System, method to implement persistent search center

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes displaying a search center pane after a user selects a search icon from a search tool bar to begin a user session. The search center pane includes a search frame. The search frame includes a close button. The method also includes selecting a search category from a dropdown list of search categories in the search frame. The method includes entering a search keyword. In addition, the method includes searching a database for data records matching the search category and the search keyword. Furthermore, the method includes caching the data records matching the search category and the search keyword to maintain persistency of the data records until the user selects the close button to terminate the user session.