Lib web
You might have noticed the sudden appearance of a search box in the top right pane of the Library’s main web page, labelled “Search All Databases.” This is a new federated search tools that aids in the discovery of online resources.
This tool searches approximately 75 different databases — mostly those supported through library subscriptions, but also including Wikipedia, Google and Google Scholar. The idea behind the federated search is not to replace the individual databases search interface, but to help users discover documents that they normally would miss. For example, the Marist College Library has found that using federated searching does not significantly increase the number of searches performed on well-know and heavily used databases (such as Academic Search Premier and ERIC). It does, however, give a big boost to the number of searches performed on the lesser know databases, such as JSTOR or the Alexander Street Press history databases.
After you start a search, results will quickly come back, although some databases may take longer to repond than others. You will find links on the left side of the results page to each database searched and the number of results. At any point, just click on the database name and the results will display — even if the system is continuing to retrieve all of your results.
While the “Search All Databases” link does include all of the federated search databases, you may wish to limit your search to a subset, arranged around a partcular subject area. You can do this by clicking on the link in the middle column of the web page “Find journal articles on specific subjects.” Once you choose a subject, you will see a box at the top of the page. This will perform a federated search on just the databases that cover that field.
Please give us your feedback on this tool as you have a chance to use it this semester.
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