University installs new software to take pain out of Library information retrieval

Anyone trying to winkle information out of a university library's online catalogue and left bemused over the difference between an online journal and online database can take heart, a new search tool installed at Deakin University aims to take the pain out of information retrieval for students and staff.

Deakin University Librarian Anne Horn said Deakin University has selected EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) from EBSCO Publishing to provide easier access to, and discovery of, scholarly information. It is believed to be the first university in Australia to offer this powerful search tool.

"Deakin University Library has long recognised that staff and students have different preferences for searching and connecting to the information they need," explained Ms Horn.

"For instance our clients range from undergraduate students needing to quickly find resources for their studies, to academic and research staff with more intensive research needs.

"Our students and staff have had to negotiate multiple search options on the home page, and multiple database options.

"Compounding this, our studies have shown that we have users in each of our stakeholder groups struggling to understand the connection between articles, journals and databases."

Ms Horn said EBSCO Discovery Service allows student and staff to 'Discover More' making online searching simpler, easier and more successful.

"One search box offers a way to easily and rapidly find the information students and academics need on a topic, regardless of whether that information resides in a purchased or leased book, DVD, the University's research repository or a licensed database," she said.

"It also provides a high level of customisation and personalisation, allowing academic staff and students to change settings and set preferences during their search sessions.

"A key and exciting feature is the ability to create additional subject gateways - the grouping together of databases that reflect the university's teaching and learning.

"This is a major first for the Library and a milestone development in the Library's long journey toward simplifying the search and discovery process."

For more information about Deakin University Library's new discovery service, EDS, and other recent changes to the Library web site, please visit the Discover More webpage