EBSCO

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(Note from the Washington State Library:  In order to participate in the Fall 1999 Washington State Databases Trial, each vendor was asked to address questions the Statewide Database Licensing Committee felt were most critical in order for library staff to evaluate products and vendors.  Please contact the vendor's representative, listed below, for additional information on this product.)

1. Describe the database product(s). Include information on subject scope, percentage of full-text, dates of coverage, target audience (including age ranges), and how often the contents are updated.

Gain access to information on a broad range of topics including general interest, business, health and multi-cultural with MasterFILE Premier. Designed specifically for the public library, this vast database includes:

• Cumulative full text coverage for more than 1810 periodicals dating as far back as January 1990
• More than 2,720 periodicals indexed and abstracted as far back as 1984
• Charts and graphs are converted to searchable text and are included for corresponding full text articles not offered in PDF format
• PDF images available for over 850 titles
• Color imbedded images available for over 580 titles
• Daily updates to ensure currency
  

A comprehensive, academic periodical database that covers a broad range of disciplines including general academic reference, social sciences, humanities, general sciences, education, library and information science and multi-cultural studies. Academic Search Elite provides cover to cover, cumulative indexing and abstracts for 2,838 journals, as well as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor, beginning as early as 1984. ASCII full text coverage is cover to cover and cumulative (including charts & graphs) for 1,203 journals beginning as early as 1990 and color, imbedded images. This database also contains over 1,700 peer-reviewed indexed and abstracted journals, and over 700 peer-reviewed full text journals.

• Cumulative full text coverage for more than 1,230 journals dating as far back as January 1990
• 640 of these full text journals are Peer Reviewed
• More than 2,860 scholarly journals indexed and abstracted as far back as 1984
• Over 1,700 of the journals covered are Peer Reviewed
• Charts and graphs are converted to searchable ASCII text and are included for corresponding full text articles not offered in PDF format
• PDF images available for over 760 titles
• Color imbedded images available for over 570 titles
• Daily updates to ensure currency
  

The latest in EBSCO Publishing's proprietary business products, Business Source Premier is the unparalleled full text business database designed for both business schools and libraries. This comprehensive database offers full text for nearly 1,300 scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and much more. Business Source Premier contains periodicals ranging from Business Week, Forbes, Fortune and American Banker to journals such as Harvard Business Review, Journal of Management, Academy of Management Review, and many more. More than 250 of these full text publications are available exclusively from EBSCO. The full text, peer-reviewed content in Business Source Premier is unmatched and full text coverage begins in 1990 for many journals. Business Source Premier includes PDF images and embedded images for many of these journals. In addition, the database provides information from an expansive company directory.

Cumulative full text coverage for over 1,305 business periodicals dating as far back as January 1990

• Over 2,004 business periodicals indexed and abstracted as far back as 1984
• Charts and graphs are converted to searchable ASCII text and are included for corresponding full text articles not offered in PDF format.
• PDF images available for over 800 titles
• Color imbedded images available for over 350 titles
• Daily updates to ensure currency
  

A comprehensive, consumer health periodical databases that covers such topics as general health, nutrition, professional healthcare, nursing, sports medicine and patient care. Health Source Plus provides cover to cover, cumulative indexing and abstracts for 426 general health periodicals beginning as early as 1984. ASCII full text coverage is cover to cover and cumulative (including charts and graphs) for 260 periodicals beginning as early as 1990 and color, imbedded images. This database also includes 1,067 health-related pamphlets in full text, USP Pharmacopoeia DI: Volume II Advice for the Lay Patient and 23 full text books published by the People’s Medical Society.

Cumulative full text coverage for over 280 periodicals dating as far back as January 1990

• More than 426 periodicals indexed and abstracted as far back as 1984
• Over a 1050 health related pamphlets in full text
• Full text of 23 Consumer Health Information Books from the People’s Medical Society
• Full text drug information from the US PDI Vol. II Advice to the Lay Patient
• Full text from over 7000 drug and health advisory reports provided by Clinical Reference Systems.
• Charts and graphs are converted to searchable text and are included for corresponding full text articles not offered in PDF format
• Color imbedded images available for over 100 titles
• Daily updates to ensure currency
  

 Newspaper Source

EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) continues to expand the collection of full text newspapers and newswires available within Newspaper Source. Federal Document Clearing House (FDCH) now supplies EBSCO with daily feeds including ABC Nightline News Transcripts as well as eleven international newspapers. Via FDCH, the following full text newspapers are now available within Newspaper Source: Egypt Today, Hong Kong Standard, Jakarta Post, Nation, New Straits Times, The Independent, The News, The Star, The World Paper, The St. Petersburg Times and The Moscow Times.

