Serials Solutions, a ProQuest business, has introduced a new feature in its Summon discovery service, named Summon Spotlighting, which provides dynamic display options for specialised content types. Image Spotlighting is said to dramatically improve the discoverability of libraries' most unique and valued collections. Libraries are expected to benefit from increased exposure and use of their local collections, image content and archival materials. Researchers can expect to discover, view and navigate this high value content in an experience similar to Open Web search engines.
The architecture of the Summon unified index reportedly allows for hundreds of digital collections contributed by Summon customers to be made available for discovery by patrons at any library with the Summon service. Exposure to locally curated image content from disparate special collections and repositories increases significantly. It is expected that researchers will benefit from easy access to highly relevant and freely available image content beyond what is available at their own library.
With Image Spotlighting, relevant thumbnail images display dynamically in search results from all types of image collections and repositories (local, open access, commercial, non-profit) such as collections contributed by Summon customers, LUNA Commons, and mutual customers of the Summon service and Bridgeman Education or the ARTStor Digital Library. Convenient links guide users to view more images, as well as link directly to the content in the native repository or collection.
