Talpa

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Talpa is an AI-powered library search tool that helps patrons find books and media in their library's collection. It uses large language models and traditional library data to answer natural language queries.

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At a glance

Pricing

Free · Likely Not Free

Free tier

Yes

API

Skill level

Non-technical

About

What is Talpa?

Talpa Search is an experimental, AI-powered library search solution designed to enhance resource discovery within a library's collection. It leverages large language models, such as Claude AI and ChatGPT, to understand natural language queries and find relevant books and media. Critically, Talpa cross-references AI-generated results with authoritative bibliographic data from Syndetics Unbound, Bowker, and LibraryThing to prevent 'hallucinations' and ensure accuracy. It excels at answering complex questions like "What's that book?" based on plot details, cover descriptions, or specific subjects, topics, authors, or series. Talpa also incorporates non-AI data from LibraryThing's CoverGuess game to help users find books by cover design. Currently available to libraries using Syndetics Unbound, it aims to provide a more intuitive and comprehensive search experience for patrons.

Best used for

Ideal for librarians and library patrons who need to find specific books or media using natural language queries, discover resources based on plot details or cover descriptions, and explore topics or authors within their library's collection. Especially valuable for enhancing the user experience and accuracy of library search.

Common actions

search library catalog

discover books by description

find media by topic

verify book information

AI searchacademic toolsinformation retrievalresource discoveryLibrary searchmedia searcheducation technologylibrary technology

Capabilities

Key features

AI-powered natural language search
Authoritative bibliographic data verification
Plot-based book discovery
Cover-based book identification
Subject/topic/author search
Large language model integration

Target Audience

librarianstudentresearcher

Integrations

Not yet documented

Pricing & Plans

Free · Likely Not Free

Free

FAQs

How does Talpa prevent AI hallucinations in search results?

Talpa queries large language models for media suggestions, but critically, every item is checked against true and authoritative bibliographic data from sources like Syndetics Unbound, Bowker, and LibraryThing. This verification process solves the problem of invented answers that AI models can sometimes produce.

How does Talpa find books by their cover design?

Surprisingly, Talpa's ability to find books by cover design isn't powered by AI. Instead, it uses data from thousands of book lovers who have played LibraryThing's CoverGuess cover-tagging game since 2010, providing a rich, human-curated dataset for visual search.

Is Talpa available to all libraries?

For a limited time, Talpa is available to all libraries that use Syndetics Unbound from ProQuest and LibraryThing. Libraries that make Talpa available to their patrons by October 31, 2023, will lock in 12 months of no-charge access.

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