Fox Hunt Enhancements

Fox Hunt underwent an upgrade this summer resulting in several enhancements.  The Fox Hunt search still begins with a simple, Google-like search box on the Library homepage, but the results display is now divided into three columns.  The enhancements are seen in the new right hand column.  This new design saves the searcher time by displaying dynamic information about the document currently highlighted.  By moving the cursor over one record after another, the searcher can read a series of summaries and abstracts without ever having to open a separate tab or document.  In the case of a book, the table of contents and links to book reviews are also provided.

  

Also in the right hand column are buttons for citing and emailing.  The Email button will send a link to the full text article.  The Cite button allows the user to choose a citation format and then displays an easily copied citation that can be pasted into a document.

The limiters are still available in the left hand column.  Searchers can limit results to peer reviewed content, to various format types, by discipline, and they can specify a publication date range with the date slider.  The book/ebook format limiter has been enhanced.  When it is checked additional limiters such as “author”, “genre”, “region”, and “time period” become available.  

Fox Hunt now has a responsive design web architecture which means that it will adapt to all sizes of screens, from desktop to smartphone.  The Search box now features predictive text.  Midway down the search results page are links to possible related searches.  Finally the searching algorithms were enhanced to present the most relevant documents at the top of the results display.

KANOPY STREAMING MEDIA SERVICE

The Cannavino Library is happy to announce that after our campus trial in the spring, we have subscribed to Kanopy's streaming media patron driven demand service.  In order to pay for the service, we have cancelled all but one of our subscriptions to the Alexander Street Press media databases;  we have retained our subscription to the Filmakers Library Online.

Kanopy currently has over 26,000 films in their database and fifty or more new titles are added each month.  The videos come from leading producers such as Criterion, PBS, California Newsreel, Kino Lorber and First Run Features.  During our trial, several faculty members commented on the currency and breadth of the collection.

To assist in using the service, please note:

• The database can be browsed by subject area or keyword.  
• Each subject page and each individual film have a permanent URL that can be used for direct linking from a course pathfinder or your iLearn site.
• By establishing an account, you can create clips, playlists, and a watch list for future viewing.
• The homepage features a listing of new videos added that month, as well as other special listings.  For example, right now one of the featured listings is for films relevant to college orientation.

Under Kanopy's patron driven demand model, the Library will  pay streaming license fees for only those films that are viewed at least four times for more than 30 seconds each view within a twelve month period. This will allow faculty and students to browse the collection for classroom and research purposes without actually triggering a purchase.  Once a film has been "viewed" four times, the Library will be charged a streaming license fee and the film can then be played unlimited times in a one year period without incurring additional cost.

If you have any questions on this new service, please contact your librarian liaison.