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Kids Search FAQs

 The following are frequently asked questions about Kids Search. Click on a question to view the answer.


What is Kids Search?
Kids Search is EBSCO's interface designed for students in grades K through 8. Kids Search provides elementary school students with an easy-to-use, graphically-appealing interface they can use to search their EBSCO databases.


Which search screens are available on Kids Search?
Users of Kids Search may conduct a Basic Search from the Home Page.  Kids Search also offers a Detailed Search, a Visual Search, and a Teacher Resources Search.

On Kids Search, the default start page is always the Home Page. (There is no Choose Databases Screen on this interface). The Home Page Search always presents a Single Find Field, and is not customizable by the library administrator. However, the library administrator can change the style of Find field on both the Detailed Search and the Teacher Resources Search Screens. He or she may also set the default style on the Visual Search screen.

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Which databases are compatible with Kids Search?
The following databases are compatible with Kids Search:

Home Page Search and Detailed Search:

Teacher Resources Search Screen:

**In order to access the American Heritage Dictionary in Kids Search, the Primary Search database must be added to the Kids Search profile in EBSCOadmin.

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How do I choose the destination of the Search Other Databases link on Kids Search?
You can direct the Search Other Databases link on Kids Search to point to an EBSCOhost Profile, to an Other URL, or to a Select Service Page (the default).

To choose the destination of the Search Other Databases link on Kids Search:

  1. Log in to EBSCOadmin at http://eadmin.ebscohost.com.
  2. Select a Kids Search profile.
  3. Click Customize Services>Searching.
  4. Make your entries in the following fields:
    • Search Other Databases - Indicate where the Search Other Databases link on Kids Search should point: to an EBSCOhost Profile, to an Other URL, or to a Select Service Page (the default).
    • EBSCOhost Profile - If you want the Search Other Databases link on Kids Search to point to an EBSCOhost profile, select that EBSCOhost profile from the drop-down list.
    • Other URL (if applicable) - If you want the Search Other Databases link on Kids Search to point to a different URL (for example, your library home page), enter that URL in the text-entry field.  
  5. Click Submit. Your changes are saved.

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How can I set up a URL to link directly into Kids Search?
URL parameters can be used to enable direct links from an external web page to the Kids Search Home Page. A sample URL is: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?site=srck5

The URL can be modified for other login pages, for example:

If you would like your users to bypass the Select Service Screen and go to Kids Search, you should pass the profile parameter on your URL. For example, to reach the Kids Search Home Page, use this URL: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=srck5

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How do I set up my persistent links to point to Kids Search?
To guarantee that all persistent links displayed while using the Kids Search interface will lead the user to the Kids Search interface, you should set the Site Information on Persistent Links question to Yes on the Linking Sub-Tab in EBSCOadmin for the Kids Search profile.

To set a persistent link to point to Kids Search:

  1. Log in to EBSCOadmin at http://eadmin.ebscohost.com.
  2. From the Customized Services Tab, click the Linking Sub-Tab.
  3. From the Choose Profile drop-down list, select a Kids Search profile that you have already set up.
  4. In the Site Information on Persistent Links field, set the radio button to Yes.
  5. Click Save. Your changes are saved.
Note: If you would like to update the persistent links already in your library catalog to use the new interface, add &site=srck5 to the end of your existing links.

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How do I set up direct links on my library home page to main topics on Kids Search?
You can set up direct links on your library home page to main topics on Kids Search by using the Display Link to this Search feature. For example, assume you want to display a link to the Language Arts topic on Kids Search.

To set up a direct link on my library home page to a main topic:

  1. From the Kids Search Home Page, click the Language Arts button in the Search by Topic column. The Search by Topic Screen displays.
  2. Click Go. A Result List is displayed.
  3. Click the Display link to this Search link above the Result List.
  4. Copy and Paste the link into your web page.

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Does Kids Search comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)?
Yes, Kids Search complies fully with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA imposes restrictions on how websites collect information from children 13 and under. The key goals of COPPA are to place parents in control over what information is collected from their children online and to protect children while recognizing the dynamic nature of the Internet. For more information on the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, please visit:

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See also:



ID: 2437
Topic: Interface Features, Sales, Subscriptions, and General Info, Database Products and Content
Services: Kids Search
Link: http://support.ebsco.com/knowledge_base/detail.php?id=2437
Updated: May 2013

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