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TouchPoint : At a glance

OCLC TouchPoint at a glance

TouchPoint provides a state-of-the-art interaction between libraries and their users in a web environment.  The service provides greater accuracy for researchers with more complex discovery needs and richer insights into chosen resources. User-generated content, like reviews and lists, which have been contributed to WorldCat.org, are for the first time accessible via a locally hosted solution.

Benefits

For the user:

  • A simple, single intuitive interface that requires no training, reflecting the types of web interface users have a high degree of familiarity with already.
  • Users don’t jump between multiple systems to search different kinds of materils.
  • High quality evaluative content integrated directly into a user’s workflow from WorldCat.org.
  • Finds the "right" resource for users, meaning what is available and free at the point of use wherever that is possible, whether that be through online requesting of a printed book or online access to an eBook or journal article.
  • Personalises the user's experience to reflect areas of interest and preferences, lowering the time spent scanning resources for relevance.

For the library:

  • Raises customer satisfaction with a contemporary and intuitive interface that hides the complexity of the multiple repositories that are being searched.
  • Gives libraries the option to buy a "best-of-breed" solution without being tied into using a specific management system.
  • Showcases and makes discoverable your entire collection of resources through a single interface, maximising return on investment in high-value licensed databases, eBooks, eJournals etc.

Features

  • Supports state-of-the-art search engine technology from a variety of providers including FAST, PSI, SOLR/Lucene.
  • Library owned repositories plus third-party database search through a single state-of-the art interface.
  • Socialisation features like lists and reviews drawn from a pool of tens of thousands of contributions in WorldCat.org.
  • Decoupled presentation layer enabling integration with any library’s management environment.
  • Contextual linking from record display to library’s circulation function for online requesting, fee payment and renewals.
  • API support to search engines, including FAST.
  • My Library features including bookmarks, search and database preference settings.
  • Staff interface allowing administration and configuration of views.
  • Usage statistics and reporting.
  • Multilingual interface – languages currently supported are: Dutch, German and English.
  • Interoperability with an institution’s chosen link resolver technology.
  • Integration capability with chosen fulfilment systems, like document delivery suppliers.
  • Additional Metasearch functionality supporting Z39.50 / SRU.

Related services

OLIB
WorldCat.org