On December 16, EBSCO will be updating the user interface of the EBSCOHost databases. Their databases will then match the design of our Library Search (EBSCO Discovery Service) and our Library Catalog (Locate). The updates will also include:
- You can share the URL in the browser - it is now a permalink!
- "Sticky" filters on searches - filters won't automatically clear if you adjust your search terms (a request from 2011!)
- A lot of accessibility updates, including:
- Transcripts for all videos
- Text to speech options for PDFs as well as HTML, and MP3 downloads for both
- Better screen reader support
- More accessible DRM-free eBook formats
The changeover will happen automatically, and all of our old links will redirect to the new interfaces. This includes links that faculty have embedded in Blackboard (Whew!)
You can see the changes now on our demo site: https://research.ebsco.com/c/vwgve2
However, users with saved search and journal alerts will need to recreate them in the new interface. This will primarily affect "power users," so faculty and graduate students, and only affects the EBSCOHost databases (not EDS or Locate or any other database provider).
Here’s what we need from you:
- Liaison Librarians:
- Please make sure screen shots on LibGuides and handouts are updated, and check your Panopto videos!
- Reach out in advance to your teaching faculty about the saved search alerts.
- LASS and Virtual Services staff:
- You may get questions about missing saved searches after the switchover.
You can direct users to the following help topic to learn how to recreate their alerts: https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/Creating-and-Managing-Journal-Alerts-in-the-New-EBSCO-User-Interfaces?language=en_US
EBSCO has a whole site dedicated to the UI change, which can answer many of your questions! There are even training resources on using the new interface, which you can view when you have time.