The forthcoming Library Catalog, slated to replace the existing catalog and Lens search, has entered open beta testing.
In a blog post, the UChicago Library cites “the end of vendor support” this summer for the current catalog as the reason for the new system, which will replace both the library’s catalog site and Lens.
The new site was designed to better search the University’s large catalog based on “an extensive series of interviews with UChicago faculty and students,” according to the blog post. One new feature is called “power search”, which will allow for more precise searches. Other new capabilities include searching by format or language and searching for works that begin with a phrase.
The Library Catalog is set to officially launch in July 2014, at which point the old catalog and Lens search will both be retired.
