Introduction to Smart Search Steve Ostrem steve-ostrem@uiowa.edu Reference & Library Instruction

Some background A new kind of research tool, called a resource integrator: combines records from several sources into one database for fast, Google-like searching UI Libraries one of first four libraries in the world to use this product (we are a guinea pig, identifying many problems) Software called Primo, Smart Search is UI Libraries name for it

What it is (and what it isn’t) One way to quickly see what the library owns, in all formats, including digital Take that same search for locally-owned materials and put it to work in article databases (remote search) Local search is fast, remote search slower Like Google, it returns lots of stuff; you need to spend time to focus on what you want Refine your results using “facets”

What it isn’t Doesn’t replace the library catalog for “known item” searches Doesn’t replace discipline-specific databases, if that is all you need Not fully developed. Even in version 2 still lots of “rough spots” (esp. e-shelf) Personalization features work, but can be hard to figure out

Search, refine, save Always log in with Hawk ID to save searches, keep track of things My Preferences for personal settings “Concept” searches work best Limiters in Find Resources don’t translate well to Find Articles Like Google, default display is relevance, can switch to most recent first Use Limits and Facets to refine results

Other features This item in… leads to more info, such as Amazon, Google Book Search Similar Items identifies authors or subject headings to try Advanced Search useful for particular formats, such as images Save query will rerun searches (when it works)

Find Articles tab Slower than Find Resources because it searches remote databases Because it is slow, only returns first 30 records from each database, can get more Details view shows article abstract Get It may either go to article or InfoLink Default is General Resources, can switch to discipline-specific sets of databases (called Quick Sets); not one for every discipline

Personalization features (Web 2.0) Most work at this point, others on the way RSS for search alerts (called Save Alert), save to browser or feed reader Tags (both personal and public); apply in Details view or after saving to e-shelf. Write Reviews for other library users E-Shelf: e-mail, print, save to RefWorks, previous queries, saved queries. Most options also available on Details page.

Conclusion Questions? Time to practice!