Change Is Coming: The New VIRGO FAQs

The U.Va. Library will switch to a new search interface, VIRGOnew, with many new exciting features starting July 15, 2010.

Answers to some of your questions about the interface are below. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions: please send them to http://virgobeta.lib.virginia.edu/feedback.

What new functionality is available in VIRGOnew?

With VIRGOnew you can:

• search items the Library has catalogued, including books, journal titles, DVDs, CDs, sheet music, websites, and microfilm, and also, in the same search for the first time, digital collections of images and texts;
• filter your results by format, dates, and keywords;
• sort your results by relevancy ranking, date received, author, title or call number;
• save and share your searches and results in Delicious, RefWorks and Zotero;
• generate an RSS feed for your search, so you can be notified when the Library acquires materials in your subject area.

Are faculty LEO requests still possible?

YES! Every item that can be checked out is still eligible for LEO delivery. Clicking the “Request” link within the VIRGOnew record will take you to a familiar screen.

Why is there no advanced search?

Advanced search functionality will be added in the near future.

When will journal articles be included in this search?

Technological development and vendor negotiations are ongoing in this area. Researchers should still use library subscription databases and Google Scholar to search for articles. U.Va. librarians are always available to provide assistance with any of your searches.

Can I still search course reserves?

Yes but still using the VIRGO Classic interface. Click the Course Reserves link at the top of VIRGOnew to get to see a familiar screen.

Do I need to login to use VIRGOnew?

No. All users can freely search the catalog without logging in. You may choose to login to VIRGOnew if you would like to keep a “favorites” list. The system will prompt you to login as usual to renew your books and to make a LEO request.

What is the Music View?

The Music View searches the entire collection but offers different discipline specific facets/limits. The Music View is part of an ongoing Music Library research project.

What browsers and operating systems are supported?

IE7 & IE8 are supported, as are recent versions of Firefox and Safari.

How were features and functionality selected for VIRGOnew?

Development of VIRGOnew has been driven by U.Va. users. Faculty and student focus groups, usability tests and feedback continue to provide the development direction for this project.

Is the old VIRGO still available?

Yes, we are referring to the old interface as VIRGO Classic. This interface will remain available in the immediate future while our users transition to the new interface and we develop new features such as advanced search.