A to Z
  A to Z Home Contact EBSCO Information Services
A to Z
Features Free Trial Related Services Training FAQs

FAQs
  1. You don't have to go it alone
    Some of the members of our A-to-Z team.
    View Features
    What is EBSCO's A-to-Z?

  1. What is EBSCO's A-to-Z?
    EBSCO’s A-to-Z service provides library patrons with a single, comprehensive online list of titles to which they have access. With A-to-Z, users can quickly locate and link to journals of interest. Users can search for journals by keyword or browse an alphabetical list by title or subject. Built-in administrative tools allow customization of the list including extensive branding options that allow the list to match the colors and style of the library’s other Web-based services. The master A-to-Z title database provides link and coverage information to more than 94,000 unique titles from more than 870 database and e-journals packages from approximately 175 different providers. All major database vendors and publishers are represented. A library’s print titles can also be included.

    Our A-to-Z service is designed to help you manage your full-text content from databases, publisher packages and gateway sites. With A-to-Z, you and your end-users can find out if you have the full-text to a title by searching directly from your A-to-Z list or linking from a database to your A-to-Z list.

    Back to Index

  2. What titles are included in A-to-Z?
    EBSCO has created a comprehensive master list of titles with coverage data from hundreds of different sources including databases, publisher packages and stand-alone e-journals. All major database vendors and e-journal providers are included.

    Back to Index

  3. Can I link into my A-to-Z list from other databases or catalogs and vice versa?
    Yes. Link-in functionality is built-in to A-to-Z. Linking out of A-to-Z to other resources is done through CustomLinks. CustomLinks can be simple links to the "front-door" of a service, or they can include metadata (open URL) that transfers information to the resource you wish to link to. For example, you might link from your A-to-Z list to your online catalog so your users will remember to check your print holdings (or you can add your print holdings and titles to your A-to-Z list using the upload feature).

    Back to Index

  4. How do I add titles to my list?
    A-to-Z has an easy-to-use, interactive online Title Wizard that you can use to upload titles. A-to-Z also provides the unique capability of allowing you to download your list to your local computer, make changes to your local copy of the list, and then upload those changes back to A-to-Z for real-time updating of your list.

    If you already have a title list, you can use the Upload feature as an alternative to the Title List Wizard for setting up your list. This is an easy way to add custom titles to your list that aren't available in the Title List Wizard. For example, you could upload your print-format titles with links to your catalog. You can also modify title attributes that are custom to your organization, such as the local holdings flag for each title.

    Back to Index

  5. Can I add my print titles, Web sites, e-books or other information to my A-to-Z list?
    Yes. You can add any title from your collection to your list via the List Upload feature in your A-to-Z Admin site. Titles added that are not listed in A-to-Z's master titles database are considered custom resources and will not be managed by EBSCO. Updates to the coverage, URLs, etc. of these titles must be maintained by the A-to-Z administrator.

    Back to Index

  6. How do I determine which titles were not matched on my upload file so that I may manage and report to EBSCO for addition?
    • Download your file and refer to the IsCustom column. Custom Titles are indicated by a Y on the corresponding rows.
    • When your file is uploaded, the exceptions are automatically stored for research. We will review and add as many resources to our database as possible. Please note that only full-text resources will be added to A-to-Z's master title database.

    Back to Index

  7. What is the difference between Custom Titles and Managed Titles?
    • Managed titles are all of the resources available in A-to-Z's master title database. These titles are managed and maintained by EBSCO. Any changes to the URLs, titles and coverage will be automatically reflected on your list.
    • Custom titles are those that are not in A-to-Z's master titles database. These were either specified as custom on the file uploaded, or they did not match during the upload process. All information on custom titles must be maintained by the A-to-Z administrator.

    Back to Index

  8. One of the databases, vendors or titles that I subscribe to is not listed in the Title Wizard. How do I add these?
    Your A-to-Z administrator has two options:
    1. Add as Custom resources using the Upload function.
    2. Send an e-mail request to A-to-Z Customer Support (atozsupport@exchange.ebsco.com) to suggest it be added.

    Back to Index

  9. How do I delete unwanted titles from my list?
    You may delete titles in two ways:
    1. Use the Title Wizard to deselect complete packages or titles available for individual subscription.
    2. Download your list and add a Delete column to your file, set the value to 'Y' on all the rows you wish to delete, then upload your file.

    Back to Index

  10. How do I add my EBSCOhost® Electronic Journals Service (EJS) titles to my list?
    EJS Enhanced subscribers can request automatic updates to maintain their EJS title listings and coverage information. If you did not request this service when you activated your account, please do so by submitting an e-mail with your account information to atozsupport@exchange.ebsco.com.

    EJS Basic subscribers will receive one courtesy load of their list of titles and coverage information at the time their A-to-Z list is created. The A-to-Z administrator will then have to maintain this information.

    Back to Index

  11. How do I specify my institution's coverage information, i.e., customize the coverage dates that display?
    You may specify custom coverage information using the upload feature. You may either use your own list, or download the list of titles you currently have from your A-to-Z Admin site. Specify coverage information using CustomCoverageBegin and CustomCoverageEnd columns on your file. Each column will hold 100 characters. Save your file in a tab-delimited text format and upload to A-to-Z. This information will be displayed as "Your Access" on the reader site with the coverage information specified.

