INWOOD, WV, June 06, 2001 -- The Library Corporation (TLC) announced today that the company has substantially boosted the power of its celebrated “YouSeeMore” product by including streaming weather reports from AccuWeather and more robust search capabilities from Muse Global.
For libraries that provide YouSeeMore -- an interactive portal that resides on a library's Web site and allows patrons to personalize individual pages with streaming media, resources and information based on their individual preferences -- the new enhancements represent TLC's ongoing dedication to making the library experience more powerful, customizable and readily available.
Infused with software from AccuWeather--the foremost provider of Internet weather, furnishing content to more than 1,200 Web sites for such media giants as CNN, MSNBC, NBCi, and The Washington Post -- YouSeeMore will offer patrons of participating libraries the option of adding streaming weather, including reports localized by zip code, to their individual portals. The addition of weather to YouSeeMore is particularly timely as data from such notable research firms as the Pew Center and Jupiter Research indicate that weather is the leading news content on the Internet. It is also considered the top reason individuals visit a local Web site.
The Library Corporation has also partnered with Muse Global to deliver a next-generation information gateway which can simultaneously search multiple disparate databases, aggregate and enrich results, and present the user with a consistent view of the findings. Muse (a Multi-protocol Universal Search Environment) taps other search engines for advanced searches and comprehensive results. In this way, patrons can explore multiple databases simultaneously, regardless of protocol -- all through a single gateway. With this functionality, Muse initiates searches of Z39.50, SQL, Web and other search engines -- across varied platforms and applications from different automation vendors. Muse completes post-processing operations, including sorting, removing duplicates ("de-duping"), and storing result sets in a "workroom" for further use. Results are formatted and displayed in a graphic style consistent with a library's corporate identity.
Commenting on today's announcement, Annette Bakhtiar, President and CEO at TLC, stated, “The new enhancements to YouSeeMore are a direct reflection of what librarians and patrons want most from online interaction with their local library. With these new improvements to the product, TLC is delivering broad-based content, which can be highly personalized for a completely customized library experience.”
About AccuWeather
AccuWeather serves more than 15,000 clients worldwide with weather forecasts, data, color graphics, consulting services, computer hardware and software. Serving clients in the media, government, industry and education, AccuWeather provides instant access to current conditions, 15-Day forecasts, satellites, real-time local doppler radar plus much more all available via the Internet. More than 180 million Americans recognize the AccuWeather name as the leader in weather forecasts and information. The company conservatively estimated that the AccuWeather forecasts have, over the years, saved more than 100 lives and more than $30 million in property. More information can be found online at: www.accuweather.com.
About MuseGlobal Inc.
MuseGlobal Inc. is a recently established company founded by Kate and Peter Noerr, veterans of the library and information industry with over 40 combined years of experience in information management, retrieval and processing. MuseGlobal's corporate mission is to deliver one-stop integrated search environments; give an organization's internal and external user communities a simple-to-use, personalized and powerful way to access a wide variety of information sources from one single search gateway; and easily and cost-effectively enable an organization to expand and enhance its information services. More information can be found online at: www.museglobal.com.