Category: featured

Library Launches New Search Platform July 28

Posted on by Heather Murphy

Library Search screenshot

On July 28, 2026, the University Library launches Library Search, a new discovery platform providing a single, primary search experience to find materials from its collections as well as library-licensed electronic resources. The move to Library Search will provide a more sustainable, integrated, and user-focused discovery experience while positioning the Library to better support the evolving needs of its community.

Library Search offers:

  • A unified search across the University Library’s print and electronic holdings.
  • The ability to expand results beyond local collections to include materials available through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
  • Specialized search options for unique collections, including maps and archival materials, allowing users to refine searches more effectively.
  • Easy access to and searching of I-Share Libraries consortium holdings.

The platform also searches an extensive Central Discovery Index (CDI) containing more than 1 billion records, including:

  • Books and e-books
  • Journal articles and book chapters
  • Journals and newspapers
  • DVDs and streaming media
  • Maps
  • Music scores
  • Government documents
  • And much more

In addition, Library Search includes content from the University Library’s digital repositories and collections, including:

Overall, the new Library Search provides a more comprehensive and curated discovery experience than general search tools such as Google Scholar, particularly for licensed resources, local collections, and accessible content.

Library Search replaces the current Library Catalog and Easy Search as the Library’s primary discovery service. Both will remain accessible through August 12, 2026 (covering the Summer 2026 session). After this date, access through the Library’s homepage and existing bookmarked Easy Search URLs will no longer be available.

Have a question? We’d love to hear from you:
discovery@library.illinois.edu

Illinois Data Bank Achieves Core Trust Seal Certification

Posted on by Heather Murphy

The University Library is pleased to announce that the Illinois Data Bank has been officially certified as a Core Trust Seal repository. This certification recognizes Illinois Data Bank’s ability to meet detailed criteria that demonstrate excellence in data stewardship, reinforcing its commitment to provide a secure and reliable platform for data sharing to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research community.

The Core Trust Seal is an international certification framework that evaluates repositories on key criteria including organizational infrastructure, digital object management, and the preservation of data. By achieving this certification, the Illinois Data Bank demonstrates its adherence to best practices in data management and ensures that researchers can trust the repository for long-term data preservation and access.

Illinois Data Bank’s mission is to centralize, preserve, and provide persistent and reliable access to the research data created by affiliates of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With this certification, the Illinois Data Bank not only enhances the credibility of the data housed within its platform but also provides users with the assurance that their data is managed according to standards defined by an international community of experts.

This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of the Illinois Data Bank team and partners who have collaborated to enhance its services and infrastructure. The Illinois Data Bank, developed and maintained within the Library as part of the campus’s commitment to the Research Data Service, is committed to supporting Illinois researchers by providing a robust platform for data management and sharing, ensuring that valuable research outputs are preserved and accessible for future use.

For more information about the Illinois Data Bank and to explore its certified repository, please visit the Illinois Data Bank. To learn more about the Core Trust Seal certification and its significance, please visit Core Trust Seal.