Metalib
What is Metasearch (Metalib)?
Search with Metasearch (Metalib) | More about Metasearch(Metalib)
Metasearch (Metalib) is a library resource
portal that:
- provides users with a
standardized interface for searching, viewing, and saving search
results across multiple resources.
- allows cross-database
searching, and linking to context-sensitive services for specific
citations using FindIt! (SFX). FindIt! (SFX) is a library software engine that allows users to send an
electronic query about access to full text for a specific record,
and receive a list of options available through USM and other affiliated
services.)
- offers personalized
"My Account" options for display, custom database sets, and search history/citation archives when a user logs into his/her registered
user account.
A member of the same family of journal-linking
tools as FindIt! (SFX), MetaLib (branded as 'MetaSearch' at USM Libraries) is a software engine
that connects to almost every library resource, allowing patrons to use a common interface. Much like
Google, Metalib performs a single search that is distributed to multiple full-text electronic resources.
For
example, a user could log in to the MetaLib interface
and choose a “set” of databases like “Arts & Sciences.”
This set could include anywhere from five to 15 (or
more) full-text electronic resources from that par-
ticular subject area. After performing a search using a
given set, users will be presented with either full-text results, or links (via SFX / FindIT!) to the full-text
from each of these databases in a simple-to-under-
stand interface. Depending on the resource searched,
users may be able to read entire articles from within
the Metalib interface, or will be presented with a URL
to that particular item or article.
Additionally, users will be able to search common
University Libraries’ database sets or groupings from
the front page of the library Web site, similar to the
current library catalog search. MetaLib is in use at
hundreds of academic libraries worldwide and will
make searching for resources at University Libraries
easier and more efficient.
For more information on MetaLib, please visit
www.exlibrisgroup.com/metalib.htm, or contact
steven.turner@usm.edu.
(Thanks to CSU libraries for article sections)
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