Surpass Searchpoint
 

Q & A

Q:  I see that the base package for schools includes connections to 10 databases plus my OPAC.  What counts as a database?

A:  A link to any resource counts as a database and uses one of the 10 positions.  These include subscription databases (such as ProQuest or Ebsco Host) and free databases (such as Wikipedia or Google Images).  If you wish to include more databases, simply purchase extra connectors in quantities of five.

Q: We have multiple libraries.  Can each library share the same subscription?

A: Though each library requires its own subscription, all libraries may share a single Searchpoint start page. From this page, patrons select from all resources at all libraries.  To configure your libraries, purchase a base package for each library.  Any libraries that wish to include more than 10 databases simply purchase extra connectors in quantities of five.

Q:  Some of my databases are groups of collections by the same provider. For example, we subscribe to the entire Gale Discovering series.  Does each of the databases in the series count as one of my 10 databases?

A:  This depends on whether or not they are currently searchable through a single interface by the provider.  In the case of the mentioned Gale databases, they are all searchable through a single interface provided by Gale; therefore the Discovering series uses onely one Searchpoint database connection. Note that the entire series will be listed as a single item for searching; every search includes all the resources in the group.  Upon selecting a result from the database group, the user is able to do additional filtering or searching within the group's results.

Q:  My state provides a number of databases for us.  Do you integrate with the state's interface?

A:  No. Searchpoint links directly to the individual databases, whether they are part of your state's list or not.  If your state pays for the subscriptions, then they can most likely be added to your Searchpoint list individually; include each database in your list count (base package allows you to connect to 10).

Q: Will my students need an ID and password in order to access Searchpoint to begin a search?

A: In most cases, no.  If your facility has a static (non-changing) IP address from your Internet provider, then we'll be able to log you in based on your IP address.  This is probably how most of your subscription databases currently recognize you and bypass the login prompt.

Q:  We don't have a static IP address, so we have to login to each of our databases with a separate username and password.  Will we have to do this when searching with Searchpoint too?

A:  If you don't have a static IP address, you'll need only a single ID and password to access Searchpoint. You'll no longer need separate logins for each of your databases!

Try it!
Click here to try the Searchpoint demo.  All databases in the demo are free databases.  When you subscribe, you'll create your own list from your subscription databases, OPAC, and free databases.