Office of Web Development and Services

Multi Search (Articles +)

University at Buffalo Libraries has launched its "Multi Search" federated search solution powered by Serials Soultions. This custom designed system enables patrons to search up to 100 of the library's online databases as well as the library's BISON Catalog simultaneously with a single intuitive interface.

Prior to the launch of the "Multi Search", patrons could only search library databases one at a time. The new "Multi Search" interface improves access to an array of research resources that the library offers including full-text articles from hundreds of magazines, newspapers and journals.

2008 - Multi Search - Session/Search Report

Month	Sessions	Searches
Jan 2008	129	304
Feb 2008	1,394	2,245
Mar 2008	1,913	4,109
Apr 2008	1,501	3,199
May 2008	715	1,545
Jun 2008	4,069	8,101
Jul 2008	5,135	9,113
Aug 2008	7,864	13,820
Sep 2008	19,721	31,847
Oct 2008	110,580	37,287
Nov 2008	75,641	28,297
Dec 2008	84	168

Definitions

Sessions: Number of search sessions initiated by your patrons within the timeframe of your report. A session is technically the period of time from when the patron opens 360 Search, runs all desired searches, and then closes the application. If they leave the application open on the computer and there is no activity, the session will timeout after about 30 minutes or so. This generally means that multiple searches are run within one session, which is why "session" numbers are always less than "search" numbers.

Searches: Number of searches executed in 360 Search, within the timeframe of your report. A search is defined as each time a user enters a search term and hits the "search" button. So, even if they select 300 resources and run a search, it only counts as one federated search.

Content provider: Scott Hollander
Comments: sah2@buffalo.edu
Last update: 6 January, 2009