Discovery Service
nounPronunciation: /dɪsˈkʌvəri ˈsɜrvɪs/
A unified search platform that indexes and provides simultaneous searching across multiple library resources including databases, journals, e-books, and catalogs from a single interface. Discovery Services use metadata aggregation to present comprehensive search results across heterogeneous collections.
Plain English
A single search box that finds materials across all of a library's online resources at once.
Etymology & History
Usage
"Our new Discovery Service reduced search time by allowing researchers to query all databases simultaneously."
Style guide notes: Capitalize 'Discovery Service' when referring to the specific service product or category.
Also known as
Contrasted with
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Discovery Service differ from Google Scholar?
Discovery Services search only your institution's licensed resources, providing access to subscription content not on Google Scholar.
Can Discovery Services search full-text content?
Yes, many modern Discovery Services index full-text content from affiliated resources for comprehensive results.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Critical for evaluating librarian competency in information systems and user-facing technology.
Required skill level: Mid