If you’ve ever opened HeinOnline looking for one specific database and found yourself wondering, “Where do I start?” well, you’re not alone.

As HeinOnline has continued to grow, so has the number of databases available to subscribers. With hundreds of collections spanning legal history, international law, government documents, journals, treaties, and more, quickly locating the right database has become increasingly important for researchers and librarians alike.

That’s why we recently introduced a redesigned HeinOnline Welcome Page experience. And now, based on user feedback and usage insights, we’ve made it even easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.

What We Learned

After launching the updated Welcome Page, we began reviewing usage patterns and collecting customer feedback.

One trend became immediately clear: users were frequently using the database search box as though it were a general HeinOnline search.

That wasn’t entirely surprising. Positioned on the far right side of the interface and labeled simply as a search field, the feature didn’t clearly communicate its purpose. Instead of helping users locate databases, many expected it to search across HeinOnline content itself.

At the same time, some users reported difficulty finding the database they actually wanted. One user even joked, “How am I supposed to remember that federal legislative histories fall under ‘U’ for U.S. Federal Legislative Histories?”

So we made a change.

A Simpler, More Intuitive Search Experience

The database search feature has now been moved to the far left side of the Welcome Page, directly above the database listings, where users naturally begin browsing.

We also updated the label to make its purpose unmistakably clear: Find a Database

This small but meaningful adjustment creates a more intuitive experience by aligning the search tool with how users actually navigate the page.

Now, instead of competing visually with other filters or appearing secondary to the browsing experience, the database finder becomes the starting point for users who already know what they need.

So if you can remember “legislative history” but not the database’s exact title, the search bar now does the heavy lifting for you. The dropdown automatically displays all subscribed databases in alphabetical order, while also allowing users to type any portion of a database name to quickly narrow results and find the right collection without needing to know its exact title.

The “Why Didn’t I Know This Sooner?” Section

Want to make the most of the new Welcome Page? Here are two deceptively simple tricks that can make navigating HeinOnline feel way faster.

Create Your Own HeinOnline Fast Lane

Thanks to MyHein, the right side of the Welcome Page can become your personal shortcut hub.

• Popular Databases allows institutions to highlight key databases for everyone in the organization.
• Favorite Databases lets individual users pin the collections they use most often for quick access.

So whether you’re constantly jumping into Law Journal Library, Session Laws, or forgetting that legislative histories fall under “U,” your go-to databases can stay just one click away.

And if you’re wondering, “Wait… what’s MyHein?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Think of it as HeinOnline’s free personalization toolkit. You can learn more about it in our dedicated LibGuide.

CTRL+F Still Deserves Respect

Here’s the old-school trick that refuses to stop being useful.

Because every subscribed database is listed directly on the Welcome Page, you can use your browser’s built-in CTRL + F (or Command + F on Mac) to locate a database on the page instantly.

Simple? Absolutely.
Effective? Also absolutely.

Built Around Real User Feedback

At HeinOnline, some of the most meaningful improvements come from listening to the people who use the platform every day.

This update may seem small on the surface. Moving a search bar, updating a label, and improving navigation may not sound dramatic, but thoughtful usability changes can have a big impact on the research experience. Whether you’re a librarian helping patrons navigate collections, a faculty member jumping into a favorite database, or a student trying to remember whether a database title begins with “U.S.” instead of “F,” the goal is the same: helping you get where you need to go faster.

Many of HeinOnline’s interface improvements begin as customer suggestions, feedback conversations, or support questions. Want to see more updates inspired directly by users? Explore our ongoing Customer Suggestions series to see how feedback continues to shape the platform.