Federated Search: New Option for Libraries in the Digital Era

Abstract

The article describes the concept of federated searching and demarcates the difference between metasearching and federated searching which are synonymously used. Due to rapid growth of scholarly information, need of federated searching arises. Advantages of federated search have been described along with the search model indicating old search model and federated search model. Various technologies used for federated searching have been discussed. While working with search, the selection of federated search engine and how it works in libraries and other institutions are explained. Article also covers various federated search providers and at the end system advantages and drawbacks in federated search have been listed.