By the end of 1999, EBSCO Publishing will add several other sources of news information to Newspaper Source. These newspapers and newswires, to be provided daily by Comtex, will include AP Online, AP Worldstream Newswires, Canadian Press Wire, Canadian Corporate News, Newsbytes News Service and Asia Pulse.

Currently, Newspaper Source provides selected full text coverage from nearly 150 newspapers and newswires.

Primary Search Online
Gather information on a wide range of general topics with Primary Search. Designed for elementary schools and children's reading rooms, this database includes:

• searchable full text of articles, reports and special issues from over 70 of the most popular K-12 magazines
• abstracts and indexing for over 145 titles
• searchable full text for over 300 pamphlets
• two World Almanac Books—The World Almanac of the U.S.A. and The World Almanac for Kids
• over 500 charts, tables and graphs converted to ASCII text to provide students with a complete understanding of the original printed articles
• EBSCO's Encyclopedia of Animals—a full text database with over 2,200 entries about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and dinosaurs
• Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia—a student, home and general reference encyclopedia containing 25,000 articles
• Essential Documents of American History—a database of over 1,000 original historical documents including The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, The Federalist Papers and the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• coverage of the CIA World Factbook (and maps)
• abstract coverage of USA Today

Searchasaurus is Here!

Don your packs and grab your binoculars as EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) takes you on a trek through a jungle of information led by the company’s latest online creation, Searchasaurus. Complete with erupting volcanoes, a dinosaur guide and compass, Searchasaurus is EBSCO’s newest user search experience for elementary- to middle school-age users

Part of EBSCO’s ongoing effort to provide researchers with market specific user interfaces, Searchasaurus showcases new navigational graphics and features that build upon EBSCO’s already successful EBSCOhost� search service.

Dinosaur Graphics Make Navigation Fun for Younger Users

On entering Searchasaurus, users are greeted by friendly dinosaurs dressed for exploration. By clicking on the login button, users accompanied by the Searchasaurus dinosaur are advanced to the Searchasaurus map of tropical islands. From here they can select an island that allows them to search EBSCO’s proprietary and licensed products for which the library has a subscription. Fun Facts, a tutorial and context sensitive help are also available from this screen.

Databases that are accessible with this specialized user experience are Primary Search, Middle Search� Plus, Funk & Wagnalls� New Encyclopedia, Facts on File� World News Digest and Ethnic NewsWatch.

Search Screen Divided into Two Easy-to-Understand Search Methods

Once a database source has been selected for searching, users advance to the search screen. With those databases, like Primary Search, that support subject searching a divided search screen appears. This screen offers a field for keyword or natural language searching, or links for subject-specific searching. By clicking on one of the subjects-such as art, computers/technology, health and others-a list of more specific topics related to the original subject is presented to users. The narrower subjects, when clicked, launch a search and retrieve a range of related articles.

Throughout the search process, the Searchasaurus dinosaur accompanies users and offers a link to a new search or, via his compass, a link back to the Searchasaurus map, making it easy for young users to navigate through their searches.

Professional Development Collection

With the Professional Development Collection, EBSCO now provides a highly specialized collection of electronic information especially for professional educators. This collection offers information on everything from children's health and development to cutting-edge pedagogical theory and practice. The Professional Development Collection includes:

• abstract and index coverage for over 330 well known professional development titles
• searchable full text for over 240 journals covering the most current topics in the field of education
  

Access a comprehensive full text collection of the newspapers, magazines and journals of the ethnic and minority press. It is a unique body of material not generally available in standard library holdings. Providing a rich collection of articles, editorials and reviews with a broad diversity of perspectives and viewpoints, Ethnic NewsWatch is a valuable interdisciplinary resource that encourages critical thinking and analysis, especially when comparing to the mainstream media.

