Credo Topic Pages FAQ

General

What are Topic Pages? Why did Credo decide to add them?
Credo Reference Topic Pages are a new approach to presenting and organizing information resources. We developed topic pages to provide context and vocabulary around a subject and act as a starting point for research - all on one page. Every Topic Page assembles topical material from resources within and outside the library. You choose which resources will be displayed on your own customized version of Credo Topic Pages.

How many Topic Pages are there? What types of subjects are covered?
Credo currently has over 10,000 Topic Pages. They cover a wide range of subject areas – art, history, literature, people and much more. View some sample Topic Pages:

• Art Nouveau
• Civil rights
• Coal
• Cold War
• Supreme Court
• Women's Suffrage
• More

How do I find Topic Pages?
To find Topic Pages, enter your term in the Credo search box. If a Topic Page is available, it will appear at the top of the search results, under the heading "Topic Pages." Credo search results are now grouped into two areas: 1) Topic Pages and 2) Reference Entries, which includes all other Credo content.

Topic Pages can also be browsed alphabetically and by subject category.

Who can I contact for help?
Please contact Credo’s Customer Support with any questions.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel (US / Canada): 877-426-5202
Tel (UK / Rest of world): +44 (0)1865 339 450

How are results from external resources selected for display on Topic Pages?
Each external resource on Topic Pages is searched using a subject search if possible. Not all resources support subject searching. In those cases, we search using a title keyword or a regular keyword search. The three most relevant results are displayed for each resource. Credo relies on the external resource to identify the most relevant articles.

For some resources, we apply additional filters to improve the search results. We may filter a journal database's results to eliminate book reviews, or only search selected channels to ensure educational content.

Are the images displayed in the "Images" module fair use?
Fair use varies by image. You will need to visit the page where the image originates to see if there are any restrictions. In the case of Wikimedia Commons, the restrictions are usually minimal and are clearly indicated.

Is there a charge for Credo Topic Pages?
Topic Pages are included free of charge in every Credo account, unless your subscription includes fewer than 5 titles. Free web resources, such as Google Books and Yahoo News, can be added to your Topic Pages free of charge.

There is a fee for configuring and maintaining your library's subscription resources, such as EBSCO, JSTOR and ProQuest, on Topic Pages. If your library would like to include these databases, a maintenance fee of 20% of your subscription will be charged (with a minimum of $750). Consortia discounts are available. Library resources on Topic Pages and the maintenance fee are optional. You can choose not to include this with your subscription.

Customization

Can the library resources section of Topic Pages be customized?
Yes. We can add many of your library's subscription databases to your account's Topic Pages. To enable these resources, you will need to provide Z39.50 or Federated Search authentication information. Each vendor requires a different class of authentication; this information is not necessarily the same as any vendor log-in information you may already have. You can learn how to request this information by following the links below, or have Credo request it on your behalf by writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

What Resources are currently compatible with Topic Pages?

We offer many databases from the following vendors:

• Books24x7
• CQ Press
• ebrary
• EBSCO
• Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Gale
• JSTOR
• Library Catalogs
• ProQuest
• Worldcat

What other customization is possible?

Library resources can be customized by subject area in your Librarian Admin account. For example, you can choose to display results from Business Source Premier only on a Credo business Topic Page.

Can the free web resources section of Topic Pages be customized?
Yes. Each of the following free web resources can be activated and limited by subject within your Librarian Admin account.

• Archives Hub
• BBC News
• Google Books
• Intute
• NewsCred (News, Images, Videos)
• Wikimedia Commons images
• Yahoo images
• Yahoo News
• YouTube

I only see the free web resources on my Topic Pages. Where are the library resources?
If your subscription does not include the Topic Page customization option, you will not have access to these resources. To request a demo of full Topic Page customization, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I’d like to add my library catalog to Topic Pages. Is that possible?
If your library catalog has a Z39.50 server, it can be added as a resource on Topic Pages. If your Z39.50 server is behind a firewall, you will need to grant access to Credo’s IP addresses, which we will provide to you during the set-up process.

The following information is needed to set-up your library catalog on Topic Pages:

• Display name: what you want the catalog called on Topic Pages
• Catalog type and vendor for your OPAC. Examples:
  • Aleph from Ex Libris
  • Endeavor from Ex Libris
  • Innovative Interfaces Inc (III)
  • Sirsi / Horizon from Sirsi Dynix
• Logo: for display on Topic Pages (Please provide a gif, jpg or png file.)
• Z39.50 server info:
  • Server name: port (Ex. voyager.university.edu: 210)
  • Database code (Ex. VOYAGER)
• Catalog URL: this is the URL for your catalog (Example: www.libcat.university.edu)
• Contact email: A technical contact at your library who can discuss your Z39.50 server.

Send the above information, or any questions you may have, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.