University of Pittsburgh chooses AquaBrowser Library
Denver, CO – April 25, 2008 – AquaBrowser, the world leader in visual, independent discovery platforms for libraries, has been selected by the University of Pittsburgh’s University Library System.
The University of Pittsburgh joins the growing community of 26 academic AquaBrowser libraries in the U.S, which includes the University of Chicago, Oklahoma State University and another recent customer, Skidmore College in New York. AquaBrowser Library is the only search and discovery system exclusively dedicated to providing visual, faceted search solutions for libraries using any Integrated Library System, including open source ones.
Dr. Rush Miller, Hillman University Librarian and Director of ULS, explained their selection of AquaBrowser: “The ULS looked at several other integrated search systems before choosing AquaBrowser. Three things set AquaBrowser apart for us: first, its unparalleled ability to act as a true discovery tool, exposing users via the word cloud and facets to items they didn’t even know they wanted or knew we had. Second, AquaBrowser’s ability to elegantly bring together local and remote, print and electronic, and to present them all in an interface that is simple and usable yet extremely powerful. Finally, we are extremely impressed with AquaBrowser’s extensible and flexible platform and are looking at integrating many resources and services in AquaBrowser. Our goal is to create a system that not only meets but exceeds users’ expectations of what a modern web search environment should be, and we are confident that AquaBrowser is a ready partner in helping us achieve this goal.”
With AquaBrowser Library, faculty, students, staff, administrators, and researchers will be able to simultaneously search the library’s 5.3 million volumes, 57,000 journals, 170,000 eBooks, the University’s web site, the ULS digital repository and thousands of subscription databases. AquaBrowser Library will also integrate closely with the ULS Voyager integrated library system for patron account management functionality.
“We are delighted to add the University of Pittsburg to the growing list of academic institutions that are choosing AquaBrowser,” said Bastiaan Zwaan, CEO of Medialab Solutions. “AquaBrowser will maximize the accessibility and find-ability of the University’s content, making great use of all that the ULS offers through one search interface. It’s wonderful to see another prestigious educational organization discover the value in our product.”
