Virtual Library Notes

AquaBrowser has made some major changes to their software and will be at the Virtual Library  Training room in Clark County on January 24^th at 10:00 AM – 11:00AM for a demonstration.  If you would like to attend, please contact Steven Baskin (baskins@lvccld.org or 507.3410) with your RSVP.

AquaBrowser Library allows patrons to search for information using a standard query box, the way they are used to doing. The results are portrayed in a typical browser search list by relevance to the query terms given by the patrons.  AquaBrowser Library’s capabilities transcend the limits of conventional OPAC searching. Its search front-end finds items using associations, context, and spelling alternatives automatically generated from the library’s catalog. In addition to a search list, AquaBrowser Library compares a user’s search terms to the metadata in the catalog to create a visual map (a “word cloud”) of associations or overviews of areas of interest. These words are suggestions for patrons to discover new information and help them formulate a query. The word cloud includes the most relevant associations, foreign language translations, spelling variations, and synonyms. Patrons can discover the sources behind these associations and broaden the scope of their search. Users can also filter their search queries to find the specific information they’re looking for.