Integrating
Search
and Guides
Robin Sinn and Elizabeth Uzelac ACRL 14th National Conference
Johns Hopkins University Seattle, WA
Cyber Zed Shed
March 13, 2009

Technologies Involved
MetaLib • federated search
• via Ex Libris
w/ X-Server
• interface for MetaLib
Xerxes • developed by David Walker, California State
University and Jonathan Rochkind, JHU
• online public access catalog
Horizon • via SirsiDynix
Information Portal • local search box generator by Sean Hannan, JHU
• content management system for guides
LibGuides • via Springshare
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What gets embedded?
a search box
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From: http://guides.library.jhu.edu/content.php?pid=26904&sid=194700

What gets embedded?
a database list
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From: http://guides.library.jhu.edu/content.php?pid=22245&sid=159095

What gets embedded?
section of list
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From: http://guides.library.jhu.edu/content.php?pid=18760&sid=129283

What gets embedded?
a search box / section combination
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From: http://guides.library.jhu.edu/biology

What gets embedded?
single database
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From: http://guides.library.jhu.edu/arthistory

How is it embedded?
Databases Step 1: Choose Content
Example:
History Database List: http://jhsearch.library.jhu.edu/databases/subject/history
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History Embed Snippet Generator: http://jhsearch.library.jhu.edu/embed/gen_subject/history

How is it embedded?
Databases Step 2:
Choose Xerxes
Snippet Types
1. Server-side include URL
2. Javascript Widget
3. HTML Source (not in use)
4. Pass-through URL
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How is it embedded?
Final Step:
1.
Choose LibGuides
Content Box Types
1. Remote Script Content Box
2. Rich Text Content Box
3. Links & Lists Content Box
2.
3.
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How is it embedded?
Catalog Version: Build Search Box
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The Results
• Search boxes and interactive lists create a
Interactivity more active workspace than do static URLs
• LibGuides increasingly treated as subject-
specific “workspace” rather than “guide”
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The Results
Streamlined • Organizational and labeling choices for
database lists can be leveraged in guides
Workflows • Embedding process is simple, familiar
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The Results
• Server-side includes, Javascript widgets, HTTP
Reusable pass-through URLs can be used in many places
• Potential: personal and departmental webpages,
course management systems, more…
Similar to: ShareThis, YouTube
embed
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Questions?
Robin Sinn
Research Services Librarian
Johns Hopkins University
rsinn@jhu.edu
410-516-8346
Elizabeth Uzelac
Instructional Services Coordinator
Johns Hopkins University
euzelac@jhu.edu
410-516-0330
http://jhsearch.library.jhu.edu/
http://guides.library.jhu.edu 15