Wingate U Streamlines Library Search With EBSCO
In an effort to improve its library search capabilities, Wingate University in North Carolina has chosen EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) from EBSCO Information Services as its centralized search technology. EDS creates a unified, customized index of an institution's information resources, allowing users to access the content from a single search box, with search results ranked by relevance and value.
The university was looking for a simplified way for researchers to access content with fewer clicks required, according to Debra Hargett, e-resources and special collections librarian. "With a more streamlined search option available, users can focus their research on the information discovered, rather than the steps in making it discoverable," said Hargett in a press release.
EDS allows Wingate users to search with direct access to full text and other content, and provides tools for content management. The university intends to customize the product: "Our library plans to customize our EDS colors, chat options, and LibGuides, as well as call it something unique, once we review user feedback from our usability study," said Hargett.
In time, the university hopes to drive more users to the library, said Hargett. "By implementing EDS we hope users will see the online resources the library provides as their first choice for discovery in completing assignments."
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Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at rkelly@1105media.com.