WebFeat Express system. The AUC Library provides one of the largest English language research collections in Egypt. The Library currently offer students, faculty and staff access to more than 70 databases providing online access to more than 6000 periodicals. "The WebFeat Express interface has been easy to use and essential in our launching this federated search service with a minimum of cost and manpower," stated, Casey Grimmer, Web Services/Reference Librarian. http://library.aucegypt.edu/

Bowdoin College Library has launched and branded a WebFeat Express solution called "Cast-A-Net Combined Search." WebFeat search boxes are carefully being integrated into the Library's Research by Subject pages. From within various subject pages, users can use "Cast-A-Net" to simultaneously search across all core databases that are relevant to the subject being researched. http://library.bowdoin.edu/

Eastern Shore Regional Library (Maryland), has launched a WebFeat Custom search system that has been fully configured and customized to Library specifications by WebFeat. ESRL, the largest of 3 regional resource centers in the state of Maryland, serves and empowers eight county library systems on the state's Eastern Shore. Each library will have its own custom-configured WebFeat search interface. The Library provides access to more than 40 electronic resources. http://www.esrl.lib.md.us/.

Green River Community College (Auburn, WA) is one of the first U.S. customers to launch a WebFeat Express system. With WebFeat Express implemented at the Holman Library, students and faculty can simultaneously search nearly 40 different electronic resources. "WebFeat Express offers a surprisingly affordable federated searching option," said Brenda Philip, Collection Development Librarian.
http://www.greenriver.edu/library/

WebFeat will be at Internet Librarian - Booth #207

Monterey, California - October 23rd-25th, 2006

Be sure to stop by the WebFeat booth to discuss our latest product innovations and enhancements. Throughout the conference, WebFeat staff will provide demonstrations of WebFeat Custom and WebFeat Express solutions.
Exhibitor List and Floorplan

Don't miss the following programs of interest:

Session C101 — Increasing the Use of Online Products
Monday, October 23rd
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Peter Simon-moderator, VP, Product Management, NewsBank Inc. (WebFeat Content Provider Partner)
Lesley Williams, Head Information Services, Evanston (IL) Public Library
Lare Mischo, Automated Systems/Technical Services Manager, Tacoma Public Library (WebFeat Custom system)
Jeff Wisniewski, Web Services Librarian, University of Pittsburgh (WebFeat Custom system)

This panel presents proven strategies for significantly increasing patron use of online databases, thus helping libraries maximize the return on investments (ROI) made in these resources.

Session A105 — Federated Search: State of the Art
Monday, October 23rd
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Frank Cervone, Assistant University Librarian for Information Technology, Northwestern University
Jeff Wisniewski, Web Services Librarian, University of Pittsburgh (WebFeat Custom system)

Thinking about federated search for your library? This session helps you make sense of the dynamic federated search marketplace.