The Yale Library Orbis is a comprehensive online catalog that provides access to the vast collections of the Yale University Library. With over 15 million items in its database, Orbis is an essential tool for researchers, students, and faculty members to discover and locate resources across the university's libraries. The catalog includes a wide range of materials, such as books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, and digital collections, making it a one-stop destination for academic and research needs.
History and Development of Orbis
The development of Orbis began in the 1990s, as part of the Yale University Library’s effort to create a unified online catalog for its collections. The system was designed to replace the traditional card catalog and provide a more efficient and user-friendly way to search and access library materials. Over the years, Orbis has undergone several upgrades and enhancements, including the integration of new features and technologies, such as faceted searching and digital collection management tools.
Key Features of Orbis
Orbis offers a range of features that make it a powerful research tool. Some of the key features include:
- Advanced search capabilities: Orbis allows users to perform complex searches using a variety of criteria, such as author, title, subject, and keyword.
- Faceted searching: Users can narrow down their search results using faceted searching, which allows them to filter by factors such as format, language, and publication date.
- Digital collection management: Orbis includes a range of digital collections, such as e-books, articles, and databases, which can be accessed directly from the catalog.
- Request and delivery services: Users can request items from other libraries and have them delivered to their preferred library location.
| Orbis Collection Statistics | Number of Items |
|---|---|
| Books | 12 million |
| Journals | 1.5 million |
| Manuscripts | 100,000 |
| Photographs | 500,000 |
| Digital collections | 1 million |
Using Orbis for Research
Orbis is an essential tool for researchers and students at Yale University. The catalog provides access to a vast range of materials, including books, journals, and digital collections, which can be used to support research in a variety of subjects. Some of the ways that Orbis can be used for research include:
Topic modeling is a technique used in digital humanities research, which involves analyzing large datasets to identify patterns and trends. Orbis can be used to support topic modeling research by providing access to large datasets of texts and other materials.
Orbis can also be used to support historical research by providing access to historical texts, manuscripts, and other materials. The catalog’s advanced search capabilities and faceted searching features make it easy to locate and access specific materials, even in large datasets.
Orbis and Digital Scholarship
Orbis is also an important tool for digital scholarship at Yale University. The catalog provides access to a range of digital collections, including e-books, articles, and databases, which can be used to support research in a variety of subjects. Some of the ways that Orbis can be used to support digital scholarship include:
Data mining is a technique used in digital scholarship, which involves analyzing large datasets to identify patterns and trends. Orbis can be used to support data mining research by providing access to large datasets of texts and other materials.
Orbis can also be used to support digital pedagogy by providing access to digital collections and other materials that can be used in the classroom. The catalog’s advanced search capabilities and faceted searching features make it easy to locate and access specific materials, even in large datasets.
How do I access Orbis?
+Orbis can be accessed through the Yale University Library’s website. Users can search the catalog using the search bar on the library’s homepage, or by navigating to the Orbis website directly.
What types of materials are included in Orbis?
+Orbis includes a wide range of materials, including books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, and digital collections. The catalog also includes materials from other libraries and institutions, which can be requested through the library’s request and delivery services.
