VuFind
Encyclopedia
VuFind is an open source
library search engine that allows users to search and browse beyond the resources of a traditional OPAC
. Developed by Villanova University
, version 1.0 was released in July 2010 after two years in beta.
VuFind operates with a simple, Google-like interface and offers flexible keyword searching. While most commonly used for searching catalog records, VuFind can be extended to search other library resources including but not limited to: locally cached journals, digital library items, and institutional repository and bibliography. The software is also modular and highly configurable, allowing implementers to choose system components to best fit their needs.
A few libraries and institutions running and testing VuFind include Georgia Tech, the London School of Economics
, the National Library of Ireland
, Yale University
, and the DC Public Library.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
library search engine that allows users to search and browse beyond the resources of a traditional OPAC
OPAC
An Online Public Access Catalog is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries...
. Developed by Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, version 1.0 was released in July 2010 after two years in beta.
VuFind operates with a simple, Google-like interface and offers flexible keyword searching. While most commonly used for searching catalog records, VuFind can be extended to search other library resources including but not limited to: locally cached journals, digital library items, and institutional repository and bibliography. The software is also modular and highly configurable, allowing implementers to choose system components to best fit their needs.
A few libraries and institutions running and testing VuFind include Georgia Tech, the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, the National Library of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
The National Library of Ireland is Ireland's national library located in Dublin, in a building designed by Thomas Newenham Deane. The Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism is the member of the Irish Government responsible for the library....
, Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and the DC Public Library.
Features
VuFind offers a number of features that enhance usability:- Faceted search results that allow users to narrow items by format, call number, language, author, genre, era, region, and more
- Suggested resources and searches
- Browsing capability
- Personal organization and annotation of resources through favorites lists, texting, e-mailing, tagging, and commenting features
- Persistent URLs
- APA or MLA citations
- Author biographies
- Multi-language capability with translations available in Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and more