Improving e-book access via a library-developed full-text search tool.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
This paper reports on the development of a tool for searching the contents of licensed full-text electronic book (e-book) collections.

SETTING:
The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) provides services to the University of Pittsburgh's medical programs and large academic health system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
The HSLS has developed an innovative tool for federated searching of its e-book collections. Built using the XML-based Vivísimo development environment, the tool enables a user to perform a full-text search of over 2,500 titles from the library's seven most highly used e-book collections. From a single "Google-style" query, results are returned as an integrated set of links pointing directly to relevant sections of the full text. Results are also grouped into categories that enable more precise retrieval without reformulation of the search.

RESULTS/EVALUATION:
A heuristic evaluation demonstrated the usability of the tool and a web server log analysis indicated an acceptable level of usage. Based on its success, there are plans to increase the number of online book collections searched.

CONCLUSION:
This library's first foray into federated searching has produced an effective tool for searching across large collections of full-text e-books and has provided a good foundation for the development of other library-based federated searching products.

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Author information

Author/s: Foust, Jill E (JE); Bergen, Phillip (P); Maxeiner, Gretchen L (GL); Pawlowski, Peter N (PN);

Affiliation: jef2(-atsign-)pitt.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA (J Med Libr Assoc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 95 (issue 1) : pp 40-5

Dates: Created 2007/01/25; Completed 2007/02/08; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 17252065, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Book Selection
Catalogs, Library
Databases, Bibliographic
Humans
Internet - statistics & numerical data
Libraries, Digital - organization & administration; statistics & numerical data

Libraries, Medical - organization & administration; statistics & numerical data
Library Collection Development - statistics & numerical data
Library Surveys
Publishing - statistics & numerical data
Reference Books, Medical
United States

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