Cambridge University Library Launches WebFeat® System Capable of Searching More than 300 of the Library's Databases
Cambridge University Library has launched the WebFeat® federated search service to improve access to the University’s vast collection of electronic resources. WebFeat, the world’s leading federated search solution, enables Cambridge University Library users to now simultaneously search across more than 300 subscription databases and multiple catalogues from a single intuitive interface. Thanks to WebFeat’s remarkable WebFeat Administration Console and its translator library of over 9,000 resources, the Cambridge University Library’s customized WebFeat implementation, branded “eresources@Cambridge CrossSearch,” was launched in less than 90 days. After a soft launch to the more than 400 librarians at the University, the system will be available for all staff and students in May.
“Cambridge selected WebFeat Express as a federated searching solution due its comprehensive coverage of our varied e-resources and an identifiable low total cost of ownership,” noted Edmund Chamberlain, Systems Librarian, Cambridge University Library. “We expect it to provide our users with a new and relevant means to discover and access the parts of our rich e-resources collections that are relevant to their needs.”
Not only does WebFeat provide a single, customized interface for accessing key Cambridge University Library electronic resources, but WebFeat QuickSearch search boxes have also been embedded within more than 30 newly designed subject pages on the Library’s website. The WebFeat search boxes enable users to quickly access and search across only those databases that are relevant to their areas of research. These search boxes were created using WebFeat’s QuickSearch code generator, which is built into the WebFeat Administration Console and enables libraries to create these search boxes in seconds - with no programming or coding skills required. What’s more remarkable is that libraries can also easily update their QuickSearch boxes (by changing functionality or what databases are being searched) through the WebFeat Administration Console even though these boxes reside on other pages of their website that are outside of WebFeat.
In February 2008, WebFeat merged with Serials Solutions. As plans move forward to integrate WebFeat technology with the Serials Solutions Search 360 platform, Cambridge University Library will be invited to preview and test new features. In the future, the strengths of WebFeat’s and Serials Solutions’ market-leading federated search services will be combined to create a single discovery tool that will provide libraries with superior power and efficiency in accessing their data pools. As development proceeds, the Serials Solutions 360 and WebFeat services will continue to be supported, enhanced, and maintained.
“We are thrilled to be providing WebFeat to Cambridge University Library,” says Jane Burke, General Manager of Serials Solutions. “Working with a library with Cambridge’s vast e-resources and unique needs will push Serials Solutions and WebFeat to continue to deliver and create the most feature-rich and dependable discovery tools.”
To learn more about Cambridge University Library go to http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/.
About WebFeat
WebFeat® (U.S. patent #6,807,539, German patent # DE20121706U, Australian patent #WO0182117, Chinese patent #01811840.2) is the developer of the WebFeat and WebFeat Express™ Search Solutions, used by over 16,500 leading public, academic, government and Global 1000 libraries and information centers—including over a third of the largest 100 U.S. public libraries, 17 statewide library systems, and 2 out of every 10 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions.
WebFeat offers next-generation federated search and e-resource management tools to meet the needs of any library. Products include: the WebFeat Express federated search solution, WebFeat Enterprise Edition for multi-library networks, WebFeat Custom API and SMART™, WebFeat’s usage tracker. WebFeat Menu Manager™ and WebFeat Proxy™ provide tools for access and management of e-resource collections. WebFeat has earned industry recognition from leading organizations such as Library Journal and the Gartner Group.
As of February 2008, WebFeat has merged with Serials Solutions. In the future, the strengths of WebFeat’s and Serials Solutions’ federated search services will be combined to create a single, market-leading tool for discovery that will provide libraries with superior power and efficiency in accessing their data pools. The immediate benefit of this effort includes combining the two company’s connector libraries into the largest library of database connectors available. As development proceeds, the Serials Solutions 360 and WebFeat services will continue to be supported, enhanced, and maintained. Learn more about WebFeat at http://www.webfeat.org.
About Serials Solutions
Founded by a librarian for librarians in 2000, Serials Solutions is the global leader in e-resource access and management services (ERAMS) that serves more than 2,000 libraries of all sizes and types. Serials Solutions® KnowledgeWorks, the authoritative e-resource knowledgebase, is the foundation for Serials Solutions® 360, the only complete and integrated e-resource access and management solution.
Serials Solutions also is the exclusive source for Ulrichsweb.com™ and Ulrich’s Serials Analysis System™ worldwide, and represents the AquaBrowser Library® discovery layer user interface in the academic market in North America. The WebFeat® federated search service recently acquired by ProQuest soon will be incorporated into the Serials Solutions family of access and discovery services.
Serials Solutions provides fast implementation, easy customization, and outstanding value to libraries throughout the world
Serials Solutions is a business unit of ProQuest LLC.