LibraryLinks Fall 2005
metaLINK
By Bern Mulligan
No, it’s not a heavy metal band. metaLINK is a new
feature on our website that is both a federated search
engine and a gateway to resources. As a federated
search engine, it allows you to search several databases at once.
For example, if you use “QuickSearch” (see illustration),
you get results from four different sources: infoLINK, the Libraries’
catalog; Expanded Academic ASAP; Research Library
via ProQuest; and Web of Science. You can also select your own
set of databases to search. From the navigation menu, choose
“CrossSearch.” Here you can search across databases in different
subject areas.
You can also use metaLINK as a gateway to all of the Libraries’
electronic resources. From the navigation menu, choose “Find
Database” (see illustration). You will see a number of preselected
subject categories that you can choose from to find relevant
databases to search. You may also choose the “Title” tab
and type in the name of a database (e.g., JSTOR). If you click on
the result, a new window springs up and allows you to search
the database in its native interface.
Whichever way you choose to use it, metaLINK is a useful tool for your library research.