Back Index Forward
Weekly News Digest
April 12, 2010 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today. For other up-to-the-minute news, check out ITI’s Twitter account: @ITINewsBreaks. CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items.

Credo Reference Launches Topic Pages as ‘Librarian’s Answer to Wikipedia’

The data is undeniable-a significant majority of today's researchers turn to Wikipedia at some point in the research process, very often at the beginning, or "presearch" phase of research. Now, Credo Reference (www.credoreference.com) has announced an easy-to-use alternative for researchers-Credo Topic Pages-that help answer the question, "Where do I start?"

Designed to provide contextualized, orderly access to authoritative content, each of the more than 10,000 Credo Topic Pages is an all-in-one starting point that assembles topical material from many resources from within and outside the library. Librarians can choose which resources will be displayed on their customized version of Credo Topic Pages, helping their users gain:

• Subject orientation
• Context and vocabulary
• Pathways to further exploration

Credo Topic Pages create value for libraries. Presenting and utilizing the library's resources at the point of need, Topic Pages function as an "anytime" reference interview. The Topic Pages are designed to drive additional traffic to the library from the open web, increase the usage and value of library resource investments, and bring together unconnected databases into one easy-to-use research gateway.

Libraries who have participated in the beta testing of Credo Topic Pages are giving it rave reviews. "Topic Pages are a great starting point. They give our students a wealth of useful and reliable information," commented beta tester Doug Frazier, university librarian, Armstrong Atlantic State University. "The Credo Topic Pages are a great tool to help connect the students and the library's resources."

Source: Credo Reference