Discovery Systems (Software) In Libraries:A Descriptive Analytical Study

Abstract

The study aims to introduce discovery systems(software)in libraries that have brought about a fundamental transformation and change in the process of searching for information through their capabilities that allow beneficiaries to access a large and diverse informational landscape of scientific materials regardless of the location and form of the materials, and whether the library owns them or participates in it and accordingly, the research will mainly discuss these systems in terms of their concept, advantages، and requirements for their application in libraries, In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the analytical descriptive approach was followed, in order to determine the technical specifications and capabilities of the discovery systems in libraries on the one hand, and to compare them with each other on the other hand.

The study concluded that the architecture of these advanced systems allows them to link and integrate with many systems such as library management systems and databases ... in a single interface. Therefore, discovery systems have become an imperative necessity to meet the challenges faced by libraries, The study also concluded that the Vufind system has It achieved the first rank for open source systems and the third for commercial systems (81, 25%), due to the advantages and capabilities it offers to libraries on the one hand and its support for the Arabic language on the other hand, The study recommends that it should be used by libraries in general and Syrian university libraries in particular. It guarantees smooth integration and quick access to all resources, systems and databases that the library shares in addition to open access resources...and others