Quick Find powers-up library search results
Posted: May 24, 2017 6:00 a.m.
A library staff team has been working on the new Quick Find system in collaboration with six other organizations including Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Legislative Library. Photo by Rae Graham – U of R Photography
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A new and powerful search tool is now available to students and researchers. The Dr. John Archer Library has unveiled its new search engine - called Quick Find.
“We’re very pleased with the results it gives, and with the way it facilitates searching,” says Charles Phelps, Liason Librarian. “It is now much easier for students to use and will give them better results.”
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| Computer science student Nduka Eleumelem checks out the library’s new search engine. Quick Find will adapt to any platform you prefer. U of R Photography |
Quick Find, a cloud-based system, replaces Voyager, which has been around about 20 years.
The new system is more thorough and efficient.
Here are some examples:
- Quick Find will place the book you’ve searched, into a virtual bookshelf with nearby call numbers.
- The system will suggest other items based on what you have found.
- The system suggestions will guide you to things you might not have thought of in your search.
- Users can now create a personal e-shelf, save searches and limit results to one discipline, if you choose that option.
- The system also allows you to refine your results by library, resource type, date and more.
Unlike the old Voyager system, Quick Find will adapt to your smartphone, laptop or whatever platform you are using.
“Every big academic library in the world is moving to this system,” says Carol MacDonald, Head, Systems Development and Implementation and Project Manager of Quick Find.
A team of at least two dozen library staff has been working on this new system for more than a year.
This collaborative effort involves six other organizations who will also use the Quick Find search function. They are the Gabriel Dumont Institute, The Law Society of Saskatchewan, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, RCMP, Saskatchewan Legislative Library and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. They have all shared in the costs of the new system.
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As for the name, MacDonald says the teams brainstormed and came up with suggestions.
“We looked at other universities using the system and what they called it,” says MacDonald. “We all came up with suggestions. Saskatchewan Polytechnic came up with the name Quick Find after surveying its students. We all felt it was intuitive so we stayed with Quick Find.”
To find Quick Find, simply log onto your library account.
“I feel this will be a popular system. I think people will like it,” says Phelps.
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