Introducing LibrarySearch at the University of Kent

There has been a recent upsurge of university libraries upgrading their catalogues to resource discovery tools. The University of Kent has introduced LibrarySearch, ExLibris’s Primo, to enable library users to search all resources via one Google-style search box. The increase in distance learners or students living off campus has increased demand for access to information online. Google has also had an impact: ‘the web has raised people’s expectations; many now expect that every bit of information can be obtained through the web easily and usually with no cost’ (Chowdhury, 2010, p. 473). Spezi et al.’s (2013, p. iv) research on library discovery technologies found that by May 2013, 77% of UK HE libraries were already using a Resource Discovery System RDS, 11% were in the process of implementing one, and Summon, Primo and EDS accounted for 76% of the systems in use.

LibrarySearch has centralised the search for books, journals, and e-resources in addition to the library’s Special Collections. The real motivation behind its introduction is to improve discoverability and access to library resources for study and research. LibrarySearch imports metadata to an index and applies an algorithm to search and retrieve. It can merge duplicate records and importantly for the user, it can group different types and editions of the same item (e.g. e-book and book) while also offering permanent links, ensuring the user can find the item again.