WebFeat Customizes Federated Search Solution for Vigo County Public Library

VCPL MultiSearch is seamlessly embedded within library’s web pages

Old Brookville, NY, April 14, 2005 — Vigo County Public Library (VCPL), Terre Haute, Indiana, has launched its MultiSearch federated search solution powered by WebFeat. MultiSearch, which enables patrons to search the library’s online databases and catalog resources simultaneously with a single, intuitive search interface, is the result of a close collaboration between WebFeat and VCPL librarians. WebFeat customized many features of the VCPL system and seamlessly embedded its patented search technology within the library’s web pages. VCPL patrons can simultaneously search through any or all the library’s 54 online databases, including 29 databases that are part of INSPIRE, Indiana’s state funded Virtual Library initiative. MultiSearch is available to all Vigo County Public Library patrons and may also be accessed remotely through the library’s website (http://www.vigo.lib.in.us/ ) by persons with a valid VCPL library card.

"Database searching for many public library users can be very frustrating because they aren’t sure which databases they need to use or how they are suppose to search them. WebFeat takes the guess work out of deciding which databases to use because it allows the user to search multiple databases with one easy search,” commented Clarence Brink, Reference Coordinator, VCPL. “The user merely enters the search term, clicks a subject category, and all the databases in that category are searched and the results quickly displayed. WebFeat allows us to integrate the features of all our databases into one simple search."

WebFeat designed many features of the MultiSearch system’s interface and functionality to VCPL specifications. WebFeat not only maintained the same color scheme, design and features as the library’s existing web pages, but WebFeat designed a special pop-up menu to allow VCPL users to see a listing of the databases that are included in each of the library’s pre-populated subject categories. In addition, users can still search each of the native databases directly from the MultiSearch site. MultiSearch includes WebFeat’s full compliment of product features—including thesauri, save search, and dynamic results display capability.

"Working with the WebFeat team in implementing MultiSearch was an easy process,” said Brink. “The entire process went as smooth as could be expected. Features were added, tested, deleted and then ‘tweaked’ until we were completely satisfied with the results."

Todd Miller, President of WebFeat, added, “Vigo County Public Library’s MultiSearch is a state-of-the-art research tool tailored specifically for the people of Vigo County, Indiana. WebFeat takes great pride in our ability to work closely with libraries and librarians to meet their specific research needs."

To learn more about Vigo County Public Library's implementation of MultiSearch powered by WebFeat, read our Case Study.

About WebFeat
WebFeat (US patent #6,807,539) is the developer of the WEBFEAT PRISM™, used by over 1,500 leading public, academic, government and Global 1000 libraries and information centers—including over half of the top 20 largest U.S. public libraries and one out of every 10 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions.

WebFeat’s latest release, WebFeat 3, offers a suite of next-generation federated search tools, PRISM, the SMART™ COUNTER-compliant usage tracker, and MyWebFeat™ personalized federated search system. Originally founded in 1992 as an information technology consultancy, WebFeat has earned industry recognition from leading organizations such as Library Journal and the Gartner Group. Learn more about WebFeat at http://www.webfeat.org.