• 200 publications: newspapers, magazines, academic, professional and career journals
• over 260,000 in-depth articles covering current events, culture and history on local, national and international topics
• over 7,500 new articles every month
• English and Spanish publications
• coverage from 1995 and backfile option available
• 5,000 names of people who make the news
• 9,500 geographic locations
• search ethnic group or publication name
• search article type: article, editorial, business, book review, food and fashion…more

2. What are the hardware and software requirements for using all the features of the product?

EBSCOhost offers flexible options for access. The proprietary search software used by EBSCOhost is designed to support users operating on a variety of computer platforms including Windows, ASCII terminal, Sun Solaris and the World Wide Web.

EBSCOhost via the World Wide Web will allow libraries to search EBSCO’s databases with any PC, Mac or networked workstation operating a Web browser. EBSCOhost is supported by the following Web browsers: Netscape 3.X or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.X or higher, and Lynx 2.5 or higher.

Minimum Requirements for User Interfaces 

For the Character Cell client, users will need to be able to Telnet from a dumb terminal or terminal emulator package running on a PC (emulating VT100) over the Internet or direct TCP/IP connection to an address located at EBSCO Publishing. Login and password provided by EBSCO.

For the Windows-based client, users will need any IBM or PC compatible with a 486 CPU or better with 8 MB RAM (16 MB recommended); 15 MB or 15,000,000 bytes of hard disk space; MS-Windows version 3.1, Windows 95 or Windows NT. (Note: if using Windows 3.1, station must be running in 386 Enhanced Mode).

For the World Wide Web client, users will be able to search EBSCO databases with any PC, Mac or networked workstation operating a web browser. EBSCOhost via the World Wide Web is supported by the following Web browsers: Netscape 3.X or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.X or higher and Lynx 2.5 or higher.

3. Is remote access included for the subscription price?  If there are additional charges or requirements in order to offer remote access, please describe.   What methods of remote access are supported?

Remote access is included in the subscription price. EBSCO offers remote access via a User ID/ Password enviorment.

4. Please discuss any methods or assistance you offer regarding remote access patron verification and authentication.

(Library’s Name) can choose one of EBSCO’s five options to customize its user-authentication for access to EBSCOhost: EBSCO Controlled IP Address Method; EBSCO Controlled User ID Method; Customer Controlled Method; URL Referral Method and Custom Patron ID Filtering Method.

• EBSCO Controlled IP Address Method: IP address authentication is currently the most popular method requested. A site provides EBSCO with a list of valid IP addresses, which are entered into our authentication tables and stored on EBSCO machines. If the subscription includes more than one location (library, branch, building or campus), then the site may want to consider listing each location along with listing its own unique IP addresses. This will enable EBSCO to set up each location on its own individual account.

• EBSCO Controlled User ID Method: If a site is not able to utilize IP address authentication, or is interested in remote access, then EBSCO will assign the site a User ID/Password. If a site’s subscription allows for multiple locations, then EBSCO can provide each location with a unique User ID/Password for access.

• Customer Controlled Method: Available for sites with several hundred IP addresses. Sites using this method will be given a separate URL and FTP account and will need to create an ASCII file to be used as the authentication table. Changes can be made simply by sending a new file via FTP.

• URL Referral Method: This method may be utilized by sites already authenticating users on their end. Sites will need a script on their Web page that requires a user to login with the site’s web server first before entering EBSCOhost and other paid services. Once logged into the site’s system, the user is granted access to EBSCOhost.

• Custom Patron ID Filtering Method: Accommodates sites utilizing many patron IDs.   Authentication is predicated upon the format of the IDs making large authentication tables unnecessary.

5. What end user delivery options, such as printing, emailing or faxing results, are available beyond just viewing results on the computer monitor?

EBSCOhost allows users the flexibility to select specific records for printing, downloading or e-mailing and send the output to a local printer, networked printers, an email address or save the information to a desired drive and path. Users can print, download, and/or email the whole article or only portion(s) of the article if desired.

Windows Printing
With the Windows client, EBSCOhost users are able to print using any Windows-compatible printer which is attached to a local area network or directly connected to the workstation. As printing activities with EBSCOhost mimic those of other Windows applications, activities are managed by the Windows Print Manager.

