SOLO upgrade: new features

The software that powers SOLO, the Bodleian Libraries’ online catalogue, has now been upgraded.  While SOLO will function the same following the upgrade, the new version of the software brings with it various additional new features, many of which have been requested by readers.

1.    Browse searching
The new browse search allows users to browse records using A-Z lists of authors, titles or subjects.  The browse lists cover the holdings of the majority of libraries within the University, but they do not include the databases indexed in OxLIP+ or research papers and theses indexed in the Oxford Research Archive (ORA). You can browse OxLIP+ or ORA within their own dedicated search interfaces.

2.    Date range search (Advanced search)
This is a new option in the advanced search screen which allows users to limit searches by specifying a publication date range. Results from the search will only include material where the publication date falls between the start and end date set.

3.    Improved export options
The facility to export records to reference managers has been greatly improved in this new version of SOLO.  It is now possible to export directly from individual records without saving to e-shelf and to export to desktop reference management software such as Endnote and RefWorks.

 
4.    Multiple selection/exclusion of facets (Refine your results)
It is now possible to refine your results using more than one option in the facet list on the left-hand side of the page. To do so, click on ‘refine further’. This will also offer the option to exclude facets.

Please note: Readers using the “Libraries” facet are strongly advised to avoid excluding libraries.   This is because if an item is held in a number of libraries and you choose to exclude one of them, you will not see the item at all, even though it is also available in other libraries that you have chosen to include.  For example, if you exclude the Bodleian, you will not see items in other libraries if they are also held in the Bodleian.  To refine your search by library you are advised to use the “include” option but not “exclude”.

We continue to work to develop and improve SOLO, and welcome comments via the feedback link on the SOLO front page. For help and guidance using SOLO, please see the SOLO online guide at http://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/solo or ask library staff. The Bodleian Libraries Live Help service is also available on the SOLO front page from 9am-5pm on weekdays.