    Back to Index

  12. Can I use my organization's logo or apply other branding?
    Yes. A-to-Z comes equipped with easy-to-use branding tools that allow you to change the logo, customize headers and footers, display custom messages and more. Your A-to-Z Admin site has three easy sections for branding and customizing your list.

    Back to Index

  13. Can I browse by subject?
    Yes. A-to-Z subjects are based on Library of Congress classifications.

    Back to Index

  14. Can I create custom subjects?
    Custom subjects can only be created for custom titles. EBSCO-managed titles are assigned subjects that are based on LC classifcation codes and cannot be altered. Custom subjects will display on the resource or title but will no longer appear on the Subjects tab on the Reader site.

    Back to Index

  15. Can I link my users to the Search tab instead of the Titles tab?
    Yes. To do this, replace the word HOME with the word SEARCH (or INDEX or SUBJECTS) in the standard A-to-Z access URL. Example:
    http://atoz.ebsco.com/home.asp?id=99 to http://atoz.ebsco.com/search.asp?id=99

    Back to Index

  16. How often is my list updated?
    A-to-Z title data comes from several sources. EBSCO's Title Information Department updates data as soon as it is received. Data is updated in real time, bi-weekly, weekly and monthly depending on the source and the type of update. You can make changes such as editing your list, managing proxy settings, adding custom coverage, branding and more in real time.

    Back to Index

  17. Who updates the links?
    This depends on the source of the data. EBSCO updates and maintains the links and other data for resources in our managed database. If you choose to upload custom titles, such as your print titles or titles on CD-ROM, you are responsible for updating and maintaining the links and data for those titles.

    Back to Index

  18. Can I use a proxy server?
    Yes. Go to the Proxy Settings section within your A-to-Z Admin site to indicate which links should be routed through your proxy server and to enter your proxy settings.

    Back to Index

  19. Does A-to-Z provide usage reports?
    Yes. Usage data is gathered that can be output in reports on overall usage (sessions, searches and link-outs) or usage of a specific journal (link-out by target). Reports are easily and instantly generated from the A-to-Z Admin site and reflect usage for your time zone. EBSCO's A-to-Z service complies with ICOLC (www.library.yale.edu/consortia/) standards and does not use a client's usage data for any purpose unless written consent is obtained.

    Back to Index

  20. Who hosts my list?
    A-to-Z is hosted on EBSCO's Web servers, requiring only the addition of a single link to your list on your Web site.

    Back to Index

  21. How many records display per page/how long does it take to load?
    The A-to-Z administrator sets the display options. You can choose from 10 to 100 titles to display per page. For organizations with slower Internet connections, you can decrease loading delays by setting the record display option to 10 per page.

    Back to Index

  22. Does A-to-Z support or display embargo information?
    Embargo information is integrated into the coverage display. For example, a title with full text available from January 1995 forward in a particular aggregation that has a six-month embargo on that title would have its coverage reported as "Available: 1995 to 6 months ago."

    Back to Index

  23. Back to Index

  24. How are session times measured?
    Session times are measured by using the timestamp of last page visited and first page visited.

    Back to Index

  25. Can I receive free training on A-to-Z?
    Yes. We provide free training via Web conferencing. To sign-up, go to http://ejournals.ebsco.com/support/training/training_request.asp.

    Back to Index

  26. Who do I call for support?
    A-to-Z Customer Support is available Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. You may contact them by phone (1-877-327-2622 inside North America; 205-981-4000 Worldwide); fax (205-980-2770); or e-mail (atozfeedback@web.ebsco.com)

    Back to Index

  27. How much does A-to-Z cost?
    EBSCO A-to-Z is very competitively priced. The charge is based on the number of unique titles in your title list. With its user-friendly interface and extensive administrative tools, A-to-Z is a true bargain. And you may be eligible for one of several discounts. Contact your nearest EBSCO Regional Office for a personalized price quote.

    Back to Index

  28. How does EBSCO count titles/how am I charged?
    EBSCO counts unique titles in your list. For example, if a title is available to your library from multiple databases, the title will be counted only one time for pricing purposes. It will appear once in your list with the multiple locations displayed.

    Back to Index

  29. Can I obtain MARC records for my catalog?
    EBSCO A-to-Z with MARC Updates (A-to-Z with MARC) is a valuable add-on to EBSCO A-to-Z. This comprehensive service provides a customizable file in MARC 21 format representing the library's e-resource holdings, title URLs and online coverage information. It supplies quality bibliographic records from CONSER and monthly updates to facilitate online catalog maintenance. A holdings change report is now included for A-to-Z with MARC customers. Using the information, which is delivered as a Microsoft® Excel file, customers can quickly see changes made to their A-to-Z account.

    Back to Index

  30. Back to Index

  31. How do I use non-English languages in my Custom Title List?
    A-to-Z Customers have been able to use world languages in the Title and Custom Coverage columns of their Custom Title List thanks to Unicode support. In order to upload any special text or symbols – including those in Spanish, French, Japanese, Arabic, or Chinese, or any non-English world language – you must save your file as a Unicode text file. If a file is not saved in Unicode text, any non-English text and symbols will be lost. In Microsoft® Excel, simply save your file using the “Save As” option and select “Unicode Text (*.txt)” as the Save As type.

    Back to Index


Customer Focused Content Driven