Character Cell Printing
Local and central printing is available with the Character Cell client version of EBSCOhost. Nearly all printers are supported. If you are able to print from other applications from the terminal, you will be able to print using EBSCOhost.

World Wide Web Printing
Unlike EBSCO’s other proprietary clients, printing and downloading of citations, abstracts and ASCII full text are not functions of EBSCO’s Web site, but functions of the Web browser being used. EBSCO Publishing has limited control of how these functions perform because each browser performs and handles these functions differently.

6. What customer training is provided, and at what cost?

EBSCO Publishing will provide comprehensive training sessions for each site’s staff members in the use of EBSCOhost. These training sessions not only show the library staff how to search the databases but also provide instruction on a wide range of EBSCOhost features, including local notes and holdings, exclusion of titles, setting default limiters, tailoring search screens, etc. Scheduled times for training may be arranged at key locations so that common training sessions can be held for all system administrators and general staff. There are no additional fees for these services.

Training Schedules

EBSCO Publishing has the ability to tailor training sessions to the specific needs of the audience. Sessions can range from large lecture-style presentations/demonstrations to small in-depth, hands on training sessions, depending on the desired level of expertise. Courses outlined below can be tailored to meet (Library Name) specific needs, and the training schedule will be developed in conjunction with (Library Name).

There are three types of EBSCOhost training sessions:

Basic Training - EBSCOhost Orientation: This is a two hour session for EBSCOhost newcomers. Recommended class size is 20 participants, with one PC for every two attendees. Learning how to search effectively is the key to finding information on EBSCOhost. During this session, attendees will learn about the searching methods available on EBSCOhost, as well as how to use the EBSCOhost application and apply the methods to real life search strategies. Attendees will also receive a quick overview of EBSCO Information Services and the services it offers.

Advanced Training - EBSCOadmin: This three-hour session is for site system administrators and technical coordinators. For best results, EBSCO limits this class to 5 participants, where each attendee has a PC. EBSCOadmin provides the library administrator with a wide range of tailoring options for EBSCOhost. During this session, administrators and technical coordinators will have hands on training on this Web-based application which allows the administrator to set up local collections, customize search screens, and produce statistical reports.

Advanced Training - EBSCOhost Network: This two-hour session is for technical coordinators and technical support staff. For best results, EBSCO suggests a forum style meeting. PC's for attendees are optional. Behind this easy to use, intuitive search system lies a complex computer network. Discussions during this session will include client configurations, account customization, IP authentication, Technical Support, and a behind the scenes look at EBSCOhost.

USER SUPPORT SERVICES

EBSCOhost customers will receive a detailed EBSCOhost Quick Start Guide which clearly explains how to get started, customize the system and navigate around the search screens. EBSCOhost Quick Start Guides will be forwarded to each library at no additional cost.

To assist the end-user in searching, EBSCO has created a User Support Program that offers a variety of quick reference pieces and training tools. Many of these materials can be tailored to the needs of an individual library. These materials are supplied at no additional cost.

EBSCO has also developed a new resource on the Web, designed to meet documentation and reference needs. The EBSCOhost Reference Center contains valuable information from our manuals and other training materials. The EBSCOhost Reference Center will provide all the necessary information for instructing end-users and library staff on all features of the EBSCOhost research system including graphical/text overviews of how to use EBSCOhost from keyword searching to search history and a glossary of EBSCOhost terms. The EBSCOhost Reference Center will be offered to participants at no additional cost.

In addition, EBSCO offers the EBSCO_web listserv which broadcasts breaking news about EBSCO Publishing products, product innovations and upcoming conference events. This listserv details the ways in which EBSCO Publishing products may be used in various libraries, explains how EBSCO’s databases are tailored to a library’s specific needs and provides librarians with the latest product developments.

