Library simplifies the search

New library search engine will make finding information easier at Fanshawe

Researching has just been made easier at Fanshawe with the addition of a new library search engine.

“The new search engine is software that is, generically, called a federated search engine,” said Vicky Mok, a systems librarian at Fanshawe. “That means it collectively searches a number of databases at the same time using different interfaces that are vendor specific.”

The older system required that a search be put in through several search engines and compile the results separately depending on the source. But the new engine, called 360 Search, uses a single engine to search all the incorporated databases.

“It searches the library catalogue and the eBook collections,” Mok continued. “So that is one advantage over the normal databases, that are mostly journals, which include general literature and scholarly journals. On top of that it also searches the library print collection, media and electronic books collections.”

360 Search allows students to simplify into what Mok calls one-stop-shopping by allowing them to narrow a search field without having to do multiple searches on each vendor, or sub-sites, within the library system. The search also has an option that allows the researcher to search for relevant material that is available online in its entirety, for the most part pertinent articles that are databased or archived online.

“The added advantage is that it also filters full text,” explained Mok. “So you can actually read it online instead of going somewhere else to read the article, so it gives you a filter where it will give you full-text articles, everything you need to read is right there.”

The new search engine has an added perk in that it can be accessed remotely and doesn't need the student to be on a campus or library computer to do the searches, which means that a student can decide beforehand whether the material is important enough to warrant a trek to the school for the information.

“I think very few [students] are aware of this kind of system,” Mok said. “It's already up and running and also can be accessed remotely from home. We are anxious that the students know about it before they start doing their papers and exams and get busy in April.”