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Web Safari is more than just a search tool. It’s an information gateway to the library that allows patrons to access the facility calendar, read or write book reviews, check the status of their accounts, browse recommended reading lists, read library news and bulletins, and even send feedback to the library staff.
Web Safari users may choose from a simple search option or an advanced search that allows for Boolean searches, and various search limiters. Through simple selection boxes, the user can choose to limit the search results to only items that are currently available (not checked out) or to only materials in a certain category such as paperback, VHS video, easy reader, or DVD. With any type of search, the results are displayed in an easy-to-read format.
According to the company, Web Safari is easy to use, offering an attractive interface lacking in other Web-based catalogs. Web Safari also offers thoughtful features that are not found elsewhere. On each detail page, Web Safari makes recommendations for similar materials and displays a unique “patrons who borrowed this also borrowed …” list of recommended titles. Each title shown also includes any patron-written reviews and gives users the opportunity to submit their own reviews for possible publication. Web Safari makes other features available through the use of patron “Book Bags.” When viewing search results, the patron can choose to add individual titles or an entire list to his or her Book Bag. By adding titles from various searches, the results accumulate into the Book Bag to create the custom bibliography. When finished searching, patrons simply print this bibliography then travel to the library to use or borrow materials.
Web Safari offers different levels of user access to determine which features are accessible to the patron. If users choose to log in with their personal password, many more features become available.
A sample Web Safari database is available for use from the Surpass Web site at http://www.surpasssoftware.com. Sample IDs and passwords give access to the features of each user level. Surpass also offers a trial version of Web Safari and other products by free download from the Internet or on a free CD-ROM.
According to the announcement, the exciting and unique features of Web Safari, combined with an easy-to-use and attractive interface, give it a unique place in the market of Web-based catalogs. Surpass users with a site license can purchase Web Safari for under $1,000.
Source: Surpass Software, Calhoun, GA, 877/625-2657, 706/625-5399; http://www.surpasssoftware.com.
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