Griffin search: how Westminster
College implemented WebFeat
Bobby L. Hollandsworth
R.M. Cooper Library, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA, and
Jennifer Foy
Giovale Library, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to shed light on federated search engine solutions by documenting how
Westminster College implemented a new system after a failed attempt.
Design/methodology/approach – The librarians became interested in a new federated search
solution after a previous vendor was unable to provide a satisfactory product. After seeing
demonstrations from several vendors, the librarians decided on WebFeat. This paper chronicles that
decision and its implementation, which surprisingly took less than three months.
Findings – The librarians found WebFeat to be a superior product in comparison with the first
federated search engine. WebFeat made an immediate impact on how the students and faculty
searched for information. The seamless integration into the library web page made it easier for users to
search databases and the library catalog without confusion and frustration.
Originality/value – The value of this paper comes from the fact that the library became a “federated
search casualty” after adopting a system in 2003 that did not live up to expectation and eventually had
to be terminated. WebFeat was the next choice, and it has performed above expectations. The
librarians witnessed the failure of one federated search engine solution and the success of another over
the past three years.
Keywords Search engines, Computer applications, Information retrieval, Academic libraries,
United States of America
Paper type Case study
Background
In 2003 and 2004 the library world was abuzz with the latest technology that was
supposed to revolutionize how library users search for information. This technology
promised faster and more comprehensive searching of multiple databases and library
catalogs. The idea was simple; making the idea work efficiently was another story. The
basic idea was to create software that would allow the user to search the library’s
multiple databases and catalogs simultaneously, thereby saving time and allowing the
user to search more databases. The technology borrowed heavily from Google and
other search engines because of the simple, intuitive interface, along with the potential
for a large number of search results. This new technology has had many names over
the past few years. According to Sadeh (2004) this technology was being called parallel
searching, meta-searching, integrated searching, cross-database searching, broadcast
searching, federated searching, and simultaneous searching. For simplicity the authors
will refer to the technology as federated searching.
In the Spring of 2003 the Giovale Library at Westminster College of Salt Lake City,
Utah was actively pursuing a federated search engine solution. The reason was simple:
the librarians would be able to spend more time helping students with research
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Griffin search
211
Received 20 September 2006
Revised 15 January 2007
Accepted 15 March 2007
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 25 No. 2, 2007
pp. 211-219
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830710754974