Electronic research databases provider EBSCO Publishing, US, is offering a new service whereby public libraries can use its EBSCOhost interface to host their online catalogues. The features and functionality of EBSCOhost are projected to help public libraries provide their patrons with a better user experience. Users can explore their library resources with ease based on what are now common search techniques, according to the company. Adding library catalogues to EBSCOhost is expected to allow libraries to leverage the power of the intuitive interface to present their catalogues to patrons via a familiar search experience already optimised for end users accustomed to web searching.
An OCLC report titled 'Online Catalogs: What Users and Librarians Want' indicates that end users expect their library catalogues to function like the websites and search engines they use everyday. The OCLC study asked end users to choose the information that is most essential in catalogue searches.
Searching catalogue records using EBSCOhost is designed to provide easy access to catalogue content, including books, e-books, audio books and other materials available from a given library, branch or union catalogue. Also, users can have the choice of straight-forward basic search options or robust advanced searching options with facets to narrow searches. EBSCOhost also seeks to offer an up-to-date search experience through real-time availability checking, daily updates and the ability to limit results by location. Additionally, catalogue content - such as book jackets and subject headings - is displayed in the result list, and relevancy ranking ensures that keyword searches bring back appropriate results.
The service also offers one-stop searching with direct links to related information; the ability to brand the interface with library colours and logos to further market valuable resources and create awareness of services; and the option to create a profile that includes the library catalogue along with EBSCOhost databases in a single search, at no extra cost.
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