dbWiz: open source federated searching for academic libraries

Faced with the choice between multiple subscription databases, each with a different interface and search functions, and the simplicity of Google, college and university students are increasingly finding their research materials on the open web. Federated searching provides one way that academic libraries can begin to win back some of these novice users, and ensure they are finding the highest quality information available. dbWiz is an open source federated searching tool currently being developed at the Simon Fraser University Library, funded by nine partner post-secondary institutions. The SFU Library has been developing open source software for a several years, including the reSearcher software suite, which features a link resolver (GODOT), a serials management knowledge base (CUFTS), electronic resource management tools, and more. This article provides an overview of the dbWiz development process, the functionality of the software, and discusses some of the benefits and challenges faced by the project.