Google programmable search engine as library’s integrated search service

Abstract

The foreign providers’ exit from the market of information resources and services in 2022 affected Belarus libraries significantly. The academic libraries still have to provide basic support of higher education with relevant and quality scientific and educational content. Under the new circumstances, the library professional community has been examining alternative technological and program solutions. The Scientific Library of Belarus National Technical University has been developing its user services and introducing efficient instruments.

The integrated search increases the efficiency of financial investments into the library collections and digital resources. The library management systems and search services provide the common user access to databases. The software products fulfil the tasks of instant search, discovery, delivery and intensive use of information accessible through the library. The author analyzes the dynamics of investments in database and services packages, quantity of purchased packages and their relevancy for BNTU in 2016-2022. The findings of the analyses would enable to choose among the integrated search systems depending on library’s resources and missions. Google programmable search system is discussed in detail. Bibliopoisk and EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) are characterized.