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On January 14, the Brandeis
University Libraries launched a new version of the web OPAC,
otherwise known as LOUIS. LOUIS now
has a new "look and feel," new search features, and lots
of "bells and whistles" to gladden the heart and lift the
spirit of research in even the most google-grown of
students.
The New LOUIS Look and Feel
Campus catalog search mavens will no doubt by now have already seen
the simple and elegant interface design of the new LOUIS. The new
interface is more user-intuitive and friendlier to webophiles. Each
page also features logical locators to help in navigating the
various screens in the catalog. The main navigation bar now appears
on each and every screen of the database, so users can go from any
point to any other. Now it's simple to go from a result or
holdings list back to the basic search, the course reserve list, or
any other point in the database. If a searcher happens to use the
browser's back button, the previous search now
"sticks" to the LOUIS search box, resulting in less
retyping.
The main search divisions of the database appear in the bottom
line of the navigation bar and are indicated by bold fonts. Outside
interest points, such as links that exit out of LOUIS, are in small
letters. The mid-level slightly gray navbar delineates choices in
searching, such as basic or advanced, recent searches, or the
'basket' of saved results. The top line of the navbar
includes "my account" which allows users to view and
manage their own checked out items. The navbar also includes online
help direct from ExLibris.
The new LOUIS integrates the keyword and browse indexes at the
basic search level with one simple pull-down menu. To the user,
these very different types of searches are indicated seamlessly:
"title beginning with..." is the old browse search, and
"title word/s" is really a 'traditional'
title-keyword search.
Great New Technology and Search Features
One of the best new developments for the new OPAC is the
integration of our GET IT! feature for linking to eJournal
articles. Previously, GET IT! only allowed users to go directly to
a specific full-text article from our vendor databases. Now, using
this same technology, a search through LOUIS can give direct access
to eJournals to which the Libraries subscribe. These links are easy
to find, since they appear in the brief results lists as well as in
full records.
Additionally, the new LOUIS will often give more detailed
information about library items. Tables of contents are now being
made available throughout the catalog for many books. As these
features are added in, searchers will be better able to judge
whether they wish to peruse a certain volume in the library.
Bells and Whistles
In addition to the high tech features above, there are many details
that may appear to be smaller in scale, but actually add
flexibility and convenience to experienced searchers. Results with
less than a thousand items can now be sorted-by title, year, or
call number-and the sort results can be saved into the basket
feature, emailed, or exported to bibliographic software. Other
enhancements include an easier date range limiter and an improved
search history feature.
The new LOUIS will continue to evolve and improve as more
features and elements are integrated into it. Any questions about
using the new LOUIS can be directed to the Information Desks at the
Main Library (781-736-4670) or at the Science Library
(781-736-4728).
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