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Brepolis Bibliographies – new interface (beta)

We are excited to announce the beta version of the new interface for our bibliographies! The Brepolis team has been working hard to bring you a fully redesigned website that enhances your user experience.

Our upgraded search engine provides more precise results and the improved user interface now ensures a seamless experience for both desktop and mobile users.

Please explore the enhanced functionalities and improved design of the beta version. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we continue to refine and optimize the interface.

Fig. 1: Printscreen of search page

Main enhancements:

  • Interface that ensures a seamless experience for both desktop and mobile users. An accessibility review of the interface is ongoing; the target is to align with WCAG 2.1 AA.
  • Dynamic search screen that allows users to add or remove search fields
  • The ‘All fields’ dropdown menu consolidates the wealth of the Brepols’ bibliographies into a single, comprehensive field and brings-up the controlled vocabularies with just a few keystrokes. This new dropdown menu:
    • Features filters and employs a relevance-based sorting mechanism (see below image)
    • Allows the sequential selection of items from the controlled vocabularies
    • Supports traditional free-text entry with Boolean and wildcard searching

Fig. 2: Printscreen of auto-complete list

  • Thematic search with listed click-and-pick categories facilitating combined searches across disciplines, areas and centuries (see below image)

Fig. 3: Printscreen of thematic search

  • The hitlist offers comprehensive filter options, empowering users to fine tune and narrow down their search results.

Fig. 4: Printscreen of result page

The beta version mirrors much of the existing functionality in our bibliographies. In the upcoming releases after Summer 2024, the following features will become available again:

  • Journal and bookseries coverage
  • Search history
  • Email alerts
  • Hierarchical search index (IMB, BCM, IBHR, BBIH, IR, APh)
  • Period covered (BBIH)
  • Cite this record
  • Highlighting of search terms in records
  • Exporting records (Zotero exports are already active)
  • Live links with LexMA, DHGE, LLT and DPhA
  • For bibliometric searches, while we await the development of this feature, the beta version will provide links to the existing bibliometric pages.

The current interface will remain accessible until all existing functionality has been fully implemented in the new interface.

New forthcoming functionality:

  • Related publications: This upcoming feature, accessible from both the hitlist and record view, will enable users to find publications with similar classifications. Scheduled release date: at the end of 2024.
  • The Cross-database search feature will enable users to search all subscribed bibliographies with a single query. This feature will focus on bibliographical details. Scheduled release date: at the end of 2024.
  • A query wizard will help users create complex searches with various Boolean and logical operators. Scheduled release date: at the end of 2024.

We encourage users to share their feedback through this link. Your insights are invaluable and will contribute to enhancing the overall user experience.