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2020 Integris Medical Library Resources Review: EBSCO Discovery

Review and evaluation of medical library electronic products for 2020

Product Description

EBSCO Discovery
A federated search tool that links many of our resources - search in one place for items ( mostly journal articles) in various databases 

Contract & Invoice Documents - This file location can only be accessed by authorized users

EBSCO License Agreement
S:\File1-okc\MedLib\Contracts\Ebsco License Agreement_Medical_06042019

EBSCO Discovery Contract
S:\File1-okc\MedLib\Contracts\Ebsco_Discovery_Contract

EBSCO Discovery FY 2020 Invoice
S:\File1-okc\MedLib\Contracts\Ebsco_Discovery_Sept2019Invoice

Overview

Comments
There are pros and cons of a federated search, similar to the comments about the amount of results obtained when doing a Google search. However, it does provide access to our resources through a different perspective.  Anymore, with all the resources available, libraries depend on federated search tools 

Pricing
Fiscal year 2020 - $23,000

Vender Contact
EBSCO
Nancy Shultz
nschulz@ebsco.com

Renewal Date
June 30, 2020

Special steps for renewal / cancelation
NA
 

Usage, Etc.

Primary Audience
All library users

Usage Stats

  • 2019 Fiscal year
    • Searches using Discovery - 12,550
      • Cost per search: $1.60
    • Number of link-outs from searches
      • (only link-outs, not items in the EBSCO databases ): 1,727
        • Cost per link-out: $11.63

How is it utilized by the INTEGRIS Medical Library
Discovery works in a couple of ways. First, it is a federated search engine. It allows a look over many of the library’s resources in a single search interface. On a topic where you might not know which resource to focus on, Discovery gives you a broad overview. It offers a simplified or “Google type” search through many databases for library patrons. Second, it enhances features of Full Text Finder. By working together through a shared knowledge base, Discovery and Full Text Finder allow a deeper dive into our purchased content. ​

Alternatives to Current Access

Suggestions

  • Is the resource or its contents duplicated anywhere
    • BrowZine partially works like Discovery, but only at the Journal Title level - it actually uses a component of Discovery (Full-Text-Finder) to function properly
  • Can this product be purchased in components
    • Unsure at this time
  • Are there other products or options
    • Other companies offer federated search engines, such as Ovid. However, since our link resolver, Full Text Finder, is an Ebsco product, I am not for sure if another vendor’s federated search engine would be able to integrate as well. This is something that could be researched.