Louisiana is Latest State Library to Launch WebFeat System

State Library of Louisiana provides improved access to databases for 338 libraries statewide with customized WebFeat federated search solution

Old Brookville, NY, March 2 , 2005 — The State Library of Louisiana today launched its state-of-the-art WebFeat federated search system, which enables patrons to search all of the State Library’s online databases simultaneously with a single intuitive interface. Databases can be searched at the State Library of Louisiana in Baton Rouge or at any of the 338 urban and rural public libraries statewide. Database access is also available remotely to anyone with a valid library card through the State of Louisiana Library’s website ( http://www.state.lib.la.us) or local public library websites.

"Patrons can now enter a single word or term and search all, some or any of the Louisiana Library Connection databases at once,” noted State Librarian Thomas F. Jaques. “Before, they could search only one database at a time—after scanning the list of 19 databases to determine where to start. WebFeat offers an easy, efficient way for both beginners and experienced researchers to locate the information they need."

"WebFeat addresses a trend observed by librarians in Louisiana and across the country,” Jaques explained. “Library users want premium library resources, but they now expect the same quick, comprehensive access to online resources provided by Google and other Internet search engines. In implementing WebFeat, the State Library is providing easier access to the valuable resources in the Louisiana Library Connection databases. That’s particularly important because many Internet websites include information of questionable authenticity. These 19 databases contain only up-to-date, verified information from trusted sources."

The customized WebFeat federated search engine can search all of the Louisiana Library Connection databases. WebFeat designed a special authentication process to block public access to databases that are intended exclusively for the use of State Library patrons. The WebFeat federated search engine is seamlessly embedded in the State Library’s own web pages.

Todd Miller, President of WebFeat commented, “We are very pleased to be working with the State Library of Louisiana and commend them on the scope of their WebFeat implementation. The State Library has brought state-of-the-art search technology to libraries statewide, greatly benefiting Louisiana residents."

About the State Library of Louisiana
Located in downtown Baton Rouge, directly south of the State Capitol, the State Library of Louisiana was founded in 1920 as the Louisiana Library Commission. Today, Louisiana boasts public libraries in each of its 64 parishes. Coupled with its own excellent resources, the State Library provides Louisianans access to more than 11 million items through a computerized statewide lending network of public libraries. Working with 338 urban and rural libraries statewide, the State Library helps Louisianans to connect to the growing number of electronic information sources.

About WebFeat
WebFeat (US patent #6,807,539) is the developer of the WEBFEAT PRISM™, used by over 1,500 leading public, academic, government and Global 1000 libraries and information centers—including over half of the top 20 largest U.S. public libraries and one out of every 10 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions.

WebFeat’s latest release, WebFeat 3, offers a suite of next-generation federated search tools, PRISM, the SMART™ COUNTER-compliant usage tracker, and MyWebFeat™ personalized federated search system. Originally founded in 1992 as an information technology consultancy, WebFeat has earned industry recognition from leading organizations such as Library Journal and the Gartner Group. Learn more about WebFeat at http://www.webfeat.org.