Dear Colleagues,

Today, I am pleased and proud to announce that INFOsearch is ready for use by Ohio’s K-12 community. Employing SirsiDynix software, INFOsearch permits simultaneous searching of multiple databases from INFOhio’s Core Collection of Electronic Resources. Now, students, educators and parents have a new way to locate high quality information that supports Ohio's Academic Content Standards and many other topics of interest. There is no cost to use INFOsearch; it is free to Ohio's K-12 community and uses the same home access username and password that works for individual Core Collection searches.

To use INFOsearch, click on one of the grade level buttons on the INFOhio home page. A new INFOsearch box appears at the top of button and text versions of Grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 pages. Enter a search term in the box, use the drop down menu to select a particular type of resource (e.g., biographies, newspapers/magazines), and click the Go INFOsearch button. INFOsearch will search multiple resources pre-selected by INFOhio. If results are available, up to ten will display per resource. Navigation buttons at the bottom of the results page will display additional entries, if they are available. To view an article, simply click on its title or the View button to the right.

Articles display as new windows, which can be left open as information is gathered. The results window remains open, so the user can return to select additional articles. All the functionality of the native interfaces remains available in the results windows. For example, an INFOsearch window displaying a SIRS Discoverer article allows use of available hyperlinks, printing and e-mailing, just as if the users are working in the native resource.

The Core Collection link leads to a K-12 INFOsearch that allows the user to select specific resources and build a custom search. Of course, buttons for direct searching of individual resources continue to work as they have in years past.

More information about INFOsearch is available on the INFOhio Web site starting at http://www.infohio.org/infosearch.html. From there, you can read answers to several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and see lists of pre-selected INFOsearch resources.

Currently, only part of the Core Collection works with INFOsearch, but most high-quality, high-demand resources are included. Some resources require the building of software connections that must be funded by INFOhio. Some resources have content that is not the information typically searched; the practice tests in LearningExpress Library are an example. As connections can be developed, additional Core Collection resources will be added to INFOsearch.

INFOhio is using the 2007-2008 school year to test and enhance INFOsearch. Please use the brief survey at the conclusion of each INFOsearch to let us know what you think. Also, you can provide detailed comments by using the INFOsearch category in our Suggestions page linked at the top almost every INFOhio Web page.

While ITCs, districts and individuals need no additional hardware or software to use INFOsearch, INFOhio may have to purchase additional equipment to keep up with the more robust connectivity required. We will be evaluating its use and end-user feedback to determine if INFOsearch is a product/service the K-12 community would like to continue, what it will cost, and how it will be funded.

Thanks to all who worked to deliver INFOsearch in time for the start of this school year and to everyone who will spread the message about this exciting tool to assist our students’ efforts to become literate consumers of information.

Sincerely,
Theresa M. Fredericka
INFOhio Executive Director