Catalogue tools ... search anywhere
The State Library has developed a number of tools to make searching our catalogues - South Bank Collections and Public Library Services (PLS) - quicker and easier wherever you are on the internet. Search the library catalogues from your Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox search box, use the Google toolbar to search the library catalogues, install a catalogue toolbar, and even search from your iGoogle page.
Each tool takes only moments to install. Use the instructions on this page to get started. Note: all tools have been tested across a variety of browsers and platforms. If you encounter problems please let us know.
1. Open Search plugin
What is Open Search?
This tool is an add-on to your browser search box that allows you to add the State Library catalogues to your list of search engines.
The Open Search plugin is available for Internet Explorer version 7 and Firefox versions 2 and 3.
How can this help me?
This tool can save you time. You can search the catalogues directly from your web browser and search multiple search engines without needing to re-enter your search terms.
Add the South Bank One Search catalogue
Add the Public Library Services OPAC
(Items in the Public Library Services (PLS) catalogue are only available from your local Queensland public library. Contact your local public librarian for information regarding loans.)
When you visit the State Library website the library catalogues are automatically included as an option in the Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox search boxes. Simply select a catalogue if you wish to add it to your search providers.
Find out more about Open Search:
Add search providers to Firefox Open Search
Add search providers to Internet Explorer Open Search
2. Google toolbar button
What is the Google toolbar button?
Add this button to your browser's Google toolbar for an easy way to search the State Library's catalogues.
How can this help me?
This tool saves you time. There is no need to go to the State Library's website if you want to search the catalogue - search directly from your browser.
An excellent feature of the Google toolbar button enables you to highlight any text on a web page and click on the State Library button to automatically search for the highlighted words in the State Library catalogue.
Add the South Bank One Search button to your Google toolbar [new window]
Add the Public Library Services OPAC button to your Google toolbar [new window]
(Items in the Public Libraries catalogue are only available from your local Queensland public library. Contact your local public librarian for information regarding loans.)
Find out more about the Google toolbar button:
Google Toolbar [new window]
3. iGoogle gadget
What is iGoogle gadget?
iGoogle is a personalised Google ‘home page’ that allows you to add what are known as 'gadgets'. These can be the latest news headlines or sports information from your favourite websites, the weather forecast, or a feed from your personal email account.
To add a State Library catalogue search box to your own iGoogle page you first need to register with iGoogle.
How can this help me?
This tool gives you the convenience of searching the catalogues from your iGoogle page. There is no need to go to the State Library's website to search the catalogue.
Add the South Bank catalogue gadget to your iGoogle page. 
Add the Public Library Services catalogue gadget to your iGoogle page.
(Items in the Public Libraries catalogue are only available from your local Queensland public library. Contact your local public librarian for information regarding loans.)
Find out more about iGoogle gadget:
Feedback
Let us know what you think about the new catalogue tools or if you think we have found a gadget that could be used to improve access to our collections.
More information:
If you have an enquiry you can contact us in the following ways:
For general enquiries:
Last updated: 15th October 2009
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