South Carolina State Library Launches New SmartSearch Enhancements

COLUMBIA, S.C. – New enhancements make it easier than ever for state residents of all ages to use Discus – South Carolina’s Virtual Library.  SmartSearch, the tool that allows researchers to conduct a single search and retrieve information from numerous electronic resources in the Discus collection, is now powered by EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS).

Using EDS enables Discus to provide two versions of SmartSearch: one version for elementary school students and another for older users.  Young students usingSmartSearch Kids will retrieve information from age-appropriate encyclopedias and magazines and also from StudySC, which links to web resources that are specific to South Carolina.  The SmartSearch version designed for older users provides credible information covering most major subject areas and delivered in many formats.

Both versions of SmartSearch offer the additional advantage of automatically recognizing South Carolina residents who access the resources away from the library, thereby eliminating the login process.

An additional version, SmartSearch+ is available at the South Carolina State Library’s website.  State Library cardholders can access SmartSearch+ via the Collections link and in one search are able to search Discus resources, as well as the South Carolina State Library’s unique digital collections.

Learn more about using SmartSearch via the EDS User Guide and the helpful video titled Research Starters in EDS.

About the S.C. State Library

The South Carolina State Library is the primary administrator of federal and state support for the state’s libraries. The Library is a national model for innovation, collaboration, leadership and effectiveness.  The Library’s mission is to optimize South Carolina’s investment in library and information services. In 1969, as the result of action by the General Assembly, the State Library Board was redesignated as the South Carolina State Library and assumed responsibility for public library development, library service for state institutions, service for the blind and physically handicapped, and library service to state government agencies. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Library is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and other sources.  For more information, please visitwww.statelibrary.sc.gov or call 803-734-8666.