AccessMyLibrary
Encyclopedia
AccessMyLibrary.com is a web based federated search
product produced by Gale
, which prefers to market the product as a "search engine
", although it is more similar in technology and results to a portal
or metasearch engine
. It is marketed as providing community-wide access to Gale database
s and encyclopedia
s licensed by public, school, or college libraries. Gale provides access to its plethora of databases via one portal interface which can be incorporated into a library's own OPAC
, or remotely through a web mounted interface which uses library
card holders to log-in to gain access.
Typically, the content is available directly from a library web page, or through AML pages found through search engines. The AML page shows participating libraries in the user's area and gives access when the user provides an email address and a postal code or the name of a participating local library. Libraries may customize the menu of data sources which are available to its patrons, although this may not be explained to users.
The content available on AccessMyLibrary is also visible in major general-purpose search engines, and is similarly available to the user through patron identification. However, it does not provide access to records outside of Gale products, so only records from Gale sources that are already on the Internet will be found through AccessMyLibrary and other search engines, like Google
, for example. Results that are available on the Internet may appear in a different format in AccessMyLibrary.
The site currently offers nearly 30 million articles from leading magazines like Cosmopolitan
, Vogue
, Consumer Reports
and daily newspapers at no cost.
Many librarians may consider this a valuable service, as it provides a convenient way of access control where control by internet address is not practical. Some may be put off by the description of this as a "free" service, since the library pays Gale directly for patron access.
Recently, Gale announced that the library discovery and authentication service on AccessMyLibrary was made available on Encyclopedia.com. This service allows library patrons to access content from the Gale Virtual Reference Library purchased by their local public library directly on the Encyclopedia.com web site.
Gale just released a free AccessMyLibrary iPhone app that connects users to a library within 10 miles via global positioning. Once a library is selected, the application allows access to that library's specific Gale resources. The app can also be used to locate a library's address and contact information. The app is being marketed as a convenient way to promote Gale's library resources while building community within the area surrounding these participating libraries.
Federated search
Federated search is an information retrieval technology that allows the simultaneous search of multiple searchable resources. A user makes a single query request which is distributed to the search engines participating in the federation...
product produced by Gale
Gale (publisher)
Gale is an educational publishing company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the United States, in the western suburbs of Detroit. It was part of the Thomson Learning division of the Thomson Corporation, a Canadian company, but became part of Cengage Learning in 2007.The company, formerly known...
, which prefers to market the product as a "search engine
Search engine
A search engine is an information retrieval system designed to help find information stored on a computer system. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. Search engines help to minimize the time required to find information and the amount of information...
", although it is more similar in technology and results to a portal
Web portal
A web portal or links page is a web site that functions as a point of access to information in the World Wide Web. A portal presents information from diverse sources in a unified way....
or metasearch engine
Metasearch engine
A metasearch engine is a search tool that sends user requests to several other search engines and/or databases and aggregates the results into a single list or displays them according to their source. Metasearch engines enable users to enter search criteria once and access several search engines...
. It is marketed as providing community-wide access to Gale database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
s and encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
s licensed by public, school, or college libraries. Gale provides access to its plethora of databases via one portal interface which can be incorporated into a library's own OPAC
OPAC
An Online Public Access Catalog is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries...
, or remotely through a web mounted interface which uses library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
card holders to log-in to gain access.
Typically, the content is available directly from a library web page, or through AML pages found through search engines. The AML page shows participating libraries in the user's area and gives access when the user provides an email address and a postal code or the name of a participating local library. Libraries may customize the menu of data sources which are available to its patrons, although this may not be explained to users.
The content available on AccessMyLibrary is also visible in major general-purpose search engines, and is similarly available to the user through patron identification. However, it does not provide access to records outside of Gale products, so only records from Gale sources that are already on the Internet will be found through AccessMyLibrary and other search engines, like Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, for example. Results that are available on the Internet may appear in a different format in AccessMyLibrary.
The site currently offers nearly 30 million articles from leading magazines like Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan (magazine)
Cosmopolitan is an international magazine for women. It was first published in 1886 in the United States as a family magazine, was later transformed into a literary magazine and eventually became a women's magazine in the late 1960s...
, Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
, Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
and daily newspapers at no cost.
Many librarians may consider this a valuable service, as it provides a convenient way of access control where control by internet address is not practical. Some may be put off by the description of this as a "free" service, since the library pays Gale directly for patron access.
Recently, Gale announced that the library discovery and authentication service on AccessMyLibrary was made available on Encyclopedia.com. This service allows library patrons to access content from the Gale Virtual Reference Library purchased by their local public library directly on the Encyclopedia.com web site.
Gale just released a free AccessMyLibrary iPhone app that connects users to a library within 10 miles via global positioning. Once a library is selected, the application allows access to that library's specific Gale resources. The app can also be used to locate a library's address and contact information. The app is being marketed as a convenient way to promote Gale's library resources while building community within the area surrounding these participating libraries.
External links
- AccessMyLibrary Home Page, which lists the periodicals and encyclopedias available
- AccessMyLibrary by Subject Area — lists all the AccessMyLibrary articles by category
- Gale official website, which lists all its database products
- AML iPhone app, which links to the AML iPhone app
- Article on AccessMyLibrary in Public Libraries, the official journal of the Public Library Association.