Knowledge Base

Primo Research Assistant is a generative AI-powered tool designed to streamline research tasks for library users. Here are key points CUNY Librarians should know:

Current Status at CUNY

• Currently being tested by the Discovery Working Group at CUNY Libraries
• Not yet publicly accessible to all CUNY users
• CUNY librarians and staff are welcome to test the tool using their specific OneSearch instance

Overview

• It's an AI tool that allows users to query academic content using natural language
• Available to Primo VE customers (including CUNY, but in testing phase)
• Users must be logged in to use it

How it works

1. Converts user questions into Boolean queries
2. Retrieves results from the Central Discovery Index (CDI)
3. Re-ranks top results using AI
4. Creates an overview based on the top 5 sources
5. Delivers a response with inline references and source list

Key features

• Supports multiple languages (searches in both local language and English)
• Uses CDI metadata and abstracts, with some content exceptions
• Provides transparent sourcing with inline references
• Offers related research questions for further exploration

Access for Testing

• CUNY librarians and staff can access it via their specific OneSearch instance
  • Baruch College: https://cuny-bb.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_BB:CUNY_BB
  • Borough of Manhattan Community College: https://cuny-bm.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_BM:CUNY_BM
  • Bronx Community College: https://cuny-bx.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_BX:CUNY_BX
  • Brooklyn College: https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_BC:CUNY_BC
  • The City College of New York: https://cuny-cc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_CC:CUNY_CC
  • College of Staten Island: https://cuny-si.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_SI:CUNY_SI
  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism: https://cuny-gj.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_GJ:CUNY_GJ
  • CUNY Graduate Center: https://cuny-gc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_GC:CUNY_GC
  • CUNY School of Law: https://cuny-cl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_CL:CUNY_CL
  • Guttman Community College: https://cuny-nc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_NC:CUNY_NC
  • Hostos Community College: https://cuny-ho.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_HO:CUNY_HO
  • Hunter College: https://cuny-hc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_HC:CUNY_HC
  • John Jay College of Criminal Justice: https://cuny-jj.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_JJ:CUNY_JJ
  • Kingsborough Community College: https://cuny-kb.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_KB:CUNY_KB
  • LaGuardia Community College: https://cuny-lg.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_LG:CUNY_LG
  • Lehman College: https://cuny-le.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_LE:CUNY_LE
  • Medgar Evers College: https://cuny-me.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_ME:CUNY_ME
  • New York City College of Technology: https://cuny-ny.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_NY:CUNY_NY
  • Queens College: https://cuny-qc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_QC:CUNY_QC
  • Queensborough Community College: https://cuny-qb.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_QB:CUNY_QB
  • York College: https://cuny-yc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/researchAssistant?vid=01CUNY_YC:CUNY_YC
• Remember: This is a testing phase, not a full public rollout

Usage Tips for Testers

• Best for clear, detailed questions about academic or scientific topics
• Does not currently support follow-up questions or specific material type requests
• Each question is treated independently
• Feedback during this testing phase is valuable for improvement

Content and Privacy

• Excludes certain content types (e.g., news, subscription A&I databases)
• Some content providers (e.g., APA, Elsevier) are currently excluded
• For privacy information, refer to the Research Assistant Privacy documentation

Limitations and Future Plans

• Search history is not currently retained between sessions (planned enhancement)
  • Available as of November 2024
• Full public accessibility timeline will depend on testing results and CUNY's decisions

For more detailed information, updates on the testing phase, or to provide feedback, contact your Discovery Working Group representative.