SearchWorks Prototype Offers a Glimpse of Next Generation Library Search
One of the greatest challenges in libraries like Stanford’s is finding the right information among all of its holdings and licensed content. Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) has been experimenting with adopting some new technologies and approaches that make discovering the Stanford Libraries’ information resources better, faster, and easier.
This Fall Quarter, we have made public an early prototype of a new information discovery environment dubbed SearchWorks.
SearchWorks Features
In addition to a simple, intuitive user interface, it includes, among other features:
- browse collections by access, library, format, language, or call number
- “did you mean?” spelling suggestions for search terms
- relevance ranked search results
- ability to refine search results by a number of facets (e.g., author, topic, location, etc.)
- search results that show what print volumes are available for checkout
- book cover images and table of contents for some items
- RSS feeds for saved searches
Powered by VuFind
Under the covers, SearchWorks is powered by VuFind, an open source library discovery application originally developed at Villanova University, and a suite of other open source search components.
Using open source software allows the tool to be enhanced and extended. While the service is currently an early prototype, over the course of the coming year, many more features will be added, and the scope of its coverage will be expanded to include finding aids for special collections; digitized, full text resources; image and media collections, and more.
Complements Socrates
SearchWorks is designed to complement Socrates, which will remain in place with all its current functionality, and continue to serve as the Stanford Libraries’ online catalog.
For More Information
Give SearchWorks a try! You can let us know how you like it or get more information about it by clicking on the Feedback button on the SearchWorks home page or by sending email to searchworks-feedback@lists.stanford.edu.
Source: Tom Cramer. “SearchWorks Prototype Offers a Glimpse of Next Generation Library Search.” Speaking of Computers, September 30, 2008, Issue No. 78.
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