For immediate release

HEADLINE: Indiana’s Virtual Library Unveils Enhanced Look & Functionality

Upgraded search engine boasts user-friendly interface with faster, more organized searches

INDIANAPOLIS (July 3, 2012) – Hoosiers premier resource for academic research, test preparation and career development has undergone a dramatic facelift. INSPIRE (www.inspire.in.gov), Indiana’s Virtual Library, now features greatly enhanced search functionality as well as an updated and easy-to-use interface.

“We believe users will appreciate new INSPIRE’s more intuitive searching capabilities that now resembles popular online search engines,” said Roberta L. Brooker, Indiana’s State Librarian. “Now is a great time for Hoosiers that have not heard of INSPIRE to test drive this complete virtual library that is accessible from their home, school or work computer.” 

The reason behind the INSPIRE’s enhanced searchability is the integration of the unique 360 Search from Serials Solutions. This technology filters data and omits search results that contain errors via its own knowledgebase and does not rely solely on the data supplied by content providers to filter searches. The new 360 Search also clusters results in order to speed up searches and better organize data. Results clustering separates search results by subtopics, dates, journals and authors so that search results are organized and easy to browse. 

INSPIRE's interface has also been completely revamped to give it a fresher look and feel and make it easier to navigate. The interface has new features such as links to INSPIRE databases, an updated advanced search and a larger search bar, all designed to enhance the user experience.

“INSPIRE is not only a search engine geared towards students, it has features designed for jobseekers, teachers, health professionals, and dozens of other professional, personal and leisure interests,” said Brooker. “For example, a database focusing on hobbies and crafts and another on home improvement were just added to the INSPIRE suite of resources in the past 48 hours.”

MORE ABOUT INSPIRE
For more than a decade, INSPIRE has helped Hoosiers get ahead of the curve at work and in the classroom with the credible information they need instantly. INSPIRE offers free online access to thousands of magazine and journal articles, online research tools, study aids and resources for jobseekers through a virtual portal available to Hoosiers 24/7 from their home, work, school or public library computer.  Hoosiers performed over 50 million individual INSPIRE searches in 2011.

INSPIRE is a service of the Indiana State Library. INSPIRE is supported by the Indiana General Assembly through Build Indiana Funds, The Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act and in partnership with the Academic Libraries of Indiana. This collection of databases and academic resources collectively save Indiana libraries, schools, academic institutions and private businesses millions of dollars annually in costs associated with individual database purchases.

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Media Contact: Drew Griffis
317-650-6158, agriffis@library.in.gov