And, for future reference, the informational Web site for EBSCOhost is www.epnet.com. The primary features of this site include:

• Company background, history of EBSCO Publishing
• Complete descriptions of all products & services (EBSCOhost & EBSCO CD-ROM)
• Breakdown of products & services by market
• Online access to database coverage lists
• Library Reference Center, a searchable database of library trade publications
• Comprehensive "Customer Support" section (including the EBSCOhost Reference Center)
• Downloadable reference manuals/li>
• Links to other EBSCO Web sites

7. What customer and technical support is provided, including hours of operation.

EBSCO Publishing’s Technical Services Division provides support for our products via telephone, e-mail, fax and the World Wide Web. EBSCO utilizes state of the art software and a staff of talented individuals to assist in our effort to resolve technical issues as expediently as possible.

Libraries may contact Technical Support with any technical questions regarding access to the EBSCO databases via EBSCOhost. All of EBSCO’s technical support representatives are fully trained in all aspects of EBSCOhost access and would be able to help libraries answer any questions both quickly and efficiently. Technical Support can be reached Monday - Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm EST and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm EST. Technical Support can be reached by calling 800-758-5995. E-mail can also be sent to Technical Support at [email protected]. There is no additional cost for Technical Support service.

EBSCO Publishing’s Technical Services Division is continually changing and improving the way that EBSCO provides service to our customers. Some of the most recent changes include the implementation of an interactive knowledge base. With EBSCO Publishing’s Technical Support Knowledge Base, participants in the (insert library’s name) can access a Web page and get answers to their own questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some of the features of this service include a technical knowledge base containing interactive trouble shooting options; searching for support information by performing a "natural language" query; a session log recording current trouble shooting activity and a 24 hour e-mail contact system.

The purpose of this knowledge base is to provide EBSCO customers with a method to easily search for the solutions to common technical problems pertaining to EBSCO’s software. The knowledge base currently contains over 100 of the most common problems/solutions presented in an easy to use interface. Customers can either choose one of the problems listed, follow the diagnostic questions, type in their problems using their own words or check the status of any unresolved problems. The customer will then be presented with solutions ranked by their relevancy. There is no additional cost for this service.

Customer Service Support is available for (name of site) for any questions regarding current subscription inquiries. Customer Service can be reached Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm EST by calling 800-653-2726. There is no additional cost for Customer Service help.

8. Describe the statistics you provide, and discuss whether your statistical reporting complies with guidelines developed by the International Coalition of Library Consortia which may be found at www.library.yale.edu/consortia/webstats.html

EBSCOhost provides the ability to track usage and provide statistical reports on virtually any client/server communication. The library administrator will have the ability to access and control all user configurations and generate reports automatically on-site. Usage statistics can be used to measure how often titles and databases are searched. Title, database and session usage statistics can be collected for specific time periods (monthly or annually), limited to a specific data field (i.e. ISSN) and/or searched in a particular way (i.e. a database name or number of abstracts downloaded/printed).

• Number of abstracts browsed/printed/downloaded per title
• Total number of full text articles/pages browsed for each title

• The number of sessions
• Number of searches
• Average number of hits per search
• The user profile which is used most often

9. Describe your pricing structure or formula for the product. If there are additional costs for retrieving full text, describe the pricing for this service. 

EBSCO Publishing's pricing structure is based on a number of different criteria. EBSCO takes into account the number of institutions involved, the type of institution (i.e. high school, public library, university, hospital etc.), size of each institution, possible hours of operation, population served, FTE’s and the combination of databases being priced. EBSCO’s pricing is based on an unlimited site license. It is a flat rate; all-inclusive charge based on unlimited usage and unlimited viewing, printing and downloading of citations and articles. There are no additional costs for training, technical support, user support materials.

10. What is the minimum participation level (however you care to define it) that would be needed to allow participating libraries to receive a discount? What is the minimum discount for a group buy? Please clarify how you would treat existing library customers with regard to a group buy.

Libraries may be eligible for a discount once there are multiple institutions involved. The discounted amount would be dependent upon the types of institutions, the number of institutions and the databases being considered. Existing EBSCO customers, that wish to participate in a group purchase, may be eligible for a pro-rated credit for the unused portion of their subscription. This credit can be used towards additional EBSCO products or services.

 11.  Please provide name and contact information (toll-free telephone number, e-mail address, hours, etc.) should libraries wish to make further inquires.

Marc Donnelly, Account Executive
800-653-2726 x347 
[email protected]
8:30- 5:00p EST

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