Halle Library has released a new feature on its homepage called Esearch. The search engine is designed to change the way students search for the books and articles they need. Eastern Michigan University students have mixed feelings about the new search engine, though.
According to the Halle Library’s website, “The library Esearch is a tool that allows you to search the library’s collection of books, articles, e-books, dissertations, videos, music and more, all from a single interface.”
First-year librarian at Halle Library Sarah Fabian said, “It’s the first of its kind here.”
Fabian, who is one of nine librarians working on the implication of Esearch, said the product is powered by Summon from Serials Solutions, a division of the worldwide company ProQuest.
There are some differences between Esearch and standard search engines like Google. Esearch does not scavenge the entire Internet for results, but rather, it looks for the entire library’s available products.
On the left side of the web page, a search-limiting feature is included. It uses no controlled language, meaning it uses natural language one would use on a more frequent basis.
Whether or not Esearch is easier to use than the traditional scan-the-shelves-until-it’s-found method will be answered in time. Nevertheless, its intention is to make the process for students simpler.
Taylor Charlefour, a freshman, thinks it has been successful in that attempt.
“I used it for English and women and gender studies,” she said. “I like it. It’s not too confusing. You can look up articles and read them online or you can look up a book and see what floor it’s
on.”
Some students agree Esearch might be easy, but added without proper explanation it can be somewhat confusing.
“Visually, it looked cool, but I didn’t find what I was looking for,” freshman Kate Burkey said.
Freshman Jessie Winterhauller didn’t have much luck either.
“I used it once or twice, but it didn’t really help me,” Winterhauller said. “I needed to ask how to narrow the search – then it was really helpful.”
There are ways to obtain help with Esearch: speaking face-to-face with one of the librarians or using a feature built right into the homepage called “Ask a Librarian.”
The tool, which is a chat window, is located on the right-hand side of the library’s homepage. It allows the user to connect with a librarian and discuss questions they might encounter. It also gives the user the opportunity to receive help via telephone, email or in person.
According to the library website, “Chat provides research help from librarians at EMU and other schools.”
After using the service, Winterhauller said it was helpful.
Junior Melissa Muirhead didn’t find information on the topic she was researching.
“I used it, but it didn’t help,” she said. “It didn’t come up with anything helpful, but it was easier to use.”
Fabian said opinions, questions and advice about the library’s new addition would be much appreciated.
“The Provost’s office funded us to try [Esearch] for 18 months,” she said. “[The library’s] budget was cut, like a lot of other budgets were … we need feedback. Feedback will decide how successful it was and whether or not the Esearch box will remain.”
Fabian urged that whenever visiting Halle Library’s website, it is important to leave comments by clicking the “Esearch” button on the library’s main page, then by clicking the “Feedback” link at the top right of the main search page. Doing so will inform the library of likes and dislikes concerning Esearch, ultimately deciding its effectiveness.
