New Kids Search ™ Interface Enhances Access to EBSCO’s K-6 Databases

IPSWICH, Mass. — October 6, 2005 — In an effort to further provide end users with the most age-appropriate search experience, EBSCO Publishing is excited to announce the release of the new Kids Search ™ interface for elementary/middle school database subscribers. Kids Search combines a state-of-the-art search engine (powered by EBSCOhost ®) with a child-friendly, graphically-rich design that is both powerful and fun to use. As most of EBSCO’s customers subscribe to multiple databases, Kids Search makes it easier for students to look for their subjects of interest by automatically searching across all applicable databases simultaneously.

This new interface follows the recent introduction of EBSCO’s new Student Research Center ™ (SRC) interface for secondary school students. SRC offers a powerful alternative to the existing EBSCOhost interface that supports EBSCO’s secondary school databases, such as MAS Ultra ™ and History Reference Center ®. While customers can continue to use the EBSCOhost Web interface to access applicable school databases, optional search interfaces such as Kids Search and SRC help to ensure that the specific user groups for which they are designed are able to extract the maximum benefit from their research experience. Both interfaces can also provide easy access to subscribed-to teacher resources including ERIC ® and EBSCO’s Professional Development Collection ™.

Important features and functionality of Kids Search include a completely new, visually appealing look and feel; the ability to search by topic, subtopic, or keywords; simultaneous searching across all subscribed databases; the ability to sort results by relevance, as well as by date; the option of filtering search results by source type; and the ability to add search results, images, or persistent links to searches to the Folder.

Please visit the following URL to view a sample screenshot of the main search screen from the Kids Search interface: http://support.epnet.com/custsupport/images/KidsHome.gif

EBSCO Publishing is part of the EBSCO Information Services group. EBSCO Information Services provides libraries and research centers with online and print journal subscription services, e-resource access and management services, full-text and secondary database development and access, an OpenURL-compliant link resolver, online book purchasing and related information services. EBSCO maintains a title database of more than 298,000 serial titles and upholds relationships with more than 78,000 publishers around the world. EBSCO’s 32 Regional Offices worldwide are staffed with personnel who speak the local language and understand the particular challenges faced by librarians in their areas, offering a uniquely personal level of service. Specialized divisions serve academic, biomedical, government, public, school and special libraries as well as corporations. For more information, visit www.ebsco.com.