The Orbis.library.yale is a comprehensive online catalog of the Yale University Library's vast collection of resources, including books, journals, databases, and digital collections. The catalog provides a unified search interface for users to discover and access the library's holdings, both physical and digital. With over 15 million items in its collection, the Yale University Library is one of the largest and most prestigious academic libraries in the world.
History and Development
The Orbis.library.yale catalog has its roots in the early 1980s, when the Yale University Library began to develop its first online public access catalog (OPAC). Over the years, the catalog has undergone several transformations, with significant upgrades and enhancements to its search functionality, user interface, and content. In 2014, the library launched a new version of the catalog, built on the VuFind platform, which provides a more intuitive and user-friendly search experience.
Search Functionality
The Orbis.library.yale catalog offers a range of search options, including basic and advanced search, as well as faceted searching and browsing. Users can search by author, title, subject, keyword, and other criteria, and can also limit their search results by format, language, and date. The catalog also provides features such as autocomplete, spell-checking, and “did you mean” suggestions to help users refine their searches.
| Search Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Search | Simple search interface for searching by keyword, author, title, or subject |
| Advanced Search | More detailed search interface with options for searching by multiple criteria, including format, language, and date |
| Faceted Search | Allows users to narrow their search results by selecting specific facets, such as format, language, or subject |
Collection and Resources
The Yale University Library’s collection is incredibly diverse, with materials spanning over 4,000 years of human history. The library’s holdings include rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other unique materials, as well as extensive collections of journals, databases, and digital resources. Some of the notable collections and resources available through the Orbis.library.yale catalog include:
- The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, which houses over 500,000 rare volumes and 10,000 linear feet of manuscript material
- The Yale University Art Gallery, which features a collection of over 185,000 works of art
- The Yale Center for British Art, which includes a collection of over 2,000 paintings, 200 sculptures, and 20,000 works on paper
- Over 1,000 databases and digital collections, including JSTOR, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost
Digital Collections
The Yale University Library has made significant investments in digitizing its collections and making them available online. The library’s digital collections include scanned versions of rare books, manuscripts, and other materials, as well as born-digital content such as electronic journals and databases. Some of the notable digital collections available through the Orbis.library.yale catalog include:
- The Yale University Digital Collections, which features over 100,000 digital objects, including images, texts, and audio files
- The Yale University Library Digital Repository, which provides access to over 10,000 digital publications, including journals, books, and conference proceedings
- The Beinecke Digital Collections, which includes over 20,000 digital images of rare books, manuscripts, and other materials
How do I access the Orbis.library.yale catalog?
+The Orbis.library.yale catalog is available online at orbis.library.yale.edu. Users can access the catalog from anywhere, using their Yale University NetID and password to log in.
What types of materials can I find in the Orbis.library.yale catalog?
+The Orbis.library.yale catalog includes a wide range of materials, including books, journals, databases, digital collections, and other resources. Users can search for materials by keyword, author, title, subject, and other criteria.
In conclusion, the Orbis.library.yale catalog is a powerful tool for discovering and accessing the Yale University Library’s vast collection of resources. With its intuitive search interface, faceted searching, and extensive digital collections, the catalog provides users with a wealth of information and resources to support their research and learning.
