eResources Discovery Search (eDS)

eResources Discovery Search (eDS) provides you with access to most of Christchurch City Libraries’ eResource collection, articles, eBooks, journals, photographs and more, through a single simultaneous search at a single access point.

eResource Discovery Search eDS

eDS is designed to allow you easy access to most of our eResources collection including those eResources you may not even be aware of.

eDS has guest access which allows non-authenticated users to begin searching without logging in. You can search all resources but if you want to access the full text you will have to log on using your library card and password/PIN

Getting to know eDS - Features and functionality

Search Tips

Target your results more precisely by clicking the Search Options link to reveal available search modes, limiters, and expanders;
The Available in Library Full Text Collection limiter (set by default) restricts results to those items whose full text is available online in our libraries;
On entering search terms the auto-complete will appear with popular search terms as well as publications found in our library's holdings, choose from this selection or click the Search button;
Research Starter may appear at the top of the search results list. This include links to relevant articles, images, videos, and audio clips curated from quality sources like Encyclopedia Britannica.
If you are looking to refine your search from the Result List, you can apply limiters under Limit To or use the available facets (such as Source Type, Subject, and Geography) all found in the left column;
The Detailed Record includes an article’s citation information and links to full text, when available. You can print, email, save, cite or export a single result using the tools in the right column of the Detailed Record. It also allows you to create a permalink which will create an accessible link back to your article;
If you search eDS using a mobile device you will be taken to a mobile website. This allows you, search and retrieve and log on for a full experience.

EBSCO Account

What databases can I search?

EBSCO	Gale	Other
Academic Search Elite	Gale Academic OneFile	Canterbury Stories
Australia / New Zealand Reference Centre Plus	Gale General OneFile	Index New Zealand
Australia New Zealand Points of View Reference Centre	Gale Health & Wellness	World Book
Biography Reference Source	Gale In Context: Biography	The Women's Studies Collection
Business Source Elite	Gale In Context: Environmental Studies	The Treaty of Waitangi Collection
Consumer Health Complete	Gale In Context: Global Issues	BWB Texts Collection
ERIC	Gale In Context: Opposing Views	The Critical Issues Collection
General Science Full Text	Gale In Context: Science	The New Zealand History Collection
GreenFile	Gale Business: Entrepreneurship	The New Zealand Sign Language Collection
History Reference Centre	Gale Business: Insights
Home Improvement Reference Source	Gale Literature Resource Centre
Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA)	Gale OneFile: Australia and New Zealand
Literary Reference Plus	Gale OneFile: Business
Masterfile Complete	Gale OneFile: Computer Science
Poetry & Short Story Reference Source	Gale OneFile: Health and Wellness
Regional Business News	Gale OneFile: News
Science Reference Source	Economist Historical Archive
Small Business Source	National Geographic Virtual Library
Small Engine Repair Reference Source	Times Digital Archive

*New feature* Natural Language Search Mode

What is Natural Language Search Mode?

Natural Language Search (NLS) mode is an advanced search feature that allows users to query using everyday language. Instead of relying on complex keywords or Boolean operators, NLS enables users to form searches in a more conversational manner.

NLS mode leverages Natural Language Processing (NLP) to understand the intent and contextual clues within queries, making it particularly beneficial for researchers who need to find specific information quickly or are accustomed to using natural language queries in their daily workflows. This makes NLS mode a powerful tool for researchers seeking comprehensive and accurate information through natural language questions.

How does Natural Language Search mode work?
When a user initiates a search using NLS mode, the query is sent to a Large Language Model (LLM). The LLM assesses both the intent and context of the query, combining enhanced AI capabilities with EBSCO's existing search algorithm. Please note that EBSCO’s NLS mode does not collect user or query data for training purposes.

Why didn’t Natural Language Search return results for my query?

Natural Language Search (NLS) works best with queries phrased as natural language questions—for example, “What are the effects of climate change on agriculture?” In some cases, NLS mode may not return results or may not generate a Boolean-formatted version of the query. This can happen with:

Very short or simple queries (e.g., a single word)
Highly specific or complex queries (e.g., the full title of a known item)

Because NLS uses generative AI to interpret the intent behind a query, rephrasing or using different terminology can sometimes improve results or change the search experience.

EBSCO is committed to responsible and ethical use of AI in our research experiences. To learn more about how AI is used to support Natural Language Searching, visit: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transparency Fact Sheet - Natural Language Search

* New Feature* AI Insights

What is AI Insights?

AI Insights offer concise summaries, presenting 2-5 key points for each document. This consistent format, applied across multiple databases and deep backfiles of licensed content, introduces a new level of uniformity, facilitating rapid review. This feature is accessible across a continually expanding array of EBSCO full-text databases, opens a new window and EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) via multiple interfaces, opens a new window.

How AI Insights are generated

AI Insights summaries are generated by prompting a Large Language Model to summarize insights from the specific article the user selected AI Insights for. The AI Insight prompt uses a method called Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to reduce hallucinations. EBSCO also reviews a representative sample of AI Insights with Subject Matter Expert (SME) Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) for biases, tone, accuracy, and timeliness of Insights as a quality and responsible AI metric. See: Artificial Intelligence AI Transparency Fact Sheet – AI Insights for more information.

Which Records have AI Insights?

AI Insights will display when appropriate full text is available. Some records might not display a “Generate AI Insight” button. These are cases where the content is too short.