McHenry, IL. July 5, 2000. Today Follett Software Company, the leading provider of K- 12 library automation, announced plans to introduce a revolutionary Intranet search consolidation technology into its OPAC (online public access catalog) software solutions. The one-stop search technology will make it easier for students to acquire information from multiple databases in a single search.

One-Stop Searching for Information

The new one-stop search technology will allow students to:

• Search multiple information sources, such as the library collection, full-text databases and online encyclopedias, all at once using one common interface. For example, students will be able to search sources such as Grolier's, EBSCO, SIRS and Electric Library* simultaneously, avoiding time-consuming, repetitive searches.
• Determine which information resources to include in their search
• View one set of results from the combined resources

And because one-stop search technology features a standard search interface, it eliminates the need to learn different search methods for each database.

Follett Software is incorporating the one-stop search technology into its widely used Catalog Plus WebCollection Plus and Union Catalog Plus OPAC software applications. One-stop search will support many of the most common K-12 online resources, including both subscription-based services and those accessed free of charge over the Internet. It will be available this fall as an add-on subscription.

"One-stop search will enable us to meet one of our customers' top requests—the ability to conduct one search that retrieves information from multiple online resources into a single list," commented Tom Schenck, Follett Software Company president. "It will also promote greater use of subscription databases, helping schools and districts justify ongoing funding for these important resources.

One-Stop Searching to Debut at ALA

Follett Software will debut its new one-stop searching technology in booth #1009 at the American Library Association's annual conference July 8-11 in Chicago. The company will also preview new technology that allows libraries to incorporate eBooks (electronic books) into their mix of information resources via the library automation system.

About Follett Software Company

Since 1985, Follett Software Company has provided school, public and special libraries with leading-edge library automation, Internet and curriculum resource software and services. Its Circulation Plus software, with more than 30,000 installations worldwide, is the number one selling library automation system in the K-12 marketplace. The company also has the largest base of installed Windows customers, with 15,000 users. Follett Software Company is based in McHenry, IL, and is a division of Follett Corporation. In 1999, the company was ranked among the top ten largest software companies in Chicago. For additional information, call (800) 323-3397 or go to www.fsc.follett.com.